King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 45:15 Mean?

Ezekiel 45:15 in the King James Version says “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 bur...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 45 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Ezekiel 45:15 · KJV

Peace

Context

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

16

All the people of the land shall give this oblation for the prince in Israel. shall: Heb. shall be for for: or, with

17

And it shall be the prince's part to give burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and drink offerings, in the feasts, and in the new moons, and in the sabbaths, in all solemnities of the house of Israel: he shall prepare the sin offering, and the meat offering, and the burnt offering, and the peace offerings, to make reconciliation for the house of Israel. peace: or, thank offerings

Read Ezekiel 45 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And one lamb out of the flock, out of two hundred, out of the fat pastures of Israel—The livestock contribution rate is 0.5% (1 sheep per 200), the lightest tax yet. The Hebrew tso'n (צֹאן, "flock") and mimishqeh (מִמִּשְׁקֵה, "fat pastures," literally "place of watering") emphasize God's blessing—abundant flocks in well-watered land. This lamb serves three purposes: for a meat offering, and for a burnt offering, and for peace offerings, to make reconciliation (lechaper, לְכַפֵּר, "to atone/cover").

The triple function (grain offering/minchah, burnt offering/olah, peace offering/shelamim) covers gratitude, dedication, and fellowship. The phrase "to make reconciliation" uses the same root as Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), pointing to the sacrificial system's purpose: restoring relationship between holy God and sinful people. Christ fulfills all three offerings—His life (grain/minchah) perfectly devoted (burnt/olah) establishes peace (peace/shelamim) through His blood (Colossians 1:20). The emphasis on offerings from Israel's abundance ("fat pastures") reminds us that worship flows from gratitude for blessing, not mere duty.

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Historical & Cultural Context

In the Mosaic system, individuals brought personal sacrifices. Ezekiel's vision introduces communal provision where the people collectively supply the prince's offerings on their behalf. This shifts responsibility from individual to corporate, creating shared investment in national worship and reducing the burden on any single family while maintaining regular temple service.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do the three types of offerings (meal, burnt, peace) together paint a complete picture of Christ's work?
  2. What does it mean that reconciliation offerings come 'out of the fat pastures'—from our abundance rather than poverty?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וְשֶׂה1 of 16

“lamb”

H7716

a member of a flock, i.e., a sheep or goat

אַחַ֨ת2 of 16

“And one”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

מִן3 of 16
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַצֹּ֤אן4 of 16

“out of the flock”

H6629

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

מִן5 of 16
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַמָּאתַ֙יִם֙6 of 16

“out of two hundred”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

מִמַּשְׁקֵ֣ה7 of 16

“out of the fat pastures”

H4945

properly, causing to drink, i.e., a butler; by implication (intransitively), drink (itself); figuratively, a well-watered region

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל8 of 16

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

לְמִנְחָ֖ה9 of 16

“for a meat offering”

H4503

a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)

וּלְעוֹלָ֣ה10 of 16

“and for a burnt offering”

H5930

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

וְלִשְׁלָמִ֑ים11 of 16

“and for peace offerings”

H8002

properly, requital, i.e., a (voluntary) sacrifice in thanks

לְכַפֵּ֣ר12 of 16

“to make reconciliation”

H3722

to cover (specifically with bitumen)

עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם13 of 16
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

נְאֻ֖ם14 of 16

“for them saith”

H5002

an oracle

אֲדֹנָ֥י15 of 16

“the Lord”

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִֽה׃16 of 16

“GOD”

H3069

god

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 45:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 45:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 1:4Leviticus 6:30Malachi 1:14Colossians 1:21Malachi 1:82 Corinthians 5:19-21

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