Ezekiel 44 19

Ezekiel 44:19 kjv

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.

Ezekiel 44:19 nkjv

When they go out to the outer court, to the outer court to the people, they shall take off their garments in which they have ministered, leave them in the holy chambers, and put on other garments; and in their holy garments they shall not sanctify the people.

Ezekiel 44:19 niv

When they go out into the outer court where the people are, they are to take off the clothes they have been ministering in and are to leave them in the sacred rooms, and put on other clothes, so that the people are not consecrated through contact with their garments.

Ezekiel 44:19 esv

And when they go out into the outer court to the people, they shall put off the garments in which they have been ministering and lay them in the holy chambers. And they shall put on other garments, lest they transmit holiness to the people with their garments.

Ezekiel 44:19 nlt

When they return to the outer courtyard where the people are, they must take off the clothes they wear while ministering to me. They must leave them in the sacred rooms and put on other clothes so they do not endanger anyone by transmitting holiness to them through this clothing.

Ezekiel 44 verses

Ezekiel 44 19 Meaning

This verse specifies the attire and conduct for priests when they enter the inner court of the sanctuary, emphasizing modesty, respect, and holiness in God's presence. It restricts them from wearing garments that would cause them to sin through excessive exposure.

Ezekiel 44 19 Context

Chapter 44 of Ezekiel details a vision of a restored temple, focusing on its structure, gates, and the regulations for the Levitical priesthood. This specific verse falls within the section outlining the priestly duties and prohibitions, especially concerning their attire when ministering within the sacred space. The surrounding verses (Ezekiel 44:17-19) build upon the established theme of holiness required in God's presence. They prohibit certain fabrics (linen and wool mingled) and enforce modesty. The emphasis is on a pure and proper approach to worship and service. Historically, these regulations would have guided priests in maintaining the sanctity of the tabernacle and later, the temple, distinguishing them from common practices and ensuring a reverent approach to divine service. The context of exile and future restoration heavily influences Ezekiel's prophecies, underscoring the importance of purity and adherence to God's law for national and spiritual renewal.

Ezekiel 44 19 Word Analysis

• When (Hebrew: בְּבֹ֣א, be-vo')
  • Literal meaning: "in their entering" or "upon their entering."
  • Significance: Marks a specific occasion for adherence to the prescribed rules.
• they
  • Refers to the priests, specifically the sons of Zadok mentioned earlier.
• enter (Hebrew: בֹּ֣א, vo')
  • Literal meaning: "to go in," "to enter."
  • Significance: Emphasizes access into restricted, holy areas.
• the inner court (Hebrew: הֶחָצְרָ֥ה הַפְּנִימִ֛ית, he-ḥatserah hapenimit)
  • Literal meaning: "the court, the inner."
  • Significance: Refers to the most sacred area within the temple complex, accessible only to priests.
• they shall put on (Hebrew: יִלְבָּ֑שׁוּ, yilbas̲hū)
  • Literal meaning: "they shall put on" or "they shall wear."
  • Significance: Mandates specific garments for this occasion.
• linen garments (Hebrew: בַּדִּ֗ים, baddim)
  • Literal meaning: "linen," "linen clothes."
  • Significance: Linen was the prescribed material for priestly garments (Exodus 28:40-42, Leviticus 16:4), signifying purity and prohibition of mingled fibers.
• wherewith they minister (Hebrew: אֲשֶׁר־בָּהֶן יְשָׁרְת֑וּ, ’ăs̲er-bāhên yĕsāretū)
  • Literal meaning: "that in them they shall minister."
  • Significance: Links the attire directly to their function of serving God.
• and they shall put off (Hebrew: וְהוֹצִ֤יאוּ, wĕhōt͡sī’ū)
  • Literal meaning: "and they shall take out" or "they shall remove."
  • Significance: Indicates a requirement to change garments after ministry.
• their garments wherein they minister (Hebrew: אֶת־בִּגְדֵ֣י הַבַּ֔ד, ’et-bigdēy habad)
  • Literal meaning: "the garments of linen."
  • Significance: Reinforces that it's the same type of special linen garments, which are to be removed from the holy places, not from their bodies when leaving service. This nuance implies specific priestly vestments, likely to be kept within the precinct.
• and put on (Hebrew: וְלָֽבְש֜וּ, wĕlābs̠ĕwū)
  • Literal meaning: "and they shall put on."
  • Significance: Further instruction on what to wear after removing the ministry garments.
• other garments (Hebrew: בְּגָדִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֔ים, begadīm ‘aherim)
  • Literal meaning: "garments, others."
  • Significance: Suggests ordinary clothing or different, less holy garments for when they are not actively ministering.
• and so
  • Implies "in order that" or "so that."
• sanctify the people (Hebrew: יְקַדְּשׁ֣וּ אֶת־הָעָ֑ם, yĕqad·dĕsū ‘et-hā’ām)
  • Literal meaning: "they shall sanctify the people."
  • Significance: Their conduct, including proper attire, contributes to the people's understanding and experience of holiness and God's sanctity. It shows that priestly actions have a corporate impact on the people's perception of God.

Word Groups Analysis

• "linen garments wherein they minister": This phrase, appearing twice with a slight variation, underscores the specific, consecrated nature of the clothing worn during direct service in the sanctuary. The repeated emphasis on "linen" (בַּדִּ֗ים) recalls requirements found elsewhere (Ex 28:42, Lev 16:4) and symbolizes purity and separation for divine service. The implication is that these particular linen garments were intrinsically tied to the holiness of the act of ministering.
• "put off their garments... and put on other garments": This exchange of clothing highlights a transition. The priests shed the specific attire associated with the sacred task and put on other clothing. This action symbolizes their departure from the immediate presence of God within the inner court and a separation between their ministerial role and their general existence outside of that direct service. It also implies a separation from what they ministered with, so as not to carry its sanctity or the "uncleanness" absorbed from their service into the broader community or their private lives improperly.

Ezekiel 44 19 Bonus Section

The instruction to "sanctify the people" through their actions implies that the priests were seen as mediators not just of sacrifice but also of holiness itself. Their behavior and adherence to divine ordinances were intended to instruct and consecrate the community. This concept echoes through the New Testament, where believers are called to be holy, reflecting God's presence to the world through their transformed lives (1 Peter 1:15-16). The differentiation between garments for ministering and "other garments" also speaks to a sacred demarcation between the holy place and the world, a distinction that has parallels in how Christians are to be in the world but not of the world.

Ezekiel 44 19 Commentary

This verse outlines crucial stipulations for priests when moving between the inner court and other areas. The mandate to wear linen garments while ministering signifies purity and separation required for approaching God's presence. The prohibition against garments causing them to "sin" likely refers to uncovering their nakedness, a direct violation of modesty expected in sacred rituals (as seen in Exodus 20:26 concerning steps to the altar). Their subsequent change of clothes signifies leaving the direct ministerial role. This changing of attire is not about shedding holiness, but about respecting different levels of sanctity. By removing their ministry garments and donning "other garments," they maintain order and ensure that the holiness of the sanctuary is contained, preventing the people from being exposed to that overwhelming sacredness inappropriately, thereby helping "sanctify the people" by modeling proper reverence and order in God's house. It emphasizes that proper outward expression, including clothing, is part of sincere inward devotion and respect for God's divine order.