Ezekiel 44:8
Ezekiel 44:8 in Multiple Translations
And you have not kept charge of My holy things, but have appointed others to keep charge of My sanctuary for you.’
And ye have not kept the charge of mine holy things: but ye have set keepers of my charge in my sanctuary for yourselves.
And ye have not kept the charge of my holy things; but ye have set keepers of my charge in my sanctuary for yourselves.
And you have not taken care of my holy things; but you have put them as keepers to take care of my work in my holy place.
In addition you have not taken care of my sanctuary as you were required to, but instead you employed others to look after my sanctuary for you.
For yee haue not kept the ordinances of mine holy things: but you your selues haue set other to take the charge of my Sanctuarie.
and ye have not kept the charge of My holy things, and ye set [them] for keepers of My charge in My sanctuary for you.
You have not performed the duty of my holy things; but you have set performers of my duty in my sanctuary for yourselves.”
And ye have not kept the charge of my holy things: but ye have set keepers of my charge in my sanctuary for yourselves.
And you have not kept the ordinances of my sanctuary: but you have set keepers of my charge in my sanctuary for yourselves.
Instead of doing what I commanded you to do in regard to my holy things, you appointed foreigners to be in charge of my temple.
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 44:8
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Ezekiel 44:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/לֹ֥א
שְׁמַרְתֶּ֖ם
מִשְׁמֶ֣רֶת
קָדָשָׁ֑/י
וַ/תְּשִׂימ֗וּ/ן
לְ/שֹׁמְרֵ֧י
מִשְׁמַרְתִּ֛/י
בְּ/מִקְדָּשִׁ֖/י
לָ/כֶֽם
וְ/לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
שְׁמַרְתֶּ֖ם
shâmar
H8104
to keep
V-Qal-Perf-2mp
מִשְׁמֶ֣רֶת
mishmereth
H4931
charge
N-fs
קָדָשָׁ֑/י
qôdesh
H6944
Holy Place
N-mp | Suff
וַ/תְּשִׂימ֗וּ/ן
sûwm
H7760
to set
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-2mp | Suff
לְ/שֹׁמְרֵ֧י
shâmar
H8104
to keep
Prep | V-Qal
מִשְׁמַרְתִּ֛/י
mishmereth
H4931
charge
N-fs | Suff
בְּ/מִקְדָּשִׁ֖/י
miqdâsh
H4720
sanctuary
Prep | N-ms | Suff
לָ/כֶֽם
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 44:8
וְ/לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
שְׁמַרְתֶּ֖ם
shâmar
H8104
"to keep"
V-Qal-Perf-2mp
To keep or obey means to protect, attend to, or guard something, like keeping a promise or watching over someone, as seen in the commands to observe the Sabbath.
Definition: : obey/observe 1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to keep, have charge of 1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life 1a2a) watch, watchman (participle) 1a3) to watch for, wait for 1a4) to watch, observe 1a5) to keep, retain, treasure up (in memory) 1a6) to keep (within bounds), restrain 1a7) to observe, celebrate, keep (sabbath or covenant or commands), perform (vow) 1a8) to keep, preserve, protect 1a9) to keep, reserve 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be on one's guard, take heed, take care, beware 1b2) to keep oneself, refrain, abstain 1b3) to be kept, be guarded 1c) (Piel) to keep, pay heed 1d) (Hithpael) to keep oneself from
Usage: Occurs in 440 OT verses. KJV: beward, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man). See also: Genesis 2:15; Deuteronomy 11:1; 1 Kings 14:8.
מִשְׁמֶ֣רֶת
mishmereth
H4931
"charge"
N-fs
Mishmereth refers to a guard or watch, such as a sentry or a post, emphasizing the act of preservation or safekeeping, like a duty or obligation to protect something or someone.
Definition: 1) guard, charge, function, obligation, service, watch 1a) guard, watch, house of detention or confinement 1b) keeping, preserving 1c) charge, injunction 1d) office, function (ceremonial)
Usage: Occurs in 69 OT verses. KJV: charge, keep, or to be kept, office, ordinace, safeguard, ward, watch. See also: Genesis 26:5; Joshua 22:3; Isaiah 21:8.
