Ezekiel 45:16Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Previously mentioned is the prescribed ratio for both solid and liquid offerings to be given to the leader; now a similar directive applies to animal sacrifices: one ram out of every two hundred sheep must be offered as a sacrifice, and also for a burnt offering and a peace offering for the purification of the house of Israel, as stated by the Lord God. The Hebrew text, which we have rendered as pertaining to those which Israel shepherded, is noted as memmasce, with Aquila and Symmachus translating it as referring to watery parts, while the LXX and Theodotion speak of watering ditches and pools, implying that the leader's flocks are to graze only in fertile areas. Just as it was previously specified that one sixtieth of the assessed weight of offerings should go to the leader, it is now mandated that the two-hundredth portion of the animals be offered, and the entire nation must adhere to these offerings intended for the leader. It is through him that burnt offerings and grain sacrifices shall be presented for the people during all feasts, thereby purifying the temple of God. This indicates that while the populace must bring burnt offerings to the leader, he, in turn, must offer sacrifices for the people, representing none other than the Lord and Savior. He, the one who selects a ram from among two hundred, or as articulated in the Hebrew as βο'σκημα, which includes all types of livestock—not just the ram—takes the one grazing in fertile regions, that is, the Scriptures. He could proclaim, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters" (Psalms 22:1-2). These waters were analogous to those Jacob led his sheep to, allowing them to drink and be fruitful, as reflected in their offspring (Genesis 30). The term sacrifice, or θυσι'α, as translated by Aquila and Symmachus, denotes a gift, which the Hebrew refers to as manaa—not solely limited to animal offerings but inclusive of offerings made from wheat flour, barley groats, and oil. Conversely, the burnt offering pertains to that which is completely offered to God and consumed by holy fire. The peace offering is provided for reconciliation with God, as noted by the apostle who states, "We pray you in Christ's stead, be reconciled to God" (2 Cor. 5:20), and elsewhere, "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself" (2 Cor. 5:19). This leader, to whom the initial offerings of livestock are sustained, also holds the title of king, as affirmed by the inscription above Jesus on the cross written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. When the Jewish leaders pressured Pilate to remove this declaration, he stood firm among the Gentiles, declaring, "What I have written, I have written" (John 19:22). Discussions regarding the leader's responsibilities affirm the significant duties that must be upheld — he is to perform sacrifices and drink offerings of wine for the people during every feast, including at the new moons, which signify the commencement of each month, and during the sabbaths—wherein the darkness gradually leads to the string of light from the new moon, as the sabbath embodies a time of rest. His obligation includes the performance of sin offerings and the purification of the house of Israel, which represents the Church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth. This house of the living God, as well as the house of Israel, require cleansing from their transgressions.