Ezekiel 44:21 kjv
Neither shall any priest drink wine, when they enter into the inner court.
Ezekiel 44:21 nkjv
No priest shall drink wine when he enters the inner court.
Ezekiel 44:21 niv
No priest is to drink wine when he enters the inner court.
Ezekiel 44:21 esv
No priest shall drink wine when he enters the inner court.
Ezekiel 44:21 nlt
The priests must not drink wine before entering the inner courtyard.
Ezekiel 44 21 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezek 44:17 | "When they enter the inner court, they shall wear linen garments, | Purity in worship |
| Lev 16:4 | "He shall put on the holy linen tunic, and shall have the linen breeches on his body... | Aaron's priestly garments |
| Exod 28:39 | "You shall embroider the tunic of fine linen, and you shall make a turban of fine linen, | Priestly vestments details |
| Exod 39:28 | and the turbans and the ornamental caps of fine linen, and the linen breeches of fine linen. | Continued details of vestments |
| Rev 7:9 | "After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation... | White robes of the redeemed |
| Rev 19:8 | and it was given her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and clean, | Bride arrayed in fine linen |
| Lev 10:1-2 | "Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu each took their censers, put fire in them and added incense, and offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to his command. | Strict obedience required |
| 1 Chron 15:13 | So you shall not come, because the LORD our God made an outburst against us, for we did not seek Him according to the prescribed manner. | God's order for bringing Ark |
| Num 18:7 | But you and your sons with you shall perform the priest’s duty in everything related to the altar and to what is inside the veil, and you shall minister. | Priestly responsibilities |
| Deut 10:8 | At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to minister to Him and to bless in His name... | Levites' designated service |
| Ps 93:5 | Your testimonies are very sure; holiness adorns Your house, O LORD, forevermore. | Holiness of God's house |
| Isa 52:11 | "Depart, depart, go out from there! Touch no unclean thing; go out from the midst of her, purify yourselves, you who carry the vessels of the LORD. | Call to purity for Levites |
| Zech 3:4 | He spoke also to those who stood before him, saying, "Remove the filthy garments from him." And he said to him, "Behold, I have taken away your iniquity from you, and I will clothed you with rich vestments." | Cleansing and proper garments |
| Heb 7:26 | For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. | Christ's perfect priesthood |
| 1 Pet 1:15 | but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct. | Exhortation to holiness |
| 1 Tim 2:8 | I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling. | Manner of prayer |
| Phil 2:15 | that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world. | Be blameless and innocent |
| Lev 6:10 | The priest shall put on his linen garments, and his linen breeches he shall wear, and he shall take the ashes from the burnt offering, and put them beside the altar. | Specific garment use at altar |
| Ezek 42:14 | they that are in the ministry shall put on other garments than those they ministered in on the sabbath day, and when they go into the inner court, they shall put on white garments. | Differentiated garments for ministry |
| Heb 12:14 | Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. | Necessity of holiness |
Ezekiel 44 verses
Ezekiel 44 21 Meaning
This verse outlines specific requirements for priests regarding their attire when ministering within the sanctuary. It emphasizes holiness and proper order in approaching God. The linen garments are for purity and to prevent sweat from showing, symbolizing a dedication of their entire being to service without human frailty becoming apparent.
Ezekiel 44 21 Context
Chapter 44 of Ezekiel details the future regulations for worship and the restored priesthood in a visionary rebuilt temple. Following the pronouncements of judgment and promises of restoration, Ezekiel receives specific instructions concerning the services within the sanctuary. This particular verse, Ezekiel 44:21, falls within a section describing the conduct and attire of the priests who are to minister there. The overall theme is the re-establishment of proper order and holiness in Israel's worship after the period of exile and divine judgment, emphasizing that proximity to God demands rigorous adherence to His commands. The instructions are very detailed, reflecting the importance of sanctity in divine service.
Ezekiel 44 21 Word Analysis
And - Connects this rule to preceding ones; a conjunction indicating sequence or addition.
the priests - Specifically designates the Levitical order appointed for Temple service, as outlined throughout Leviticus and Numbers.
shall wear - A strong command, indicating an obligation, not an option.
linen - (Hebrew: butz) Refers to fine linen, a pure, white fabric, symbolic of purity, righteousness, and royalty.
garments - (Hebrew: simlot) Garments or clothing; in this context, specifically the priestly vestments.
when they enter - Specifies the condition for wearing these garments: the act of entering the inner court, the holiest part of the sanctuary.
in - Denotes location or the area where the action takes place.
the inner - (Hebrew: penimit) Referring to the inner sanctuary or the inner court, the more restricted and sacred area.
court - (Hebrew: azerowa) The court or chamber of the Temple.
they shall put on - Reinforces the requirement for specific attire.
no - A strong negation.
wool - (Hebrew: itsah) Refers to the material from sheep or goats; wool was sometimes associated with common use and less with sacred purity in certain contexts, or could generate static and heat.
when they enter - The critical time and place for this prohibition.
the inner - Again, the inner court.
gate - (Hebrew: shaar) The entrance.
of - Indicates possession or relation.
the inner court - Clarifies the specific sacred space where the prohibition applies.
they shall put on - Repetition emphasizes the obligation.
white - (Hebrew: tsahowv) While translating as 'white', in some biblical uses it can also mean bright or pure, underscoring the ideal state.
vestments - (Hebrew: bigdey ha-bad) Literally, "garments of bad," where "bad" refers to fine linen. So, "garments of fine linen."
Priests' attire: The rule distinctly separates the garments for service in the inner court from other occasions.
Material prohibition: The restriction from wool is significant; linen symbolized purity and was distinct from wool.
Purity in the holiest place: The emphasis on linen for entering the inner court highlights the supreme need for holiness and unblemished service when in God's immediate presence.
Consecration: The specific attire signifies the consecrated status of the priests.
Ezekiel 44 21 Bonus Section
The specific mention of linen (butz) connects directly to the purity required of priests throughout the Mosaic Law. This practice reflects a broader principle in Scripture that God demands purity from those who draw near to Him. The distinction in priestly garments between their service in the outer court versus the inner court underscores different levels of access and therefore differing requirements for holiness. The ultimate fulfillment of this principle of perfect purity and divine representation is found in Jesus Christ, our High Priest, who is holy, harmless, and separate from sinners (Hebrews 7:26). His sinless life and atoning sacrifice are the true "fine linen" that allows humanity access to God. The imagery of white robes in Revelation, worn by the redeemed and saints, further connects this earthly priestly requirement to heavenly purity.
Ezekiel 44 21 Commentary
The priests serving in the sanctuary, particularly when entering the inner court, were mandated to wear garments made of fine linen. This was not merely a fashion choice but a divinely appointed regulation highlighting the absolute need for purity and holiness when approaching God in His sacred dwelling. Linen symbolized purity and righteousness. The prohibition of wool, especially in this sacred context, can be understood in several ways: wool could be seen as representing a more common, earthly material, while linen represented a refined purity. Furthermore, wool could generate heat and sweat, which the linen garments were designed to prevent, suggesting a need for controlled and dignified composure in the presence of the divine. This directive emphasizes that even the material of the priests' clothing was to be aligned with the sanctity of their service and the holiness of God. The choice of white vestments for the inner court further reinforces this concept of purity and divine light.