Read & explore together
The Altar of Sacrifice
Ezekiel 43:13–27 describes the altar’s measurements and the steps for preparing it for worship. The passage reads as prophecy and teaching, giving careful instructions about the altar, the offerings, and the days of consecration.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
In this passage, the speaker gives Ezekiel exact measurements for the altar and then explains the ordinances for its use. The altar is connected with burnt offerings, blood, cleansing, atonement, consecration, priests from the offspring of Zadok, and an eighth day when offerings will be accepted.
Ezekiel 43:13–27Main takeaway
This passage shows that the altar was to be carefully built and ceremonially prepared for offerings before regular worship on it was accepted.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01The altar’s measured structureThe passage begins with the altar’s size and shape. It has a base, ledges, an upper altar, and horns.
Explanation
The passage begins with the altar’s size and shape. It has a base, ledges, an upper altar, and horns. The altar hearth is square, twelve by twelve cubits, and the larger ledge is fourteen by fourteen. Even the border, bottom, and east-facing steps are specified, showing deliberate order in its design.
02Ordinances for the altar’s first useAfter the measurements, the Lord Yahweh gives ordinances for the day the altar is made ready.
Explanation
After the measurements, the Lord Yahweh gives ordinances for the day the altar is made ready. Its purpose is clear: burnt offerings are to be offered on it, and blood is to be sprinkled on it. The instructions move from the shape of the altar to the way it is prepared for worship.
03Cleansing and atonement with offeringsA young bull is given to the Levitical priests of the offspring of Zadok. Its blood is placed on the four horns, the four corners of the ledge, and the border all around to cleanse the altar and make atonement for it.
Explanation
A young bull is given to the Levitical priests of the offspring of Zadok. Its blood is placed on the four horns, the four corners of the ledge, and the border all around to cleanse the altar and make atonement for it. The bull itself is then burned outside the sanctuary in an appointed place.
04Seven days of consecration, then accepted worshipOn the second day a male goat without defect is offered for a sin offering. Then a young bull and a ram without defect are brought, and the priests cast salt on them for burnt offerings.
Explanation
On the second day a male goat without defect is offered for a sin offering. Then a young bull and a ram without defect are brought, and the priests cast salt on them for burnt offerings. This continues for seven days to purify and consecrate the altar. After that, from the eighth day onward, burnt offerings and peace offerings are accepted.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Which parts of the altar are described in the measurements, and what does that show about the instructions?
Look for the named parts such as the base, ledges, horns, hearth, border, and steps to see how detailed the directions are.
02What was done with the bull’s blood, and what purpose does the passage give for that action?
Follow the places where the blood was put, then notice the words ‘cleanse’ and ‘make atonement’ in the same verse.
03What changes on the eighth day compared with the first seven days?
Compare the seven days of cleansing and consecration with the statement about accepted burnt offerings and peace offerings from the eighth day onward.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Ezekiel 43:13–27
13“These are the measurements of the altar by cubits (the cubit is a cubit and a hand width): the bottom shall be a cubit, and the width a cubit, and its border around its edge a span; and this shall be the base of the altar.
14From the bottom on the ground to the lower ledge shall be two cubits, and the width one cubit; and from the lesser ledge to the greater ledge shall be four cubits, and the width a cubit.
15The upper altar shall be four cubits; and from the altar hearth and upward there shall be four horns.
16The altar hearth shall be twelve cubits long by twelve wide, square in its four sides.
17The ledge shall be fourteen cubits long by fourteen wide in its four sides; and the border about it shall be half a cubit; and its bottom shall be a cubit around; and its steps shall look toward the east.”
18He said to me, “Son of man, the Lord Yahweh says: ‘These are the ordinances of the altar in the day when they make it, to offer burnt offerings on it, and to sprinkle blood on it.
19You shall give to the Levitical priests who are of the offspring of Zadok, who are near to me, to minister to me,’ says the Lord Yahweh, ‘a young bull for a sin offering.
20You shall take of its blood and put it on its four horns, and on the four corners of the ledge, and on the border all around. You shall cleanse it and make atonement for it that way.
21You shall also take the bull of the sin offering, and it shall be burned in the appointed place of the house, outside of the sanctuary.
22“On the second day you shall offer a male goat without defect for a sin offering; and they shall cleanse the altar, as they cleansed it with the bull.
23When you have finished cleansing it, you shall offer a young bull without defect and a ram out of the flock without defect.
24You shall bring them near to Yahweh, and the priests shall cast salt on them, and they shall offer them up for a burnt offering to Yahweh.
25“Seven days you shall prepare every day a goat for a sin offering. They shall also prepare a young bull and a ram out of the flock, without defect.
26Seven days shall they make atonement for the altar and purify it. So shall they consecrate it.
27When they have accomplished the days, it shall be that on the eighth day and onward, the priests shall make your burnt offerings on the altar and your peace offerings. Then I will accept you,’ says the Lord Yahweh.”