Ezekiel 44:18

18 They are to wear linen turbans on their heads and linen undergarments around their waists. They must not wear anything that makes them perspire.

Ezekiel 44:18 in Other Translations

KJV
18 They shall have linen bonnets upon their heads, and shall have linen breeches upon their loins; they shall not gird themselves with any thing that causeth sweat.
ESV
18 They shall have linen turbans on their heads, and linen undergarments around their waists. They shall not bind themselves with anything that causes sweat.
NLT
18 They must wear linen turbans and linen undergarments. They must not wear anything that would cause them to perspire.
MSG
18 They're to wear linen turbans on their heads and linen underclothes - nothing that makes them sweat.
CSB
18 They must wear linen turbans on their heads and linen undergarments around their waists. They are not to put on [anything that makes them] sweat.

Ezekiel 44:18 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 44:18

And they shall have linen bonnets upon their heads
Denoting gravity and modesty, subjection to God, and authority among men under him; and also purity of doctrine, and clearness of light and knowledge: and shall have linen breeches upon their loins;
expressive of chastity; see ( Exodus 28:40 Exodus 28:42 ) : they shall not gird themselves with anything that causeth sweat;
so not with wool, which is apt to cause sweat; and is thought to be the reason why it is forbidden in the preceding verse; and so this girdle must be different from the priest's girdle under the law, for that had wool in it: sweat is of an ill smell, and very offensive; and may denote unsound doctrine and immorality in life and conversation, which give offence, and cause the ministry to be blamed, to which is opposed the girdle of truth and holiness, ( Ephesians 6:14 ) . The Talmudic doctors interpret this of the place of girding, which is liable to sweat; and they say F15,

``they used not to gird neither below the loins, nor above the arm holes; but over against, or about the armholes;''
which is observed by Jarchi and Kimchi on the text; and the Targum is,
``they shall not gird upon or about the loins, but about the heart;''
that is, about the breast or paps; hence Christ our great High Priest is described as girt about the paps with a golden girdle, ( Revelation 1:13 ) so these are girt that are made priests by him; denoting their hearty zeal and affection for the truths of his Gospel, and the honour of his name, and their readiness to serve and glorify him: or, they shall not gird themselves loosely
F16; in a negligent manner, which is both indecent, and hinders business.
FOOTNOTES:

F15 T. Bab. Zevachim, fol. 18. 2. & 19. 1.
F16 (ewyb wrgxy al) "non cingent seipsos modo instabili, nempe neglectim circumponendo cingulum nimis laxum", Gussetius, p. 315. The Tigurine version is, "quae non adstringent arctius".

Ezekiel 44:18 In-Context

16 They alone are to enter my sanctuary; they alone are to come near my table to minister before me and serve me as guards.
17 “ ‘When they enter the gates of the inner court, they are to wear linen clothes; they must not wear any woolen garment while ministering at the gates of the inner court or inside the temple.
18 They are to wear linen turbans on their heads and linen undergarments around their waists. They must not wear anything that makes them perspire.
19 When they go out into the outer court where the people are, they are to take off the clothes they have been ministering in and are to leave them in the sacred rooms, and put on other clothes, so that the people are not consecrated through contact with their garments.
20 “ ‘They must not shave their heads or let their hair grow long, but they are to keep the hair of their heads trimmed.

Cross References 3

  • 1. S Exodus 28:39; S Isaiah 3:20
  • 2. S Exodus 28:42
  • 3. S Leviticus 16:4
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