Bible Chapter Summary
Ezekiel 44 Summary
The East Gate and Priestly Ordinances
The east gate facing the sanctuary is shut because the Lord has entered by it, reserved only for the prince. The Lord instructs Ezekiel to speak to Israel against their past abominations of bringing uncircumcised strangers into the sanctuary. Only the sons of Zadok who kept the charge may serve as priests, drawing near to offer the fat and blood, while other Levites serve only as keepers of the gates. The Lord prescribes detailed regulations for the priests' clothing, diet, marriage, and judicial duties.
Key themes
Key verses
Ezekiel 44:2-3
“Then said the LORD unto me; This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter in by it; because the LORD, the God of Israel, hath entered in by it, therefore it shall be shut.”
Ezekiel 44:9-10
“Thus saith the Lord GOD; No stranger, uncircumcised in heart, nor uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter into my sanctuary, of any stranger that is among the children of Israel.”
Ezekiel 44:15-16
“But the priests the Levites, the sons of Zadok, that kept the charge of my sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from me, they shall come near to me to minister unto me, and they shall stand before me to offer unto me the fat and the blood, saith the Lord GOD:”
Ezekiel 44:17-27
“And it shall come to pass, that when they enter in at the gates of the inner court, they shall be clothed with linen garments; and no wool shall come upon them, whiles they minister in the gates of the inner court, and within.”
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