Ezekiel 43:26

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

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.

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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 bring them to me. The priests will sprinkle salt on them and burn them as an offering to me.

25 Each day for seven days you are to offer a goat, a bull, and a ram as sacrifices for sin. All of them must be without any defects.

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

27 When the week is over, the priests are to begin offering on the altar the burnt offerings and the fellowship offerings of the people. Then I will be pleased with all of you. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken."