Ezekiel 43:20 You are to take some of its blood and put it on the four horns of the altar, on the four corners of the ledge, and all around the rim; thus you will cleanse the altar and make atonement for it.

◄ Ezekiel 43:20 ►

New International Version
You are to take some of its blood and put it on the four horns of the altar and on the four corners of the upper ledge and all around the rim, and so purify the altar and make atonement for it.

New Living Translation
You will take some of its blood and smear it on the four horns of the altar, the four corners of the upper ledge, and the curb that runs around that ledge. This will cleanse and make atonement for the altar.

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
You are to take some of its blood and put it on the four horns of the altar, on the four corners of the ledge, and all around the rim; thus you will cleanse the altar and make atonement for it.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
‘You shall take some of its blood and put it on the four horns of the altar, on the four corners of the ledge, and on the rim around it; thus you shall cleanse it and make atonement for it.

New American Standard Bible
And you shall take some of its blood and put it on its four horns and on the four corners of the ledge, and on the border all around; so you shall cleanse it and make atonement for it.

NASB 1995
‘You shall take some of its blood and put it on its four horns and on the four corners of the ledge and on the border round about; thus you shall cleanse it and make atonement for it.

NASB 1977
‘And you shall take some of its blood, and put it on its four horns, and on the four corners of the ledge, and on the border round about; thus you shall cleanse it and make atonement for it.

Legacy Standard Bible
You shall also take some of its blood and put it on its four horns and on the four corners of the ledge and on the border round about; thus you shall purify it and make atonement for it.

Amplified Bible
And you shall take some of its blood and put it on the four horns [of the altar of burnt offering] and on the four corners of the ledge and on the border all around; thus you shall cleanse it (from sin) and make atonement for it.

Christian Standard Bible
“You are to take some of its blood and apply it to the four horns of the altar, the four corners of the ledge, and all around the rim. In this way you will purify the altar and make atonement for it.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You must take some of its blood and apply it to the four horns of the altar, the four corners of the ledge, and all around the rim. In this way you will purify the altar and make atonement for it.

American Standard Version
And thou shalt take of the blood thereof, and put it on the four horns of it, and on the four corners of the ledge, and upon the border round about: thus shalt thou cleanse it and make atonement for it.

Contemporary English Version
Take some of the animal's blood and smear it on the four corners of the altar, some on the corners of the middle section, and some more on the rim around its edge. That will purify the altar and make it fit for offering sacrifices to me.

English Revised Version
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 it and make atonement for it.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Take some of the bull's blood, and put it on the altar's four horns, on the four corners of the ledge, and on the rim all the way around the altar. When you do this, you will remove sin from the altar and make peace with the LORD.

Good News Translation
You are to take some of its blood and put it on the projections on the top corners of the altar, on the corners of the middle section of the altar, and all around its edges. In this way you will purify the altar and consecrate it.

International Standard Version
You are to take some of its blood and put it on the four horns of the altar, on the four corners of its ledge, and on the border that surrounds it, thus cleansing it and making an atonement for it.

Majority Standard Bible
You are to take some of its blood and put it on the four horns of the altar, on the four corners of the ledge, and all around the rim; thus you will cleanse the altar and make atonement for it.

NET Bible
You will take some of its blood, and place it on the four horns of the altar, on the four corners of the ledge, and on the border all around; you will cleanse it and make atonement for it.

New Heart English Bible
You shall take of its blood, and put it on the four horns of it, and on the four corners of the ledge, and on the border all around: thus you shall cleanse it and make atonement for it.

Webster's Bible Translation
And thou shalt take of his blood, and put it on the four horns of it, and on the four corners of the settle, and upon the border around: thus shalt thou cleanse and purge it.

World English Bible
You shall take of its blood and put it on its four horns, and on the four corners of the ledge, and on the border all around. You shall cleanse it and make atonement for it that way.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And you have taken of its blood, and have put it on its four horns, and on the four corners of its border, and on the border all around, and have cleansed it, and purified it.

Young's Literal Translation
And thou hast taken of its blood, and hast put it on its four horns, and on the four corners of its border, and on the border round about, and hast cleansed it, and purified it.

Smith's Literal Translation
And take from its blood and give upon its four horns, and to the four corners of the terrace, and to the border round about: and cleanse it and expiate it.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And thou shalt take of his blood, and shalt put it upon the four horns thereof, and upon the four corners of the brim, and upon the crown round about: and thou shalt cleanse, and expiate it.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And you shall take from its blood, and you shall place it on its four horns, and on the four corners of the rim, and on the crown all around. And so shall you cleanse and expiate it.

New American Bible
You shall take some of its blood and smear it on the four horns of the altar, and on the four corners of the ledge, and all around its rim. Thus you shall purify and purge it.

