CINXE.COM
Ezekiel 44:21 No priest may drink wine before he enters the inner court.
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ezekiel 44:21 No priest may drink wine before he enters the inner court.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ezekiel/44-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/26_Ezk_44_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ezekiel 44:21 - The Duties of the Priests" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="No priest may drink wine before he enters the inner court." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/ezekiel/44-21.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/ezekiel/44-21.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/ezekiel/">Ezekiel</a> > <a href="/ezekiel/44.htm">Chapter 44</a> > Verse 21</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ezekiel/44-20.htm" title="Ezekiel 44:20">◄</a> Ezekiel 44:21 <a href="/ezekiel/44-22.htm" title="Ezekiel 44:22">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/44.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter"> (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/ezekiel/44.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />No priest is to drink wine when he enters the inner court.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/44.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The priests must not drink wine before entering the inner courtyard.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ezekiel/44.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />No priest shall drink wine when he enters the inner court.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/44.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />No priest may drink wine before he enters the inner court.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/44.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Neither shall any priest drink wine, when they enter into the inner court.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ezekiel/44.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />No priest shall drink wine when he enters the inner court.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ezekiel/44.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Nor shall any of the priests drink wine when they enter the inner courtyard.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/44.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />“Nor shall any of the priests drink wine when they enter the inner court.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ezekiel/44.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Nor shall any of the priests drink wine when they enter the inner court.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ezekiel/44.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Nor shall any of the priests drink wine when they enter the inner court.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ezekiel/44.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Nor shall any priest drink wine when he enters the inner courtyard.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ezekiel/44.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />No priest may drink wine before he enters the inner court.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ezekiel/44.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />No priest may drink wine before he enters the inner court.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ezekiel/44.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Neither shall any of the priests drink wine, when they enter into the inner court.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ezekiel/44.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />They must not drink wine before going to the inner courtyard. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ezekiel/44.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Neither shall any priest drink wine, when they enter into the inner court.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ezekiel/44.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />None of the priests may drink wine when they enter the inner courtyard.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ezekiel/44.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Priests must not drink any wine before going into the inner courtyard. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ezekiel/44.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />None of the priests are to drink wine after entering the inner courtyard. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ezekiel/44.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />No priest may drink wine before he enters the inner court.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ezekiel/44.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />No priest may drink wine when he enters the inner court.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ezekiel/44.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Neither shall any of the priests drink wine, when they enter into the inner court.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ezekiel/44.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Neither shall any priest drink wine, when they enter into the inner court.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ezekiel/44.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />None of the priests shall drink wine when they enter into the inner court. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ezekiel/44.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And no priest drinks wine in their coming into the inner court.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ezekiel/44.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And no priest doth drink wine in their coming in unto the inner court.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ezekiel/44.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they shall not drink wine every priest in their going in to the inner enclosure.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ezekiel/44.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And no priest shall drink wine when he is to go into the inner court. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ezekiel/44.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And no priest shall drink wine, when he will be entering into the inner court.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ezekiel/44.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />No priest shall drink wine before he enters the inner court.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ezekiel/44.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />No priest shall drink wine when he enters the inner court.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ezekiel/44.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Neither shall the priests drink wine when they enter into the inner court.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ezekiel/44.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the Priests shall not drink wine when they enter the inner courtyard<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ezekiel/44.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Neither shall any priest drink wine, when they enter into the inner court.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ezekiel/44.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And no priest shall drink any wine, when they go into the inner court.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ezekiel/44-21.