Ezekiel 44:21

21 None of the priests should drink wine when they come into the inner courtyard.

Ezekiel 44:21 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 44:21

Neither shall any priest drink wine
That is, to excess, immoderately, so as to be inebriated with it, ( Leviticus 10:9-11 ) , should not be given to it, and greedy of it, and drink it so as to disguise themselves: this is reckoned among the qualifications of a Gospel minister, ( 1 Timothy 3:3 ) , otherwise it is not forbidden good men, or ministers of the word, to drink wine, for health's sake, and for the refreshment of nature, provided it is done in moderation, ( 1 Timothy 5:23 ) , and particularly care should be taken that they drink it in such a manner, when they enter into the inner court:
to attend divine service, since immoderate drinking affects the memory; and such may forget the law and doctrines of the Lord they are to deliver or hear; and may put them upon saying and doing that which is improper and indecent: drunkenness in any Christian professor is abominable, especially in a minister of the word; and when it appears in his ministration, it is scandalous to the last degree.

Ezekiel 44:21 In-Context

19 When they go out to the outer courtyard to the people, they will remove the garments in which they were ministering. They will lay them aside in the holy chambers and wear other clothing. They must not transfer holiness to the people through their clothing.

20 They must neither shave their heads nor let their hair grow long, but they will trim the hair on their heads.

21 None of the priests should drink wine when they come into the inner courtyard.

22 They must not marry widows or divorced women, but only Israelite virgins. Priests may, however, marry the widows of other priests.

23 They must teach my people the difference between the holy and the ordinary, and show them the difference between clean and unclean.