Breakdown of Ezekiel 43:20

"And you shall take some of its blood and put it on the four horns of the altar and on the four corners of the ledge and upon the rim all around. Thus you shall purify the altar and make atonement for it." — This isn't just about a routine cleaning; the blood is applied to specific, prominent points—the horns, corners, and rim—to "cleanse and purge" the altar itself. This highlights that even the sacred…

Ezekiel 43:20 Meaning Explained

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Ezekiel 43:20

And you shall take some of its blood and put it on the four horns of the altar and on the four corners of the ledge and upon the rim all around. Thus you shall purify the altar and make atonement for it.

English Standard Version (ESV)

This isn't just about a routine cleaning; the blood is applied to specific, prominent points—the horns, corners, and rim—to "cleanse and purge" the altar itself. This highlights that even the sacred place where sins were dealt with needed its own atonement, underscoring the pervasive nature of sin and the absolute necessity of Christ's blood for complete purification.

What Ezekiel 43:20 means

In this vision, Ezekiel is meticulously instructed on how to prepare a new altar for worship in a restored temple. The instructions detail the application of blood from a specific sacrifice to the altar's prominent features, signifying a thorough cleansing and atonement. This ritual act is crucial for establishing the altar's holiness and fitness for God's presence, immediately preceding the re-establishment of proper sacrifices and worship.

Blood's Power to Purify and Atone

Why was blood so crucial in ancient Israel's worship? It wasn't just a symbolic act; it had a profound theological meaning.

In Ezekiel's vision, the application of blood to the altar wasn't arbitrary. It was a specific ritual, echoing the Law, designed to 'cleanse and purge' the altar itself.

A Cleansed Space for God

Ancient sacrifices, especially sin offerings, involved applying blood to the altar's horns. This wasn't about washing away dirt but about dealing with the reality of sin. The altar, as the place where sin was presented to God, needed to be ritually purified. This purification was a form of atonement – making things right between God and His people by addressing the sin that separated them.

More Than Just Ritual

While the physical act was important, its spiritual significance was paramount. The blood spoke of a life given to cover sin. This ritual reminded everyone that approaching a holy God required dealing with sin, and that God Himself provided the means for that atonement.

The Altar's Sacred Geography

The blood wasn't just splashed anywhere; its placement was precise. What do these specific locations signify?

The instructions to place blood on the 'four horns of the altar,' the 'four corners of the settle,' and the 'border all around' are highly specific. These weren't random spots but emphasized the entirety of the altar structure.

Points of Contact

The horns were prominent, often symbolizing power or a place of refuge. The 'settle' and the 'border' refer to the supporting structure and platform of the altar. By touching these key points, the blood marked the whole altar as set apart and cleansed.

A Comprehensive Cleansing

This detailed application shows that the purification was meant to be complete. Every part of the altar, from its highest points to its base, needed to be ritually consecrated for its sacred purpose. It signifies that the sin which the altar dealt with had permeated its function, requiring a thorough atonement.

Understand the original words

Original language

hornsקֶרֶן

qeren · Hebrew Noun

The most prominent points of an altar, representing the power and efficacy of the sacrifice; grasping them often symbolized a plea for sanctuary.

purifyחָטָא

hata · Hebrew Verb

To cleanse or decontaminate from ritual impurity or moral defilement, making something fit for sacred use in the presence of a holy God.

atonementכָּפַר

kapar · Hebrew Verb

The act of covering sin through a prescribed ritual, resulting in the reconciliation between a holy God and a sinful people.

Historical context

Written: Likely between 593 and 571 BC, during the Babylonian exile.
Author: Traditionally understood as the prophet Ezekiel, a priest who was exiled to Babylon.
Location: Written from Babylon, depicting visions of a future temple in Jerusalem.
Genre: Prophecy with strong visionary and symbolic elements, featuring detailed architectural descriptions.

Historical background

Ezekiel's vision of cleansing the altar comes during the bleak Babylonian exile, a time when the very symbols of God's presence and covenant, like the Temple and its altar, had been destroyed or defiled. The meticulous instructions for atonement on the altar's horns and borders highlight the profound need for purification and restoration after sin and judgment, pointing towards a future re-establishment of worship.

c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern kingdom of Israel, exiling many of its people. This event serves as a stark warning to the southern kingdom of Judah about the consequences of disobedience.
597 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon captures Jerusalem and exiles King Jehoiachin and many Judean leaders and craftsmen. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian Captivity.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
Nebuchadnezzar's forces raze Jerusalem, destroy Solomon's Temple, and exile most of the remaining population. The heart of Israel's religious and political life is devastated.
c. 571 BC— this verse
Ezekiel's Vision of the New Temple
Ezekiel receives a detailed vision of a future temple and a restored Jerusalem. This vision, including the detailed instructions for the altar's purification, offers hope amidst the despair of exile.

Key themes

01Altar's need for cleansing
02Blood for atonement
03Sacred space purification
04Ritual blood application

Cross-references

Exodus 29:12

This passage directly parallels the instruction to apply blood to the horns of the altar, showing this was a fundamental practice for consecrating the altar and making it holy for sacrificial use.

