Ezekiel 44:23
Ezekiel 44:23 in Multiple Translations
They are to teach My people the difference between the holy and the common, and show them how to discern between the clean and the unclean.
And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.
And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the common, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.
And they are to make clear to my people the division between what is holy and what is common, and to give them the knowledge of what is clean and what is unclean.
They are to teach my people the difference between what is holy and what is common, and explain to them how to distinguish between what is clean and what is unclean.
And they shall teach my people the difference betweene the holy and prophane, and cause them to discerne betweene the vncleane and the cleane.
'And My people they direct between holy and common, and between unclean and clean they cause them to discern.
They shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the common, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.
And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.
And they shall teach my people the difference between holy and profane, and shew them how to discern between clean and unclean.
Priests must teach the people the difference between things that are holy/sacred and things that are not, and they must teach them the difference between things that are acceptable to me and things that are not.
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 44:23
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Ezekiel 44:23 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/אֶת
עַמִּ֣/י
יוֹר֔וּ
בֵּ֥ין
קֹ֖דֶשׁ
לְ/חֹ֑ל
וּ/בֵין
טָמֵ֥א
לְ/טָה֖וֹר
יוֹדִעֻֽ/ם
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
Conj | DirObjM
עַמִּ֣/י
ʻam
H5971
Amaw
N-ms | Suff
יוֹר֔וּ
yârâh
H3384
to shoot
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3mp
בֵּ֥ין
bêyn
H996
between
Prep
קֹ֖דֶשׁ
qôdesh
H6944
Holy Place
N-ms
לְ/חֹ֑ל
chôl
H2455
common
Prep | N-ms
וּ/בֵין
bêyn
H996
between
Conj | Prep
טָמֵ֥א
ṭâmêʼ
H2931
unclean
Adj
לְ/טָה֖וֹר
ṭâhôwr
H2889
pure
Prep | Adj
יוֹדִעֻֽ/ם
yâdaʻ
H3045
to know
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3mp | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 44:23
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
Conj | DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
עַמִּ֣/י
ʻam
H5971
"Amaw"
N-ms | Suff
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.
יוֹר֔וּ
yârâh
H3384
"to shoot"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3mp
To show or teach something, like pointing it out or shooting an arrow. It is used in Psalms and Proverbs to describe instructing or directing others.
Definition: 1) to shoot, pour 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to shoot arrows 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to shoot at 1b2) part. shooter, archer 1c) to throw water, rain
Usage: Occurs in 75 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase]) archer, cast, direct, inform, instruct, lay, shew, shoot, teach(-er,-ing), through. See also: Genesis 31:51; Job 8:10; Psalms 11:2.
בֵּ֥ין
bêyn
H996
"between"
Prep
Between is the meaning of this preposition, used to show a location or a choice, like either or, as seen in Exodus where it describes the space between two objects.
Definition: : between between, among, in the midst of (with other preps), from between
Usage: Occurs in 248 OT verses. KJV: among, asunder, at, between (-twixt...and), [phrase] from (the widest), [idiom] in, out of, whether (it be...or), within. See also: Genesis 1:4; Joshua 24:7; Psalms 68:14.
קֹ֖דֶשׁ
qôdesh
H6944
"Holy Place"
N-ms
The Holy Place refers to a sacred or set-apart area, like the temple in Jerusalem. It is a place of sanctity and holiness, where God is worshipped. The Bible describes it as a place of reverence and awe.
Definition: This name means apartness, holiness, sacredness Also named: hagion (ἅγιον "Holy Place" G0039)
Usage: Occurs in 380 OT verses. KJV: consecrated (thing), dedicated (thing), hallowed (thing), holiness, ([idiom] most) holy ([idiom] day, portion, thing), saint, sanctuary. See also: Exodus 3:5; Leviticus 23:4; 1 Chronicles 26:26.
לְ/חֹ֑ל
chôl
H2455
"common"
Prep | N-ms
This Hebrew word describes something or someone as common or unholy, like the profane place in Jeremiah 3:2. It means not set apart for God's use. This idea is seen in Ezekiel 22:26.
Definition: profaneness, commonness, unholy, profane, common, sand
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: common, profane (place), unholy. See also: Leviticus 10:10; Ezekiel 22:26; Ezekiel 48:15.
וּ/בֵין
bêyn
H996
"between"
Conj | Prep
Between is the meaning of this preposition, used to show a location or a choice, like either or, as seen in Exodus where it describes the space between two objects.
Definition: : between between, among, in the midst of (with other preps), from between
Usage: Occurs in 248 OT verses. KJV: among, asunder, at, between (-twixt...and), [phrase] from (the widest), [idiom] in, out of, whether (it be...or), within. See also: Genesis 1:4; Joshua 24:7; Psalms 68:14.
