Ezekiel 44:7
In 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.
Original Language Analysis
בַּהֲבִיאֲכֶ֣ם
In that ye have brought
H935
בַּהֲבִיאֲכֶ֣ם
In that ye have brought
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
1 of 23
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
בְּנֵֽי
into my sanctuary strangers
H1121
בְּנֵֽי
into my sanctuary strangers
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
2 of 23
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
נֵכָ֗ר
H5236
נֵכָ֗ר
Strong's:
H5236
Word #:
3 of 23
foreign, or (concretely) a foreigner, or (abstractly) heathendom
וְעַרְלֵ֣י
and uncircumcised
H6189
וְעַרְלֵ֣י
and uncircumcised
Strong's:
H6189
Word #:
4 of 23
properly, exposed, i.e., projecting loose (as to the prepuce); used only technically, uncircumcised (i.e., still having the prepuce uncurtailed)
לֵב֙
in heart
H3820
לֵב֙
in heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
5 of 23
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
וְעַרְלֵ֣י
and uncircumcised
H6189
וְעַרְלֵ֣י
and uncircumcised
Strong's:
H6189
Word #:
6 of 23
properly, exposed, i.e., projecting loose (as to the prepuce); used only technically, uncircumcised (i.e., still having the prepuce uncurtailed)
בָשָׂ֔ר
in flesh
H1320
בָשָׂ֔ר
in flesh
Strong's:
H1320
Word #:
7 of 23
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
לִהְי֥וֹת
H1961
לִהְי֥וֹת
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
8 of 23
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בְּמִקְדָּשִׁ֖י
to be in my sanctuary
H4720
בְּמִקְדָּשִׁ֖י
to be in my sanctuary
Strong's:
H4720
Word #:
9 of 23
a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of jehovah or of idols) or asylum
לְחַלְּל֣וֹ
to pollute
H2490
לְחַלְּל֣וֹ
to pollute
Strong's:
H2490
Word #:
10 of 23
properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בֵּיתִ֑י
it even my house
H1004
בֵּיתִ֑י
it even my house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
12 of 23
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
בְּהַקְרִֽיבְכֶ֤ם
when ye offer
H7126
בְּהַקְרִֽיבְכֶ֤ם
when ye offer
Strong's:
H7126
Word #:
13 of 23
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לַחְמִי֙
my bread
H3899
לַחְמִי֙
my bread
Strong's:
H3899
Word #:
15 of 23
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
חֵ֣לֶב
the fat
H2459
חֵ֣לֶב
the fat
Strong's:
H2459
Word #:
16 of 23
fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part
וָדָ֔ם
and the blood
H1818
וָדָ֔ם
and the blood
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
17 of 23
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
וַיָּפֵ֙רוּ֙
and they have broken
H6565
וַיָּפֵ֙רוּ֙
and they have broken
Strong's:
H6565
Word #:
18 of 23
to break up (usually figuratively), i.e., to violate, frustrate
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
19 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּרִיתִ֔י
my covenant
H1285
בְּרִיתִ֔י
my covenant
Strong's:
H1285
Word #:
20 of 23
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
Cross References
Leviticus 22:25Neither from a stranger's hand shall ye offer the bread of your God of any of these; because their corruption is in them, and blemishes be in them: they shall not be accepted for you.Jeremiah 9:26Egypt, and Judah, and Edom, and the children of Ammon, and Moab, and all that are in the utmost corners, that dwell in the wilderness: for all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in the heart.Jeremiah 4:4Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.Genesis 17:14And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.Ezekiel 44:9Thus saith the Lord GOD; No stranger, uncircumcised in heart, nor uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter into my sanctuary, of any stranger that is among the children of Israel.Leviticus 26:41And that I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity:Acts 7:51Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.Acts 21:28Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.Deuteronomy 10:16Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.
Historical Context
Foreign influence corrupted Israelite worship repeatedly. Solomon married foreign wives who turned his heart to their gods (1 Kings 11:1-8). Athaliah introduced Baal worship (2 Kings 11:18). Manasseh built altars to foreign gods within temple courts (2 Kings 21:4-5). Ezra and Nehemiah addressed mixed marriages compromising covenant faithfulness (Ezra 9-10, Nehemiah 13:23-27). The 'uncircumcised in heart' describes those who maintain external religion while lacking internal transformation (Deuteronomy 10:16, 30:6; Jeremiah 4:4, 9:25-26). Paul applied circumcision spiritually—'he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly... but he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit' (Romans 2:28-29). Church discipline maintains purity by excluding unrepentant sinners (Matthew 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 5).
Questions for Reflection
- What 'strangers' (worldly influences, unconverted persons) have you allowed into your spiritual 'sanctuary' compromising holiness?
- How do you balance gospel invitation (welcoming sinners) with maintaining church purity (excluding unrepentant rebels)?
- Are you circumcised in heart (internal transformation) or merely outwardly religious without genuine conversion?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God specifies the abomination: 'In that ye have brought into my sanctuary strangers, uncircumcised in heart and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary, to pollute it... when ye offered my bread, the fat and the blood'—unauthorized persons profaned worship. The Hebrew נָכָר (nakar, 'strangers') and עָרֵל (arel, 'uncircumcised') indicate those outside the covenant. Physical uncircumcision signaled spiritual uncircumcision—heart rebellion (Jeremiah 9:25-26, Ezekiel 44:9). Admitting such persons to sanctuary service violated holiness standards. The bread, fat, and blood were offerings requiring holy handlers. Reformed theology emphasizes church membership standards—not all may participate in sacraments or leadership (1 Corinthians 5:11-13, 2 John 10-11). Open access isn't loving if it compromises holiness and enables spiritual harm.