Ezekiel 43:26
New International Version
For seven days they are to make atonement for the altar and cleanse it; thus they will dedicate it.

New Living Translation
Do this each day for seven days to cleanse and make atonement for the altar, thus setting it apart for holy use.

English Standard Version
Seven days shall they make atonement for the altar and cleanse it, and so consecrate it.

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

Berean Literal Bible
Seven days they shall make atonement for the altar and purify it, and they shall fill its hands.

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

New King James Version
Seven days they shall make atonement for the altar and purify it, and so consecrate it.

New American Standard Bible
For seven days they shall make atonement for the altar and purify it; so shall they consecrate it.

NASB 1995
‘For seven days they shall make atonement for the altar and purify it; so shall they consecrate it.

NASB 1977
‘For seven days they shall make atonement for the altar and purify it; so shall they consecrate it.

Legacy Standard Bible
For seven days they shall make atonement for the altar and purify it; so shall they ordain it.

Amplified Bible
For seven days they shall make atonement for the altar and purify it; so the priests shall consecrate it [to receive offerings].

Berean Annotated Bible
For seven days the priests are to make atonement for the altar and cleanse it; so they shall consecrate it \fill its hand/.

Christian Standard Bible
For seven days the priests are to make atonement for the altar and cleanse it. In this way they will consecrate it

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For seven days the priests are to make atonement for the altar and cleanse it. In this way they will consecrate it

American Standard Version
Seven days shall they make atonement for the altar and purify it; so shall they consecrate it.

Contemporary English Version
The priests will purify the altar during those days, so that it will be acceptable to me and ready to use.

English Revised Version
Seven days shall they make atonement for the altar and purify it; so shall they consecrate it.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
For seven days the priests should make peace with the LORD at the altar, purify it, and consecrate it.

Good News Translation
For seven days the priests are to consecrate the altar and make it ready for use.

International Standard Version
For a seven day period they are to make atonement for the altar, purifying it and consecrating it.

NET Bible
For seven days they will make atonement for the altar and cleanse it, so they will consecrate it.

New Heart English Bible
Seven days shall they make atonement for the altar and purify it; so shall they consecrate it.

Webster's Bible Translation
Seven days shall they purge the altar and purify it; and they shall consecrate themselves.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
For seven days the priests are to make atonement for the altar and cleanse it; so they shall consecrate it.

World English Bible
Seven days shall they make atonement for the altar and purify it. So shall they consecrate it.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
[For] seven days they purify the altar, and have cleansed it, and filled their hand.

Berean Literal Bible
Seven days they shall make atonement for the altar and purify it, and they shall fill its hands.

Young's Literal Translation
Seven days they purify the altar, and have cleansed it, and filled their hand.

Smith's Literal Translation
Seven days and they expiated the altar, and they cleansed it; and they filled his hand.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Seven days shall they expiate the altar, and shall cleanse it: and they shall consecrate it.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For seven days, they shall expiate the altar, and they shall cleanse it, and they shall fill its hand.

New American Bible
for seven days. Thus they shall purge the altar, in order to cleanse and dedicate it.

New Revised Standard Version
Seven days shall they make atonement for the altar and cleanse it, and so consecrate it.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For seven days they shall make offerings and shall cleanse the altar: and they shall consecrate themselves.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
They shall be offering seven days, and they shall cleanse the altar and they shall consecrate their hands
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Seven days shall they make atonement for the altar and cleanse it; so shall they consecrate it.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and they shall make atonement for the altar, and shall purge it; and they shall consecrate themselves.

Additional Translations ...



Context
The Altar of Sacrifice
25For seven days you are to provide a male goat daily for a sin offering; you are also to provide a young bull and a ram from the flock, both unblemished. 26For seven days the priests are to make atonement for the altar and cleanse it; so they shall consecrate it. 27At the end of these days, from the eighth day on, the priests are to present your burnt offerings and peace offerings on the altar. Then I will accept you, declares the Lord GOD.’ ”…

Cross References
For seven days

2 Chronicles 7:8-9
So at that time Solomon and all Israel with him—a very great assembly of people from Lebo-hamath to the Brook of Egypt—kept the feast for seven days. / On the eighth day they held a solemn assembly, for the dedication of the altar had lasted seven days, and the feast seven days more.

