King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 45:13 Mean?

Ezekiel 45:13 in the King James Version says “This is the oblation that ye shall offer; the sixth part of an ephah of an homer of wheat, and ye shall give the sixth p...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 45 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“This is the oblation that ye shall offer; the sixth part of an ephah of an homer of wheat, and ye shall give the sixth part of an ephah of an homer of barley:”

Ezekiel 45:13 · KJV

Context

11

The ephah and the bath shall be of one measure, that the bath may contain the tenth part of an homer, and the ephah the tenth part of an homer: the measure thereof shall be after the homer.

12

And the shekel shall be twenty gerahs: twenty shekels, five and twenty shekels, fifteen shekels, shall be your maneh.

13

This is the oblation that ye shall offer; the sixth part of an ephah of an homer of wheat, and ye shall give the sixth part of an ephah of an homer of barley:

14

Concerning the ordinance of oil, the bath of oil, ye shall offer the tenth part of a bath out of the cor, which is an homer of ten baths; for ten baths are an homer:

15

And one lamb out of the flock, out of two hundred, out of the fat pastures of Israel; for a meat offering, and for a burnt offering, and for peace offerings, to make reconciliation for them, saith the Lord GOD. lamb: or, kid peace: or, thank offerings

Read Ezekiel 45 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This is the oblation that ye shall offer—The terumah (תְּרוּמָה, "contribution" or "heave offering") consists of grain: the sixth part of an ephah of an homer of wheat... and... barley. This specifies a tax rate of 1/60th (one-sixth of an ephah per homer, since an ephah is one-tenth of a homer). Unlike oppressive royal taxation (1 Samuel 8:15 warns of 10% seizure), this modest tribute supports temple worship voluntarily given by covenant people.

The Hebrew construction emphasizes participation: "ye shall offer" (tarimu) is not royal confiscation but worshipful contribution. Wheat and barley—staple grains representing basic sustenance—being offered acknowledges God's provision of daily bread. This prefigures Jesus's teaching to pray "give us this day our daily bread" (Matthew 6:11) and His self-identification as "the bread of life" (John 6:35). The fraction (1/60th) is manageable, allowing joyful giving rather than grudging compliance.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Israel's monarchy had imposed crushing taxation to fund royal luxury and military campaigns (1 Kings 12:4). Ezekiel's vision reforms taxation, making it temple-focused rather than palace-focused, and proportionally light (1.67% compared to the tithe's 10%). This redistribution prioritizes worship over royal aggrandizement.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the light burden of this offering contrast with oppressive taxation, and what does that reveal about God's governance?
  2. In what ways is offering our 'daily bread' to God an act of faith in His provision?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
זֹ֥את1 of 12
H2063

this (often used adverb)

הַתְּרוּמָ֖ה2 of 12

“This is the oblation”

H8641

a present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute

אֲשֶׁ֣ר3 of 12
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

תָּרִ֑ימוּ4 of 12

“that ye shall offer”

H7311

to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

שִׁשִּׁ֤ית5 of 12

“the sixth part”

H8345

sixth, ordinal or (feminine) fractional

הָֽאֵיפָ֔ה6 of 12

“of an ephah”

H374

an ephah or measure for grain; hence, a measure in general

מֵחֹ֖מֶר7 of 12

“of an homer”

H2563

properly, a bubbling up, i.e., of water, a wave; hence, a chomer or dry measure

הַֽחִטִּ֔ים8 of 12

“of wheat”

H2406

wheat, whether the grain or the plant

וְשִׁשִּׁיתֶם֙9 of 12

“and ye shall give the sixth part”

H8341

to sixth or divide into sixths

הָֽאֵיפָ֔ה10 of 12

“of an ephah”

H374

an ephah or measure for grain; hence, a measure in general

מֵחֹ֖מֶר11 of 12

“of an homer”

H2563

properly, a bubbling up, i.e., of water, a wave; hence, a chomer or dry measure

הַשְּׂעֹרִֽים׃12 of 12

“of barley”

H8184

barley (as villose)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 45:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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