Ezekiel 44:18

18 They shall have linen mitres on their heads, and linen breeches on their loins, and they shall not be girded with any thing that causeth 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 shall enter into my sanctuary, and they shall come near to my table, to minister unto me, and to keep my ceremonies.
17 And when they shall enter in at the gates of the inner court, they shall be clothed with linen garments: neither shall any woollen come upon them, when they minister in the gates of the inner court and within.
18 They shall have linen mitres on their heads, and linen breeches on their loins, and they shall not be girded with any thing that causeth sweat.
19 And when they shall go forth to the outward court to the people, they shall put off their garments wherein they ministered, and lay them up in the store chamber of the sanctuary, and they shall clothe themselves with other garments: and they shall not sanctify the people with their vestments.
20 Neither shall they shave their heads, nor wear long hair: but they shall only poll their heads.
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