Ezekiel 43:26

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

Ezekiel 43:26 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 43:26

Seven days shall they purge the altar, and purify it
Which denotes the perfect purity and sanctification of it; which how to be applied to Christ, (See Gill on Ezekiel 43:20); and they shall consecrate themselves:
the priests shall consecrate themselves, or devote themselves to the service of the altar; so Gospel ministers to the ministry of a crucified Christ: or they themselves should consecrate the altar by the above rites: or rather it may be literally rendered, and they shall fill its hands,
or "their own hands" ^F2; that is, either they shall fill the sides of the altar with sacrifices, as much as it could hold; or the hands of the priests with parts of the sacrifice, or with gifts, as a token of their being inaugurated into, and invested with, the priestly office: so Gospel ministers should have their hands full of, or be filled with, the gifts and graces of the Spirit, and with the knowledge of Christ, his person, offices, grace, righteousness, and sacrifice, that they may minister unto others.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F2 There is a double reading of the words; the Cetib or textual reading is (wdy) , "its hand"; the Keri or marginal reading is (wydy) , "their own hands".

Ezekiel 43:26 In-Context

24 And thou shalt offer them before the LORD, and the priests shall cast salt upon them, and they shall offer them up for a burnt offering unto the LORD.

25 Seven days shalt thou prepare every day a goat for a sin offering; they shall also prepare a young bullock and a ram out of the flock, without blemish.

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

27 And when these days are expired, it shall be that upon the eighth day, and so forward, the priests shall make your burnt offerings upon the altar, and your peace offerings; and I will accept you, saith the Lord GOD."