THEOSISJerome of Stridon
And when the ruler presents a voluntary burnt offering or commendable peace offerings to the Lord, the eastern gate will be opened for him. He will perform his burnt offering and his peace offerings just as is customary on the Sabbath, and after completing these offerings, he will exit, and the gate will be shut upon his departure. Each day, he must present a one-year-old lamb without defect as a burnt offering to the Lord; this must be done each morning without fail. Alongside this lamb, he will bring a grain offering in the morning: one-sixth of an ephah of fine flour and one-third of a hin of oil to mix with the flour offering; this constitutes a continual and everlasting decree of the Lord.
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The lamb, the grain offering, and the oil must all be presented in the morning, each morning as a perpetual burnt offering.
In the text, where it states 'without blemish' and uses the Hebrew term "thamim," the translation by Akilah conveys the meaning of 'perfect.' The Greek Septuagint translates "mana'ah" as a type of offering, while Theodotion renders it as a gift. Instead of the term 'voluntary,' it is translated as a form of confession, and the word 'prince' translates as 'chief,' as seen in its interpretation of 'nasi.' Until now, this prince has been identified in the prophecies, as Isaiah states, "Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people" (Isaiah 55:4), and Ezekiel affirms, "And I the Lord will be their God, and my servant David shall be their prince forever" (Ezekiel 34:24). Thus, when the prince presents a voluntary sacrifice, he shall express, "May the freewill of my lips be accepted, O Lord" (Psalm 118:108), indicating a burnt offering that reflects his total devotion to God, along with peace offerings that express kindness.
These offerings should not arise from obligation but should be made freely, allowing a path to reconciliation with God, similar to how virginity is exalted above marriage as a voluntary offering (1 Corinthians 7). The Hebrew term for peace offerings, "selamim," has been translated in the LXX as 'sacrifices for salvation,' thereby underscoring the reconciliatory nature of these offerings.
When the ruler makes these offerings, the gate will open for him, or, as the LXX suggests, he will open the eastern gate for himself, associated with the declaration that "this is the gate of the Lord; the righteous will enter through it" (Psalm 117:20). He will offer his burnt offerings and peace offerings as stipulated. Importantly, these sacrifices are made willingly by him alone; the priests will not offer on his behalf.
As part of this ritual, at all times, voluntary burnt offerings and peace offerings offer entrance to the Lord's gates, breaking the confines of the Sabbath and recognizing all days as opportunities for rest. Immediately after the burnt and peace offerings are presented, he exits, and the door is closed behind him to maintain the distinction between his offerings and those of the people. Notably, in his instruction for offerings, he omits the mention of oxen, bulls, rams, sheep, and goats, specifying instead that he shall offer a lamb of one year without blemish, affirming that this should be done daily each morning when the dawn provides light.
David eloquently captures this ritual in the Psalms, saying, "In the morning, O Lord, you will hear my voice; in the morning I will lay my requests before you" (Psalm 5:4). He further contrasts, "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning" (Psalm 30:5). Additionally, "My God, my God, I cry out to you by day, but you do not answer; by night, and am not silent" (Psalm 62:2).
This lamb, perfect and one year old, reflects the sacrificial imagery found in Isaiah, who writes, "He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter" (Isaiah 53:7). Jeremiah similarly declares, "But I was like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter" (Jeremiah 11:19). John the Baptist identifies Jesus, proclaiming, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29). This lamb recalls the paschal lamb slain in Egypt, whose blood protected the faithful and spared them (Exodus 12).
The mention of one year old signifies the anticipated favor and recompense of the Lord (Isaiah 61:2). It should not astonish the reader that this being is referred to as prince, priest, lamb, and more, for in Holy Scripture, He is recognized under various titles: Lord, God, man, prophet, root, and shepherd, among others. To document all these references would require a comprehensive volume.
Thus, regarding this immaculate one-year-old lamb, offered every morning, the prince himself shall make the offering of fine flour or gift in the morning, bringing one-sixth of the ephah. The sixth part corresponds to half of the modiyyah, indicating precise measurements as a continuous and unwavering directive from the Lord, affirming that these offerings must occur without omission every morning at dawn.