קָדָשָׁ֑/י
qôdesh
H6944
"Holy Place"
N-mp | Suff
The Holy Place refers to a sacred or set-apart area, like the temple in Jerusalem. It is a place of sanctity and holiness, where God is worshipped. The Bible describes it as a place of reverence and awe.
Definition: This name means apartness, holiness, sacredness Also named: hagion (ἅγιον "Holy Place" G0039)
Usage: Occurs in 380 OT verses. KJV: consecrated (thing), dedicated (thing), hallowed (thing), holiness, ([idiom] most) holy ([idiom] day, portion, thing), saint, sanctuary. See also: Exodus 3:5; Leviticus 23:4; 1 Chronicles 26:26.
וַ/תְּשִׂימ֗וּ/ן
sûwm
H7760
"to set"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-2mp | Suff
This Hebrew word means to put or place something, and is used in many different ways in the Bible, such as to appoint or determine something. It is first used in Genesis to describe God's creation. In the KJV, it is translated as 'appoint' or 'set' in various contexts.
Definition: : make/establish 1) to put, place, set, appoint, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to put, set, lay, put or lay upon, lay (violent) hands on 1a2) to set, direct, direct toward 1a2a) to extend (compassion) (fig) 1a3) to set, ordain, establish, found, appoint, constitute, make, determine, fix 1a4) to set, station, put, set in place, plant, fix 1a5) to make, make for, transform into, constitute, fashion, work, bring to pass, appoint, give 1b) (Hiphil) to set or make for a sign 1c) (Hophal) to be set
Usage: Occurs in 550 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring, call (a name), care, cast in, change, charge, commit, consider, convey, determine, [phrase] disguise, dispose, do, get, give, heap up, hold, impute, lay (down, up), leave, look, make (out), mark, [phrase] name, [idiom] on, ordain, order, [phrase] paint, place, preserve, purpose, put (on), [phrase] regard, rehearse, reward, (cause to) set (on, up), shew, [phrase] stedfastly, take, [idiom] tell, [phrase] tread down, (over-)turn, [idiom] wholly, work. See also: Genesis 2:8; Leviticus 20:5; 1 Samuel 21:13.
לְ/שֹׁמְרֵ֧י
shâmar
H8104
"to keep"
Prep | V-Qal
To keep or obey means to protect, attend to, or guard something, like keeping a promise or watching over someone, as seen in the commands to observe the Sabbath.
Definition: : obey/observe 1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to keep, have charge of 1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life 1a2a) watch, watchman (participle) 1a3) to watch for, wait for 1a4) to watch, observe 1a5) to keep, retain, treasure up (in memory) 1a6) to keep (within bounds), restrain 1a7) to observe, celebrate, keep (sabbath or covenant or commands), perform (vow) 1a8) to keep, preserve, protect 1a9) to keep, reserve 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be on one's guard, take heed, take care, beware 1b2) to keep oneself, refrain, abstain 1b3) to be kept, be guarded 1c) (Piel) to keep, pay heed 1d) (Hithpael) to keep oneself from
Usage: Occurs in 440 OT verses. KJV: beward, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man). See also: Genesis 2:15; Deuteronomy 11:1; 1 Kings 14:8.
מִשְׁמַרְתִּ֛/י
mishmereth
H4931
"charge"
N-fs | Suff
Mishmereth refers to a guard or watch, such as a sentry or a post, emphasizing the act of preservation or safekeeping, like a duty or obligation to protect something or someone.
Definition: 1) guard, charge, function, obligation, service, watch 1a) guard, watch, house of detention or confinement 1b) keeping, preserving 1c) charge, injunction 1d) office, function (ceremonial)
Usage: Occurs in 69 OT verses. KJV: charge, keep, or to be kept, office, ordinace, safeguard, ward, watch. See also: Genesis 26:5; Joshua 22:3; Isaiah 21:8.
