Ezekiel 44:15
But the priests the Levites, the sons of Zadok, that kept the charge of my sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from me, they shall come near to me to minister unto me, and they shall stand before me to offer unto me the fat and the blood, saith the Lord GOD:
Original Language Analysis
וְהַכֹּהֲנִ֨ים
But the priests
H3548
וְהַכֹּהֲנִ֨ים
But the priests
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
1 of 26
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
בְּנֵֽי
the sons
H1121
בְּנֵֽי
the sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
3 of 26
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
שָׁמְר֜וּ
that kept
H8104
שָׁמְר֜וּ
that kept
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
6 of 26
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִשְׁמֶ֤רֶת
the charge
H4931
מִשְׁמֶ֤רֶת
the charge
Strong's:
H4931
Word #:
8 of 26
watch, i.e., the act (custody), or (concretely) the sentry, the post; objectively preservation, or (concretely) safe; figuratively observance, i.e., (
מִקְדָּשִׁי֙
of my sanctuary
H4720
מִקְדָּשִׁי֙
of my sanctuary
Strong's:
H4720
Word #:
9 of 26
a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of jehovah or of idols) or asylum
בִּתְע֤וֹת
went astray
H8582
בִּתְע֤וֹת
went astray
Strong's:
H8582
Word #:
10 of 26
to vacillate, i.e., reel or stray (literally or figuratively); also causative of both
בְּנֵֽי
the sons
H1121
בְּנֵֽי
the sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
11 of 26
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
12 of 26
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
מֵֽעָלַ֔י
H5921
מֵֽעָלַ֔י
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
13 of 26
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
לְהַקְרִ֥יב
from me they shall come near
H7126
לְהַקְרִ֥יב
from me they shall come near
Strong's:
H7126
Word #:
15 of 26
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
לְשָֽׁרְתֵ֑נִי
to me to minister
H8334
לְשָֽׁרְתֵ֑נִי
to me to minister
Strong's:
H8334
Word #:
17 of 26
to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to
וְעָמְד֣וּ
unto me and they shall stand
H5975
וְעָמְד֣וּ
unto me and they shall stand
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
18 of 26
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
לְפָנַ֗י
before
H6440
לְפָנַ֗י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
19 of 26
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
לְהַקְרִ֥יב
from me they shall come near
H7126
לְהַקְרִ֥יב
from me they shall come near
Strong's:
H7126
Word #:
20 of 26
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
חֵ֣לֶב
unto me the fat
H2459
חֵ֣לֶב
unto me the fat
Strong's:
H2459
Word #:
22 of 26
fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part
וָדָ֔ם
and the blood
H1818
וָדָ֔ם
and the blood
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
23 of 26
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
Cross References
Deuteronomy 10:8At that time the LORD separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to minister unto him, and to bless in his name, unto this day.Ezekiel 48:11It shall be for the priests that are sanctified of the sons of Zadok; which have kept my charge, which went not astray when the children of Israel went astray, as the Levites went astray.Ezekiel 44:7In 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.Ezekiel 40:46And 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.Ezekiel 43:19And thou shalt give to the priests the Levites that be of the seed of Zadok, which approach unto me, to minister unto me, saith the Lord GOD, a young bullock for a sin offering.1 Samuel 2:35And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever.2 Timothy 2:2And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
Historical Context
Zadok supported David against Absalom's rebellion (2 Samuel 15:24-29) and Solomon against Adonijah's usurpation (1 Kings 1:32-40). Solomon removed Abiathar (who supported Adonijah) and established Zadok's exclusive priesthood (1 Kings 2:26-27, 35), fulfilling prophecy against Eli's house (1 Samuel 2:27-36). When Jeroboam established rival worship at Dan and Bethel, many Levites compromised, but Zadokites generally maintained Jerusalem temple faithfulness. Ezekiel distinguishes between Zadokite priests (44:15-16) and ordinary Levites demoted for unfaithfulness (44:10-14). This principle—rewarding faithfulness, judging compromise—appears throughout Scripture (Revelation 2-3 evaluates churches similarly). The fat and blood were most sacred portions (Leviticus 3:16-17, 7:23-27), reserved exclusively for God and authorized priests.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'charge of the sanctuary' has God entrusted to you that requires faithful keeping despite cultural apostasy?
- How does God's reward of Zadokite faithfulness encourage perseverance when compromise seems easier and more popular?
- As a believer-priest, how seriously do you handle 'holy things'—Scripture, worship, ministry—with appropriate reverence?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The Zadokite priests receive special honor for covenant faithfulness—'they kept the charge of my sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray.' Faithfulness during apostasy earns perpetual privilege. The Hebrew שָׁמַר (shamar, 'kept') means guarding, watching, maintaining—active, vigilant service. While others compromised, Zadokites remained loyal, and God rewards faithfulness. The privilege: 'come near to me to minister... stand before me to offer.' This access to God's immediate presence represents the highest honor. The offerings—'fat and blood'—are most sacred portions, emphasizing that only the faithful handle holy things. Reformed theology sees this principle throughout Scripture: 'to him that hath shall be given' (Matthew 25:29)—faithful stewardship receives increased responsibility. Ultimately, Christ our High Priest remained perfectly faithful (Hebrews 3:1-6), earning eternal priesthood (Hebrews 7:23-28).