טָמֵ֥א
ṭâmêʼ
H2931
"unclean"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to be unclean in a spiritual sense, often due to sin or impurity, as seen in Leviticus. It can refer to people, places, or things. The concept is key to understanding biblical purity laws.
Definition: 1) unclean, impure 1a) ethically and religiously 1b) ritually 1c) of places
Usage: Occurs in 78 OT verses. KJV: defiled, [phrase] infamous, polluted(-tion), unclean. See also: Leviticus 5:2; Numbers 9:6; Isaiah 6:5.
לְ/טָה֖וֹר
ṭâhôwr
H2889
"pure"
Prep | Adj
Tahor means pure or clean, and can refer to physical, moral, or ceremonial purity. In the Bible, it describes clean animals and morally upright people. It is often used to describe something as fair or pure.
Definition: 1) pure, clean 1a) clean (ceremonially-of animals) 1b) pure (physically) 1c) pure, clean (morally, ethically)
Usage: Occurs in 86 OT verses. KJV: clean, fair, pure(-ness). See also: Genesis 7:2; Leviticus 13:40; Psalms 12:7.
יוֹדִעֻֽ/ם
yâdaʻ
H3045
"to know"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3mp | Suff
The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to know 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to know 1a1a) to know, learn to know 1a1b) to perceive 1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern 1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish 1a1e) to know by experience 1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess 1a1g) to consider 1a2) to know, be acquainted with 1a3) to know (a person carnally) 1a4) to know how, be skilful in 1a5) to have knowledge, be wise 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed 1b2) to make oneself known 1b3) to be perceived 1b4) to be instructed 1c) (Piel) to cause to know 1d) (Poal) to cause to know 1e) (Pual) 1e1) to be known 1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle) 1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare 1g) (Hophal) to be made known 1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)
Usage: Occurs in 874 OT verses. KJV: acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot. See also: Genesis 3:5; Leviticus 5:4; Judges 21:12.
Study Notes — Ezekiel 44:23
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Ezekiel 44:23 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 44:23
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 44:23
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 44:23
- Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 44:23
- Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 44:23
- Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 44:23
- Sermons on Ezekiel 44:23
Context — The Duties of the Priests
21No priest may drink wine before he enters the inner court.
22And they shall not marry a widow or a divorced woman, but must marry a virgin of the descendants of the house of Israel, or a widow of a priest.
23They are to teach My people the difference between the holy and the common and show them how to discern between the clean and the unclean.
24In any dispute, they shall officiate as judges and judge according to My ordinances. They must keep My laws and statutes regarding all My appointed feasts, and they must keep My Sabbaths holy. 25A priest must not defile himself by going near a dead person. However, for a father, a mother, a son, a daughter, a brother, or an unmarried sister, he may do so,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezekiel 22:26 | Her priests do violence to My law and profane My holy things. They make no distinction between the holy and the common, and they fail to distinguish between the clean and the unclean. They disregard My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. |
| 2 | Leviticus 10:10–11 | You must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the clean and the unclean, so that you may teach the Israelites all the statutes that the LORD has given them through Moses.” |
| 3 | 2 Timothy 2:24–25 | And a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing. He must gently reprove those who oppose him, in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth. |
| 4 | Hosea 4:6 | My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children. |
| 5 | Malachi 2:6–9 | True instruction was in his mouth, and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with Me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity. For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, because he is the messenger of the LORD of Hosts. But you have departed from the way, and your instruction has caused many to stumble. You have violated the covenant of Levi,” says the LORD of Hosts. “So I in turn have made you despised and humiliated before all the people, because you have not kept My ways, but have shown partiality in matters of the law.” |
| 6 | Zephaniah 3:4 | Her prophets are reckless, faithless men. Her priests profane the sanctuary; they do violence to the law. |
| 7 | Deuteronomy 33:10 | He will teach Your ordinances to Jacob and Your law to Israel; he will set incense before You and whole burnt offerings on Your altar. |
| 8 | Titus 1:9–11 | He must hold firmly to the faithful word as it was taught, so that he can encourage others by sound teaching and refute those who contradict it. For many are rebellious and full of empty talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision, who must be silenced. For the sake of dishonorable gain, they undermine entire households and teach things they should not. |
| 9 | Haggai 2:11–13 | “This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Ask the priests for a ruling. If a man carries consecrated meat in the fold of his garment, and it touches bread, stew, wine, oil, or any other food, does that item become holy?’” “No,” replied the priests. So Haggai asked, “If one who is defiled by contact with a corpse touches any of these, does it become defiled?” “Yes, it becomes defiled,” the priests answered. |
| 10 | Micah 3:9–11 | Now hear this, O leaders of the house of Jacob and rulers of the house of Israel, who despise justice and pervert all that is right, who build Zion with bloodshed and Jerusalem with iniquity. Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets practice divination for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD, saying, “Is not the LORD among us? No disaster can come upon us.” |
Ezekiel 44:23 Summary
This verse is saying that the priests have an important job to teach the people about what is special and set apart for God, and what is not. They are to help the people understand the difference between what is clean and what is unclean, so that they can live in a way that is pleasing to God (as seen in Leviticus 20:26). This is still important for us today, as we seek to live as holy and set-apart people, following God's commands and laws (Romans 12:1-2). By learning from the priests' teachings, we can grow in our understanding of God's character and live in a way that honors Him.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for the priests to teach the difference between the holy and the common?