בְּ/מִקְדָּשִׁ֖/י
miqdâsh
H4720
"sanctuary"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
A sanctuary or holy place, like a temple or palace, set apart for God or idols, a sacred space.
Definition: 1) sacred place, sanctuary, holy place 1a) sanctuary 1a1) of the temple 1a2) of the tabernacle 1a3) of Ezekiel's temple 1a4) of Jehovah
Usage: Occurs in 71 OT verses. KJV: chapel, hallowed part, holy place, sanctuary. See also: Exodus 15:17; Lamentations 1:10; Psalms 68:36.
לָ/כֶֽם
""
Prep | Suff
Study Notes — Ezekiel 44:8
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Ezekiel 44:8 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 44:8
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 44:8
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 44:8
- Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 44:8
- Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 44:8
- Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 44:8
- Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 44:8
- Sermons on Ezekiel 44:8
Context — Reproof of the Levites
6Tell the rebellious house of Israel that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘I have had enough of all your abominations, O house of Israel.
7In addition to all your other abominations, you brought in foreigners uncircumcised in both heart and flesh to occupy My sanctuary; you defiled My temple when you offered My food—the fat and the blood; you broke My covenant.
8And you have not kept charge of My holy things, but have appointed others to keep charge of My sanctuary for you.’
9This is what the Lord GOD says: No foreigner uncircumcised in heart and flesh may enter My sanctuary—not even a foreigner who lives among the Israelites. 10Surely the Levites who wandered away from Me when Israel went astray, and who wandered away from Me after their idols, will bear the consequences of their iniquity.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezekiel 44:14 | Yet I will appoint them to keep charge of all the work for the temple and everything to be done in it. |
| 2 | Numbers 18:3–5 | And they shall attend to your duties and to all the duties of the Tent; but they must not come near to the furnishings of the sanctuary or the altar, or both they and you will die. They are to join you and attend to the duties of the Tent of Meeting, doing all the work at the Tent; but no outsider may come near you. And you shall attend to the duties of the sanctuary and of the altar, so that wrath may not fall on the Israelites again. |
| 3 | Ezekiel 40:45–46 | Then the man said to me: “The chamber that faces south is for the priests who keep charge of the temple, and the chamber that faces north is for the priests who keep charge of the altar. These are the sons of Zadok, the only Levites who may approach the LORD to minister before Him.” |
| 4 | 1 Timothy 6:13 | I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who made the good confession in His testimony before Pontius Pilate: |
| 5 | 1 Chronicles 23:32 | So the Levites were to carry out the responsibilities for the Tent of Meeting and the Holy Place, and, under their brothers the descendants of Aaron, the service of the house of the LORD. |
| 6 | Ezra 8:24–30 | Then I set apart twelve of the leading priests, together with Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brothers, and I weighed out to them the contribution of silver and gold and the articles that the king, his counselors, his leaders, and all the Israelites there had offered for the house of our God. I weighed out into their hands 650 talents of silver, articles of silver weighing 100 talents, 100 talents of gold, 20 gold bowls valued at 1,000 darics, and two articles of fine polished bronze, as precious as gold. Then I told them, “You are holy to the LORD, and these articles are holy. The silver and gold are a freewill offering to the LORD, the God of your fathers. Guard them carefully until you weigh them out in the chambers of the house of the LORD in Jerusalem before the leading priests, Levites, and heads of the Israelite families.” So the priests and Levites took charge of the silver and gold and sacred articles that had been weighed out to be taken to the house of our God in Jerusalem. |
| 7 | Ezekiel 44:16 | They alone shall enter My sanctuary and draw near to My table to minister before Me. They will keep My charge. |
| 8 | Acts 7:53 | you who received the law ordained by angels, yet have not kept it.” |
| 9 | Numbers 18:7 | But only you and your sons shall attend to your priesthood for everything concerning the altar and what is inside the veil, and you are to perform that service. I am giving you the work of the priesthood as a gift, but any outsider who comes near the sanctuary must be put to death.” |