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vET3Gmwku4s?start=13566" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/44.htm">The Duties of the Priests</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">20</span>They must not shave their heads or let their hair grow long, but must carefully trim their hair. <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">No</a> <a href="/hebrew/3548.htm" title="3548: kō·hên (N-ms) -- Priest. Active participle of kahan; literally, one officiating, a priest; also an acting priest.">priest</a> <a href="/hebrew/8354.htm" title="8354: yiš·tū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To drink. A primitive root; to imbibe.">may drink</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3196.htm" title="3196: wə·ya·yin (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Wine. From an unused root meaning to effervesce; wine; by implication, intoxication.">wine</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: bə·ḇō·w·’ām (Prep-b:: V-Qal-Inf:: 3mp) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">before he enters</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/6442.htm" title="6442: hap·pə·nî·mîṯ (Art:: Adj-fs) -- Inner. From paniym; interior.">the inner</a> <a href="/hebrew/2691.htm" title="2691: he·ḥā·ṣêr (Art:: N-cs) -- A yard, a hamlet.">court.</a> </span><span class="reftext">22</span>And they shall not marry a widow or a divorced woman, but must marry a virgin of the descendants of the house of Israel, or a widow of a priest.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/10-9.htm">Leviticus 10:9</a></span><br />“You and your sons are not to drink wine or strong drink when you enter the Tent of Meeting, or else you will die; this is a permanent statute for the generations to come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/6-3.htm">Numbers 6:3</a></span><br />he is to abstain from wine and strong drink. He must not drink vinegar made from wine or strong drink, and he must not drink any grape juice or eat fresh grapes or raisins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/28-7.htm">Isaiah 28:7</a></span><br />These also stagger from wine and stumble from strong drink: Priests and prophets reel from strong drink and are befuddled by wine. They stumble because of strong drink, muddled in their visions and stumbling in their judgments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/31-4.htm">Proverbs 31:4-5</a></span><br />It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink, / lest they drink and forget what is decreed, depriving all the oppressed of justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/3-3.htm">1 Timothy 3:3</a></span><br />not dependent on wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, and free of the love of money.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/3-8.htm">1 Timothy 3:8</a></span><br />Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued or given to much wine or greedy for money.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/titus/1-7.htm">Titus 1:7</a></span><br />As God’s steward, an overseer must be above reproach—not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/5-8.htm">1 Peter 5:8</a></span><br />Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/21-10.htm">Leviticus 21:10-12</a></span><br />The priest who is highest among his brothers, who has had the anointing oil poured on his head and has been ordained to wear the priestly garments, must not let his hair hang loose or tear his garments. / He must not go near any dead body; he must not defile himself, even for his father or mother. / He must not leave or desecrate the sanctuary of his God, for the consecration of the anointing oil of his God is on him. I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/21-17.htm">Leviticus 21:17-21</a></span><br />“Say to Aaron, ‘For the generations to come, none of your descendants who has a physical defect may approach to offer the food of his God. / No man who has any defect may approach—no man who is blind, lame, disfigured, or deformed; / no man who has a broken foot or hand, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/4-11.htm">Hosea 4:11</a></span><br />to promiscuity, wine, and new wine, which take away understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/6-10.htm">1 Corinthians 6:10</a></span><br />nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/5-11.htm">1 Corinthians 5:11</a></span><br />But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a verbal abuser, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/14-21.htm">Romans 14:21</a></span><br />It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything to cause your brother to stumble.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/5-18.htm">Ephesians 5:18</a></span><br />Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Neither shall any priest drink wine, when they enter into the inner court.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/10-9.htm">Leviticus 10:9</a></b></br> Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: <i>it shall be</i> a statute for ever throughout your generations:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/1-15.htm">Luke 1:15</a></b></br> For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_timothy/3-8.htm">1 Timothy 3:8</a></b></br> Likewise <i>must</i> the deacons <i>be</i> grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezekiel/44-19.htm">Court</a> <a href="/ezekiel/39-19.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/ezekiel/44-17.htm">Enter</a> <a href="/ezekiel/42-12.htm">Enters</a> <a href="/ezekiel/44-17.htm">Inner</a> <a href="/ezekiel/44-13.htm">Priest</a> <a href="/ezekiel/44-19.htm">Priests</a> <a href="/ezekiel/44-19.htm">Square</a> <a href="/ezekiel/27-19.htm">Wine</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezekiel/44-27.htm">Court</a> <a href="/ezekiel/45-17.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/ezekiel/46-2.htm">Enter</a> <a href="/ezekiel/46-8.htm">Enters</a> <a href="/ezekiel/44-27.htm">Inner</a> <a href="/ezekiel/44-22.htm">Priest</a> <a href="/ezekiel/44-24.htm">Priests</a> <a href="/ezekiel/44-27.htm">Square</a> <a href="/daniel/1-5.htm">Wine</a><div class="vheading2">Ezekiel 44</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/44-1.htm">The east gate assigned only to the prince</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/44-4.htm">The priests reproved for polluting the sanctuary</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/44-9.htm">Idolaters incapable of the priests office</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/44-15.htm">The sons of Zadok are accepted thereto</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/44-17.htm">Ordinances for the priests</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezekiel/44.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezekiel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ezekiel/44.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>No priest may drink wine</b><br>This phrase highlights the requirement for priests to maintain sobriety while performing their sacred duties. In the broader biblical context, this command echoes <a href="/leviticus/10-9.htm">Leviticus 10:9</a>, where Aaron and his sons are instructed not to drink wine or strong drink when they enter the tent of meeting. The prohibition underscores the need for priests to be fully alert and focused on their service to God, avoiding any impairment that could lead to negligence or error in their duties. Historically, wine was a common beverage in ancient Israel, often used in religious rituals and daily life, but its consumption was regulated for those serving in the temple to ensure reverence and purity.