Ezekiel 44:31

31 The priests may not take for food any bird or beast which has come to a natural death or whose death has been caused by another animal.

Ezekiel 44:31 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 44:31

The priests shall not eat of anything that is dead of itself,
or torn
They shall have no need to eat of such things, being plentifully provided for with better; nor will it become them so to do through avarice, not allowing themselves to enjoy what is liberally given them. Here the Jewish doctors ^F20 observe that it is said, the priests shall not eat of these things, suggesting that Israelites might; this puzzles them, therefore they say, Elijah will explain this verse; and the gloss says, till Elijah comes, and explains it to us, we know not how to explain it. In the mystic sense it may signify, that the priests of the Lord should have no communication with such as are dead in sin, or are given to rapine and violence, and should abstain from everything of this kind themselves. Whether it be fowl or beast;
whether Pharisees and high flown professors of religion, or earthly and worldly persons, and such that are immersed in carnal pleasures, in sensual and brutish lusts. The allusion is to the law in ( Leviticus 17:15 ) , which was common to all Israelites, priests and people.

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FOOTNOTES:

F20 T. Bab. Menachot, fol. 45. 1.

Ezekiel 44:31 In-Context

29 Their food is to be the meal offering and the sin-offering and the offering for error; and everything given specially to the Lord in Israel will be theirs.

30 And the best of all the first-fruits of everything, and every offering which is lifted up of all your offerings, will be for the priests: and you are to give the priest the first of your bread-making, so causing a blessing to come on your house.

31 The priests may not take for food any bird or beast which has come to a natural death or whose death has been caused by another animal.