Ezekiel 45:14

Concerning the ordinance of oil, the bath of oil, ye shall offer the tenth part of a bath out of the cor, which is an homer of ten baths; for ten baths are an homer:

Ezekiel 45:14 (KJV)

Context

Ezekiel prophesied among the Israelites exiled in Babylon, delivering God’s messages of judgment, hope, and restoration. In Ezekiel 45, the prophet describes the future division of the land of Israel and gives instructions for the temple, the prince, and the people’s offerings. This verse focuses on the ordinance for oil, one of the regular contributions that would support the restored temple worship.

Meaning

The verse specifies that from each cor of oil, the people were to offer a tenth part of a bath. The cor and the homer are the same measure, equal to ten baths. Since a bath was a standard liquid measure of about six gallons, a cor was roughly sixty gallons. The required offering, therefore, was one-tenth of a bath out of every cor, which amounts to one percent of the total oil. This precise, standardized measurement ensured that the temple had a consistent supply of oil for anointing, for the lamps, and for the offerings.

Oil held a significant place in Israel’s worship. It was used to anoint priests, prophets, and kings, and to dedicate the temple and sacred objects. By commanding an exact portion, God taught His people to be neither excessive nor lacking in their offerings. The attention to detail underscores the importance of obedience and reverence in worship.

Application

While the specific regulations of Ezekiel 45:14 are not observed in the same way today, the principles remain valuable. The verse calls believers to be intentional, measured, and reverent in worship and in giving to God. Just as oil represented the Holy Spirit’s presence, believers are encouraged to seek the Spirit’s filling and to offer themselves wholly to God. The command to give a defined, proportionate portion rather than a careless or arbitrary amount reminds us that God values order, fairness, and wholehearted devotion.

• In summary: Ezekiel 45:14 provides instructions for the offering of oil in worship, emphasizing precise measurements and the importance of approaching God with reverence, intentionality, and a desire to be filled with the Holy Spirit.