Ezekiel 44:20 kjv
Neither shall they shave their heads, nor suffer their locks to grow long; they shall only poll their heads.
Ezekiel 44:20 nkjv
"They shall neither shave their heads nor let their hair grow long, but they shall keep their hair well trimmed.
Ezekiel 44:20 niv
"?'They must not shave their heads or let their hair grow long, but they are to keep the hair of their heads trimmed.
Ezekiel 44:20 esv
They shall not shave their heads or let their locks grow long; they shall surely trim the hair of their heads.
Ezekiel 44:20 nlt
"They must neither shave their heads nor let their hair grow too long. Instead, they must trim it regularly.
Ezekiel 44 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Eze 44:20 | They shall not shave their heads nor let their hair grow long, but trim it as close as possible to their heads, to keep their heads holy. | holiness, purity, consecration |
| Lev 10:3 | "Holy is He who is nearer to me." And Aaron held his peace. | sanctity of God's presence |
| Lev 21:5 | They shall not make any bald place upon their heads, nor shave off the edge of their beard, nor make any cuttings in their flesh. | regulations for priests' appearance |
| Lev 22:2-3 | "Speak to Aaron and his sons, that they must separate themselves from the holy things of the children of Israel... that they may not profane My holy name..." | maintaining holiness of offerings |
| Num 18:7 | "But you and your sons with you shall minister in all things pertaining to the altar and to the area inside the veil..." | priestly duties in sanctuary |
| 2 Chr 23:6 | But none may go into the house of the Lord except the priests and those of the Levites who are in service. | restricting access to sanctuary |
| Heb 10:22 | 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. | New Testament call to holiness |
| 1 Pet 2:5 | You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. | spiritual priesthood of believers |
| Rev 1:6 | and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. | kings and priests in Christ |
| John 17:19 | And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. | Christ's sanctification for believers |
| 1 Cor 6:19-20 | Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? And you are not your own, for you have been bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's. | body as temple of the Holy Spirit |
| Rom 12:1 | I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. | presenting our bodies as living sacrifices |
| Isa 58:1 | Shout for all to hear! Tell my people their sins. Tell the family of Jacob about their rebellion. | calling to repentance and holiness |
| Jer 17:13 | O LORD, the hope of Israel, all who forsake you shall be put to shame; those who turn away from you will be written in the earth, for they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters. | consequence of forsaking God |
| Ezek 42:20 | He measured all the surrounding wall; the height of it was a reed, sixty-five feet measured, all around. The wall was on the outside, around the house. | boundaries of the holy city |
| Ex 28:41 | So shall you anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister to me in the priest's office. | consecration of priests |
| Lev 8:12 | Then he poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him to consecrate him. | anointing for consecration |
| 2 Sam 6:6-7 | And when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah put out his hand to the Ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. And the anger of the Lord burned against Uzzah, and he struck him there because he touched it, and he died there before God. | consequence of touching holy things improperly |
| Neh 13:22 | Also, I commanded the Levites that they should purify themselves and come as guardians to the gates and strengthen them to keep the Sabbath day holy. | upholding Sabbath sanctity |
| Zech 3:3-4 | Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments and standing before the angel. And he spoke and said to those who stood before him, saying, “Take away the filthy garments from him.” And to him he said, “Behold, I have taken away your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich garments.” | cleansing for service |
Ezekiel 44 verses
Ezekiel 44 20 Meaning
The priests, specifically the Levitical priests from the lineage of Zadok who remained faithful to God, were commanded to sanctify themselves before entering the sanctuary. This sanctification involved a strict observance of the Law concerning holiness. They were not permitted to profane the holy offerings by associating with common people. Their primary role was to serve in the inner court, offering the sacrifices for the people and ministering in God's presence. This regulation aimed to maintain the sanctity of worship and ensure a clear distinction between the holy and the common, the sacred and the secular.
Ezekiel 44 20 Context
Chapter 44 of Ezekiel focuses on the restoration of worship in the Temple after its envisioned purification. The prophet is shown a vision of a new Temple and its regulations, emphasizing a renewed covenant and restored relationship with God. This particular verse (Eze 44:20) addresses specific regulations for the priests, particularly the sons of Zadok, who are appointed to minister in the most holy parts of the Temple. These priests are described as being from the tribe of Levi who remained faithful during Israel's apostasy. The chapter highlights the strict requirements for those who would serve in God's presence, stressing holiness, purity, and a proper distinction between sacred and common. This context is crucial for understanding the specific instructions regarding the priests' appearance and conduct.
Ezekiel 44 20 Word analysis
- And (וְ və-) - A conjunction linking this verse to previous instructions and indicating a continuation of the priestly regulations.
- the (הַ ha-) - The definite article, referring to specific priests and specific prohibitions.
- priests (הַכֹּהֲנִים hakohenim) - Plural of priest, referring to those appointed to offer sacrifices and serve in the sanctuary. In this context, it specifically refers to the legitimate Levitical priests, descendants of Zadok, who ministered faithfully.
- the (הַ ha-) - Definite article.
- sons (בְּנֵי benei) - Implies lineage and heritage, indicating that these regulations apply to the male descendants appointed to the priesthood.
- of (שֶׁל shel) - Preposition showing possession or relation.