Leviticus 8:15

This shows Moses performing the very act described in Ezekiel, anointing the altar with blood on its horns, reinforcing the idea that this ritual was essential for atonement and purification of the sacred space.

Hebrews 9:22

This New Testament passage speaks to the broader principle that 'almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness,' connecting the Old Testament sacrificial system to the ultimate atonement found in Christ.

1 Peter 1:2

Peter refers to believers as 'elect exiles... set apart by the Spirit for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood,' highlighting how the concept of sprinkling with blood signifies spiritual cleansing and consecration, extending beyond the physical altar.

Scholarly commentary

Ezekiel 43:20: "And thou shalt take of the blood thereof, and put it on the four horns of it, and on the four corners of the settle, and upon the border round about: thus shalt thou cleanse and purge it."

Verse 20. - And thou shalt take of the blood thereof, and put it. The application of the victim's blood to and upon the altar formed an integral part of every expiatory offering; but "whereas in all the other kinds of sacrifice the blood was poured indifferently round about the altar of the fo…
pulpit

Ezekiel 43:20: "And thou shalt take of the blood thereof, and put it on the four horns of it, and on the four corners of the settle, and upon the border round about: thus shalt thou cleanse and purge it."

(20) Take of the blood thereof.— Comp. Exodus 29:12 ; Leviticus 8:15 ; Hebrews 9:18 ; Hebrews 9:22 . Nothing is here said of the pouring the rest of the blood at the foot of the altar, as required in the law, and nothing of the burning of the fat upon the altar, because the prophet throughout…
ellicott

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What Ezekiel 43:20 means

Original language

hornsקֶרֶן

qeren · Hebrew Noun

The most prominent points of an altar, representing the power and efficacy of the sacrifice; grasping them often symbolized a plea for sanctuary.

purifyחָטָא

hata · Hebrew Verb

To cleanse or decontaminate from ritual impurity or moral defilement, making something fit for sacred use in the presence of a holy God.

atonementכָּפַר

kapar · Hebrew Verb

The act of covering sin through a prescribed ritual, resulting in the reconciliation between a holy God and a sinful people.

Historical context

Written: Likely between 593 and 571 BC, during the Babylonian exile.
Author: Traditionally understood as the prophet Ezekiel, a priest who was exiled to Babylon.
Location: Written from Babylon, depicting visions of a future temple in Jerusalem.
Genre: Prophecy with strong visionary and symbolic elements, featuring detailed architectural descriptions.

Historical background

c. 722 BC

Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom

The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern kingdom of Israel, exiling many of its people. This event serves as a stark warning to the southern kingdom of Judah about the consequences of disobedience.

597 BC

First Babylonian Deportation

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon captures Jerusalem and exiles King Jehoiachin and many Judean leaders and craftsmen. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian Captivity.

586 BC

Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple

Nebuchadnezzar's forces raze Jerusalem, destroy Solomon's Temple, and exile most of the remaining population. The heart of Israel's religious and political life is devastated.

c. 571 BC— this verse

Ezekiel's Vision of the New Temple

Ezekiel receives a detailed vision of a future temple and a restored Jerusalem. This vision, including the detailed instructions for the altar's purification, offers hope amidst the despair of exile.

Scholarly commentary

Ezekiel 43:20: "And thou shalt take of the blood thereof, and put it on the four horns of it, and on the four corners of the settle, and upon the border round about: thus shalt thou cleanse and purge it."

Verse 20. - And thou shalt take of the blood thereof, and put it. The application of the victim's blood to and upon the altar formed an integral part of every expiatory offering; but "whereas in all the other kinds of sacrifice the blood was poured indifferently round about the altar of the fo…
pulpit

Ezekiel 43:20: "And thou shalt take of the blood thereof, and put it on the four horns of it, and on the four corners of the settle, and upon the border round about: thus shalt thou cleanse and purge it."

(20) Take of the blood thereof.— Comp. Exodus 29:12 ; Leviticus 8:15 ; Hebrews 9:18 ; Hebrews 9:22 . Nothing is here said of the pouring the rest of the blood at the foot of the altar, as required in the law, and nothing of the burning of the fat upon the altar, because the prophet throughout…
ellicott

Frequently asked questions

What does Ezekiel 43:20 mean?

Explain the meaning of Ezekiel 43:20

What is the context of Ezekiel 43:20?

Ask Sola about this verse

Ask Sola things like:

“What does "horns" mean in the original Hebrew?”
“Why did Traditionally understood as the prophet Ezekiel, a priest who was exiled to Babylon. write Ezekiel 43:20?”
“How does altar's need for cleansing show up in Ezekiel 43:20?”

Ask in the Sola app Get the app

Live chat about Ezekiel 43:20 is available in the Sola app.

What Ezekiel 43:20 means

Blood's Power to Purify and Atone

The Altar's Sacred Geography

Original language

Historical context

Historical background

Key themes

Cross-references

Scholarly commentary

Frequently asked questions

Study this verse in Sola

Ask Sola about this verse

What Ezekiel 43:20 means

Blood's Power to Purify and Atone

The Altar's Sacred Geography

Original language

Historical context

Historical background

Key themes

Cross-references

Scholarly commentary

Frequently asked questions

Study this verse in Sola

Ask Sola about this verse

From Old Covenant to New Reality