Ezekiel 44

Ezekiel 44:2-3

Opened. No man perfectly understands the Scriptures but the Son of God, Matthew xi. 27. (St. Jerome) — This also insinuates, that Mary ever remained a pure virgin. (St. Augustine, &c.) (Worthington) — Shut, even for the prince. Some (Haydock) kings of Juda claimed the privilege of entering by it at any time, and passed through a part of the court assigned to the priests, 2 Paralipomenon vi. 12., and 4 Kings xvi. 18. This shall be no longer tolerated. The gate might be opened in the week days if the prince wished to offer sacrifice, but not else, except on the sabbaths, chap. xlvi. 1, 12. — Lord, in peace offerings and religious feasts. — Porch. Each had two doors, chap. xlvi. 2. (Calmet)

Ezekiel 44:4

Face. This astonishment and attention (ver. 5.) intimate the mysteries of the Church, prefigured by the Jewish rites. (Worthington)

Ezekiel 44:5

Ways, or “the going in,” and all that concerns the temple and sacrifices.

Ezekiel 44:7

Flesh. People of this description were not to enter the temple, which is here called the sanctuary, even though they adored God. In some cases pagans were admitted into any part, except the most holy. Epiphanes (Calmet) and Pompey forced their passage thither, to the great sorrow of the Jews. (Josephus, Jewish Wars i. 5.) See Ecclesiasticus lii., and Acts xxi. 28. — During the plundering of the city, the Chaldeans did the like; (Lamentations i. 10.; Haydock) and while idols were set up, all rules were neglected. — Doings. You observe the exterior, and not the spirit of religion.

Ezekiel 44:8

Yourselves, out of ambition, contrary to the regulations of David. (Calmet)

Ezekiel 44:10

Levites, or priests, (Haydock) who were seduced by Jeroboam, or offered victims on the high places, 4 Kings xxiii. 9. Such lost their privileges and were condemned to serve in the meanest offices. It seems the race of Ithamar was alone guilty, and the threat against his house was now put in execution, 1 Kings ii. 39., and iii. 14., and Leviticus xxi. 17., and 2 Esdras vii. 64. (Calmet)

Ezekiel 44:11

Slay. Levites might do this, but the priests poured the blood round the altar, ver. 15. They could not well slay all the victims.

Ezekiel 44:15

And Levites, of the higher order. (Haydock) — No simple Levites wee of this family. It enjoyed the high priesthood form the time of Solomon.

Ezekiel 44:17

Court; that is to do duty. — Linen. Wool might have been taken from a dead sheep, which would render the person unclean. (Calmet)

Ezekiel 44:18

Sweat, or so as to make them perspire. Septuagint, “girded violently.” (Haydock) — They must have liberty to move, (St. Jerome) and have the girdle about their breast. (Braun.)

Ezekiel 44:19

Sanctify, by exposing them to the danger of touching the sacred vestments, which none were to touch but they that were sanctified. (Challoner) — Sanctify here means to defile, Exodus xxx. 29., (Calmet) and xxix. 37. Holy things must be done in holy places. (Worthington) — Divine religion has different clothing for the ministry, from what is used in common life. (St. Jerome) (Exodus xxviii. 40.) (Calmet)

Ezekiel 44:20

Shave, like the priests of Isis. (Juvenal vi.)

Ezekiel 44:21

Wine. Leviticus x. 9. The priests on duty abstain from wine. (Josephus, Jewish Wars vi. 15.)

Ezekiel 44:22

Widow. Moses laid this restraint upon the high priest, Leviticus xxi. 13. (Calmet)

Ezekiel 44:25

Unclean, attending the funeral, which inferior priests alone might do, Leviticus xxi. 10. (Menochius)

Ezekiel 44:26

CHAPTER XLIV.

Ezekiel 44:27

Day, after the seven first, (Calmet) though this would be a new regulation. (Menochius)

Ezekiel 44:28

No. This is omitted in Hebrew, Septuagint, &c. God was their portion. (Calmet) — They had no land but what lay near their cities. (Haydock)