Ezekiel 44:12

12 Because they ministered to them before their idols and became a stumbling block of iniquity to the house of Israel, therefore I have sworn concerning them, says the Lord GOD, that they shall bear their punishment.

Ezekiel 44:12 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 44:12

Because they ministered unto them before their idols
Had officiated for them in the priest's office, their idols being in the courts of the Lord at the same time; or preached unto them false doctrines, such as are not agreeable to the word of God; and led them into superstition and will worship, and confirmed them therein: and caused the house of Israel to fall into iniquity;
or, "were for a stumbling block of iniquity" ^F8; unto them the means of their stumbling and falling; by their ministrations, teaching them unsound doctrine; and by their practices and example, leading them into a way of false worship, and dissoluteness of life and conversation; who ought to have been examples to them in word and conversation, in faith and purity: therefore have I lifted up mine hand against them, saith the Lord;
to smite and afflict them, and chastise them for the same; or, "upon them", or "concerning them" ^F9; and so it may be expressive of an oath, of which lifting up the hand is a sign; wherefore, that what the Lord had said of them might be believed and expected, he swears to it: and they shall bear their iniquity;
which is repeated for the confirmation and certainty of it; see ( Ezekiel 44:10 ) , what is meant by it follows.

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FOOTNOTES:

F8 (Nwe lwvkml) "in offendiculum iniquitatis", Pagninus, Montanus; "offendiculo ad iniquitatem", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "offendiculo pravitatis", Starckius.
F9 (Mhyle) "super eos", Pagninus, Montanus; "super ipsos", Starckius; "super ipsis", Cocceius.

Ezekiel 44:12 In-Context

10 But the Levites who went far from me, going astray from me after their idols when Israel went astray, shall bear their punishment.

11 They shall be ministers in my sanctuary, having oversight at the gates of the temple, and serving in the temple; they shall slay the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the people, and they shall attend on the people, to serve them.

12 Because they ministered to them before their idols and became a stumbling block of iniquity to the house of Israel, therefore I have sworn concerning them, says the Lord GOD, that they shall bear their punishment.

13 They shall not come near to me, to serve me as priest, nor come near any of my sacred things and the things that are most sacred; but they shall bear their shame, because of the abominations which they have committed.

14 Yet I will appoint them to keep charge of the temple, to do all its service and all that is to be done in it.