<p><b>before he enters the inner court</b><br>The inner court refers to the area within the temple complex where only priests could enter to perform their duties, such as offering sacrifices and maintaining the altar. This area was considered holy, and access was restricted to those who were ritually clean and prepared. The inner court's sanctity required that priests approach with the utmost respect and readiness, free from any influence that could compromise their ability to serve. This requirement for purity and preparedness can be seen as a type of Christ, who serves as our High Priest, entering the heavenly sanctuary on our behalf, perfectly pure and without blemish (<a href="/hebrews/9-11.htm">Hebrews 9:11-12</a>). The emphasis on entering the inner court soberly also reflects the broader biblical theme of approaching God with reverence and holiness, as seen in passages like <a href="/psalms/24-3.htm">Psalm 24:3-4</a>, which speaks of those who may ascend the hill of the Lord and stand in His holy place.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/e/ezekiel.htm">Ezekiel</a></b><br>A prophet and priest during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel is the author of the book. He receives visions and messages from God concerning the future of Israel and the temple.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/p/priests.htm">Priests</a></b><br>The Levitical priests are the focus of this verse. They are responsible for performing duties in the temple and maintaining holiness in their service to God.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/inner_court.htm">Inner Court</a></b><br>This is a specific area within the temple where the priests perform sacred duties. It symbolizes a place of holiness and direct service to God.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/temple.htm">Temple</a></b><br>The central place of worship for the Israelites, representing God's presence among His people.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/b/babylonian_exile.htm">Babylonian Exile</a></b><br>The historical context in which Ezekiel prophesied, a time when the Israelites were in captivity and the temple in Jerusalem was destroyed.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/h/holiness_in_service.htm">Holiness in Service</a></b><br>Priests were called to a higher standard of holiness, especially when serving in the temple. This principle applies to all believers, who are called to live holy lives as representatives of Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/sobriety_and_clarity_of_mind.htm">Sobriety and Clarity of Mind</a></b><br>The prohibition against wine for priests entering the inner court underscores the importance of being clear-minded and fully focused when serving God. Believers today are encouraged to maintain spiritual alertness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reverence_for_god's_presence.htm">Reverence for God's Presence</a></b><br>The inner court represents a place of divine encounter. Approaching God with reverence and respect is crucial, reflecting an attitude of worship and submission.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_readiness.htm">Spiritual Readiness</a></b><br>Just as priests needed to be prepared to serve, Christians are called to be spiritually ready at all times, living lives that honor God and reflect His holiness.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ezekiel_44.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 44</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_ezekiel_44's_temple_purely_symbolic.htm">Ezekiel 44's temple regulations appear highly specific, yet no archaeological site conclusively matches this description--could this be evidence the prophecy was purely symbolic or never fulfilled?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_priests'_inheritances_align_biblically.htm">Ezekiel 44:28 indicates priests have no inheritance apart from the Lord--how does this align with land allotment practices known from other biblical or historical sources?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/where's_proof_zadokites_stayed_faithful.htm">Ezekiel 44:15 singles out Zadokite priests for special privileges--where is the historical record or proof that this priestly line remained uniquely faithful?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_ezekiel_40's_details.htm">How should one reconcile the detailed architectural descriptions in Ezekiel 40 with the absence of any clear historical record of its fulfillment?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ezekiel/44.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 21.</span> - The prohibition of wine to the priests when engaged in temple service accorded with Mosaic legislation (<a href="/leviticus/10-9.htm">Leviticus 10:9</a>). Total abstinence at other times was not enjoined. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ezekiel/44-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">No</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹֽא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">priest</span><br /><span class="heb">כֹּהֵ֑ן</span> <span class="translit">(kō·hên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3548.htm">Strong's 3548: </a> </span><span class="str2">Priest</span><br /><br /><span class="word">may drink</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׁתּ֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(yiš·tū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8354.htm">Strong's 8354: </a> </span><span class="str2">To imbibe</span><br /><br /><span class="word">wine</span><br /><span class="heb">וְיַ֥יִן</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ya·yin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3196.htm">Strong's 3196: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wine, intoxication</span><br /><br /><span class="word">before he enters</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּבוֹאָ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ḇō·w·’ām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the inner</span><br /><span class="heb">הַפְּנִימִֽית׃</span> <span class="translit">(hap·pə·nî·mîṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Adjective - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6442.htm">Strong's 6442: </a> </span><span class="str2">Interior</span><br /><br /><span class="word">court.</span><br /><span class="heb">הֶחָצֵ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(he·ḥā·ṣêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2691.htm">Strong's 2691: </a> </span><span class="str2">A yard, a hamlet</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ezekiel/44-21.htm">Ezekiel 44:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/44-21.htm">Ezekiel 44:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ezekiel/44-21.htm">Ezekiel 44:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/44-21.htm">Ezekiel 44:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/44-21.htm">Ezekiel 44:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ezekiel/44-21.htm">Ezekiel 44:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ezekiel/44-21.htm">Ezekiel 44:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ezekiel/44-21.htm">Ezekiel 44:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ezekiel/44-21.htm">Ezekiel 44:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ezekiel/44-21.htm">Ezekiel 44:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ezekiel/44-21.htm">OT Prophets: Ezekiel 44:21 Neither shall any of the priests drink (Ezek. Eze Ezk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ezekiel/44-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ezekiel 44:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 44:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ezekiel/44-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ezekiel 44:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 44:22" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>