Ezekiel 44:10
ยถ 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.
And the Levites {H3881} that are gone away far {H7368} from me, when Israel {H3478} went astray {H8582}, which went astray away {H8582} from me after {H310} their idols {H1544}; they shall even bear {H5375} their iniquity {H5771}.
"'Rather, the L'vi'im, who went far away from me when Isra'el went astray, going astray after their idols - they will bear the consequences of their guilt,
Surely the Levites who wandered away from Me when Israel went astray, and who wandered away from Me after their idols, will bear the consequences of their iniquity.
But the Levites that went far from me, when Israel went astray, that went astray from me after their idols, they shall bear their iniquity.
Cross-References
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Ezekiel 22:26
Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed [difference] between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them. -
Ezekiel 48:11
[It shall be] for the priests that are sanctified of the sons of Zadok; which have kept my charge, which went not astray when the children of Israel went astray, as the Levites went astray. -
1 Timothy 5:22
Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure. -
2 Kings 23:8
And he brought all the priests out of the cities of Judah, and defiled the high places where the priests had burned incense, from Geba to Beersheba, and brake down the high places of the gates that [were] in the entering in of the gate of Joshua the governor of the city, which [were] on a man's left hand at the gate of the city. -
2 Kings 23:9
Nevertheless the priests of the high places came not up to the altar of the LORD in Jerusalem, but they did eat of the unleavened bread among their brethren. -
Ezekiel 44:15
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: -
Genesis 4:13
ยถ And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment [is] greater than I can bear.
Commentary
Context
Ezekiel 44:10 is part of a detailed vision given to the prophet Ezekiel concerning a new temple and its regulations, occurring during the Babylonian exile. This chapter specifically outlines the roles and responsibilities of the priests and Levites in the future worship. While the Zadokite priests (descendants of Zadok, who remained faithful during Solomon's reign) are elevated to primary service at the altar (Ezekiel 44:15), this verse addresses the consequences for other Levites who had previously strayed from God. It serves as a divine judgment and a clarification of their diminished role in the restored temple service due to past unfaithfulness.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "gone away far from me" (Hebrew: ืกืึผืจ ืึตืขึธืึทื, sur me'alay) implies a deliberate turning aside or departure from God. It's not a passive drifting but an active choice to separate. The term "idols" used here, ืึดึผืึผืึผืึดืื (gillulim), is a derogatory Hebrew word, often translated as "dung-gods" or "filthy things," emphasizing the utter contempt God has for these false deities and the defilement they bring. To "bear their iniquity" (ื ึธืฉึธืื ืขึธืึนื, nasa avon) means to suffer the consequences or punishment for their sin, underscoring their personal responsibility for their actions.
Related Scriptures
The Levites were originally set apart for service to the Lord, as seen in Numbers 3:6. However, many, like the priests mentioned in Malachi 2:8, later turned from the Lord. Their unfaithfulness and idolatry reflect a broader pattern of Israel's rebellion, a theme echoed throughout the prophetic books. The principle that individuals "bear their iniquity" or face the consequences of their sin is a fundamental truth in Scripture, vividly taught in Ezekiel 18:20 and summarized by Paul in Romans 6:23, stating that "the wages of sin is death."
Practical Application
Ezekiel 44:10 serves as a timeless warning against spiritual complacency and compromise, especially for those in leadership roles within the church today. It reminds us that:
- Faithfulness is Paramount: All believers, particularly those serving in ministry, must remain steadfast in their devotion to God alone. Spiritual drift and idolatry (whether worshipping literal idols or modern substitutes like wealth, power, or status) lead to diminished effectiveness and spiritual consequences.
- Consequences are Real: While God is gracious, sin has consequences. This verse illustrates that even past failures can impact future roles and blessings. It's a call to genuine repentance and a recognition that God's justice is perfect.
- Personal Responsibility: Each individual, regardless of their position or background, is accountable for their choices before God. There is no escaping the responsibility for one's own "iniquity."
This verse encourages a life of sincere devotion and obedience, ensuring that our service to God is pure and unwavering.Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.