Ezekiel 44:24
And in controversy they shall stand in judgment; and they shall judge it according to my judgments: and they shall keep my laws and my statutes in all mine assemblies; and they shall hallow my sabbaths.
Original Language Analysis
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
1 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יַעַמְד֣וּ
they shall stand
H5975
יַעַמְד֣וּ
they shall stand
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
4 of 17
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
וִשְׁפְּטֻ֑הוּ
and they shall judge
H8199
וִשְׁפְּטֻ֑הוּ
and they shall judge
Strong's:
H8199
Word #:
5 of 17
to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal
בְּמִשְׁפָּטַ֖י
it according to my judgments
H4941
בְּמִשְׁפָּטַ֖י
it according to my judgments
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
6 of 17
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
וִשְׁפְּטֻ֑הוּ
and they shall judge
H8199
וִשְׁפְּטֻ֑הוּ
and they shall judge
Strong's:
H8199
Word #:
7 of 17
to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
תּוֹרֹתַ֤י
my laws
H8451
תּוֹרֹתַ֤י
my laws
Strong's:
H8451
Word #:
9 of 17
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
12 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מוֹעֲדַ֣י
in all mine assemblies
H4150
מוֹעֲדַ֣י
in all mine assemblies
Strong's:
H4150
Word #:
13 of 17
properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for
יִשְׁמֹ֔רוּ
and they shall keep
H8104
יִשְׁמֹ֔רוּ
and they shall keep
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
14 of 17
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
1 Chronicles 23:4Of which, twenty and four thousand were to set forward the work of the house of the LORD; and six thousand were officers and judges:Ezekiel 22:26Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.
Historical Context
Levitical priests served as judges (Deuteronomy 17:8-9, 21:5, 2 Chronicles 19:8-11). Their judicial authority, combined with teaching and ritual roles, made them central to Israelite society. After exile (586-538 BC), Ezekiel's vision (573 BC) promised restored priesthood. While second temple period saw this partially fulfilled, ultimate fulfillment awaits Messiah's kingdom where Christ, our High Priest, judges perfectly.
Questions for Reflection
- How does priestly judicial authority demonstrate the unity of law and worship?
- What does judging 'according to my judgments' teach about objective moral standards?
- How is Christ's priestly role as judge (John 5:22) foreshadowed in Ezekiel?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And in controversy they shall stand in judgment—Levitical priests' judicial role: בְּרִיב (bĕrîb, 'in dispute/controversy'), הֵמָּה יַעַמְדוּ לְשָׁפֹט (hēmmāh yaʿamdû lĕshāphōṭ, 'they shall stand to judge'). Priests decided legal cases according to תּוֹרָה (tôrāh, 'law/instruction').
And they shall judge it according to my judgments—בְּמִשְׁפָּטַי יִשְׁפְּטֻהוּ (bĕmishpāṭay yishpĕṭuhû, 'according to my judgments they shall judge it'). Not human wisdom but divine law governs. And they shall keep my laws and my statutes in all mine assemblies; and they shall hallow my sabbaths—Priests model Torah obedience: תּוֹרֹתַי (tôrōtay, 'my laws'), חֻקֹּתַי (ḥuqqōtay, 'my statutes'), מוֹעֲדַי (môʿăday, 'my appointed times'), שַׁבְּתוֹתַי (shabbĕtôtay, 'my sabbaths'). Their comprehensive obedience demonstrates covenant faithfulness, pointing to Christ who perfectly fulfilled the law (Matthew 5:17) and now mediates new covenant (Hebrews 8:6).