New Revised Standard Version
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 it and make atonement for it.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And you shall take some of its blood, and sprinkle it on the four horns of the altar and on the four corners of the seat, and upon the border round about; thus shall you sprinkle blood on it, and it shall be cleansed.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And take from his blood and sprinkle on the four horns of the altar and on the four corners of the railing and on the border that is around it, and sprinkle upon it, and it shall be clean

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
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 purify it and make atonement for it.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And they shall take of its blood, and shall put it on the four horns of the altar, and upon the four corners of the propitiatory, and upon the base round about, and they shall make atonement for it.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Altar of Sacrifice
…19You are to give a young bull from the herd as a sin offering to the Levitical priests who are of the family of Zadok, who approach Me to minister before Me, declares the Lord GOD. 20You are to take some of its blood and put it on the four horns of the altar, on the four corners of the ledge, and all around the rim; thus you will cleanse the altar and make atonement for it. 21Then you are to take away the bull for the sin offering and burn it in the appointed part of the temple area outside the sanctuary.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Leviticus 8:15
Moses slaughtered the bull, took some of the blood, and applied it with his finger to all four horns of the altar, purifying the altar. He poured out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar and consecrated it so that atonement could be made on it.

Exodus 29:12
Take some of the blood of the bull and put it on the horns of the altar with your finger; then pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar.

Leviticus 4:7
The priest must then put some of the blood on the horns of the altar of fragrant incense that is before the LORD in the Tent of Meeting. And he is to pour out the rest of the bull’s blood at the base of the altar of burnt offering at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.

Leviticus 4:18
He is also to put some of the blood on the horns of the altar that is before the LORD in the Tent of Meeting, and he must pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar of burnt offering at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.

Leviticus 4:25
Then the priest is to take some of the blood of the sin offering with his finger, put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar.

Leviticus 4:30
Then the priest is to take some of its blood with his finger, put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar.

Leviticus 4:34
Then the priest is to take some of the blood of the sin offering with his finger, put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and pour out the rest of its blood at the base of the altar.

Hebrews 9:22
According to the law, in fact, nearly everything must be purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

Leviticus 16:18-19
Then he shall go out to the altar that is before the LORD and make atonement for it. He is to take some of the bull’s blood and some of the goat’s blood and put it on all the horns of the altar. / He is to sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times to cleanse it and consecrate it from the uncleanness of the Israelites.

Hebrews 9:13-14
For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that their bodies are clean, / how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God!

Leviticus 8:24
Moses also presented Aaron’s sons and put some of the blood on their right earlobes, on the thumbs of their right hands, and on the big toes of their right feet. Then he splattered the blood on all sides of the altar.

Exodus 30:10
Once a year Aaron shall make atonement on the horns of the altar. Throughout your generations he shall make atonement on it annually with the blood of the sin offering of atonement. The altar is most holy to the LORD.”

Hebrews 10:4
because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

Leviticus 9:9
The sons of Aaron brought the blood to him, and he dipped his finger in the blood and applied it to the horns of the altar. And he poured out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar.

Hebrews 10:19-22
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, / by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body, / and since we have a great priest over the house of God, ...

Treasury of Scripture

And you shall take of the blood thereof, and put it on the four horns of it, and on the four corners of the settle, and on the border round about: thus shall you cleanse and purge it.

take

Ezekiel 43:15
So the altar shall be four cubits; and from the altar and upward shall be four horns.

Exodus 29:12,36
And thou shalt take of the blood of the bullock, and put it upon the horns of the altar with thy finger, and pour all the blood beside the bottom of the altar…

Leviticus 4:25,30,34
And the priest shall take of the blood of the sin offering with his finger, and put it upon the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and shall pour out his blood at the bottom of the altar of burnt offering…

and on the four

Ezekiel 43:16,17
And the altar shall be twelve cubits long, twelve broad, square in the four squares thereof…

thus shalt

Ezekiel 43:22,26
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…

Leviticus 16:19
And he shall sprinkle of the blood upon it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it, and hallow it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel.

Hebrews 9:21-23
Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry…

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Altar Angles Atonement Blood Border Clean Cleanse Cleansed Corners Edge Four Free Horns Ledge Purge Purified Purify Rim Round Settle Shelf Sin Thereof Upper

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Altar Angles Atonement Blood Border Clean Cleanse Cleansed Corners Edge Four Free Horns Ledge Purge Purified Purify Rim Round Settle Shelf Sin Thereof Upper

Ezekiel 43

1. The returning of the glory of God into the temple
7. The sin of Israel hindered God's presence
10. The prophet exhorts them to repentance and observation of the law of the house
13. The measures
18. and ordinances of the altar

