Ezekiel 44

The special use of the east-gate of the sanctuary for the prince, verse 1,7c. The Lord whose glory was in the temple, speaketh again unto the prophet, exhorteth him to go on, with a command to reprove his people for their former putting in of unlawful, unmet and unfit ministers into his house, 4 who are to be utterly removed from thence, 9 who shall be abased in their ministry, 10. The children of Zadok are settled in their ministry, instructed concerning their duty, and assured of their maintenance, 15.

1. Then he caused me to return the way (towards) the gate of the outermost sanctuary, which looked towards the east: and the same was shut.

2. And the Lord said unto me; this gate shall be shut, [That is, continue shut, see Jeremiah 27 on verse 22. so in the sequel] it shall not be opened, neither (shall) any man enter in by it, because the Lord, the God of Israel entered in by it: [see above chapter 43.2,4.] therefore it shall be shut.

3. The Prince, [Or Ruler: whereby (with some) we may here understand the high priest, (see Jeremiah 35 on verse 4.) typifying our Lord Jesus Christ, as the only high priest, also prince, ruler, and King (above chapter 34.22,23.) of his church: or (as others) the Lord Christ himself, who is the Lord of this spiritual house, and onely fit to approach unto God in our behalf, and to appear before his face, (see Jeremiah 30 on verse 21.) who alone knoweth and revealeth the Father, alone shutteth and openeth, the onely gate and door of heaven, who alone hath opened and prepared for us the way and entrance into the sanctuary, and is set as king at the right hand of the majesty of God, taking his joy and delight in his work of grace and spiritual building, whereunto this whole vision hath principally respect. Compare Matthew 3:17. And 11.17. Job 1:18 and 3.13. and 10.9. Hebrew 6.19,20. And 8.1,2. And 9.8. And 10.19,20. Revelation 3:7 and 5.5, c. likewise Isaiah 53:11.] the prince he shall fit in it, [or by it] to eat bread before the face of the Lord: [that is, to take their repasts (as was done aforetime with part of the offerings) and consequently to converse famithartly before the face of the Lord. Compare Exodus 29. Leviticus 8:31. And 24.9. And further genesis 31. On verse 54. These circumstances seem to put a difference between this Prince, and the prince of whom is spoken below, Chapter 45 and 46. But both the princes (the high priest and king) may be considered as types, (each in his own particular, and according to the nature of things) of the Lord Jesus Christ. See the former Annotat.] He shall enter by the way of the porch of the gate, and he shall go out by the way of the same. [Or his own way]

4. Then brought he me the way of the north –gate, before [Hebrew towards the face] the house, and I looked and behold, the glory of the Lord had filled the house of the LORD: then I fell upon my face. [As above chapter 43.3.]

5. And the Lord said unto me; child of man, set thine heart upon it, and behold with thine eyes, and bear with thine ears all that I shall speak with thee, concerning all the ordinances of the house of the Lord, and concerning all the laws thereof: and set thine heart upon the entrance of the house, with all the going s forth of the sanctuary.

6. And say to the rebellious one, to the house of Israel, thus saith the Lord, it is too much for you, by reason of all abominations, o house of Israel: [That is, ye have been too gross and too exorbitant in your ways, let it suffice, you must needs cease from, &c. Compare Numbers 16:3. 1 Kings 19:4. with Annotat. So below chapter 45.9. by this inserted reproof God would a new instruct his people, (to whom the prophet was commanded to show this vision) and acquaint them with their abominable sins, for which he had forsaken the former temple, city and land, to end that by true repentance and faith they might see to have fellowship with this new undeserved work of grace, which God would effect and bring to pass by the Messiah, and was typified by this vision.]

