Ezekiel 44 31

Ezekiel 44:31 kjv

The priests shall not eat of any thing that is dead of itself, or torn, whether it be fowl or beast.

Ezekiel 44:31 nkjv

The priests shall not eat anything, bird or beast, that died naturally or was torn by wild beasts.

Ezekiel 44:31 niv

The priests must not eat anything, whether bird or animal, found dead or torn by wild animals.

Ezekiel 44:31 esv

The priests shall not eat of anything, whether bird or beast, that has died of itself or is torn by wild animals.

Ezekiel 44:31 nlt

The priests may not eat meat from any bird or animal that dies a natural death or that dies after being attacked by another animal.

Ezekiel 44 verses

Ezekiel 44 31 Meaning

Ezekiel 44:31 describes a specific regulation for the Levitical priests ministering in the future Temple. It prohibits priests from eating anything found dead or torn by wild animals, and also from offering sacrifices made from a ram that has been blemished in any way. This restriction applies to both consecrated cereal offerings and sin offerings and burnt offerings. The primary emphasis is on the absolute holiness and perfection required of those who minister before God and the offerings presented to Him.

Ezekiel 44 31 Context

Ezekiel 44 is part of Ezekiel's vision of a new Temple, which details the restored worship of God after the Babylonian exile. This chapter specifically focuses on the regulations for the priests, particularly the descendants of Zadok, who will have the privilege of ministering in this new Temple. Previous generations of priests had failed in their duties, leading to God's judgment. Therefore, these new regulations emphasize purity, order, and exclusivity, ensuring that the worship rendered is acceptable to God. Verse 31 highlights the high standards for both the priests and the offerings to maintain the sanctity of God's presence. This section contrasts with earlier pronouncements against the unfaithfulness of the Levitical priesthood and re-establishes the divine protocols for worship in a renewed covenant relationship.

Ezekiel 44 31 Word Analysis

• And (וְ, wə)
  • Connects clauses, indicating a continuation of the instruction or an additional requirement.
• what (אֵת)
  • Marks the definite direct object. Here, it points to "that which has died of itself" or "what is torn."
• die (נָפַל, nafal)
  • Literally "fell." Implies death by natural causes or by being killed.
• itself (מִנּוֹ, minnō)
  • From him/it. Indicates the source of the death – a natural cessation of life.
• or (אוֹ, ō)
  • Presents an alternative to the first condition.
• torn (טְרֵפָה, ṭərēfā)
  • Torn by wild animals, ripped. Implies death caused by predatory beasts.
• by (בֵית, bêṯ or related preposition implied in construction)
  • Indicates the agent of the tearing.
• beast (חַיָּה, ḥayyāh)
  • Wild animal, living creature. Refers to predatory animals.
• shall he eat. (יֹאכֵל, yō’ḵēl)
  • He shall eat. Future tense, expressing a prohibition or command for the priest.
• every (כֹּל, kōl)
  • All, every. Emphasizes universality within the defined group (the priests).
• of (מִן, min)
  • From. Indicates origin or source.
• priest, (הַכֹּהֵן, hakohēn)
  • The priest. Refers specifically to the consecrated individuals serving in the sanctuary.
• for (אֶת, ’eṯ)
  • Marks the direct object of the verb "offer."
• his (קָרְבָּנוֹ, qorbāno)
  • His offering. Possessive, referring to the offering belonging to God.
• offering. (קָרְבַּן, qorbān)
  • An offering, sacrifice. General term for what is brought before God.
• of (אֵל, ’ēl or prepositional phrase implying belonging)
  • Of. Denotes the category or type of offering.
• cereal (מִנְחָה, minḥāh)
  • Grain offering, cereal offering. A specific type of sacrifice, typically made of flour and oil.
• of (הַ, ha)
  • The. Definite article.
• ram (אַיִל, ’ayiyl)
  • A ram, a strong male sheep. A specific animal used in sacrifices.
• or (וְ, wə)
  • And. Here, functions to link distinct types of prohibited blemishes.
• holy (קֹדֶשׁ, qōdeš)
  • Holy, sacred. Designates something set apart for God.
• offering (קָרְבַּן, qorbān)
  • Offering. Again, a general term for sacrifice.
• of (הַ, ha)
  • The. Definite article.
• sin (חַטָּאת, ḥaṭṭā’ṯ)
  • Sin offering. A specific sacrifice for atonement of sin.
• offering (וּשְׁלָמִים, ūšəlamîm)
  • And peace offerings/thank offerings. Another category of sacrifice, signifying fellowship and completion.
• shall (יַעֲשֶׂה, ya‘ăśēh)
  • He shall make/do. Future tense, referring to the action of presenting or offering.
• make. (עָשָׂה, ‘āśāh)
  • To make, to do. Here, referring to the presentation or performance of the offering.
• And (וְ, wə)
  • Connects the prohibition concerning torn animals with the prohibition concerning blemished animals.
• all (כֹּל, kōl)
  • All, every. Reinforces the encompassing nature of the prohibitions.
• his (אֲשֶׁר, ’ăšer)
  • Which, who. Introduces a relative clause describing the disqualifications.
• what (אֲשֶׁר, ’ăšer)
  • That which, whatever. Further specifies the cause of blemish.
• blemish (מוּם, mûm)
  • A flaw, blemish, defect. Any imperfection that would render an animal unacceptable for sacrifice.
• shall (לֹא, lō’)
  • Not. A negative particle.
• not (יִהְיֶה, yihyeh)
  • He shall be/become. Negative future, indicating a state of being that is disallowed.
• be (קֹדֶשׁ, qōdeš)
  • Holy. Implies that such an animal, because of its defect, cannot be considered holy or acceptable for sacrifice.

