44:3 The prince The precise nature of this office is unclear. Typically, the Hebrew word nasi denotes a political role: the leader of the Jewish community. Elsewhere Ezekiel uses the term to refer to the Davidic Messiah (34:24; 37:25). Here his role is religious, but it is not clearly cultic or priestly.

44:4 The glory of Yahweh filled the temple of See 43:5 and note.

and I fell on my face See 43:3; note on 1:28.

44:9 Every foreigner uncircumcised of heart and uncircumcised of flesh shall not come into my sanctuary—not Israel’s past idolatry can be summarized as one offense: They violated Yahweh’s sacred space. Stricter observance of procedures and regulations designed to protect the sacred space will prevent future violation. One regulation forbids foreigners from entering the sanctuary (see Exod 12:43–51).

44:10 they will bear their guilt See note on Ezek 4:4. The Levites’ role here is similar to the description in Num 18:21–23. They serve in the temple, but not as priests.

44:12 a stumbling block of iniquity One of Ezekiel’s characteristic phrases to describe idolatry (see Ezek 7:19; 14:3–7).

44:14 the keepers of the responsibility of the temple See note on 40:45.

44:15 the descendants of Zadok Zadok was high priest under David. See note on 40:46.

44:17 their inner linen garments The command to wear linen rather than wool prevents ritual defilement through excessive sweating (see v. 18). The Greek historian Herodotus records that Egyptian priests wore linen garments and washed them regularly.

44:19 they will not make the people holy with their garments See 42:13–14. Priests were required to change clothes in the holy chambers. Holiness was thought to be a transferrable force—potentially deadly if handled improperly.

44:20 their head they shall not shave Compare Lev 21:5.

44:21 no priest shall drink wine when they come into Compare Lev 10:9.

44:22 a widow or divorced woman they shall not take for themselves as wives Compare the requirements in Lev 21:13–14.

44:23 they will teach my people According to Ezek 22:26, one of the priests’ primary failures before the exile was in teaching the distinction between sacred and profane, pure and impure.

44:24 at a legal dispute they themselves shall stand For priests functioning as judges, see Deut 17:8–9.

44:25 near a dead person he shall not come Compare Lev 21:1–3.

44:26 they shall count for him seven days Compare Num 19:11–12.

44:27 his sin offering See Lev 4:2–3.

44:28 to them as regards inheritance See note on Ezek 36:12. The Levites received no allotment of land within Israel.

44:30 what is first of all of the firstfruits of everything, and of See Exod 23:19.

what is first of your dough See Num 15:20.

44:31 Any dead body or mangled carcass from the birds or from the animals, the priests shall not eat Compare Exod 22:31; Lev 7:24; 22:8.