Ezekiel 48:11
It 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.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
Zadok descended from Eleazar, Aaron's son, representing the legitimate high priestly line (1 Chronicles 6:50-53). During David's reign, both Zadok (Eleazarite) and Abiathar (Ithamarite) served as priests, but Abiathar supported Adonijah's coup and was banished (1 Kings 2:26-27), fulfilling the prophecy against Eli's house (1 Samuel 2:31-35). From Solomon onward, Zadokites held the high priesthood.
By Ezekiel's time, the priesthood was corrupted. Jeremiah condemned priests who handled the law without knowing God (Jeremiah 2:8), and Ezekiel himself witnessed priestly abominations in the temple (Ezekiel 8:11-16). The Zadokite restriction functioned as both reward for past faithfulness and reform measure ensuring future purity. Post-exilic high priests claimed Zadokite descent to legitimize their office. The Qumran community (Dead Sea Scrolls) expected a Zadokite priesthood in the messianic age, showing this passage's ongoing influence in Jewish eschatological hope.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's rewarding of Zadokite faithfulness during widespread apostasy encourage perseverance when surrounded by compromise?
- What specific "charge" has God entrusted to you that requires faithfulness regardless of others' behavior?
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Analysis & Commentary
It 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. This verse identifies the specific priests receiving the sacred inheritance: the bĕnê-Tsādôq (בְּנֵי־צָדוֹק, "sons of Zadok"). The name Zadok (צָדוֹק) means "righteous," and these priests demonstrated righteousness through faithfulness during Israel's apostasy.
"Which have kept my charge" translates šāmĕrû mišmartî (שָׁמְרוּ מִשְׁמַרְתִּי), literally "kept my keeping"—they guarded what God entrusted to them. This distinguishes Zadokite priests from other Levites who "went astray" (tā'û, תָּעוּ), likely referring to priests who officiated at illegitimate shrines or participated in idolatry during the monarchic period. The contrast is severe: faithfulness versus apostasy among the priestly class itself.
Zadok served David and Solomon faithfully (2 Samuel 15:24-29, 1 Kings 1:32-40), while other priests supported Adonijah's rebellion or served at high places. Ezekiel's vision rewards faithfulness under pressure—those who maintained integrity when apostasy was widespread receive the privileged position near God's sanctuary. This anticipates Jesus' teaching that faithfulness in little leads to greater responsibility (Luke 19:17) and Revelation's promise that overcomers will serve as priests before God's throne (Revelation 20:6). Zadokite fidelity becomes the prototype for Christian perseverance.