Ezekiel 44 Study Notes
Share
44:1-2 After the ceremony for the consecration of the altar had ended, the guide brought Ezekiel back to the outer gate of the sanctuary, the one that faced east. Then the Lord informed the prophet that the gate was to remain closed because the God of Israel had entered through, giving it a special degree of holiness. Today in Jerusalem the east gate, known as the “Golden Gate,” is likewise sealed.
44:3 The reader is introduced to a new character, the prince, who is the topic of 45:21-46:12.
44:5 Ezekiel is depicted here as the new Moses. After the entrance of God into the temple (as when God descended on Mount Sinai), God revealed statutes and laws to his prophet.
44:6 A rebellious . . . house is a common phrase in the book of Ezekiel (2:5-6,8; 3:9,26-27; 12:3,9,25; 17:12; 24:3).
44:7-9 This description of the defilement of God’s sanctuary may refer to the practice of using foreigners as guards in the temple (2Kg 11:14-15; see Jos 9:23,27). Nehemiah carried out this statute when he dismissed Tobiah (Neh 13:8), an Ammonite (Neh 2:10; cp. Dt 23:3).
44:10 This event (Levites who wandered away from me when Israel went astray) may refer to the rebellion of the Israelites during Israel’s wilderness wanderings (Nm 16-18).
44:11 This restriction regarding sacrifices goes beyond the earlier stipulations that allowed laymen to present and sacrifice their offerings (Lv 1:1-5,11).
44:12-14 The specific violation described in this verse (ministered to the house of Israel before their idols) is not clear. Suggestions include the sins of the priesthood during the incident of the golden calf (Ex 32) and the announced judgment against the house of Eli during the days of Samuel (1Sm 2).
44:15-16 The priest Zadok traced his Levitical lineage to Aaron through Aaron’s son Eleazar (1Ch 6:50-53). He served as priest under David, along with Abiathar (2Sm 8:17; 15:24-29; 20:25). He supported Solomon and thus secured for himself and his descendants the privilege of serving in the Jerusalem temple (1Kg 1). Zadok was appointed chief priest during Solomon’s reign (and hence over the first temple) because he supported Solomon as king (1Kg 1:32-35; 2:26-27,35).
44:17-22 When the Zadokites entered the sanctuary, they had to be appropriately dressed for service to God. Clothes made of wool were forbidden because this material caused the wearer to perspire. Sweat, like other bodily excretions, was considered defiling (Dt 23:11-13). Other rules also would govern their behavior.
44:23 On teach . . . the difference between the holy and the common, see a similar purpose for priests in Lv 10:10-11.
44:24 Priests functioned as judges early in Israel’s history (1Sm 4:18; see also 2Ch 19:8-11).
44:25-27 The same requirements for priests (may not come near a dead person) are found in the Mosaic law (Lv 21:1-3).
44:28-30 The statement that priests were not to own land (I am their inheritance) is identical to the Mosaic legislation (Nm 18:20,23-24; Dt 10:9; Jos 13:14,33; 18:7).
44:31 The priests were not allowed to eat anything that had been torn by a wild animal or was found dead (Lv 22:8; Dt 14:21).