Leviticus 8:33-35
You must not go outside the entrance to the Tent of Meeting for seven days, until the days of your ordination are complete; for it will take seven days to ordain you. / What has been done today has been commanded by the LORD in order to make atonement on your behalf. / You must remain at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting day and night for seven days and keep the LORD’s charge so that you will not die, for this is what I have been commanded.”

1 Kings 8:65-66
So at that time Solomon and all Israel with him—a great assembly of people from Lebo-hamath to the Brook of Egypt—kept the feast before the LORD our God for seven days and seven more days—fourteen days in all. / On the fifteenth day Solomon sent the people away. So they blessed the king and went home, joyful and glad in heart for all the good things that the LORD had done for His servant David and for His people Israel.
the priests are to make atonement for the altar

Exodus 29:36-37
Sacrifice a bull as a sin offering each day for atonement. Purify the altar by making atonement for it, and anoint it to consecrate it. / For seven days you shall make atonement for the altar and consecrate it. Then the altar will become most holy; whatever touches the altar will be holy.

Leviticus 8:15
Moses slaughtered the bull, took some of the blood, and applied it with his finger to all four horns of the altar, purifying the altar. He poured out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar and consecrated it so that atonement could be made on it.

Exodus 40:10-11
Anoint the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils; consecrate the altar, and it shall be most holy. / Anoint the basin and its stand and consecrate them.
and cleanse it;

Leviticus 16:18-19
Then he shall go out to the altar that is before the LORD and make atonement for it. He is to take some of the bull’s blood and some of the goat’s blood and put it on all the horns of the altar. / He is to sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times to cleanse it and consecrate it from the uncleanness of the Israelites.

2 Chronicles 29:18-19
Then they went in to King Hezekiah and reported, “We have cleansed the entire house of the LORD, the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the table of the showbread with all its utensils. / Moreover, we have prepared and consecrated all the articles that King Ahaz in his unfaithfulness cast aside during his reign. They are now in front of the altar of the LORD.”

Ezekiel 45:18-20
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. / And the priest is to take some of the blood from the sin offering and put it on the doorposts of the temple, on the four corners of the ledge of the altar, and on the gateposts of the inner court. / You must do the same thing on the seventh day of the month for anyone who strays unintentionally or in ignorance. In this way you will make atonement for the temple.
so they shall consecrate it.

Exodus 40:9-10
Take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and everything in it; consecrate it along with all its furnishings, and it shall be holy. / Anoint the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils; consecrate the altar, and it shall be most holy.

Leviticus 8:10-12
Next, Moses took the anointing oil and anointed the tabernacle and everything in it; and so he consecrated them. / He sprinkled some of the oil on the altar seven times, anointing the altar and all its utensils, and the basin with its stand, to consecrate them. / He also poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him to consecrate him.

Numbers 7:10-11
When the altar was anointed, the leaders approached with their offerings for its dedication and presented them before the altar. / And the LORD said to Moses, “Each day one leader is to present his offering for the dedication of the altar.”
Exodus 29:35-37
This is what you are to do for Aaron and his sons based on all that I have commanded you, taking seven days to ordain them. / Sacrifice a bull as a sin offering each day for atonement. Purify the altar by making atonement for it, and anoint it to consecrate it. / For seven days you shall make atonement for the altar and consecrate it. Then the altar will become most holy; whatever touches the altar will be holy.

Hebrews 10:10-14
And by that will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. / Day after day every priest stands to minister and to offer again and again the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. / But when this Priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God. …

Leviticus 16:30
because on this day atonement will be made for you to cleanse you, and you will be clean from all your sins before the LORD.