| 10 | Leviticus 22:2–33 | “Tell Aaron and his sons to treat with respect the sacred offerings that the Israelites have consecrated to Me, so that they do not profane My holy name. I am the LORD. Tell them that for the generations to come, if any of their descendants in a state of uncleanness approaches the sacred offerings that the Israelites consecrate to the LORD, that person must be cut off from My presence. I am the LORD. If a descendant of Aaron has a skin disease or a discharge, he may not eat the sacred offerings until he is clean. Whoever touches anything defiled by a corpse or by a man who has an emission of semen, or whoever touches a crawling creature or a person that makes him unclean, whatever the uncleanness may be— the man who touches any of these will remain unclean until evening. He must not eat from the sacred offerings unless he has bathed himself with water. When the sun has set, he will become clean, and then he may eat from the sacred offerings, for they are his food. He must not eat anything found dead or torn by wild animals, which would make him unclean. I am the LORD. The priests must keep My charge, lest they bear the guilt and die because they profane it. I am the LORD who sanctifies them. No one outside a priest’s family may eat the sacred offering, nor may the guest of a priest or his hired hand eat it. But if a priest buys a slave with his own money, or if a slave is born in his household, that slave may eat his food. If the priest’s daughter is married to a man other than a priest, she is not to eat of the sacred contributions. But if a priest’s daughter with no children becomes widowed or divorced and returns to her father’s house, she may share her father’s food as in her youth. But no outsider may share it. If anyone eats a sacred offering in error, he must add a fifth to its value and give the sacred offering to the priest. The priests must not profane the sacred offerings that the Israelites present to the LORD by allowing the people to eat the sacred offerings and thus to bear the punishment for guilt. For I am the LORD who sanctifies them.” Then the LORD said to Moses, “Speak to Aaron and his sons and all the Israelites and tell them, ‘Any man of the house of Israel or any foreign resident who presents a gift for a burnt offering to the LORD, whether to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering, must offer an unblemished male from the cattle, sheep, or goats in order for it to be accepted on your behalf. You must not present anything with a defect, because it will not be accepted on your behalf. When a man presents a peace offering to the LORD from the herd or flock to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering, it must be without blemish or defect to be acceptable. You are not to present to the LORD any animal that is blind, injured, or maimed, or anything with a running sore, a festering rash, or a scab; you must not put any of these on the altar as an offering made by fire to the LORD. You may present as a freewill offering an ox or sheep that has a deformed or stunted limb, but it is not acceptable in fulfillment of a vow. You are not to present to the LORD an animal whose testicles are bruised, crushed, torn, or cut; you are not to sacrifice them in your land. Neither you nor a foreigner shall present food to your God from any such animal. They will not be accepted on your behalf, because they are deformed and flawed.’” Then the LORD said to Moses, “When an ox, a sheep, or a goat is born, it must remain with its mother for seven days. From the eighth day on, it will be acceptable as an offering made by fire to the LORD. But you must not slaughter an ox or a sheep on the same day as its young. When you sacrifice a thank offering to the LORD, offer it so that it may be acceptable on your behalf. It must be eaten that same day. Do not leave any of it until morning. I am the LORD. You are to keep My commandments and practice them. I am the LORD. You must not profane My holy name. I must be acknowledged as holy among the Israelites. I am the LORD who sanctifies you, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God. I am the LORD.” |
Ezekiel 44:8 Summary
[Ezekiel 44:8 is a warning from God to the Israelites that they have not taken care of the sacred things in the temple, and have instead let others who are not qualified take charge. This is a reminder that we are responsible for our own spiritual lives and should not rely on others to do the work for us (Romans 12:1-2). We must prioritize our relationship with God and ensure that we are living according to His standards of purity and holiness (1 Peter 1:15-16). By doing so, we can maintain a deep and meaningful connection with Him.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'keep charge of My holy things' in Ezekiel 44:8?
This phrase refers to the responsibility of the Israelites to care for and protect the sacred objects and rituals of the temple, as seen in Exodus 25:8 and Deuteronomy 33:10, but they failed to do so and instead appointed others to take charge.
Who are the 'others' appointed to keep charge of the sanctuary?
