King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 46:11 Mean?

Ezekiel 46:11 in the King James Version says “And in the feasts and in the solemnities the meat offering shall be an ephah to a bullock, and an ephah to a ram, and to...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 46 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And in the feasts and in the solemnities the meat offering shall be an ephah to a bullock, and an ephah to a ram, and to the lambs as he is able to give, and an hin of oil to an ephah.”

Ezekiel 46:11 · KJV

Context

9

But when the people of the land shall come before the LORD in the solemn feasts, he that entereth in by the way of the north gate to worship shall go out by the way of the south gate; and he that entereth by the way of the south gate shall go forth by the way of the north gate: he shall not return by the way of the gate whereby he came in, but shall go forth over against it.

10

And the prince in the midst of them, when they go in, shall go in; and when they go forth, shall go forth.

11

And in the feasts and in the solemnities the meat offering shall be an ephah to a bullock, and an ephah to a ram, and to the lambs as he is able to give, and an hin of oil to an ephah.

12

Now when the prince shall prepare a voluntary burnt offering or peace offerings voluntarily unto the LORD, one shall then open him the gate that looketh toward the east, and he shall prepare his burnt offering and his peace offerings, as he did on the sabbath day: then he shall go forth; and after his going forth one shall shut the gate.

13

Thou shalt daily prepare a burnt offering unto the LORD of a lamb of the first year without blemish: thou shalt prepare it every morning. of the: Heb. a son of his year every: Heb. morning by morning

Read Ezekiel 46 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
In the feasts and in the solemnities the meat offering shall be an ephah to a bullock, and an ephah to a ram. The Hebrew chaggim u'mo'adim (חַגִּים וּמוֹעֲדִים, 'festivals and appointed times') encompasses annual feasts like Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. The standardized ephah per large animal during these celebrations ensures abundant provision, while to the lambs as he is able to give maintains proportional flexibility. The hin of oil per ephah enriches the offering.

These festivals commemorated God's redemptive acts—Exodus deliverance, Torah giving, wilderness provision. Ezekiel's temple worship retains memorial character while pointing forward to eschatological fulfillment. Colossians 2:16-17 identifies such observances as 'shadows' of Christ, the substance. The feasts' permanence in Ezekiel's vision suggests earthly worship will continue reflecting heavenly realities even in the millennial age.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Israel's festival calendar (Leviticus 23) structured their worship year around agricultural seasons and redemptive history. After exile, feast observance faced challenges (Nehemiah 8), but Ezekiel's vision promises restored celebratory worship. The prophetic perfect tense suggests certainty of fulfillment.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do the appointed feasts' combination of fixed requirements and flexible elements balance divine prescription with human response?
  2. In what ways should Christians today maintain the memorial and celebratory aspects of worship that festivals embodied?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וּבַחַגִּ֣ים1 of 14

“And in the feasts”

H2282

a festival, or a victim therefor

וּבַמּוֹעֲדִ֗ים2 of 14

“and in the solemnities”

H4150

properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for

תִּהְיֶ֤ה3 of 14
H1961

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

הַמִּנְחָה֙4 of 14

“the meat offering”

H4503

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

לָאֵיפָֽה׃5 of 14

“and an ephah”

H374

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

לַפָּר֙6 of 14

“to a bullock”

H6499

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

לָאֵיפָֽה׃7 of 14

“and an ephah”

H374

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

לָאַ֔יִל8 of 14

“to a ram”

H352

properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree

וְלַכְּבָשִׂ֖ים9 of 14

“and to the lambs”

H3532

a ram (just old enough to butt)

מַתַּ֣ת10 of 14

“to give”

H4991

a present

יָד֑וֹ11 of 14

“as he is able”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

וְשֶׁ֖מֶן12 of 14

“of oil”

H8081

grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness

הִ֥ין13 of 14

“and an hin”

H1969

a hin or liquid measure

לָאֵיפָֽה׃14 of 14

“and an ephah”

H374

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

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 46:11 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 46:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 46:5Ezekiel 46:7Deuteronomy 16:1-22Leviticus 23:1-44Numbers 28:1-29Numbers 15:1-41

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