Ezekiel 44:18

18 They must have linen turbans on their heads. They must wear linen underwear around their waists. They must not put anything on 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 are the only ones who can enter my temple. Only they can come near to serve me and do my work.
17 "They will enter the gates of the inner courtyard. When they do, they must wear linen clothes. They will serve at the gates of the inner courtyard or inside the temple. When they do, they must not wear any clothes that are made out of wool.
18 They must have linen turbans on their heads. They must wear linen underwear around their waists. They must not put anything on that makes them sweat.
19 "They will go into the outer courtyard where the people are. When they do, they must take off the clothes they have been serving in. They must leave them in the sacred rooms. And they must put other clothes on. Then they will not make the people holy if the people happen to touch their clothes.
20 "The priests must not shave their heads. They must not let their hair grow long. They must keep it cut short.
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