King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 46:13 Mean?

Ezekiel 46:13 in the King James Version says “Thou shalt daily prepare a burnt offering unto the LORD of a lamb of the first year without blemish: thou shalt prepare ...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 46 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Ezekiel 46:13 · KJV

Context

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

14

And thou shalt prepare a meat offering for it every morning, the sixth part of an ephah, and the third part of an hin of oil, to temper with the fine flour; a meat offering continually by a perpetual ordinance unto the LORD.

15

Thus shall they prepare the lamb, and the meat offering, and the oil, every morning for a continual burnt offering.

Read Ezekiel 46 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. The tamid (תָּמִיד, 'continual') offering anchors each day's worship—a kebes (כֶּבֶשׂ, yearling lamb) tamim (תָּמִים, perfect/unblemished) sacrificed baboker baboker (בַּבֹּקֶר בַּבֹּקֶר, 'morning by morning'). This mirrors Exodus 29:38-42's perpetual morning and evening lambs, though Ezekiel mentions only morning, perhaps focusing on worship's inauguration.

The daily lamb foreshadows John 1:29's proclamation: 'Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world!' Christ's once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10-14) fulfills what these daily offerings symbolized—continual cleansing and access to God. Lamentations 3:22-23 celebrates mercies 'new every morning'—the daily lamb enacted this truth liturgically.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The tamid offering survived even during temple's darkest hours (Daniel 8:11-13; 11:31), making its suspension a covenant crisis. Post-exile restoration prioritized reinstating daily sacrifices (Ezra 3:3-5). Ezekiel's vision guarantees worship's perpetuity in God's redemptive plan.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the daily morning sacrifice model the discipline of beginning each day with consecration to God?
  2. In what ways does Christ as the ultimate Lamb of God both fulfill and surpass the endless repetition of Old Testament daily offerings?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וְכֶ֨בֶשׂ1 of 12

“of a lamb”

H3532

a ram (just old enough to butt)

בֶּן2 of 12

“of the first”

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

שְׁנָת֜וֹ3 of 12

“year”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

תָּמִ֗ים4 of 12

“without blemish”

H8549

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

תַּעֲשֶׂ֥ה5 of 12

“prepare”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

עוֹלָ֛ה6 of 12

“a burnt offering”

H5930

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

לַיּ֖וֹם7 of 12

“Thou shalt daily”

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

לַֽיהוָֹ֑ה8 of 12

“unto the LORD”

H3068

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

בַּבֹּ֖קֶר9 of 12

“it every”

H1242

properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning

בַּבֹּ֖קֶר10 of 12

“it every”

H1242

properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning

תַּעֲשֶׂ֥ה11 of 12

“prepare”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

אֹתֽוֹ׃12 of 12
H853

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

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 46:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 46:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 50:4Exodus 29:38-42Revelation 13:8Exodus 12:5Numbers 28:3-8John 1:29

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