7. seeing that ye have brought in strangers, [Hebrew children, or sons of a stranger, or one; that is, such as no Israelites, nor were in covenant with God, nor were members of his Church. See 2 Samuel 22:45. with Annotat. So verse 9. Or, faith as were not of the family of the priests, as Leviticus 22:10. (see the Annotat there) and were moreover wicked, as followeth] uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh, [some take these to be two sorts of ministries of the sanctuary: some being Israelites, but wicked; other aliens, and not Israelites, utterly estranged from God and his people. Others understand here such as had neither any true godliness within, being wicked both in heart and life. See deutronomy 10.16. Jeremiah 4:4 and 9.25,26. with the Annotat.] to be in my sanctuary to prosane it, [by their unworthiness, idolatries, superstitions, and humane traditions. Compare 2 Kings 23:5. 2 Chronicles 34:5. and above chapter 43.7,8. with the Annotat.] (to wit) mine house: when ye offered my bread, [that is, meat. Meaning those things that were offered. See Leviticus 3 on verse 11 and 21.8. Numbers 28:1. Malachi 1:12.] the fat and the blond, [Compare below verse 15 and Leviticus 3:16,17. but they had offered these but unlawful and wicked priests] and they broke my covenant, [they, to wit, the strange priests, doing contrary to all mine ordinances, and so breaking and disannulling the covenant of the priesthood] beside all your abominations. [over and above other abominations which ye have committed yourselves. Others, for, because of, in regard of, &c.]

8. And ye have kept the watch [compare above chapter 40.45. with Annotat.] of mine holy things; [Hebrews, of my holiness] but ye have for yourselves set (some to be) watchmen of my watch in my sanctuary. [Whom ye have chosen yourselves, without and against my command]

9. Thus saith the LORD; no stranger, uncircumcised in heart, nor uncircumcised to flesh enter into my sanctuary, [Hebrews every child, or son of a stranger, &c. shall not &c. that is, none of them, none than is in regard of faith, or doctrine and life. Here now follow the laws concerning reformation in church-offices showing who are unfit or fit for the same. Compare the Apostolical commands, especially in the epistles to Timothy and Titus: also Revelations chapter 2 and 3 c. of any stranger that is in the midst of the children of Israel.

10. But [or, yea also, even, &c.] the Levites [hereby some understand the priests, that were of the Levites, descended from Ithamar and Arathar, from verse 13 and the opposition of verse 15. and above chapter 40.46. and 43.29. see 1 Kings 2 on verse 27.] that are gone away far from me, with Israel went astray, which went astray from me after their dung-Gods; [see Leviticus 26 on verse 30] shall indeed bear their iniquity. See Leviticus 5 on verse 1. this is a representation of the disciple which ought to be exercised in the church of God against all such ministries of God’s house, that departing from the true service of God and religion, are become unfaithful to God and his church, when they come to represent thereof. Compare 2 Kings 23:9. With the Annotat. There]

11. Wit they shall be ministers, in my sanctuary, [be in meaner and lower places then there were formerly, as followeth; (that is, they shall be degraded). See 1 Chronicles 23:28,29. Also Numbers 3:7,8. And below verse 14.] (in) the offices at the gates of the house; and they shall minister to the house; they shall flay the burnt-offering and the flay-offering, for the people, and shall stand before their face to minister unto them.

12. Because they ministered unto them [unto the people] before the face of their dung-gods, and were a stumbling block of iniquity unto the house of Israel: therefore I have I lift up mine band [that is, I have sworn. See Genesis 14. On verse 22.] Against them, saith the Lord LORD, that they shall bear their iniquity.

13. And they shall not come near unto me to execute the priest office unto me, and to come near to all mine holy things, [Hebrew holiness] to the most holy things; [or in the most holy places. Heb. Holiness of holiness] but shall bear their shame, and their abominations which they have committed.

14. therefore I will make them watchmen of the watch of the house [compare above chapter 40.45. with the Annotat. And here above verse 11.] in all the service thereof, and in all that shall be alone therein.

