שִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִ֗ים יְכַפְּרוּ֙ אֶת־הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ וְטִֽהֲר֖וּ אֹת֑וֹ וּמִלְא֖וּ יָדָֽו׃
Seven days they shall make atonement for the altar and purify it, and they shall consecrate it.
Morphology
- שִׁבְעַת (shivʿat) – Root: שבע (shevaʿ); Form: Numeral masculine singular construct; Translation: “seven”; Notes: Introduces the consecration period of seven days, signifying completeness and covenantal fulfillment.
- יָמִים (yamim) – Root: יום (yom); Form: Noun masculine plural; Translation: “days”; Notes: The duration of the atonement and purification rites for the altar.
- יְכַפְּרוּ (yekhapperu) – Root: כפר (kapar); Form: Piel imperfect 3rd person masculine plural; Translation: “they shall make atonement”; Notes: The Piel stem intensifies the meaning — to purify, expiate, or remove defilement through ritual application of sacrificial blood.
- אֶת (ʾet) – Root: —; Form: Direct object marker; Translation: (not translated); Notes: Marks the direct object (הַמִּזְבֵּחַ) of the verb “make atonement.”
- הַמִּזְבֵּחַ (ha-mizbeaḥ) – Root: זבח (zavaḥ); Form: Definite noun masculine singular; Translation: “the altar”; Notes: Refers to the altar of burnt offerings in Ezekiel’s temple vision, the focal point of consecration and divine communion.
- וְטִהֲרוּ (ve-tiharu) – Root: טהר (tahar); Form: Qal perfect 3rd person masculine plural with prefixed conjunction וְ; Translation: “and they shall purify”; Notes: Denotes cleansing from impurity or defilement — part of the sanctification process for holy objects.
- אֹתוֹ (oto) – Root: —; Form: Direct object pronoun masculine singular; Translation: “it”; Notes: Refers to the altar — the object of purification and dedication.
- וּמִלְאוּ (u-mileʾu) – Root: מלא (maleʾ); Form: Conjunction וְ + Qal perfect 3rd person masculine plural; Translation: “and they shall fill” or “and they shall consecrate”; Notes: In priestly idiom, “fill the hand” means to ordain or dedicate for sacred service — here referring to completing the altar’s consecration.
- יָדָו (yadav) – Root: יד (yad); Form: Noun feminine dual in construct with suffix 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “its hands”; Notes: Figuratively refers to the altar’s “service capacity” — its readiness and legitimacy to receive offerings after consecration.