Berean Study Bible

You are also to take some of its blood
The phrase "take some of its blood" refers to the sacrificial blood, which in the Hebrew context is "dam" (דָּם). Blood in the Old Testament is a powerful symbol of life and atonement. Leviticus 17:11 states, "For the life of the flesh is in the blood." The use of blood in sacrificial rituals underscores the seriousness of sin and the necessity of a life given to atone for it. This prefigures the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, whose blood was shed for the atonement of humanity's sins.

and apply it to the four horns of the altar
The "four horns of the altar" were projections at each corner of the altar, symbolizing strength and power. In ancient Near Eastern culture, horns often represented authority and might. The act of applying blood to these horns signifies the consecration and purification of the altar, making it a holy place where God’s presence could dwell. This act of sanctification is a reminder of the need for purity and holiness in worship.

to the four corners of the ledge
The "four corners of the ledge" refers to the structure surrounding the altar. The number four often symbolizes completeness or universality in biblical numerology. By applying blood to all four corners, the entire altar is cleansed and set apart for God’s purposes. This comprehensive act of purification reflects the thoroughness of God’s cleansing power, which is available to all who seek Him.

and all around the rim
The phrase "all around the rim" indicates that the blood was to be applied in a continuous manner, encircling the altar. This act signifies the encompassing nature of God’s atonement and the completeness of His forgiveness. It serves as a visual representation of the totality of God’s redemptive work, which covers every aspect of sin and impurity.

In this way you will cleanse the altar
The cleansing of the altar is a critical step in preparing it for worship. The Hebrew word for cleanse, "taher" (טָהֵר), implies purification and sanctification. This process is essential for maintaining the holiness required for God’s presence. It is a reminder that God desires purity in worship and that sin must be addressed before approaching Him.

and make atonement for it
The concept of atonement, from the Hebrew "kaphar" (כָּפַר), means to cover or to reconcile. Atonement is central to the relationship between God and His people, as it restores fellowship and removes the barrier of sin. This act of atonement for the altar foreshadows the ultimate atonement made by Jesus Christ, whose sacrifice reconciles humanity to God once and for all. It is a powerful reminder of God’s grace and mercy, providing a way for sinners to be made right with Him.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(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 supposes the ritual of the sacrifices to be well known, and only mentions a few particulars to indicate the whole, and also a few others now introduced, peculiar to the new ceremonial.

Pulpit Commentary

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 fore court, in the sin offering it was not to be sprinkled, lest the intention should be overlooked, but smeared with the finger upon the horns of the altar ('And the priest shall put of the blood upon the horns,' Leviticus 4:7, 18, 25, 30, 34) (Kurtz, 'Sacrificial Worship of the Old Testament,' § 107). In the present instance the blood was to be carefully put upon the four horns of the altar - the only part to be smeared with blood in the Mosaic consecration (Exodus 29:12) - the four corners of the settle, or azarah, but whether the greater or lesser is left undecided, though in all probability it was the under, if not both, and the border round about, that mentioned in ver. 17; and the effect of this smearing with blood should be to cleanse and purge, or, make atonement for, the altar; not for the people, as Havernick interprets, saying, "without an atoned-for altar, no atoned-for people (ohne entsuhnten Altar, kein entsuhntes Volk)," but for the altar, either, as Kliefoth suggests, because, being made out of a part of the sinful earth and world, it required to be sanctified, or because, as Plumptre prefers, the sins of the people having been, as it were, transferred to it, it stood in need of cleansing.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

You are to take
וְלָקַחְתָּ֣ (wə·lā·qaḥ·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

some of its blood
מִדָּמ֗וֹ (mid·dā·mōw)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1818: Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed

and put [it]
וְנָ֨תַתָּ֜ה (wə·nā·ṯat·tāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the four
אַרְבַּ֤ע (’ar·ba‘)
Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 702: Four

horns of the [altar],
קַרְנֹתָיו֙ (qar·nō·ṯāw)
Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7161: A horn, a flask, cornet, an elephant's tooth, a corner, a peak, a ray, power

on
וְאֶל־ (wə·’el-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the four
אַרְבַּע֙ (’ar·ba‘)
Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 702: Four

corners
פִּנּ֣וֹת (pin·nō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 6438: An angle, a pinnacle, a chieftain

of the ledge,
הָעֲזָרָ֔ה (hā·‘ă·zā·rāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5835: An inclosure, a border

and all around
סָבִ֑יב (sā·ḇîḇ)
Adverb
Strong's 5439: A circle, neighbour, environs, around

the rim;
הַגְּב֖וּל (hag·gə·ḇūl)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1366: A cord, a boundary, the territory inclosed

thus you will cleanse
וְחִטֵּאתָ֥ (wə·ḥiṭ·ṭê·ṯā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 2398: To miss, to sin, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn

the altar and make atonement for it.
וְכִפַּרְתָּֽהוּ׃ (wə·ḵip·par·tā·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3722: To cover, to expiate, condone, to placate, cancel

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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 43:20 You shall take of its blood (Ezek. Eze Ezk)