Ezekiel 45:23
“The seven days of the feast he shall prepare a burnt offering to Yahweh, seven bulls and seven rams without defect daily the seven days; and a male goat daily for a sin offering.”
What does Ezekiel 45:23 mean?
During Israel's major festivals, the priest or ruler was responsible for making daily sacrifices on behalf of the whole community. This verse describes the offerings during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when seven bulls and seven rams (all perfect specimens) would be sacrificed each day, along with a goat as a sin offering. The repetition and consistency of these offerings communicate something important: worship and atonement weren't one-time events but regular practices woven into community life. The requirement for animals without defect showed that approaching God deserved the best we have, not our leftovers. For readers today, whether you practice animal sacrifice or not, the underlying principle speaks to the value of consistent devotion and bringing our authentic selves rather than our least efforts.