Hebrews 9:13-14
For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that their bodies are clean, / 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!


Treasury of Scripture

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

they shall

Leviticus 8:34
As he hath done this day, so the LORD hath commanded to do, to make an atonement for you.

Exodus 29:24
And thou shalt put all in the hands of Aaron, and in the hands of his sons; and shalt wave them for a wave offering before the LORD.

Exodus 32:29
For Moses had said, Consecrate yourselves to day to the LORD, even every man upon his son, and upon his brother; that he may bestow upon you a blessing this day.

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Altar Atonement Clean Cleanse Cleansed Consecrate Dedicate Filled Hand Holy Offerings Purge Purify Seven Sin Themselves
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Altar Atonement Clean Cleanse Cleansed Consecrate Dedicate Filled Hand Holy Offerings Purge Purify Seven Sin Themselves
Ezekiel 43
1. The returning of the glory of God into the temple
7. The sin of Israel hindered God's presence
10. The prophet exhorts them to repentance and observation of the law of the house
13. The measures
18. and ordinances of the altar












For seven days

The altar was prepared over a full week, corresponding to the pattern of completeness established in the creation week. Each day’s sacrifices marked the altar’s gradual purification and formal readiness for service in the restored temple.

2Ch 7:8-9 So at that time Solomon and all Israel with him……
Lev 8:33-35 You must not go outside the entrance to the Tent…
1Ki 8:65-66 So at that time Solomon and all Israel with him…

the priests are to make atonement for the altar

Although the altar was an object, it required atonement because it would stand at the center of Israel’s sacrificial worship in a fallen world. The priests carried out the required offerings, acting in their appointed role before the Lord and dedicating the altar for sacrifices acceptable to Him.

Exo 29:36-37 Sacrifice a bull as a sin offering each day for atonement.…
Lev 8:15 Moses slaughtered the bull, took some of the blood,…
Exo 40:10-11 Anoint the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils;…

and cleanse it;

The cleansing removed ceremonial defilement and established the altar as holy. No altar used for approaching the holy God could enter service without purification.

Lev 16:18-19 Then he shall go out to the altar that is before the LORD…
2Ch 29:18-19 Then they went in to King Hezekiah and reported,…
Ezk 45:18-20 This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘On the first day…

so they shall consecrate it.

At the end of the seven days, the altar was set apart exclusively for the Lord’s worship. Its consecration marked the beginning of its use for the offerings prescribed for Israel.

Exo 40:9-10 Take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle…
Lev 8:10-12 Moses took the anointing oil and anointed the tabernacle…
Num 7:10-11 When the altar was anointed, the leaders approached…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ezekiel
A prophet and priest during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel is the author of the book. He receives visions from God, including the vision of the new temple.

2. The Altar
Central to the sacrificial system, the altar in this passage is being prepared for use in the new temple vision. It symbolizes the place where offerings are made to God.

3. Seven Days
A period of completion and perfection in biblical terms, reflecting the creation week and the consecration of the altar.

4. Atonement
The process of making amends or reparation for sin, crucial in the Old Testament sacrificial system.

5. Consecration
The act of declaring something sacred, setting it apart for God's purposes.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Atonement
Atonement is essential for restoring the relationship between God and His people. It underscores the seriousness of sin and the need for purification.

Symbolism of Seven Days
The seven-day period signifies completeness and divine order. It reminds believers of God's perfect plan and timing in their lives.

Consecration as Dedication
Consecration involves setting apart for holy purposes. Believers are called to consecrate their lives, dedicating themselves wholly to God.

The Role of Rituals in Worship
While rituals are not the end goal, they serve as a means to draw closer to God. Understanding their purpose can enhance personal worship.

Christ as the Fulfillment of Atonement
The Old Testament sacrificial system points to Jesus Christ, who provides the ultimate atonement for sin. This understanding deepens appreciation for His sacrifice.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Ezekiel 43:26?