These 'others' likely refer to the foreigners mentioned in Ezekiel 44:7, who were uncircumcised in both heart and flesh, and were not qualified to serve in the temple, as stated in Leviticus 22:25 and Numbers 18:7.
What is the significance of the Lord saying 'you have not kept charge of My holy things'?
This statement emphasizes the Israelites' failure to maintain the purity and sanctity of the temple and its rituals, which is a central theme in Ezekiel 44:8, and is also seen in Malachi 1:6-7 and Hebrews 13:10-12.
How does this verse relate to the overall message of Ezekiel?
Ezekiel 44:8 is part of a larger section that emphasizes the importance of purity and holiness in the temple and among the people of God, as seen in Ezekiel 43:12 and 45:18, and serves as a call to repentance and restoration, as mentioned in Ezekiel 18:30-32 and 36:24-32.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I have failed to 'keep charge' of the things that are sacred to God, and how can I repent and make changes?
- How can I ensure that I am not appointing 'others' to take care of my spiritual responsibilities, but instead taking ownership of my faith?
- What does it mean for me to 'keep charge' of my own heart and life, and how can I prioritize my relationship with God?
- In what ways can I practically apply the principles of purity and holiness in my daily life, as emphasized in Ezekiel 44:8?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 44:8
And ye have not kept the charge of mine holy things,.... That is, have not kept and retained the holy doctrines of the Gospel; nor observed the holy ordinances of it, as they were first delivered:
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 44:8
And ye have not kept the charge of mine holy things: but ye have set keepers of my charge in my sanctuary for yourselves.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 44:8
You have not observed the laws I gave you for the careful and exact keeping of my holy things; house, sacrifices, and worship. You have substituted others in your rooms, made officials, and surrogates, and curates to look to the gates, and these have let in the profane and unclean; your pride, or covetousness, or laziness, hath taken you off from your duty and your charge; or you have, as you saw good, consecrated persons, whether fit or unfit, whether approved or not approved by me. So you have profaned my name, and violated my law, .
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 44:8
Ezekiel 44:8 And ye have not kept the charge of mine holy things: but ye have set keepers of my charge in my sanctuary for yourselves.Ver. 8. For yourselves.] Pro vestro arbitratu, non pro mea voluntate; as best suited with your own ends, and fitted to your own humours.
Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 44:8
(8) For yourselves.—Comp. 1 Kings 12:31.
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 44:8
8. ye have set keepers] Some would read: ye have set them keepers. This of course is the meaning. The change is hardly supported by LXX (as Well. p. 122).
Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 44:8
7, 8. Strangers, uncircumcised in heath and uncircumcised in flesh — These “aliens” (R.V.) were not excluded from entering the temple and offering sacrifices to Jehovah in their own behalf (Leviticus
Sermons on Ezekiel 44:8
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Titus - Part 21): The Second Coming of Christ by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of living a balanced Christian life. He explains that there are three dimensions to consider: our relationship with ourselves, |
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Timothy, I #4 Ch. 5-6 by Chuck Missler | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the dangers of pursuing wealth and material possessions. He emphasizes that those who strive to be rich often fall into temptation and harmfu |
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Revelation of Jesus Christ - Part 7 of 10 by T. Austin-Sparks | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of having a single-minded focus on God and His calling. He urges the listeners not to settle for less than what God intended |
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Fren-05 Questions Et Rponses (Questions and Answers) by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the question of how to approach being part of an evangelical assembly that rejects the principles discussed in the conference. He emphasizes t |
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The Priests of the Lord - 2 by Chip Brogden | Chip Brogden preaches about the importance of ministering to the Lord in the inner court, emphasizing the need to draw near to God, stand before Him, and offer ourselves as living |
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Book of Acts Series - Part 11 | the Upward Look by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the book of Acts and how ordinary people were able to spread the gospel and grow the church despite facing challenges. The speaker emphasize |
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Hebrews 1:4-14 by Don McClure | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the fulfillment of God's plan through Jesus Christ. He compares the fulfillment to someone going on a journey and finally appearing in person |