Ezekiel 43:22 Meaning and Explanation
“And on the second day thou shalt offer a kid of the goats without blemish for a sin offering; and they shall cleanse the altar, as they did cleanse it with the bullock.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →On the second day, a spotless goat continues the altar's purification over multiple days.
The Context of Ezekiel 43:22
Second day of altar dedication with goat sacrifice.
What Does Ezekiel 43:22 Mean?
The seven-day dedication ceremony emphasizes thoroughness and completeness. On day two, a young goat—following the specified purity standard of 'without blemish'—continues the cleansing work. The repetition across multiple days creates a sustained purification, suggesting that removing accumulated defilement requires sustained ritual effort. Each animal offering brings fresh atonement, layer upon layer.
The use of goats alongside bulls reflects the graduated nature of sin offerings in Israel's system. Different animals address different categories of offense and defilement. The consistency—each day employs similar ritual procedures—establishes a pattern that Israel must follow, making the dedication not a one-time event but a sustained reorientation toward holiness.
Ezekiel 43:22 in the Original Language
ataleph (עִזִּים), 'goats' — young goats or kids, valued animals in sacrifice
Frequently Asked Questions About Ezekiel 43:22
What does Ezekiel 43:22 mean?
On the second day, a spotless goat continues the altar's purification over multiple days.
What is the context of Ezekiel 43:22?
Second day of altar dedication with goat sacrifice.