King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 45:21 Mean?

Ezekiel 45:21 in the King James Version says “In the first month, in the fourteenth day of the month, ye shall have the passover, a feast of seven days; unleavened br... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 45 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

In the first month, in the fourteenth day of the month, ye shall have the passover, a feast of seven days; unleavened bread shall be eaten.

Ezekiel 45:21 · KJV


Context

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.

21

In the first month, in the fourteenth day of the month, ye shall have the passover, a feast of seven days; unleavened bread shall be eaten.

22

And upon that day shall the prince prepare for himself and for all the people of the land a bullock for a sin offering.

23

And seven days of the feast he shall prepare a burnt offering to the LORD, seven bullocks and seven rams without blemish daily the seven days; and a kid of the goats daily for a sin offering.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
In the first month, in the fourteenth day of the month, ye shall have the passover, a feast of seven days; unleavened bread shall be eaten—Passover timing: בָּרִאשׁוֹן בְּאַרְבָּעָה עָשָׂר יוֹם לַחֹדֶשׁ (bārîshôn bĕʾarbaʿāh ʿāśār yôm laḥōdesh, 'in the first [month], on the fourteenth day of the month')—Nisan 14, exact date of original Passover (Exodus 12:6, 18).

חַג שָׁבֻעוֹת יָמִים (ḥag shābuʿôt yāmîm, 'a feast of seven days') with מַצּוֹת (maṣṣôt, 'unleavened bread'). Ezekiel's vision maintains Passover observance in millennial kingdom—commemorating Egypt's exodus even after Messiah's coming. This suggests memorial function: redemption's history preserved through worship. Christians observe communion similarly—remembering Christ's Passover sacrifice (1 Corinthians 5:7, 11:26) 'until He comes.' Historical redemption shapes ongoing worship identity.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Passover (Exodus 12, Leviticus 23:5-8) was Israel's foundational redemption festival. Post-exilic Jews reinstituted it (Ezra 6:19-22). Jesus was crucified on Passover (John 19:14), fulfilling the festival's typology—He is 'our Passover' (1 Corinthians 5:7). Ezekiel's vision includes Passover, showing that even when type meets antitype, memorial worship continues. Believers remember Christ's death 'until He comes' (1 Corinthians 11:26), maintaining redemption's memory.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does millennial kingdom still observe Passover after Christ fulfills it?
  2. What is the relationship between memorial worship and historical redemption?
  3. How does Christian communion parallel/fulfill Passover observance?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
בָּ֠רִאשׁוֹן1 of 13

In the first

H7223

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

בְּאַרְבָּעָ֨ה2 of 13

month in the fourteenth

H702

four

עָשָׂ֥ר3 of 13
H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

יָמִ֔ים4 of 13

day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

לַחֹ֔דֶשׁ5 of 13

of the month

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

יִהְיֶ֥ה6 of 13
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לָכֶ֖ם7 of 13
H0
הַפָּ֑סַח8 of 13

ye shall have the passover

H6453

a pretermission, i.e., exemption; used only techically of the jewish passover (the festival or the victim)

חָ֕ג9 of 13

a feast

H2282

a festival, or a victim therefor

שְׁבֻע֣וֹת10 of 13

of seven

H7620

literally, sevened, i.e., a week (specifically, of years)

יָמִ֔ים11 of 13

day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

מַצּ֖וֹת12 of 13

unleavened bread

H4682

properly, sweetness; concretely, sweet (i.e., not soured or bittered with yeast); specifically, an unfermented cake or loaf, or (elliptically) the fes

יֵאָכֵֽל׃13 of 13

shall be eaten

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)


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 45:21 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 45:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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