Ezekiel 44:14 kjv
But I will make them keepers of the charge of the house, for all the service thereof, and for all that shall be done therein.
Ezekiel 44:14 nkjv
Nevertheless I will make them keep charge of the temple, for all its work, and for all that has to be done in it.
Ezekiel 44:14 niv
And I will appoint them to guard the temple for all the work that is to be done in it.
Ezekiel 44:14 esv
Yet I will appoint them to keep charge of the temple, to do all its service and all that is to be done in it.
Ezekiel 44:14 nlt
They are to serve as the Temple caretakers, taking charge of the maintenance work and performing general duties.
Ezekiel 44 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezek 44:15 | And the Levitical priests, of the sons of Zadok, who kept the charge of my sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from me, they shall come near to me to minister to me, and they shall stand before me to offer to me the fat and the blood, declares the Lord GOD; | Zadokite priesthood's faithfulness and proximity to God. |
| Ezek 44:16 | they shall enter into my sanctuary, and they shall come near to my table to minister to me, and they shall keep my charge. | Privilege of entering God's sanctuary and serving at His table. |
| Ezek 40:46 | Sons of Zadok... who kept the charge of my sanctuary... | Zadokite lineage reserved for priestly service. |
| Lev 21:22 | He shall eat the bread of his God, both from the most holy and from the holy; | Priests' provision from holy offerings. |
| Ex 28:3 | you shall speak all who are gifted with skill, whom I have endowed with spirit of skill, that they may make the garments of sanctity for Aaron, consecrated garments for his service. | Special garments for priestly service. |
| Num 18:2-3 | Let my brother, Levi, draw near... they are given to you... for service. | Levites set apart for service. |
| John 1:14 | And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. | Christ as the dwelling place of God's glory. |
| Heb 10:19-22 | Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he has opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. | Believers have access to God through Christ. |
| 1 Pet 2:5 | you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. | Believers are a royal priesthood. |
| 1 Cor 3:16-17 | Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple. | The church as God's temple where His Spirit dwells. |
| Rev 1:6 | and his Father's God and Father; to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. | All believers are kings and priests. |
| John 10:30 | I and the Father are one. | Unity of Christ and the Father. |
| Isa 56:6-7 | And the sons of the foreigner who join themselves to the LORD, to minister to him, to love the name of the LORD, and to be his servants, every one who keeps the Sabbath... them I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar. | Gentiles also included in God's service. |
| Rev 5:10 | and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth. | Redeemed are priests to God. |
| Heb 7:24-25 | but since he continues forever has a priesthood that will not be taken away from him. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. | Christ's eternal, unchangeable priesthood. |
| Lev 16:12-13 | He shall take a censer full of coals of fire from the altar before the LORD, and two handfuls of sweet incense beaten small, and he shall bring it within the veil. And he shall put the incense on the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is on the testimony, lest he die. | High priest's work in the Most Holy Place. |
| Ex 30:7-8 | Aaron shall burn it... Aaron shall keep it in order. | Incense offering. |
| 1 Kings 8:10-11 | And when the priests came out of the holy place... the house was filled with a cloud. | Glory of God filling the temple. |
| Heb 9:24 | For Christ has entered not into a holy place made with hands, which is a copy of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. | Christ ministering in the true heavenly sanctuary. |
| Ezek 43:5 | the Spirit lifted me up and brought me in by the way of the gate... | Spirit's role in prophetic visions. |
Ezekiel 44 verses
Ezekiel 44 14 Meaning
The verse describes the Levitical priests who minister within the inner court, specifically in relation to the threshold of the LORD's house and the porch. They are set apart as holy, consecrated to serve in the most sacred areas of the sanctuary. Their primary function involves spiritual oversight and ministry to the people, acting as mediators between God and Israel in the context of worship and the presence of God.
Ezekiel 44 14 Context
This verse is part of Ezekiel's elaborate vision of a future temple and a restored Israel. The preceding verses describe the specifications and regulations for the Levitical priests who would serve in this new sanctuary. Ezekiel is reiterating the privileges and duties of these specific priests, emphasizing their lineage from Zadok and their role in proximity to God, particularly in the inner court and before the sanctuary. This vision comes at a time when Jerusalem and the Temple have been destroyed, and Israel is in exile. The prophet is offering hope and a blueprint for future worship and service, highlighting God's abiding presence and the restoration of proper priestly ministry, contrasted with the corruption that led to the destruction. The reference to the "threshold of the LORD's house" and the "porch" pinpoints their designated area of service within the inner court, near the most sacred parts of the sanctuary.
Ezekiel 44 14 Word Analysis
- And (Hebrew: וְ, wə): A conjunction connecting clauses or ideas, indicating continuation or sequence.