- Aaron (אַהֲרֹן Aharon) - The first High Priest, symbolizing the divinely instituted priestly line.
- shall (יַעֲשׂוּ ya'asu - meaning "they shall do" - verb) - Indicates a command or obligation, a binding instruction.
- not (לֹא lo) - A negation, prohibiting certain actions.
- shave (יְגַלְּחוּ y'gal·lu·ḥu) - To shave, to remove hair.
- their (רָאשֵׁיהֶם rasheihem) - Pertaining to their heads.
- heads (רָאשֵׁיהֶם rasheihem) - The head, a significant part of the body, often associated with honor and holiness.
- nor (וְלֹא wə·lo) - Another negation, extending the prohibition to a second action.
- suffer (יַאֲרִכוּ ya'ar·i·khu - meaning "they shall lengthen") - To allow something to become long; in this context, allowing hair to grow long.
- their (שִׂעָרָם sihram) - Pertaining to their hair.
- hair (שִׂעָרָם sihram) - The hair on the head.
- to grow (לִגְדּל lig·dol) - To grow, to increase in length.
- long (אֹרֶךְ orekh) - Length.
- but (כִּי־ ki-) - A conjunction indicating a contrast or exception.
- trim (יְגַלְּחוּ y'gal·lu·ḥu - meaning "they shall shave") - To cut, to clip; in this context, it is the opposite of letting the hair grow long. It implies a measured and appropriate cutting.
- their (רָאשִׁים rasim) - Pertaining to their heads.
- their (צִצִּת tsitsit - usually means 'fringe' or 'tassel', but here likely referring to the edges/ends of their hair, meaning the very ends of their hair to be close. The Septuagint suggests a trimming of the very edge) - The edge, the boundary; referring to the extremity of the hair on their heads.
- close (צָרָה tsarah) - Narrow, close, near. In this context, meaning to cut it very close or trim it short.
- as (כִּי־ ki-) - As.
- close (בְּצָרָה betserah) - In a narrow or close manner.
- as (אֶת et - Direct object marker, not a separate word here conceptually) - Used with the following verb to indicate the direct object.
- their (רָאשִׁים rasim) - Heads.
- to (לְ lə-) - Preposition indicating purpose.
- keep (קְדֹשׁ kadosh - root meaning holy) - To make holy, to sanctify, to consecrate.
- their (רָאשֵׁיהֶם rasheihem) - Their heads.
- holy (קֹדֶשׁ kodesh) - Holiness, that which is sacred, consecrated to God.
Group of words analysis:
- "They shall not shave their heads nor suffer their hair to grow long" (לֹא יְגַלְּחוּ וְלֹא יַאֲרִכוּ שִׂעָרָם). This combined prohibition indicates a need for a specific, regulated length and appearance of the priest's hair, distinct from practices of mourning (baldness, cutting beard) or possibly pagan rituals. The aim is to maintain a state of holiness, not extreme asceticism or slovenliness.
- "but trim their hair as close as possible to their heads" (כִּי אִם אֶת רֹאשֵׁיהֶם יְגַלְּחוּ וְאֶת צִצִּת רֹאשֵׁיהֶם לֹא יְגַלְּחוּ). The precise wording is nuanced. It seems to forbid complete shaving (גלח, galach) for the entire head but then immediately states "but trim their heads." The phrase "and the tips of their hair they shall not shave" (וְאֶת צִצִּת רֹאשֵׁיהֶם לֹא יְגַלְּחוּ) appears contradictory if galach means shave. Scholars suggest it may mean "to remove entirely." The emphasis seems to be on a specific length, avoiding both utter baldness and excessive growth, thus symbolizing consecration and order. The intended meaning is to keep the hair neat and not unkempt. The instruction ensures their appearance reflects their holy calling.
Ezekiel 44 20 Bonus section
The distinction in priestly hairstyles in Ezekiel contrasts with the more complete shaving forbidden for ordinary Israelites during mourning (Lev 21:5). The priests were to present themselves as pure and orderly before the Lord. This particular instruction on hair, along with others in the chapter regarding garments and their conduct, highlights the profound seriousness of the priestly role in representing the people before a holy God. It underscores the ongoing need for sanctification in service, a theme that resonates even in the New Testament's call for believers to be living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God (Rom 12:1). The principle is that those who draw near to God must be set apart.
Ezekiel 44 20 Commentary
Ezekiel 44:20 emphasizes the outward manifestation of the priests' inner consecration. The meticulous regulation of their hair served as a constant visual reminder of their distinct status and dedication to God. Unlike some general regulations for the Nazarite vow which involved not cutting the hair at all (Num 6:5), the priests were instructed to maintain a neat and tidy appearance. This meant not shaving their heads completely, nor letting their hair grow excessively long and unkempt. The emphasis on "trimming" (galach) implies a specific, God-ordained style that signifies purity and order. This regulation points to a broader principle in scripture: that our outward actions and appearance should reflect our inward devotion and consecrated lives. Even seemingly minor details, like hairstyles, can be expressions of obedience and reverence for God's holiness. The ultimate goal was to keep their heads "holy," meaning set apart for God's service, free from anything that might compromise their sacred office or bring reproach upon His name.