Ezekiel 44:23 kjv
And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.
Ezekiel 44:23 nkjv
"And they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the unholy, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.
Ezekiel 44:23 niv
They are to teach my people the difference between the holy and the common and show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean.
Ezekiel 44:23 esv
They shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the common, and show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean.
Ezekiel 44:23 nlt
They will teach my people the difference between what is holy and what is common, what is ceremonially clean and unclean.
Ezekiel 44 23 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 44:23 | "They shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the common, and show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean." | Holy/Unclean Distinction, Priestly Duty |
| Leviticus 10:10 | "And that you may distinguish between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean," | Instruction to Aaron's Sons |
| Leviticus 11:46 | "This is the law of the beast of the field, of the fowl of the air, and of every living thing that creeps on the earth, to distinguish between the unclean and the clean, and between the edible and the inedible.” | Laws of Clean and Unclean |
| Deuteronomy 24:1 | "When a man takes a wife and marries her, and it happens that she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some uncleanness in her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce, puts it in her hand, and sends her out of his house," | Divorce certificate clarity |
| Jeremiah 15:19 | "Therefore thus says the LORD: “If you take forth the precious from the worthless, you shall be as my mouth; let them return to you, but you shall not return to them." | Jeremiah's duty as a prophet |
| Malachi 2:7 | "For the lips of a priest should keep knowledge, and people should seek the law from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts." | Priest as messenger, source of knowledge |
| Matthew 23:23 | "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone." | Focus on outward rituals vs. inner righteousness |
| Acts 11:9 | "But Peter said, 'Certainly not! For I have never eaten anything defiled or unclean.'" | Peter's understanding of clean/unclean |
| Romans 14:1 | "Receive him who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over opinions." | Believers with differing views on food laws |
| 1 Corinthians 10:31 | "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." | Everything done for God's glory |
| 1 Corinthians 14:33 | "For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints." | Order in worship |
| Hebrews 12:10 | "For they indeed chastened us for a few days, as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness." | God's chastening for holiness |
| 1 Peter 1:15-16 | "but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, 'Be holy, for I am holy.'" | Call to holiness |
| Revelation 21:27 | "But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life." | Purity of the New Jerusalem |
| 2 Timothy 2:15 | "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." | Rightly dividing the Word |
| Ephesians 4:11-12 | "And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ," | Roles of spiritual leaders |
| 1 Corinthians 6:19 | "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?" | Body as temple |
| Hebrews 13:9 | "Do not be carried about by various and strange doctrines, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them." | Warning against false teachings |
| John 17:17 | "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth." | Word sanctifies |
| Romans 12:1 | "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." | Presenting bodies as living sacrifices |
Ezekiel 44 verses
Ezekiel 44 23 Meaning
Priests are to teach the distinction between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean. This is essential for maintaining the purity of worship and guiding the people of Israel in righteousness.
Ezekiel 44 23 Context
Ezekiel chapter 44 describes a future vision of the Temple and its worship. In this new order, the Zadokite priests who remained faithful to God are reinstated. This specific verse outlines a crucial role for these priests: instructing the people. The instruction concerns the differentiation between what is sacred and what is ordinary, and between what is ritually clean and unclean. This emphasis on clear distinctions reflects God's desire for His people to live in holiness and maintain proper worship. Historically, Israel often struggled with blurring these lines, leading to syncretism and spiritual decline. Ezekiel’s vision anticipates a return to rigorous observance and teaching.
Ezekiel 44 23 Word Analysis
- And (וְ) (v') - Conjunction; links actions and concepts. Here, it connects the previous statement about the priests' permitted duties to their teaching role.
- they shall teach (לְהוֹרֹת) (lehorot) - Infinitive construct of "to teach, to instruct, to guide." This verb implies not just imparting knowledge but also guiding practice.
- my people (אֶת־עַמִּי) (et-ammi) - "My people." Direct possession emphasizing God's relationship with Israel and the priests' responsibility towards them.
- the distinction (בֵּין) (bein) - "Between." Indicates a clear separation or division.
- the holy (הַקֹּדֶשׁ) (hakodesh) - "The holy, the sacred." That which is set apart for God, dedicated to Him.
- and (וְ) (v') - Conjunction.
- the common (הַחֹל) (hachol) - "The common, the profane, the secular." That which is ordinary, not set apart for divine purposes.
- and (וְ) (v') - Conjunction.
- to distinguish (לְהַבְדִּיל) (lehbdil) - From the root meaning "to divide, separate, distinguish." Similar to 'bein', reinforcing the idea of clear differentiation.
- between (בֵּין) (bein) - "Between."
- the unclean (הַטָּמֵא) (hatameh) - "The unclean, the impure." That which is ritually defiled and unfit for sacred use or approach to God.
- and (וְ) (v') - Conjunction.
- the clean (וְהַטָּהֹר) (vethahor) - "And the clean, the pure." That which is ritually pure and fit.
Words Group Analysis:
- teach my people the distinction: The core mandate for the priests is the education of the populace regarding sacred matters.
- between the holy and the common: This highlights the spectrum of things, from the divinely designated to the everyday, and the need for people to recognize where each belongs.
- and show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean: This part emphasizes the practical application of knowledge – being able to identify what defiles and what purifies according to God's laws.
Ezekiel 44 23 Bonus Section
The concept of holy and common (profane) relates to the sanctification of spaces, times, and objects for God's exclusive use. Unclean and clean relate to ritual purity laws which, while ceremonial, often reflected deeper moral and spiritual realities. Priests were the custodians and interpreters of these distinctions, ensuring that God’s presence among His people was met with appropriate reverence and purity. This foundational teaching from the Old Testament finds echoes in the New Testament emphasis on believers being holy, set apart for God's purposes through Christ, and understanding what is acceptable to Him.
Ezekiel 44 23 Commentary
The verse establishes the priestly role in imparting vital knowledge to the people. It's not merely about knowing rituals but understanding the fundamental difference between sacred and secular, pure and impure. This knowledge enables them to approach God acceptably and live in alignment with His will. It underscores that leadership in worship involves diligent instruction, guiding people toward God's standards of holiness and purity in all aspects of life. This instruction preserves the sanctity of worship and personal devotion.