15. But the Levitical priests, [others, the priests (and) the Levites. Compare above chapter 40.45,46. With the Annotat] the children of Zadok, [that is, the posterity of Zadok, who descended from Aaron by Eleazar and phinchas, (to whom an everlasting priesthood was promised, Numbers 25:13.) and was made high-priest in Abrathars Stead. See 1 Kings 2:27,35. with the Annotat. Zadok signifieth as much as to be righteous, or a justified man] that kept the watch of my sanctuary, [faithfully and constantly performed their office, or continue pure and in the faith, and in the true worship of God] when the children of Israel went astray from me, they shall come near to me to minister unto me, and shall stand before my face, to offer unto me the fat and the blood, faith the Lord LORD. [these children of Zadok are here set forth as a pattern of all lawful, worthy and fit ministers of the church of Christ, (the king of righeousness, and high-priest after the order and manner of Melchezedek) who are here placed, honoured and blessed by God in their ministry.

16. They shall enter into my sanctuary and they shall come near to my table [see above chapter 41 on verse 22.] to minister unto me: and they shall keep my watch. [See Leviticus 8 on verse 35 and Numbers 3 on verse 7.

17. And it shall come to pass, when they shall enter in at the gates of the innermost court, that they shall put on linen garments;] which are pure, bright, white, pleasant, not cumbersome, or hindering them in the service, as a woolen garment is, whereof is spoken in the sequel. See of the priestly garments, above chapter 42 on verse 14 and compare Matthew 17:2 and 28.3. Revelation 4:4 and 7.13] but no wool shall come upon them, when they minister in the gates of the innermost court, and temple.

18. Linen quorf, shall be upon their head. [the Hebrew word rendered here quorf, hath its name from adorning and the covering of the head is taken for a token of subjection and submission, 1 Corinthians 11:10. so the ornament of ministers is to submit and to be subject unto their head Christ. Compare exodus 28,40 and 39.28] and linen drawers shall be upon their loins: they shall not gird themselves in the sweat, [or with sweat. That is, so, or with such girding or clothing that they should sweat with: or (as some) on the sweaty places of their body, where a man commonly sweateth most. Others, according to the sweat. Some hold this to be a representation of the heedfulness and purity of the heart, which ought to be in ministers of God’s church in the performing of their ministry.]

19. And when they go forth into the outermost court, (namely) into the outermost court to the people, they shall put off their garments wherein they ministered, and flay them away in the holy chambers: [Heb. Chambers of the holiness. See above chapter 42.14.] And shall put on other garments, that they may not hallow the people with their garments. [by touching of the holy garments, which were anointed with the holy oil, and were onely for the priests, that were consecrated for the service of God, which consecration might not be communicated unto others. See Exodus 29:37 and 30.29. Also below chapter 46.20. Some take it, as if God would thereby forbid his ministers to carry a hypocritical show of holiness before the congregation, and on the contrary would command them to be familiar with and among their brethren. Compare Matthew 6:5, 6,16, 17, 18.]

20. Neither shall they shave their head off, [to wit, with a rafour, as some take it] nor suffer (their) locks to grow long: [Hebrew suffer them to shoot out, shoot forth; that is, suffer them to grow long] they shall decently poll their heads. [Heb. Polling they shall poll. Others, quite, or every manner of way cut off, and then in the former words, shave. The Hebrew word is onely found here. The meaning of this verse is, they shall not have their heads quite bold, nor let their hair grow exceeding long, but shorten, cut off, or shave it moderately. Compare Leviticus 21:5 signifying honesty, modesty ad sobriety in life and conversation.

21. Neither shall any priest drink wine, when they shall enter into the innermost court. [Heb. Every priest shall not, &c. the verb in the plural number. That is, he shall execute his ministry with a sober, attentive, considering and holy mind, and avoid all things that might any way hinder him in it. Compare Leviticus 10:9. 1 Timothy 3:3. Titus 1:7. also Matthew 24:48,49,&c.]

22. Neither shall they take (their) wives a widow, or her that is put away: but they shall take maidens of the feed of the house of Israel, or a widow that shall have been the widow of a priest. [this ordinance doth intimate, that which might any waies prejudice the honour and dignity of their ministry or occasion a scandalous ordering of their family. Compare 1 Tim. 3.2,4. also 1 Cor. 7.39 and 9.5.]

