Bible Commentaries
Ezekiel 44

Verses 4-31

The Priests and the Levites

Standing at the inner northern gate Ezekiel again saw the glory of God filling the Temple and was again addressed by the divine voice (Ezekiel 44:4-5). The Speaker first rebuked the custom which had prevailed in the old Temple, of having foreigners as servants in the sanctuary (Ezekiel 44:6-8). He directed that in future their place should be taken by the Lévites who were not of the family of Zadok. These had formerly shared the priestly office, but for their encouragement of Israel’s idolatry they were to be deprived of this privilege, and to have humbler services assigned to them (Ezekiel 44:9-14). The Levites of the family of Zadok alone were to exercise the priesthood in future (Ezekiel 44:15-16). No mention is made of the high priest. Various regulations follow as to the priests, clothing, marriage, public duties, defilement and purification, and sacrificial perquisites (Ezekiel 44:17-31). This passage has an important bearing on the date of certain parts of the Pentateuch (see Intro.).

7. Strangers] In 2 Kings 11 we have an instance of foreign mercenaries (’Carites’, 2 Kings 11:4, RV) being employed as guards in the Temple. The Nethinim (Ezra 8:20) were apparently captives employed as Temple slaves: see Zechariah 14:21.

They] RM ’ye’, Because of] RV ’to add unto’,

10. Are gone away] RV ’went’. The reference is to the worship at the high places, abolished by Josiah (2 Kings 23:8-9).

15. Zadok] made priest by Solomon when Abiathar was, deposed (1 Kings 2:26-27, 1 Kings 2:35).

17, 18. Cp. Exodus 28:39-42; Exodus 39:27-29; Leviticus 16:4.

19. The holy chambers] those described in Ezekiel 42 : see Ezekiel 42:13, Ezekiel 42:14.

20. Cp. Leviticus 21:5.

21. Cp. Leviticus 10:9.

22. Cp. Leviticus 21:14.

23. Cp. Leviticus 10:10.

24. Cp. Deuteronomy 17:8-13; Deuteronomy 19:17; Deuteronomy 21:5, where the priests are associated with secular judges.

25. Cp. Leviticus 21:1-3;

26. Cp. Numbers 19:11.

28. Cp. Numbers 18:20.

29. Meat offering] cp. Leviticus 2:3; Leviticus 7:9-11. Sin.. and.. trespass offering] cp. Leviticus 6:18; Leviticus 7:6-7; Numbers 18:9, Numbers 18:10. Dedicated] RV ’devoted’: cp. Leviticus 27:28; Numbers 18:14.

30. The firstfruits] Cp. Exodus 23:19; Exodus 34:26; Numbers 18:13; Deuteronomy 18:4.

Oblation] RM ’heave offering’: cp. Numbers 15:19-21; Numbers 18:19.

31. Cp. Exodus 22:31; Leviticus 22:8.