Keraia
Ezekiel 44

Ezekiel 44:19

The Duties of the Priests · Ezekiel 44:15–31
Read Ezekiel 44

Translations

Modern
When they go out to the outer court, to the people, they are to take off the garments in which they have ministered, leave them in the holy chambers, and dress in other clothes so that they do not transmit holiness to the people with their garments.
Traditional
And when they go forth into the utter court, even into the utter court to the people, they shall put off their garments wherein they ministered, and lay them in the holy chambers, and they shall put on other garments; and they shall not sanctify the people with their garments.
Literal
And in their going out to the outer court, to the outer court unto the people, they shall take off their garments which they have ministered in them, and they shall leave them in the holy chambers, and they shall put on other garments, so that they do not sanctify the people with their garments.
Latin
Cumque egredientur atrium exterius ad populum, exuent se vestimentis suis in quibus ministraverant, et reponent ea in gazophylacio sanctuarii: et vestient se vestimentis aliis, et non sanctificabunt populum in vestibus suis.

Original

Hebrew
English
When they go out to the outer court, to the people, they are to take off the garments in which they have ministered, leave them in the holy chambers, and dress in other clothes so that they do not transmit holiness to the people with their garments.

Notes

Ezekiel 44:17–19

  • The priests had special access to God. Because of this privilege, they also had greater responsibility to live in holiness. Their behavior was more restricted than that of the people.

    They had to wear linen clothing instead of wool. This helped prevent sweat, which would make them ritually unclean (see study note on Ezekiel 36:17). They also had to keep separate garments that were used only for sacred service.

  • transmit holiness to the people with their garments: The priests had to be careful not to endanger others by passing on holiness. In the Old Testament, holiness was understood as something that could spread through contact. If a sacred object made an ordinary object or person holy, serious consequences could follow (compare Leviticus 10:1–3; 1 Samuel 6:19; 2 Samuel 6:6–7).

Ezekiel 44:1–31

Now that the glory of the Lord had returned to the temple, access was critical. Who could approach this holy God? Like Ezekiel 43, this chapter focuses on the temple’s entrances and exits, as well as the duties and procedures for its use.

Events

Glossary

Book of Revelation Ezekiel (Person) Ezekiel, Book of Judaism New Jerusalem Sadducees Son of Man Temple Theocracy

Topics

Priest: The Time of Moses: Don Vestments in the Temple Area Priest: The Time of Moses: Vestments of Priests: Garments of Laid up in Holy Chambers