Ezekiel 44:24 kjv
And in controversy they shall stand in judgment; and they shall judge it according to my judgments: and they shall keep my laws and my statutes in all mine assemblies; and they shall hallow my sabbaths.
Ezekiel 44:24 nkjv
In controversy they shall stand as judges, and judge it according to My judgments. They shall keep My laws and My statutes in all My appointed meetings, and they shall hallow My Sabbaths.
Ezekiel 44:24 niv
"?'In any dispute, the priests are to serve as judges and decide it according to my ordinances. They are to keep my laws and my decrees for all my appointed festivals, and they are to keep my Sabbaths holy.
Ezekiel 44:24 esv
In a dispute, they shall act as judges, and they shall judge it according to my judgments. They shall keep my laws and my statutes in all my appointed feasts, and they shall keep my Sabbaths holy.
Ezekiel 44:24 nlt
"They will serve as judges to resolve any disagreements among my people. Their decisions must be based on my regulations. And the priests themselves must obey my instructions and decrees at all the sacred festivals, and see to it that the Sabbaths are set apart as holy days.
Ezekiel 44 24 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lev 10:10-11 | Aaron's sons mishandling sacred things, bringing judgment. | Holiness of God's commands. |
| Mal 2:7-9 | Priests failing in their duty, leading to people stumbling. | Priestly responsibility and consequences. |
| Heb 5:1-4 | High priest taken from among men, called by God. | Qualification of priests. |
| Heb 7:26-28 | Jesus as the perfect, holy High Priest. | Fulfillment of priestly role. |
| 1 Pet 1:15-16 | Call to be holy, as God is holy. | General call to holiness. |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | Believers as a royal priesthood. | Priesthood of believers. |
| Rev 1:5-6 | Christ's blood making believers priests and kings. | Our priestly status in Christ. |
| Eph 4:23-24 | Renewed in the spirit of the mind, putting on the new self. | Personal righteousness for believers. |
| Col 3:9-10 | Putting off the old self and putting on the new self. | Transformation and holiness. |
| 1 Tim 3:1-7 | Qualifications for overseers (elders/priests). | Qualities of spiritual leaders. |
| Titus 1:6-9 | Further qualifications for overseers. | Characteristics of leaders. |
| Matt 23:25-28 | Jesus' critique of hypocritical Pharisees. | True righteousness versus outward show. |
| John 7:19 | Jesus questioning why the people seek to kill Him. | Adherence to the Law. |
| John 18:36 | Jesus' kingdom not of this world. | Spiritual authority and discernment. |
| 2 Cor 3:12-18 | The glory of the new covenant, the veil removed. | Access to God through Christ. |
| 1 John 3:3 | Everyone who has this hope purifies himself, as He is pure. | The effect of Christ's return. |
| Deut 21:5 | Priests must be blameless in service. | Standards for priestly service. |
| Ezra 2:61-63 | Priests unable to prove their lineage excluded from the priesthood. | Purity of lineage for priesthood. |
| Neh 7:63-65 | Similar exclusion of priests without verifiable lineage. | Importance of documented lineage. |
| Acts 20:28 | Elders to care for the flock, having been made overseers by the Holy Spirit. | Pastoral responsibility. |
| Rom 12:1-2 | Presenting bodies as living sacrifices, transformed by renewal of mind. | Living a holy life. |
| Phil 2:15 | Blameless and pure, children of God without fault. | Purity and uprightness. |
| Heb 12:10 | God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. | Purpose of divine discipline. |
| 1 Thess 4:3-5 | God's will is your sanctification: to abstain from sexual immorality. | Moral purity required for believers. |
Ezekiel 44 verses
Ezekiel 44 24 Meaning
This verse outlines the righteous requirements for priests in their relationship with the people. It emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between the holy and the common, and the clean and the unclean. This distinction is foundational to their role as mediators and guides in matters of worship and purity before God.
Ezekiel 44 24 Context
Ezekiel chapter 44 deals with the regulations for worship in the restored Temple after the Babylonian exile, as seen in Ezekiel's visionary temple. This particular verse is part of a larger section addressing the roles and responsibilities of the sons of Zadok, who are designated to serve in the sanctuary. The preceding verses detailed restrictions on other Levites entering the sanctuary and the proper disposition of sacrifices. This verse sets the standard for how the officiating priests must interact with the common people. Historically, maintaining the purity and distinction of the priestly class was crucial for ensuring correct worship and maintaining the covenant relationship between God and Israel.
Ezekiel 44 24 Word Analysis
"And they shall": Indicates a command or a decreed future action, linking these instructions to the preceding and following regulations.
"teach": From Hebrew lamad. Implies instructing, teaching, and causing to learn. Their role was to impart knowledge, particularly regarding divine statutes.
"My people": Refers to Israel, the covenant nation, highlighting the special relationship and God's possession of them.
"shall cause them to discern": From Hebrew yarah, meaning to point out, teach, or direct. It emphasizes clarity and the ability to make clear distinctions.
"between": Signifies a separation, a demarcation between different categories.
"the holy": Refers to that which is consecrated, set apart for God's use or presence.
"and": Conjunction joining the two distinct categories.
"the common": From Hebrew chol, meaning profanity, common, ordinary, or profane. It refers to things not set apart for God.
"and between": Again indicating a division.
"the unclean": From Hebrew tamei, referring to ritual impurity, unfitness for divine service or approach.
"and the clean": From Hebrew bar, meaning pure, ritually clean.
Group Analysis: "teach my people, shall cause them to discern between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean": This phrase encapsulates the core priestly function described here. It is not just about performing rituals but about educating the people in the practical application of God's laws, especially concerning holiness and purity. Their teaching was to enable the people to correctly categorize and interact with all things in relation to God's presence and will, preventing syncretism or misapprehension of sacred things.
Ezekiel 44 24 Bonus Section
This verse highlights that spiritual leadership is not only about access to God but also about equipping the people to relate correctly to God and His appointed ways. The emphasis on discerning "holy from common" and "unclean from clean" speaks to the need for a robust understanding of God's laws concerning sacred space, objects, and actions. In the New Testament, this function finds a spiritual parallel in believers being taught sound doctrine and discerning God's will, enabled by the indwelling Holy Spirit and the revelation of Scripture. The perfection of Christ, our High Priest, transcends these Old Testament ritual distinctions, offering complete cleansing and direct access to God for all who believe.
Ezekiel 44 24 Commentary
The priests' mandate here is twofold: to perform their service (implied by preceding context) and to teach the populace. This teaching isn't casual; it's to make clear the critical differences that define their covenant walk. They must illuminate what belongs exclusively to God (holy) and what is secular or ordinary (common). Equally, they must clarify the boundaries of ritual purity, differentiating what is fit for engagement with the divine sphere (clean) from what is not (unclean). This responsibility ensures that Israel's worship and daily life are properly ordered before a holy God, fostering a distinct identity for His people. It underscores that true worship involves knowledge and discernment actively applied in life.