King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 45:18 Mean?

Ezekiel 45:18 in the King James Version says “Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the first month, in the first day of the month, thou shalt take a young bullock without blem...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 45 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the first month, in the first day of the month, thou shalt take a young bullock without blemish, and cleanse the sanctuary:”

Ezekiel 45:18 · KJV

Context

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

18

Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the first month, in the first day of the month, thou shalt take a young bullock without blemish, and cleanse the sanctuary:

19

And the priest shall take of the blood of the sin offering, and put it upon the posts of the house, and upon the four corners of the settle of the altar, and upon the posts of the gate of the inner court.

20

And so thou shalt do the seventh day of the month for every one that erreth, and for him that is simple: so shall ye reconcile the house.

Read Ezekiel 45 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the first month, in the first day of the month, thou shalt take a young bullock without blemish, and cleanse the sanctuary—Annual sanctuary cleansing: בָּרִאשׁוֹן בְּאֶחָד לַחֹדֶשׁ (bārîshôn bĕʾeḥād laḥōdesh, 'in the first [month], on the first of the month')—Nisan 1, beginning the religious year (Exodus 12:2).

פַּר בֶּן־בָּקָר תָּמִים (par ben-bāqār tāmîm, 'a bull, son of cattle, without blemish') purges הַמִּקְדָּשׁ (hammiqdāsh, 'the sanctuary'). This differs from Mosaic law's Yom Kippur cleansing (seventh month, Leviticus 16). Ezekiel's vision adds a new year purification, demonstrating heightened holiness standards in millennial temple. Beginning the year with cleansing emphasizes that approach to God requires continual purification—a principle fulfilled in Christ's ongoing intercession (Hebrews 7:25) and believers' continual confession (1 John 1:9).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Mosaic calendar began with Nisan (Exodus 12:2), though civil year began with Tishri. Major festivals (Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits) occurred in Nisan. Ezekiel adds an annual sanctuary cleansing on Nisan 1, not found in Levitical law. This innovation demonstrates that millennial worship, while rooted in Mosaic patterns, includes new elements—anticipating new covenant's 'newness' while honoring old covenant's foundations.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does Ezekiel add a cleansing not in Mosaic law?
  2. What does beginning the year with sanctuary purification teach about priorities?
  3. How does continual Old Testament cleansing point to Christ's perpetual intercession?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
כֹּה1 of 15
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַר֮2 of 15

“Thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֣י3 of 15

“the Lord”

H136

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

יְהוִה֒4 of 15
H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

בָּֽרִאשׁוֹן֙5 of 15

“In the first”

H7223

first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)

בְּאֶחָ֣ד6 of 15

“month in the first”

H259

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

לַחֹ֔דֶשׁ7 of 15

“day of the month”

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

תִּקַּ֥ח8 of 15

“thou shalt take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

פַּר9 of 15

“bullock”

H6499

a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof)

בֶּן10 of 15

“a young”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

בָּקָ֖ר11 of 15
H1241

a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd

תָּמִ֑ים12 of 15

“without blemish”

H8549

entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth

וְחִטֵּאתָ֖13 of 15

“and cleanse”

H2398

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

אֶת14 of 15
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַמִּקְדָּֽשׁ׃15 of 15

“the sanctuary”

H4720

a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of jehovah or of idols) or asylum

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 45:18 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 45:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 16:16Leviticus 22:20Hebrews 9:14Exodus 12:2Ezekiel 43:22Leviticus 16:33

Test Your Knowledge

Ezekiel 45 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterEzekiel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Ezekiel 45 with CommentaryAll Ezekiel ChaptersComplete Ezekiel QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes