Definition: And he said unto me, Son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; These [are] the ordinances of the altar in the day when they shall make it, to offer burnt offerings thereon, and to sprinkle blood thereon.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezekiel 43:18. It’s a pretty interesting and symbolic passage about God’s covenant with Israel. Here's a simple explanation: What it means in plain English: “God says to me, ‘Son of man, these are the rules for building temples – specifically, for making them and offering blood sacrifices on them.’” Let’s unpack it further: "God says..." : This establishes that this is a direct instruction from God himself. "...these are the ordinances of the altar..." : “Ordinances” means rules or customs. “The altar” refers to a temple – a sacred building for worship and sacrifice. "...in the day when they shall make it..." : This tells us this is happening before the construction of a new temple begins. It’s about preparing for something significant. “Day” here means a specific time, likely a future time. "...to offer burnt offerings thereon" : “Burnt offerings” refers to sacrifices – things offered to God in remembrance and devotion. "...and to sprinkle blood thereon." : This is the crucial part. "Sprinkle blood" isn't about literal blood; it’s a symbolic act of atonement and purification. It means offering blood as a sign of repentance, forgiveness, and making things right with God. What’s the significance? This verse paints a picture of a very serious covenant – a binding agreement between God and his people. It's about: Sacrifice and Redemption: God is offering a way to make amends for sin and restore his relationship with Israel. Purification: The blood symbolizes washing away sins and bringing a cleansed state. Communion with God: It’s a direct invitation for the people to come closer to God through worship and obedience. In short, it's a foundational piece of understanding about how God intends to establish a relationship with his people and offer forgiveness. --- Would you like me to: Explain another part of Ezekiel 43? Discuss the context of this verse within the larger story of Israel’s history? Answer any specific questions you have about it?