2. How does Ezekiel 43:26 emphasize the importance of consecration in worship practices?

3. What role does purification play in preparing for God's presence in Ezekiel 43:26?

4. How can we apply the concept of atonement from Ezekiel 43:26 today?

5. What connections exist between Ezekiel 43:26 and New Testament teachings on holiness?

6. How does Ezekiel 43:26 guide us in maintaining spiritual purity in daily life?

7. What is the significance of the seven-day consecration period in Ezekiel 43:26?

8. How does Ezekiel 43:26 relate to the concept of purification in the Bible?

9. Why is the altar's consecration important in Ezekiel 43:26?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 43?


(26) Shall consecrate themselves.--Our version has here followed the Masoretic emendation of the text; the literal translation of the text itself is, shall fill its hand, referring to the altar. To "fill the hand" is a synonym for consecration, commonly applied to the priests, who were consecrated by placing in their hands the gifts they were to offer to God. Here it is better to keep to the text as it stands, "filling the hand of the altar" being a strong figurative expression to denote that it shall always be supplied with sacrificial gifts. Nothing is said throughout the passage of the consecration of the priests, the whole family of Aaron having been consecrated once for all by the ceremonies of Leviticus 8.

Verse 26. - They shall purge the altar. Smend thinks it strange that only the purification of the altar should be mentioned here, while that of the sanctuary is referred to later (Ezekiel 45:18), and finds in this an explanation (at least, perhaps) of the fact that in Exodus 29:36 only the consecration of the Mosaic altar - not of the Mosaic tabernacle - is reported. He conceives it likely that the author of Exodus 29:36 copied Ezekiel, but does not explain why Ezekiel may not have copied the author of Exodus 29:36. And they shall consecrate themselves; more correctly, they - i.e. the priests - shall consecrate it; literally, fill its hand. The phrase, מִלֵּאיָד, "to fill one's hand," sc. with gifts, occurs with reference to Jehovah (Exodus 32:29; 1 Chronicles 29:5; 2 Chronicles 29:31). It is also employed in the sense of filling the hand of another, as e.g. of a priest, with sacrificial gifts, when he is instituted into his sacred office (Exodus 28:41; Exodus 29:9; Leviticus 21:10; comp, Leviticus 8:27). Here the hand to be filled is that of the altar, which is personified for the purpose (compare the use of the terms "bosom" and "lip" in connection with the altar). The meaning is that the altar, at its consecration, should have a plentiful supply of gifts, to symbolize that the offering of such gifts was the work for which it was set apart, and that it should never be without them.

Ezekiel 43:26 reveals a deliberate, week-long ritual in which God’s chosen priests apply sacrificial blood to the new altar. Seven days emphasize completeness; priests act as mediators; atonement removes guilt; cleansing purges impurity; consecration permanently sets the altar apart. The passage affirms that every approach to God rests on substitutionary blood, followed by purification and wholehearted dedication, pointing ultimately to the finished work of Jesus Christ and to the worship that will fill His future kingdom.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
For seven
שִׁבְעַ֣ת (šiḇ·‘aṯ)
Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7651: Seven, seven times, a week, an indefinite number

days
יָמִ֗ים (yā·mîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3117: A day

the priests are to make atonement
יְכַפְּרוּ֙ (yə·ḵap·pə·rū)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3722: To cover, to expiate, condone, to placate, cancel

for the altar
הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ (ham·miz·bê·aḥ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4196: An altar

and cleanse it;
וְטִֽהֲר֖וּ (wə·ṭi·hă·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 2891: To be clean or pure

so they shall consecrate
וּמִלְא֖וּ (ū·mil·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 4390: To fill, be full of

it.
יָדָֽיו׃ (yā·ḏāw)
Noun - fdc | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3027: A hand


Additonal Resources
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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 43:26 Seven days shall they make atonement (Ezek. Eze Ezk)

Ezekiel 43:25
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