In that ye have brought [into my sanctuary] strangers, uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary, to pollute it, [even] my house, when ye offer my bread, the fat and the blood, and they have broken my covenant because of all your abominations.
In that ye have brought {H935} into my sanctuary strangers {H1121}{H5236}, uncircumcised {H6189} in heart {H3820}, and uncircumcised {H6189} in flesh {H1320}, to be in my sanctuary {H4720}, to pollute {H2490} it, even my house {H1004}, when ye offer {H7126} my bread {H3899}, the fat {H2459} and the blood {H1818}, and they have broken {H6565} my covenant {H1285} because {H413} of all your abominations {H8441}.
You brought in foreigners, uncircumcised in both heart and flesh, to be in my sanctuary and profane it - yes, my house - when you offered my food, the fat and the blood; thus in addition to all your disgusting practices, they broke my covenant.
In addition to all your other abominations, you brought in foreigners uncircumcised in both heart and flesh to occupy My sanctuary; you defiled My temple when you offered My food—the fat and the blood; you broke My covenant.
in that ye have brought in foreigners, uncircumcised in heart and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary, to profane it, even my house, when ye offer my bread, the fat and the blood, and they have broken my covenant, to add unto all your abominations.
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Leviticus 22:25
Neither from a stranger's hand shall ye offer the bread of your God of any of these; because their corruption [is] in them, [and] blemishes [be] in them: they shall not be accepted for you. -
Jeremiah 9:26
Egypt, and Judah, and Edom, and the children of Ammon, and Moab, and all [that are] in the utmost corners, that dwell in the wilderness: for all [these] nations [are] uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel [are] uncircumcised in the heart. -
Jeremiah 4:4
Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench [it], because of the evil of your doings. -
Leviticus 26:41
And [that] I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity: -
Ezekiel 44:9
Thus saith the Lord GOD; No stranger, uncircumcised in heart, nor uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter into my sanctuary, of any stranger that [is] among the children of Israel. -
Genesis 17:14
And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant. -
Deuteronomy 10:16
Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.
Ezekiel 44:7 (KJV): "In that ye have brought [into my sanctuary] strangers, uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary, to pollute it, [even] my house, when ye offer my bread, the fat and the blood, and they have broken my covenant because of all your abominations."
This verse is a strong indictment from God against the leaders and priests of Israel for past failures that led to the destruction of the first temple and the exile. It sets the stage for the strict regulations concerning who may enter the inner parts of the envisioned new temple described in Ezekiel chapters 40-48.
Context
Ezekiel chapters 40-48 present a detailed vision of a future temple, land division, and worship system. This vision follows the prophecies of judgment and restoration. Chapter 44 specifically addresses the regulations for the priests (the sons of Zadok) and Levites, and outlines who is permitted to serve and worship within the sanctuary. Verse 7 looks back at the sins of the past generation, explaining why such stringent rules are now necessary to prevent the sanctuary from being defiled again, which was a primary cause of God's departure from the first temple (see Ezekiel 10:18).
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "uncircumcised in heart" (arel leb in Hebrew) is particularly significant. While physical circumcision was the sign of the covenant with Abraham, the prophets often emphasized the need for spiritual circumcision – a heart dedicated and responsive to God (Deuteronomy 30:6, Jeremiah 4:4). Bringing in those "uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh" means allowing individuals who were both outside the physical covenant community and, more critically, lacking spiritual devotion and purity, to participate in or be present in the sanctuary during holy acts. "Pollute it" means to make it ritually or morally unclean, rendering it unfit for God's presence.
Commentary
God's complaint is explicit: the priests and people allowed "strangers" – likely referring to those outside the covenant community, perhaps even idolaters – into the most sacred space, the sanctuary. The double emphasis on being "uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh" highlights a failure on two levels: allowing non-covenant people access, and failing to discern who among them, or even among the Israelites, lacked the necessary spiritual purity. This wasn't just about physical presence; it was allowing them to be there "to pollute it," particularly "when ye offer my bread, the fat and the blood" – the very sacrifices meant to be holy offerings to God. This act of profanation, inviting the impure into the sacred space during worship, is seen as a direct "breaking of my covenant" and is linked to the broader context of Israel's "abominations" – their idolatry and moral corruption.
Reflection and Application
While this verse speaks to the physical temple and its regulations, it carries profound spiritual weight for believers today. The New Testament teaches that believers collectively are God's temple (1 Corinthians 3:16) and individual bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). The principle of holiness remains. We are called to guard the purity of the church community and our own hearts, ensuring that our worship and lives are not polluted by worldly influences or spiritual impurity. This requires discernment and a commitment to being "circumcised in heart" through faith in Christ, whose sacrifice provides true cleansing and access to God's presence (Hebrews 10:19-22).