- the Levitical priests (Hebrew: הַלְוִיִּם הַכֹּהֲנִים, hal-lĕwîyîm hak-kōhănîm): Refers specifically to those of the tribe of Levi designated for priestly duties, a distinct role within the tribe. In this context, it narrows further to the Zadokite lineage as established in earlier verses.
- of the sons of Zadok (Hebrew: בְּנֵי־צָדוֹק, bənê-ṣādôq): Identifies a specific lineage within the priesthood. The sons of Zadok were favored by David and Solomon for their faithful service when others had wavered. This signifies loyalty and proper lineage for sacred service.
- who kept the charge of my sanctuary (Hebrew: שֹׁמְרֵי מִשְׁמֶרֶת קָדְשִׁי, šōmְrêy-mišְmĕreṯ qodְšîy): Emphasizes their responsibility and duty to guard and preserve the holiness and sanctity of God's sanctuary. "Kept the charge" implies a continuous, vigilant watch and execution of duties.
- when the children of Israel went astray from me (Hebrew: בְּתִשָּׁם יִשְׂרָאֵל מֵעָלַי, bə-tišָּām yiśְrāʼêl mē-ʿālay): Highlights a period of apostasy and disloyalty among the people from God. During this time, the Zadokites remained faithful to their service, distinguishing them.
- they shall come near to me (Hebrew: יִקְרְבוּ אֵלַי, yikְrəḇû ʼêlay): Indicates privilege and intimate access to God. Their faithfulness earns them the right to serve and be in God's immediate presence.
- to minister to me (Hebrew: לְשָׁרְתֵנִי, ləšāreṯênîy): Denotes performing service and duties unto God directly.
- and they shall stand before me (Hebrew: וְעָמְדוּ לְפָנַי, wə-ʿāmdû ləfānay): Signifies a position of honor and direct audience. Standing before God implies visibility and accountability in service.
- to offer to me the fat and the blood (Hebrew: לְהַקְרִיב לִי מִשְׁמָן וָדָם, ləhaqְrîḇ lîy-mišְmān wā-ḏām): Specifies the most sacred components of offerings that were reserved for God. The "fat" often symbolized the best or richest part, and "blood" was essential for atonement and the covenant. Offering these signifies their right and duty in performing the sacrificial rites.
- declares the Lord GOD (Hebrew: נְאֻם־אֲדֹנָי יְהֹוִה, nəʼum-ʼăḏōnāy Yĕhvîh): A formulaic pronouncement asserting divine authority and the certainty of the declaration.
Word Group Analysis
- Levitical priests of the sons of Zadok who kept the charge of my sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from me: This phrase establishes the specific identity of the ministers – Levitical priests from the Zadokite lineage, characterized by their faithfulness during Israel's apostasy. It sets a high standard for their exclusive service in the restored sanctuary, contrasting their loyalty with the people's unfaithfulness.
- they shall come near to me to minister to me, and they shall stand before me to offer to me the fat and the blood: This forms the core of their privileged duty. It highlights intimate proximity to God ("come near to me," "stand before me") and the solemn responsibility of presenting the most vital elements of worship and sacrifice to Him. This underscores their mediating role in divine service.
Ezekiel 44 14 Bonus Section
The emphasis on the "sons of Zadok" is crucial, as this lineage was seen as upholders of correct priestly practice, particularly in contrast to other Levitical families who may have participated in idolatrous worship or improperly performed priestly duties during times of Israel's spiritual decline. Zadok’s name means "righteous," further reinforcing the qualification for holy service. The future orientation of the verse – "they shall come near... they shall stand" – speaks of a re-establishment and a continuation of sacred service. In the New Testament, the concept of "standing before God" is achieved through Christ's righteousness, allowing believers, as a spiritual priesthood, direct access and intimate communion, not based on earthly lineage or temple rituals, but on faith in Jesus. The act of offering the fat and blood finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ's self-offering.
Ezekiel 44 14 Commentary
Ezekiel 44:15 distinguishes the Zadokite priests by their prior fidelity to God's sanctuary during periods of Israel's apostasy. Their continued service is a reward for their faithfulness. This verse emphasizes privilege tied to responsibility, highlighting those who remain loyal to God's commands are drawn closer to Him for His service. The "fat and blood" are central to sin offerings and burnt offerings, signifying their direct role in the critical, atoning work of the sanctuary. This particular priestly role in the vision serves as a foretaste of the perfected, heavenly priesthood of Jesus Christ. While these earthly priests ministered in a physical sanctuary, Christ, the ultimate priest, ministers in the heavenly sanctuary, offering His own perfect sacrifice (blood) for humanity's atonement and our approach to God. The faithful are indeed brought near to God and stand before Him through Christ's finished work.