This means that the priests are to instruct the people of God in what is sacred and set apart for God's use, versus what is ordinary and for everyday use, as seen in Leviticus 10:10 and Ezekiel 22:26.
How do the priests show the people how to discern between the clean and the unclean?
The priests are to teach the people God's laws and statutes regarding what is clean and unclean, such as in Leviticus 11:1-47, so that they can make wise decisions and live in a way that is pleasing to God.
Why is it important for the priests to teach these distinctions?
It is essential for the priests to teach these distinctions because it helps the people to understand God's character and to live in a way that honors Him, as written in Exodus 19:6 and 1 Peter 2:9.
What is the ultimate goal of the priests' teaching in this verse?
The ultimate goal is to help the people to become a holy and set-apart people, living in obedience to God's commands and laws, as stated in Deuteronomy 28:9 and 1 Thessalonians 4:7.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I struggle to discern between what is holy and what is common?
- How can I apply the principles of cleanliness and uncleanness in my daily life, as taught in Scripture?
- In what ways can I seek to be a holy and set-apart person, living in obedience to God's commands and laws?
- What role can I play in helping others to understand the distinctions between the holy and the common, and the clean and the unclean?
- How can I seek to honor God in my daily life by living according to His laws and statutes?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 44:23
And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the profane,.... Persons and things; not in a ceremonial, nor merely in a moral, but in an evangelical sense, between truth and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 44:23
Neither shall they take for their wives a widow, nor her that is put away: but they shall take maidens of the seed of the house of Israel, or a widow that had a priest before. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 44:23
They shall teach; by their place they were bound to instruct the people, ,11; this was part of their work, to read the law, expound it, and resolve questions arising about it. They were to be, as ministers ought now to be, apt to teach, . Between the holy and profane; whether legally and ceremonially so, or morally and really so, that they might keep the people from pollutions. Between the unclean and the clean; the same thing in other words, only this seems to require priests’ patient instructing, till the people have learned to difference unclean and clean.
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 44:23
Ezekiel 44:23 And they shall teach my people [the difference] between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.Ver. 23. And they shall teach.] Ministers must be able and "apt to teach."
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 44:23
23, 24. General duties of the priests towards the people. They shall teach the people to distinguish between the holy and the common, between the clean and the unclean, cf. Ezekiel 22:26; Leviticus 10:10; Haggai 2:11; Malachi 2:7.
Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 44:23
23, 24. The priests shall teach the people the difference between “the holy and the common,” that they may know the inner meaning of their symbolic ritual (Ezekiel 22:26; Haggai 2:11-14), administer
Sermons on Ezekiel 44:23
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Future of Israel (Part 2) by Richard Ganz | In this sermon, the preacher shares a conversation he had with an elderly man who was passionate about karate. Despite his age, the man was still actively involved in full-contact |
|
Christ a Stranger (1984 Conference) by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher highlights the lack of time people have for prayer and Bible study due to their busy lives and distractions. He emphasizes the importance of prioritizi |
|
Who Qualifies to Stand in the Gap? by K.P. Yohannan | K.P. Yohannan emphasizes the critical role of intercession in his sermon 'Who Qualifies to Stand in the Gap?', using Moses as a prime example of someone who stood in the gap for th |
|
Matthew 7:6 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith emphasizes the importance of discernment in the Christian faith, particularly in the context of Jesus' teaching in Matthew 7:6. He warns against the dangers of indiscri |
|
The Beauty of Holiness by David Davis | This sermon emphasizes the beauty of holiness, recounting a powerful testimony of a communist man encountering the overwhelming beauty of God's presence, leading to his conversion. |
|
(Biographies) John Newton by John Piper | In this sermon, the preacher reflects on his experience of witnessing an eclipse of the moon and relates it to the darkness that Jesus experienced on the cross. He emphasizes the i |
|
Beatitudes - Part 5 by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher reflects on a man who left behind a life of excess and materialism to live a simpler and more spiritual life. The man finds peace and paradise in a gar |