Bible Strands
Ezekiel 45:18
This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘On the first day of the first month you are to take a young bull without blemish and purify the sanctuary.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Lord Yahweh speaks through Ezekiel to the priest and prince regarding the ritual calendar for the restored sanctuary. The command is issued at the outset of a new liturgical cycle to initiate sanctuary purification.
The words — תִּקַּח (ti.Kach) literally means “you will take,” and בָּ/רִאשׁוֹן (ba./ri.shon) denotes “in the first [month].” The phrasing establishes a precise temporal and material requirement for the rite.
The thread — The purification mandate parallels Leviticus 16:16 and 16:33, where blood rites cleanse the Most Holy Place and altar. The calendar marker echoes Exodus 12:2, which designates the first month as the year’s start, while Ezekiel 45:17 and 45:19 frame the verse within the prince’s sacrificial duties and the priest’s blood application.
Why it lands — The text demands strict adherence to timing and material purity before ritual action. It requires the reader to recognize that sanctuary cleansing depends on ordained sequence and unblemished provision, not human improvisation.
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
King James Version
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:
Cross-references
- Leviticus 16:16 So he shall make atonement for the Most Holy Place because of the impurities and rebellious acts of the Israelites in regard to all their sins. He is to do the same for the Tent of Meeting which abides among them in the midst of their impurities.
- Exodus 12:2 “This month is the beginning of months for you; it shall be the first month of your year.
- Leviticus 16:33 and make atonement for the Most Holy Place, the Tent of Meeting, and the altar, and for the priests and all the people of the assembly.
- Leviticus 22:20 You must not present anything with a defect, because it will not be accepted on your behalf.
- Ezekiel 43:22 On the second day you are to present an unblemished male goat as a sin offering, and the altar is to be cleansed as it was with the bull.
- Hebrews 9:14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God!
- Ezekiel 43:26 For seven days the priests are to make atonement for the altar and cleanse it; so they shall consecrate it.
- Numbers 28:11 At the beginning of every month, you are to present to the LORD a burnt offering of two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, all unblemished,
- Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.
- Hebrews 7:26 Such a high priest truly befits us—One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.