Ezekiel 44:25

Translations

Modern

A priest must not defile himself by going near a dead person. However, for a father, a mother, a son, a daughter, a brother, or an unmarried sister, he may do so,

Traditional

And they shall come at no dead person to defile themselves: but for father, or for mother, or for son, or for daughter, for brother, or for sister that hath had no husband, they may defile themselves.

Literal

And unto a dead person they shall not come to defile themselves, but only for a father or for a mother, for a son or for a daughter, or for a brother or for a sister who has not been unto a man, may they defile themselves.

Latin

Et ad mortuum hominem non ingredientur, ne polluantur, nisi ad patrem et matrem, et filium et filiam, et fratrem, et sororem quæ alterum virum non habuerit: in quibus contaminabuntur.

Original

Hebrew

English

A priest must not defile himself by going near a dead person. However, for a father, a mother, a son, a daughter, a brother, or an unmarried sister, he may do so,

Notes

Ezekiel 44:20–27

The priests had to avoid contact with death. They could not enter a place where a dead body was present. They also could not follow certain mourning customs, such as shaving their heads or letting their hair grow wild.

They were not allowed to drink wine before entering the inner courtyard. This rule helped prevent serious mistakes that could lead to death (see Leviticus 10:9).

The priests also had rules about marriage. They could marry only a virgin from Israel or the widow of a priest. These limits helped protect the purity of the priestly family line.

In all these ways, the priests were to show the people the clear difference between what was holy and what was common, and between what was clean and what was unclean.

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.

Theme notes and profiles

Israel’s Geography as Theology Temple Legislation as Theology Temple Worship The New Community

Events

Prophecies of Ezekielc. 593 BC

Related verses

Leviticus 22:4
If a descendant of Aaron has a skin disease or a discharge, he may not eat the sacred offerings until he is clean. Whoever touches anything defiled by a corpse or by a man who has an emission of semen,
Leviticus 21:1–6
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Speak to Aaron’s sons, the priests, and tell them that a priest is not to defile himself for a dead person among his people,
Luke 9:59–60
Then He said to another man, “Follow Me.” The man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
Matthew 8:21–22
Another of His disciples requested, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
1 Thessalonians 4:13–15
Brothers, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who are without hope.
2 Corinthians 5:16
So from now on we regard no one according to the flesh. Although we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.

Glossary

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

Topics

Defilement of Priests Priest: The Time of Moses: Defilement and Purification of The Dead: A Priest not to Mourn For, Except when Near of Kin

Ezekiel 44:25

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