


Ezekiel 44:8
Bible Versions
And ye have not kept the charge of mine holy things: but ye have set keepers of my charge in my sanctuary for yourselves.
Instead of taking care of my holy things yourselves, you have put these people in charge of my sanctuary.'
And you have not kept charge of My holy things, but have appointed others to keep charge of My sanctuary for you.’
And ye have not kept the charge of my holy things; but ye have set keepers of my charge in my sanctuary for yourselves.
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1 Timothy 6:13
¶ I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and [before] Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; -
Acts 7:53
Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept [it]. -
Ezekiel 44:16
They shall enter into my sanctuary, and they shall come near to my table, to minister unto me, and they shall keep my charge. -
Ezekiel 44:14
But I will make them keepers of the charge of the house, for all the service thereof, and for all that shall be done therein. -
Ezekiel 40:45
And he said unto me, This chamber, whose prospect [is] toward the south, [is] for the priests, the keepers of the charge of the house. -
Ezekiel 40:46
And the chamber whose prospect [is] toward the north [is] for the priests, the keepers of the charge of the altar: these [are] the sons of Zadok among the sons of Levi, which come near to the LORD to minister unto him. -
Ezra 8:24
¶ Then I separated twelve of the chief of the priests, Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brethren with them,
Ezekiel 44:8 delivers a stern rebuke from God to the Levitical priests concerning their failure to uphold the sanctity of His sanctuary. This verse highlights a critical breach of trust and responsibility in their divine commission.
Context
The book of Ezekiel, written during the Babylonian exile, often contains visions of God's glory, judgment, and future restoration. Chapters 40-48 describe a detailed vision of a new temple, its ordinances, and the division of the land. This prophetic vision serves as both a blueprint for ideal worship and a strong critique of past failures. In chapter 44, God outlines the specific duties and conduct expected of the priests, emphasizing purity and separation. Verse 8 specifically condemns the priests for their past transgressions, particularly allowing unauthorized individuals to serve in the temple, thus defiling it.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word for "charge" is mishmeret (מִשְׁמֶרֶת), which carries the meaning of a duty, a sacred trust, a watch, or a responsibility to guard. It emphasizes the solemnity of the priestly office and the serious nature of their assigned task. The "holy things" (qodesh) refer to the sacred objects, rituals, and places within the temple that were set apart exclusively for God's use and worship. The phrase "for yourselves" highlights a fundamental shift in focus from God's glory to human convenience or benefit, a common theme in prophetic condemnations of Israel's leadership.
Practical Application
Ezekiel 44:8 carries enduring lessons for believers today. While we no longer have a physical temple in Jerusalem, the principles of holiness, stewardship, and dedicated service remain paramount:
Ultimately, Ezekiel 44:8 serves as a timeless warning against spiritual complacency and a call to unwavering faithfulness in upholding God's standards of holiness in all aspects of our lives and service.