Ezekiel 44:29

They shall eat the meat offering, and the sin offering, and the trespass offering; and every dedicated thing in Israel shall be theirs.

They shall eat {H398} the meat offering {H4503}, and the sin offering {H2403}, and the trespass offering {H817}; and every dedicated thing {H2764} in Israel {H3478} shall be theirs.

They are to eat the grain offerings, sin offerings and guilt offerings; and everything in Isra'el devoted [to God] will be theirs.

They shall eat the grain offerings, the sin offerings, and the guilt offerings. Everything in Israel devoted to the LORD will belong to them.

They shall eat the meal-offering, and the sin-offering, and the trespass-offering; and every devoted thing in Israel shall be theirs.

Ezekiel 44:29 outlines specific provisions for the priests serving in the visionary temple, detailing their entitlement to consume portions of various offerings brought by the people. This verse is crucial for understanding the economic and social role of the priesthood within ancient Israel's worship system, as re-envisioned by God through Ezekiel.

Context

This verse is found within Ezekiel's extended vision of a new temple, its rituals, and the regulations for its priesthood (Ezekiel chapters 40-48). Following God's judgment on Israel, this vision offers hope for future restoration and a renewed, purified worship. Specifically, chapters 43-46 focus on the ordinances of the temple, the glory of God returning, and the duties of the Zadokite priests, who were deemed faithful. Their entitlement to offerings was a direct consequence of their dedicated service and separation from secular livelihoods, as also seen in earlier Mosaic law.

Key Themes

  • Divine Provision for Service: The verse highlights God's method of providing for those dedicated to His service. The priests, having no tribal land inheritance, were sustained directly by the offerings given to God. This principle underscores that God Himself provides for those who faithfully serve Him.
  • Holiness and Sustenance: The offerings mentioned—the meat (grain) offering, sin offering, and trespass offering—were considered holy, dedicated to God. By consuming these, the priests were nourished by what was set apart for divine purposes, symbolizing their intimate connection to God's holiness and their role as mediators.
  • Dedicated Things: "Every dedicated thing in Israel" refers to items or portions consecrated to the Lord. This broad category ensured comprehensive support for the priesthood, emphasizing their sole reliance on God's economy within the community. This aligns with the principle seen in Numbers 18:8-14 regarding the Levites' portion.

Linguistic Insights

The "meat offering" (KJV) is more accurately translated as the "grain offering" or "meal offering" (Hebrew: minchah), which was typically a bloodless offering of flour, oil, and frankincense. The "sin offering" (Hebrew: chatta'th) and "trespass offering" (Hebrew: asham) were crucial sacrifices for atonement and expiation of specific sins or guilt. The phrase "every dedicated thing" points to something consecrated or holy (Hebrew: qodesh or cherem in some contexts, but here referring to holy gifts), reinforcing the idea that the priests' sustenance came from what was specifically set apart for God.

Practical Application

While the specific temple rituals are no longer practiced in the same way under the new covenant, the underlying principles remain relevant. This verse reminds us of:

  • The importance of supporting those who are called to full-time ministry and spiritual leadership. Just as the priests were sustained by the offerings of the people, so too should those who minister the Word be supported by the community they serve (1 Corinthians 9:13-14).
  • The principle that God provides for His servants. Those who dedicate their lives to God's work can trust in His provision, often through the generosity of His people.
  • Our spiritual nourishment comes from what is holy and consecrated to God, whether it be His Word, prayer, or participation in the spiritual disciplines.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.
  • Numbers 18:14

    Every thing devoted in Israel shall be thine.
  • Leviticus 27:21

    But the field, when it goeth out in the jubile, shall be holy unto the LORD, as a field devoted; the possession thereof shall be the priest's.
  • Leviticus 27:28

    Notwithstanding no devoted thing, that a man shall devote unto the LORD of all that he hath, [both] of man and beast, and of the field of his possession, shall be sold or redeemed: every devoted thing [is] most holy unto the LORD.
  • Leviticus 6:14

    ¶ And this [is] the law of the meat offering: the sons of Aaron shall offer it before the LORD, before the altar.
  • Leviticus 6:18

    All the males among the children of Aaron shall eat of it. [It shall be] a statute for ever in your generations concerning the offerings of the LORD made by fire: every one that toucheth them shall be holy.
  • Leviticus 7:6

    Every male among the priests shall eat thereof: it shall be eaten in the holy place: it [is] most holy.
  • Leviticus 6:26

    The priest that offereth it for sin shall eat it: in the holy place shall it be eaten, in the court of the tabernacle of the congregation.

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