Ezekiel 44 7

Ezekiel 44:7 kjv

In that ye have brought into my sanctuary strangers, uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary, to pollute it, even my house, when ye offer my bread, the fat and the blood, and they have broken my covenant because of all your abominations.

Ezekiel 44:7 nkjv

When you brought in foreigners, uncircumcised in heart and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in My sanctuary to defile it?My house?and when you offered My food, the fat and the blood, then they broke My covenant because of all your abominations.

Ezekiel 44:7 niv

In addition to all your other detestable practices, you brought foreigners uncircumcised in heart and flesh into my sanctuary, desecrating my temple while you offered me food, fat and blood, and you broke my covenant.

Ezekiel 44:7 esv

in admitting foreigners, uncircumcised in heart and flesh, to be in my sanctuary, profaning my temple, when you offer to me my food, the fat and the blood. You have broken my covenant, in addition to all your abominations.

Ezekiel 44:7 nlt

You have brought uncircumcised foreigners into my sanctuary ? people who have no heart for God. In this way, you defiled my Temple even as you offered me my food, the fat and blood of sacrifices. In addition to all your other detestable sins, you have broken my covenant.

Ezekiel 44 verses

Ezekiel 44 7 Meaning

This verse introduces a prohibition against the "sons of Israel" bringing any "strangers" into the sanctuary to minister before the LORD. It signifies a distinction between those who are ritually pure and appointed by God, and those who are not, specifically regarding the priesthood and service in the holy place. This restriction emphasizes holiness and order in God's presence.

Ezekiel 44 7 Context

Ezekiel 44 describes visions of a restored Temple and renewed worship after the Babylonian exile. This chapter details specific regulations for the restored worship, emphasizing holiness, purity, and proper order within the sanctuary. Verse 7 is part of a broader section (Ezekiel 44:4-14) that outlines who is permitted to minister in the sanctuary and who is excluded, focusing on the role of the Levitical priests, particularly the Zadokites, and prohibiting others who had defiled the Temple or were of foreign lineage. The historical context involves Israel's failure to maintain the holiness of the Temple and the subsequent judgment of exile. These instructions serve to re-establish righteous worship and ensure the sanctity of God's dwelling place. The underlying polemic is against syncretism and unauthorized religious practices that had infiltrated Israelite worship, blurring the lines between the sacred and the profane.

Ezekiel 44 7 Word Analysis

• And: Conjunction indicating continuation.
• he: Refers to God.
• said: Speech of God.
• unto: Towards, to.
• me: Referring to Ezekiel, the prophet.
• O: Interjection expressing direct address.
• son: Progeny, descendant.
• of: Denotes possession or origin.
• man: Male human being.
• Israel: The covenant people of God.
• you: Refers to Ezekiel.
• cause: To make happen, bring about.
• strangers: Foreigners, those not of Israelite lineage.
• the: Definite article.
• uncircumcised: Physically uncircumcised, representing an inner state of spiritual impurity.
• heart: Inner self, seat of understanding and will.
• and: Conjunction.
• uncircumcised: Again emphasizing spiritual impurity.
• flesh: Physical body.
• to: Preposition indicating direction or purpose.
• enter: To come into.
• into: Into, within.
• my: Possessive pronoun referring to God.
• sanctuary: The holy place, the Temple or its sacred precincts.
• to: For the purpose of.
• minister: To serve, perform duties.
• before: In the presence of.
• me: God Himself.
• to: With the intent to.
• pollute: To defile, make unclean.
• even: Even as, also.
• my: Possessive pronoun of God.
• holy: Sacred, set apart, morally pure.
• things: Articles, items used in worship or the sanctuary.
• which: Relative pronoun referring to "things".
• ye: You (plural).
• have: Auxiliary verb.
• hallowed: Consecrated, made holy.
• by: By means of.
• me: God.

Words Group Analysis:

• strangers, the uncircumcised in heart or uncircumcised in flesh: This group clearly defines the boundaries for who is excluded. "Strangers" points to those outside the covenant people of Israel. The addition of "uncircumcised in heart or uncircumcised in flesh" broadens this, highlighting both a literal, physical (though applied here metaphorically for non-Israelites in a sacred context) and an inner spiritual condition of impurity that bars entry into God's presence. This echoes the commandment for literal circumcision for Israelites, but emphasizes that spiritual alienation from God is the deeper issue.
• enter into my sanctuary: This phrase defines the restricted area and action. The "sanctuary" represents the very presence of God. To "enter into" it means to have access to God's sacred space and perform duties within it.
• to minister before me: This defines the purpose of authorized entry – to serve God. The "before me" emphasizes the proximity and direct relationship in service that only the approved are allowed.
• to pollute, even my holy things, which ye have hallowed by me: This phrase explains the consequence of unauthorized entry. It is seen as a desecration, a defilement ("pollute") of that which has been consecrated ("hallowed") by God Himself. The reference to "ye have hallowed" suggests that even Israel, though sanctified by God, could misuse what God had made holy through improper access and service.

Ezekiel 44 7 Bonus Section

The concept of "strangers" and "uncircumcised" in this context is deeply tied to maintaining the purity and exclusivity of God's covenant people and their worship. Historically, pagan nations surrounding Israel often practiced fertility cults and involved foreigners in their rites, sometimes with moral laxity. The prohibition here is a sharp contrast, demanding absolute separation of the holy from the common, and ensuring that God’s appointed representatives alone ministered. The phrase "uncircumcised in heart" (also found in verse 10:10) is crucial. It points to a deeper spiritual state of rebellion and impurity that disqualifies someone more fundamentally than mere ethnic origin or literal physical status. Even within the nation of Israel, a person could be considered spiritually "uncircumcised" if their heart was far from God. This prepares the way for understanding that in the New Covenant, all who are spiritually circumcised through faith in Christ are brought near. The ultimate holiness and unapproachability of God's presence is a foreshadowing of the full access believers have in Christ, the true High Priest.

Ezekiel 44 7 Commentary

This verse sternly reiterates God's absolute requirement for holiness in His presence and service. It addresses Ezekiel, emphasizing that the sanctuary, God's dwelling place, is not for just anyone. Specifically, foreigners or any of the Israelite people who are spiritually "uncircumcised"—meaning alienated from God, impure in heart, or resistant to His ways—are forbidden entry to serve. This prohibition is absolute: no unauthorized person, regardless of their association with Israel, may approach God's altar or perform priestly functions. This underscores that access to God is not automatic but based on obedience, lineage (for the Levitical priesthood), and a sanctified state of being. The consequence of transgression is the pollution of God's holy place and things, which He Himself has consecrated. This establishes a clear boundary ensuring the sanctity of worship, a theme carried throughout the Old Testament and find its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who grants access to God's presence for all who believe, regardless of their national origin, by His own sacrifice and mediation.