23. And they shall teach my people (the difference) between threshold and profane, and show the difference between the unclean and the clean. [compare Leviticus 10:10 and above chapter 22.16. Malach.2.7 and 1 Tim.6.20 and 2 Tim.1.13 and 2.15,16. Tit.1.9. Revelations 2.2,14,15,16,20, c.]

24. And upon a controversy they shall stand to judge; [or abide by judgment; that is, steadfastly persevere in that which is just and right and agreeable to my word. Compare 2 Kings 23 on verse 3 and the phrase also Deuteronomy 25:8.] they shall judge it according to my judgment: [compare Deut.17.8,8,9, c. 2 Chronicles 19:10,11. this hath respect to the Ecclesiastical judicature, or the judgments which ought to be kept in the house of God by ecclesiastical assemblies according to the word of God, for the instructing of the conscience in matters of faith and life, removing and preventing of scandals and preferring of peace and unity among brethren] and they shall keep my laws and statutes [compare 1 Tim.13.14,&c.] on all mine appointed feasts, [others, in or with all mine assemblies; that is, the one as well as the other; whatever is ordained by me, they shall keep it, especially that which concerneth the congregations of believers and the public worship of God in them] and hallow my Sabbaths. [See Exodus 20 on verse 8 also Hebrew 4.9, 10, 11.]

25. Neither shall any of them go into a dead man, [Hebrew he shall not, &c. that is, none of the priests] that he should be unclean; but for a father, of for a mother, or for a son, or for daughter, for a brother or a father that hath had no husband, they may defile themselves [compare Leviticus 21:1,2,3,4,&c. this ordinance enjoyeth such moderation in mourning, as that the service of God be regarded, and the bond of nature and of the spirit be not despised among Christians, and also the hope of eternal life be not obscured among them: with an acknowledgement of our frailty and defect herein, for which we are to crave pardon in and through Christ. Compared 1 Thess. 4.13, &c. also John 11:33,35. Acts 9:39.]

26. And after his cleansing, [the cleansing of the priest, that defiled by reason of a dead man. Compare Numbers 6:9, c. and 19.11, 12, c.] They shall reckon unto him seven days.

27. And in the day when he shall go into the holy place, into the innermost court, to minister in the holy place, be shall offer his sin-offering, saith the Lord, LORD.

28. (Now) this shall be unto them for an inheritance: I am their inheritance ye shall give them no possession in Israel; I am their possession. [Compare these laws with Numbers 18:8,20,24. Deuteronomy 10:9. And 12.12 and 14.27 and 18.1, 2. And 26.12. By them a due maintenance is ordained by God for the Ministers of the church. See Matthew 10:11 and Luke 10:7. 1 Corinthians 9:4, 6, 7, c. and very plainly, verse 13, 14. there]

29. The meat-offering, and the sin-offering, and the guilt-offering, they eat them: also every burnt thing [Heb. Ban. See Leviticus 27. On verse 21.] In Israel shall be theirs.

30. And the firstling of all the fruits [or, of that which first cometh] of all things, [that is, of all manner of things: and so in the sequel. Heb. The first, the chiefest of all the firstlings of all things. See Exodus 13:2 and 22.29,30. Numbers 18:11.] and every heave offering of all things, [or, every oblation, &c.] of all heave offerings, shall be the priests: ye shall also give unto the priest the firstlings of your dough, [compare Numbers 15:20. Nehemiah 10:37. &c.] To cause the blessing to rest upon thine house. [Compare Deuteronomy 14:29. and see the contrary above chapter 5.13.]

31. No carcass, nor that which is torn of fowls, or of cattle, shall the priest eat. [Heb. Every carcass, &c. shall they (the priests) not, &c. that is, no carcass, nothing torn. Compare Exodus 22:31. Levit. 22.4,8 and above chapter 4.14 signifying, that the minister of the church ought to be unrebukeable, and holy, not prone to destroying, anger, making prey, filthy lucre. Compare 1 Timothy 3:3. Matthew 23:25. Which also ought to be recommended to all believers, (as spiritual priests) as this law was likewise given to all Israel, Exodus 22:31.]