Ezekiel 44:28 kjv
And it shall be unto them for an inheritance: I am their inheritance: and ye shall give them no possession in Israel: I am their possession.
Ezekiel 44:28 nkjv
"It shall be, in regard to their inheritance, that I am their inheritance. You shall give them no possession in Israel, for I am their possession.
Ezekiel 44:28 niv
"?'I am to be the only inheritance the priests have. You are to give them no possession in Israel; I will be their possession.
Ezekiel 44:28 esv
"This shall be their inheritance: I am their inheritance: and you shall give them no possession in Israel; I am their possession.
Ezekiel 44:28 nlt
"The priests will not have any property or possession of land, for I alone am their special possession.
Ezekiel 44 28 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezek 44:28 | "And it shall be to them for an inheritance: I am their inheritance: and you shall give them no posses-" | Provision for priests |
| Num 18:20 | "And the LORD said unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any | Lord is their inheritance |
| Deut 10:9 | "Wherefore the Levites have no part nor inheritance with his brethren; the LORD is his inheritance..." | Lord as sole inheritance |
| Josh 14:4 | "For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim: and they gave no part unto the Le-" | Contrasting inheritance for other tribes |
| Lev 27:30-33 | "And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the-" | Tithes as provision for Levites |
| Num 18:21 | "And, behold, I have given all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance to the Levites for their service..." | Tenth part designated for Levites |
| Neh 13:10 | "And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them: for the Levites and the-" | Practical neglect of Levitical provisions |
| Mal 3:8-10 | "Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and in-" | Call to honor tithes for support of ministers |
| Heb 7:18-19 | "For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before it for the weakness and unprofit-" | Contrast with Melchizedek's priesthood |
| 1 Cor 9:13-14 | "Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? And they" | Those who serve the altar should live by the altar |
| Matt 10:10 | "Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worth" | Dependence on God and those they minister to |
| Luke 10:7 | "And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his" | Apostolic provision for ministers |
| Acts 4:34-35 | "Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses gave" | Communal sharing ensuring no one lacked |
| Rev 7:9-10 | "After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kin-" | Eternal inheritance in Christ |
| Gal 6:6 | "Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Be not de-" | Principle of sharing with teachers |
| Phil 4:18 | "But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent fro-" | Contentment and receiving support |
| 1 Tim 5:17-18 | "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the-" | Honor and support for elders |
| Deut 18:1-2 | "The priests the Levites, and all the tribe of Levi, shall have no part nor inheritance with Israel;" | reiteration of no inheritance for Levites |
| Lev 18:20 | "And thou shalt not lie with thy neighbour's wife, to defile thyself therewith." | Distinct from other laws |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye sho-" | Royal priesthood, but distinct inheritance |
| Heb 13:5-6 | "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he" | Contentment in Christ as true wealth |
Ezekiel 44 verses
Ezekiel 44 28 Meaning
In Ezekiel chapter 44, verse 28, it is stated that the priests, who are Levites, will have no inheritance among the Israelites. Their inheritance is the Lord Himself. This verse establishes a unique provision for the Levitical priests concerning land and sustenance, contrasting their situation with the other tribes.
Ezekiel 44 28 Context
Ezekiel chapter 44 is a visionary prophecy describing the future Temple and the regulations for worship within it. This chapter focuses on the purity required for entry into the sanctuary and the specific roles and privileges of the sons of Zadok, who are designated as priests. The preceding verses (Ezekiel 44:15-27) outline the laws concerning the priests' consecration, their marriage restrictions, and how they should approach the holy offerings and the people. Verse 28 transitions to the matter of their sustenance and inheritance, situating their service within the framework of God's provision. The overall context of Ezekiel's prophecy is to provide hope and a blueprint for restoration and renewed worship after the Babylonian exile. This specific verse assures the faithful that their service, though without a territorial inheritance like the other tribes, would be adequately provided for by the Lord Himself.
Ezekiel 44 28 Word Analysis
- And (וְ) (v'-): Conjunction linking this verse to the preceding regulations, indicating a continuation of the covenantal provisions.
- it (הוא) (hu): Refers to the inheritance, as further detailed.
- shall be (תהיה) (tihiyeh): Future tense verb, indicating a future reality and establishment of this principle.
- to them (להם) (lahem): Plural masculine pronoun, referring to the priests mentioned in previous verses.
- for an inheritance (לְנַחֲלָה) (lĕnaḥălâ): Meaning "for a possession" or "as a portion." This highlights the unique way God will provide for them, not through land but through Himself.
- I (אֲנִי) (ʼăni): Emphatic pronoun for the first person singular.
- am (הוה) (HVH): In this context, it functions as a copula, linking "I" to "their inheritance." The full divine name YHWH (Yahweh) is used in place of this, underscoring the divine source of their provision.
- their inheritance (נַחֲלָתָם) (naḥălâṯām): "Their possession" or "their portion." The Lord is stating that He will be their portion.
- and (וְ) (v'-): Conjunction.
- you (אַתָּה) (ʼattâ): Singular masculine pronoun, addressing Israel or the people as a whole.
- shall give (תִּתֵּן) (tit-tēn): Future tense verb, commanding the people to provide for the priests.
- them (לָהֶם) (lāhem): Plural masculine pronoun, referring to the priests.
- no (לֹא) (lō'): Negative particle.
- possession (חֹק) (ḥōq): Meaning "statute," "allotment," or "portion." In this context, it refers to a designated land allotment or any other terrestrial possession that would set them apart from the other tribes in terms of inheritance. This reinforces the idea that their sustenance would come from a different, divine source and the community's support.
Group Analysis:The phrase "I am their inheritance" is central. It contrasts a material, earthly inheritance (land, possessions) with a spiritual one (the Lord Himself). This mirrors the provision given to the Levites throughout the Mosaic Law. The instruction for the people to "give them no possession" signifies that their sustenance is guaranteed by God and supplemented by the people's offerings and tithes, preventing them from accumulating land like the other tribes.
Ezekiel 44 28 Bonus Section
This verse signifies a complete reliance on God's provision and the faithfulness of His people. It foreshadows the ultimate spiritual inheritance believers have in Christ, which far surpasses any earthly possession. While the Mosaic Law provided for the Levitical priesthood with tithes and portions of sacrifices, Ezekiel 44:28 elevates this by declaring the Lord as their direct inheritance. This sets a precedent for understanding the spiritual nature of God's provision for those who serve Him. The contrast with other tribes having "possession" highlights a spiritual priority. In the New Covenant, all believers are considered priests, and their true, incorruptible inheritance is in the heavenly realm with Christ (1 Pet 1:4).
Ezekiel 44 28 Commentary
Ezekiel 44:28 declares that the Lord Himself will be the inheritance of the priests. Unlike other Israelites who received tribal land allocations, the Levites and, in this future vision, the Zadokite priests, would not have land of their own. Their sustenance was to come from God directly, and supplemented by the tithes and offerings of the people. This unique provision underscored their complete dedication to God's service, setting them apart. This concept is echoed in the New Testament, where ministers of the Gospel are supported by the church, reflecting the principle that "the laborer is worthy of his hire." Ultimately, the ultimate inheritance for all believers is Christ Himself.
- Practical application: Believers are called to support those who minister the Word.