Word-Group Analysis:

• "what…die of itself or what is torn by beast" (אֶת־נָפַל־מִמֶּנּוּ אוֹ טְרֵפָה ... יֹאכֵל): This phrase collectively defines unclean meat, either naturally deceased or killed by predation. Priests, as those living in God's presence, are forbidden from consuming such to maintain ceremonial purity. This mirrors the dietary laws for the entire nation (Lev 17:15), but with heightened emphasis for the priesthood.
• "his offering, of cereal offering of ram, or of holy offering of sin offering, and of peace offerings" (אֶת־קָרְבָּנוֹ מִנְחָה־אַיִל וְקֹדֶשׁ חַטָּאת וּשְׁלָמִים): This enumerates the categories of offerings where the animal's perfection is critical. The term "holy offering" here might refer generally to offerings for consecrated purposes. The "sin offering" and "peace offerings" highlight that even sacrifices for atonement and communion required unblemished animals.
• "his blemish shall not be" (אֶת־מוּמ֖וֹ לֹ֣א יַעֲשֶׂה): This signifies that an animal with any kind of flaw should not be presented or accepted as a valid offering. The prohibition against making it an offering extends to its status as something sacred ("holy").

Ezekiel 44 31 Bonus Section

The directive for priests to avoid eating animals found dead or torn is also found in Leviticus 22:8, emphasizing that this was a foundational requirement for priestly service. The inclusion of cereal offerings (minḥāh) in the prohibition concerning the ram (ayiyl) implies that even the components or aspects associated with a sacrifice must be handled with utmost care and respect, or that the ram itself might be intended for specific sacrifices that also include cereal portions. The detailed catalog of sacrifices (sin and peace offerings) shows that the standard of perfection was not limited to burnt offerings but was universal for all types of sacrificial service to God. This chapter, and this verse in particular, serves as a critical restorative principle after the abuses and spiritual decline that led to Israel's exile.

Ezekiel 44 31 Commentary

Ezekiel 44:31 reinforces the concept of holiness that permeates the entire Levitical system and anticipates New Testament truths. The prohibition against priests eating animals that died naturally or were torn by beasts emphasizes the need for separation from the common and the profane, even in their sustenance. This reflects God's own separation from sin and impurity. The further restriction on offering blemished animals, whether ram, cereal, sin, or peace offerings, underscores that perfection and completeness are prerequisites for acceptable worship. This anticipates Jesus Christ, the "Lamb of God, without blemish and without spot" (1 Peter 1:19), who is the ultimate perfect sacrifice, satisfying all the requirements of divine justice and propitiation. The emphasis here is not just on physical perfection but on the integrity and reverence due to God's altar and presence, ensuring that only the best is offered. This principle of unblemished offering applies spiritually today, calling believers to present their bodies as "living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God" (Romans 12:1), free from the defilement of sin.