Ezekiel 43:26

For seven days the priests are to make atonement for the altar and cleanse it; so they shall consecrate it.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — God addresses Ezekiel regarding the future temple vision, specifying the ritual sequence immediately following the altar's dedication.

The words — יְכַפְּרוּ (yekhappĕrû) denotes making atonement for the altar, while וּ/מִלְא֖וּ (ûmillĕʾû) literally means to fill or complete its consecration.

The thread — The seven-day atonement and purification sequence mirrors the priestly ordination rites in Exodus 29:24 and Leviticus 8:34.

Why it lands — The text mandates a fixed period of ritual preparation before worship resumes, requiring obedience to the prescribed duration before the eighth day.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

שִׁבְעַ֣תshiv.'Atseven יָמִ֗יםya.Mimdays יְכַפְּרוּ֙ye.kha.pe.Ruthey will make atonement for אֶת־'et-<obj.>הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַha./miz.Be.achthe/ altar וְטִֽהֲר֖וּve./ti.ha.Ruand/ they will purify אֹת֑וֹ'o.T/o<obj.>/ it וּמִלְא֖וּu./mil.'Uand/ they will fill יָדָֽיו׃ya.do/vhands/ its

King James Version

Seven days shall they purge the altar and purify it; and they shall consecrate themselves.

Cross-references

Exodus 29:24 Put all these in the hands of Aaron and his sons and wave them before the LORD as a wave offering.
Exodus 32:29 Afterward, Moses said, “Today you have been ordained for service to the LORD, since each man went against his son and his brother; so the LORD has bestowed a blessing on you this day.”
Leviticus 8:34 What has been done today has been commanded by the LORD in order to make atonement on your behalf.