Ezekiel 44:10

Ezekiel 44:10 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And the Levites that are gone away far from me, when Israel went astray, which went astray away from me after their idols; they shall even bear their iniquity.
• New International Version (NIV)“ ‘The Levites who went far from me when Israel went astray and who wandered from me after their idols must bear the consequences of their sin.
• English Standard Version (ESV)But the Levites who went far from me, going astray from me after their idols when Israel went astray, shall bear their punishment.
• New King James Version (NKJV)“And the Levites who went far from Me, when Israel went astray, who strayed away from Me after their idols, they shall bear their iniquity.

Context of Ezekiel 44:10

8Instead of safeguarding my sacred rituals, you have hired foreigners to take charge of my sanctuary. 9“So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: No foreigners, including those who live among the people of Israel, will enter my sanctuary if they have not been circumcised and have not surrendered themselves to the Lord. And the men of the tribe of Levi who abandoned me when Israel strayed away from me to worship idols must bear the consequences of their unfaithfulness. 11They may still be Temple guards and gatekeepers, and they may slaughter the animals brought for burnt offerings and be present to help the people. 12But they encouraged my people to worship idols, causing Israel to fall into deep sin. So I have taken a solemn oath that they must bear the consequences for their sins, says the Sovereign Lord.

Ezekiel 44:10 word by word

כִּ֣י אִם־הַלְוִיִּ֗ם אֲשֶׁ֤ר רָֽחֲקוּ֙ מֵֽעָלַ֔י בִּתְע֤וֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תָּע֣וּ מֵֽעָלַ֔י אַחֲרֵ֖י גִּלּֽוּלֵיהֶ֑ם וְנָשְׂא֖וּ עֲוֹנָֽם׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And the Levitesלֵוִיlêvîyîy lêvîy · LeviH3881
• that are gone away farרָחַקrâchaq · to removeH7368
• from me, when Israelיִשְׂרָאֵלyiώrâ'êl · IsraelH3478
• went astrayתָּעָהtâ‛âh · to go astrayH8582
• from me afterאַחַר'achar · afterH310
• their idolsגִּלּוּלgillûl gillûl · idolH1544
• they shall even bearנָשָׂאnâώâ' nâsâh · to lift: guiltH5375
• their iniquityעָוֺן‛âvôn ‛âvôn · iniquity: punishmentH5771

Cross-references for Ezekiel 44:10

• Ezekiel 44:15“However, the Levitical priests of the family of Zadok continued to minister faithfully in the Temple when Israel abandoned me for idols. These men will serve as my ministers. They will stand in my presence and offer the fat and blood of the sacrifices, says the Sovereign Lord.
• Ezekiel 22:26Your priests have violated my instructions and defiled my holy things. They make no distinction between what is holy and what is not. And they do not teach my people the difference between what is ceremonially clean and unclean. They disregard my Sabbath days so that I am dishonored among them.
• Ezekiel 48:11This area is set aside for the ordained priests, the descendants of Zadok who served me faithfully and did not go astray with the people of Israel and the rest of the Levites.
• 2 Kings 23:8Josiah brought to Jerusalem all the priests who were living in other towns of Judah. He also defiled the pagan shrines, where they had offered sacrifices—all the way from Geba to Beersheba. He destroyed the shrines at the entrance to the gate of Joshua, the governor of Jerusalem. This gate was located to the left of the city gate as one enters the city.
• 2 Chronicles 29:4He summoned the priests and Levites to meet him at the courtyard east of the Temple.
• Nehemiah 9:34Our kings, leaders, priests, and ancestors did not obey your Law or listen to the warnings in your commands and laws.
• Jeremiah 23:11“Even the priests and prophets are ungodly, wicked men. I have seen their despicable acts right here in my own Temple,” says the Lord.
• Zephaniah 3:4Its prophets are arrogant liars seeking their own gain. Its priests defile the Temple by disobeying God’s instructions.
• 1 Timothy 5:22Never be in a hurry about appointing a church leader. Do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
• Genesis 4:13Cain replied to the Lord, “My punishment is too great for me to bear!
• Leviticus 19:8Anyone who eats it on the third day will be punished for defiling what is holy to the Lord and will be cut off from the community.
• Numbers 5:31The husband will be innocent of any guilt in this matter, but his wife will be held accountable for her sin.”
• Psalms 38:4My guilt overwhelms me— it is a burden too heavy to bear.
• Isaiah 53:11When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins.

Commentaries on Ezekiel 44:10

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 10And the Levites that are gone away far from me - This refers to the schism of Jeroboam, who, when he set up a new worship, got as many of the priests and Levites to join him in his idolatry as he could. These, on the return from the captivity, should not be permitted to perform the functions of priests in the new temple; but they might be continued as keepers of all the charge of the house - be treasurers, guards of the temple, porters, etc.; see Ezekiel…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4-16Verses 4-16 Admonition to the ministering priests, grounded upon former neglect. Ezekiel 44:4 The north gate before the house - The north gate of the inner court. God expostulates with His people in the seat of their former idolatries Ezekiel 8:3. Ezekiel 44:5 Mark well - The careful arrangements made had all been intended to keep the temple and its surroundings from profanation. Hence, attention to these particulars is enjoined. Ezekiel 44:7 Strangers…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 10when Israel went astray, and who wandered away from Me after their idols: The people often turned away from the Lord and worshiped idols instead. They did not keep the instructions God had given them for temple worship. One specific example was the use of foreigners as temple guards (Ezekiel 44:8). God had given clear directions about who should serve in the temple. By ignoring these instructions, the people showed their unfaithfulness.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 10-1110-11. Levites ... shall ... bear--namely, the punishment of their iniquity ... Yet they shall be ministers--So Mark, a Levite, nephew of Barnabas (Ac 4:36), was punished by Paul for losing an opportunity of bearing the cross of Christ, and yet was afterwards admitted into his friendship again, and showed his zeal (Ac 13:13; 15:37; Col 4:10; 2Ti 4:11). One may be a believer, and that too in a distinguished place, and yet lose some special honor--be…Read the comment

Topics related to Ezekiel 44:10

• Idolatry
• Levites
• Minister, Christian
• Sin

In the dictionaries

• Israel
• Atonement, Day of
• Criticism
• Desire of All Nations
• Ezekiel
• Iniquity
• Leviticus
• Priests and Levites
• Temple

Commentaries on Ezekiel 44

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings