Ezekiel 44:11
Yet they shall be ministers in my sanctuary, having charge at the gates of the house, and ministering to the house: they shall slay the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the people, and they shall stand before them to minister unto them.
Original Language Analysis
וְהָי֤וּ
H1961
וְהָי֤וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 21
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בְמִקְדָּשִׁי֙
in my sanctuary
H4720
בְמִקְדָּשִׁי֙
in my sanctuary
Strong's:
H4720
Word #:
2 of 21
a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of jehovah or of idols) or asylum
לְשָֽׁרְתָֽם׃
Yet they shall be ministers
H8334
לְשָֽׁרְתָֽם׃
Yet they shall be ministers
Strong's:
H8334
Word #:
3 of 21
to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to
פְּקֻדּוֹת֙
having charge
H6486
פְּקֻדּוֹת֙
having charge
Strong's:
H6486
Word #:
4 of 21
visitation (in many senses, chiefly official)
הַבָּ֑יִת
of the house
H1004
הַבָּ֑יִת
of the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
7 of 21
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
לְשָֽׁרְתָֽם׃
Yet they shall be ministers
H8334
לְשָֽׁרְתָֽם׃
Yet they shall be ministers
Strong's:
H8334
Word #:
8 of 21
to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַבָּ֑יִת
of the house
H1004
הַבָּ֑יִת
of the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
10 of 21
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יִשְׁחֲט֨וּ
they shall slay
H7819
יִשְׁחֲט֨וּ
they shall slay
Strong's:
H7819
Word #:
12 of 21
to slaughter (in sacrifice or massacre)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָעוֹלָ֤ה
the burnt offering
H5930
הָעוֹלָ֤ה
the burnt offering
Strong's:
H5930
Word #:
14 of 21
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַזֶּ֙בַח֙
and the sacrifice
H2077
הַזֶּ֙בַח֙
and the sacrifice
Strong's:
H2077
Word #:
16 of 21
properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)
לָעָ֔ם
for the people
H5971
לָעָ֔ם
for the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
17 of 21
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
יַעַמְד֥וּ
and they shall stand
H5975
יַעַמְד֥וּ
and they shall stand
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
19 of 21
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
Cross References
Numbers 16:9Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them?2 Chronicles 29:34But the priests were too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt offerings: wherefore their brethren the Levites did help them, till the work was ended, and until the other priests had sanctified themselves: for the Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests.Ezekiel 44:14But 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 40:45And he said unto me, This chamber, whose prospect is toward the south, is for the priests, the keepers of the charge of the house.2 Chronicles 30:17For there were many in the congregation that were not sanctified: therefore the Levites had the charge of the killing of the passovers for every one that was not clean, to sanctify them unto the LORD.Numbers 18:6And I, behold, I have taken your brethren the Levites from among the children of Israel: to you they are given as a gift for the LORD, to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Historical Context
This passage occurs in Ezekiel's temple vision (chapters 40-48), given to exiles in Babylon around 573 BC. The distinction between faithful Zadokite priests (descended from Aaron through Zadok, 1 Chronicles 24:3) and unfaithful Levites reflects Israel's history of priestly corruption. During the divided kingdom, many Levites served at northern high places under Jeroboam's apostate system (1 Kings 12:31, 13:33). When Josiah centralized worship in Jerusalem (2 Kings 23), these provincial Levites were not permitted full priestly duties (2 Kings 23:9), though they received support. Ezekiel's vision codifies this demotion permanently for the eschatological temple.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this verse demonstrate that God's mercy doesn't eliminate all consequences of past unfaithfulness?
- What does the restriction of idolatrous priests to outer-court service teach about the holiness required to approach God intimately?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Yet they shall be ministers in my sanctuary, having charge at the gates of the house, and ministering to the house—this verse addresses the Levites who led Israel into idolatry (v. 10). Though demoted from full priestly service, they receive sharat (שָׁרַת, "to minister") duties in the outer courts. The phrase they shall slay the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the people restricts them to menial service—slaughtering animals rather than approaching God's altar. This demonstrates divine mercy tempering justice: permanent consequences for sin, yet continued usefulness in God's kingdom.
The Hebrew mishmereth (מִשְׁמֶרֶת, "charge" or "guard duty") at the gates suggests supervised, limited access. They shall stand before them to minister unto them indicates service to the people rather than to God directly. This parallels the Levitical hierarchy where only Aaron's descendants could approach the altar (Numbers 18:1-7). Hebrews 12:28-29 warns that acceptable worship requires reverent fear, for "our God is a consuming fire"—casual or idolatrous service brings demotion or destruction.