What is the meaning of Ezekiel 43:20? You are to take some of its blood • In Ezekiel’s vision the blood comes from the bull offered for a sin offering (Ezekiel 43:19). • Blood is God’s appointed means of dealing with sin—“without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22). • Just as Moses applied blood when consecrating the wilderness altar (Exodus 29:10-12; Leviticus 8:14-15), so the future altar must be initiated with blood, underscoring that forgiveness is always rooted in substitution. and put it on the four horns of the altar • The “horns” are the four upward projections at each corner (Exodus 27:2) symbolizing strength and refuge (Psalm 18:2). • Touching all four horns indicates that the power of atonement reaches every direction and dimension of worship (Leviticus 4:7; 8:15). • It also marks the altar as a safe place for repentant sinners, anticipating the complete security found in Christ (Hebrews 6:18-20). on the four corners of the ledge • Ezekiel describes a stepped structure with a “ledge” part-way up (Ezekiel 43:14). • Blood on each corner of that ledge shows that every level of the altar—foundation to summit—is set apart for holy service (2 Chronicles 4:1). • Nothing is left common; the entire structure is wrapped in the reality of sacrifice. and all around the rim • The rim is the upper border where offerings would be placed. • By circling the rim with blood (compare Leviticus 4:25, 34), the priest proclaims that whatever touches the altar is accepted through atoning grace. • The complete encircling hints at total coverage: sin cannot sneak in through some unsealed edge (Psalm 103:12). thus you will cleanse the altar • “Cleanse” means to purge ceremonial defilement so that God may dwell among His people (Leviticus 8:15; 2 Chronicles 29:16-17). • Even a newly built altar requires cleansing, reminding us that human hands alone cannot produce holiness (Isaiah 64:6). • The blood testifies that purity is God-given, never self-achieved (Hebrews 9:23). and make atonement for it • Atonement is the covering or removal of sin’s guilt (Leviticus 16:18-19). • If the altar itself needs atonement, how much more do the worshipers who approach it (Romans 3:25)! • Under the new covenant, Christ fulfills this picture once for all (Hebrews 10:10-14), yet Ezekiel’s millennial sacrifices will memorialize that finished work for future generations (Ezekiel 45:15-17). summary God instructs that the altar in Ezekiel’s future temple be consecrated with blood on its horns, ledge, and rim. Each application proclaims that true worship requires substitutionary atonement, total cleansing, and divine acceptance. From base to summit, the altar is saturated with sacrificial blood, foreshadowing the complete, all-embracing salvation provided by Jesus Christ. |
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