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<!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 44:22 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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ezekiel/44-22.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/26_Ezk_44_22.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ezekiel 44:22 - The Duties of the Priests" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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." /><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/44-22.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/44-22.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 22</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="/ad2.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/44-21.htm" title="Ezekiel 44:21">◄</a> Ezekiel 44:22 <a href="/ezekiel/44-23.htm" title="Ezekiel 44:23">►</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 />They must not marry widows or divorced women; they may marry only virgins of Israelite descent or widows of priests.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/44.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />They may choose their wives only from among the virgins of Israel or the widows of the priests. They may not marry other widows or divorced women.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ezekiel/44.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />They shall not marry a widow or a divorced woman, but only virgins of the offspring of the house of Israel, or a widow who is the widow of a priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/44.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/44.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Neither shall they take for their wives a widow, nor her that is put away: but they shall take maidens of the seed of the house of Israel, or a widow that had a priest before.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ezekiel/44.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />They shall not take as wife a widow or a divorced woman, but take virgins of the descendants of the house of Israel, or widows of priests.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ezekiel/44.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And they shall not marry a widow or a divorced woman, but shall take virgins from the descendants of the house of Israel, or a widow who is the widow of a priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/44.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220And they shall not marry a widow or a divorced woman but shall take virgins from the offspring of the house of Israel, or a widow who is the widow of a priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ezekiel/44.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“And they shall not marry a widow or a divorced woman but shall take virgins from the offspring of the house of Israel, or a widow who is the widow of a priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ezekiel/44.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And they shall not take a widow or a divorced woman as a wife but shall take virgins from the seed of the house of Israel or a widow who is the widow of a priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ezekiel/44.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And they shall not marry a widow or a divorced woman; but they shall marry virgins of the descendants of the house of Israel, or a widow who was previously married to a priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ezekiel/44.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He is not to marry a widow or a divorced woman, but may marry only a virgin from the offspring of the house of Israel, or a widow who is the widow of a priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ezekiel/44.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He is not to marry a widow or a divorced woman, but must marry a virgin from the offspring of the house of Israel, or a widow who is the widow of a priest. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ezekiel/44.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Neither shall they take for their wives a widow, nor her that is put away; but they shall take virgins of the seed of the house of Israel, or a widow that is the widow of a priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ezekiel/44.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />A priest must not marry a divorced woman; he can marry only a virgin from Israel or the widow of another priest. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ezekiel/44.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Neither shall they take for their wives a widow, nor her that is put away: but they shall take virgins of the seed of the house of Israel, or a widow that is the widow of a priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ezekiel/44.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />They must not marry widows or women who have been divorced. They may marry only virgins from the nation of Israel or widows of priests.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ezekiel/44.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />No priest may marry a divorced woman; he is to marry only an Israelite virgin or the widow of another priest. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ezekiel/44.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />They are not to marry a widow or a divorced woman. Instead, they are to marry virgins from the descendants of the house of Israel, or a widow who is the widow of a priest."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ezekiel/44.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They must not marry a widow or a divorcee, but they may marry a virgin from the house of Israel or a widow who is a priest's widow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ezekiel/44.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Neither shall they take for their wives a widow, nor her who is put away; but they shall take virgins of the seed of the house of Israel, or a widow who is the widow of a priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ezekiel/44.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Neither shall they take for their wives a widow, nor her that is put away: but they shall take maidens of the seed of the house of Israel, or a widow that had a priest before.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ezekiel/44.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ezekiel/44.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They shall not take for their wives a widow, or her who is put away; but they shall take virgins of the offspring of the house of Israel, or a widow who is the widow of a priest. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ezekiel/44.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And they do not take a widow or divorced woman to themselves for wives, but they take virgins of the seed of the house of Israel, and the widow who is widow of a priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ezekiel/44.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And a widow and divorced woman they do not take to them for wives: but -- virgins of the seed of the house of Israel, and the widow who is widow of a priest, do they take.<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 take a widow and her thrust away, to them for wives: but virgins from the seed of the house of Israel, and a widow which shall be a widow from a priest, shall they take.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ezekiel/44.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Neither shall they take to wife a widow, nor one that is divorced, but they shall take virgins of the seed of the house of Israel: but they may take a widow also, that is, the widow of a priest. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ezekiel/44.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And they shall not take as wife a widow or one who has been divorced. Instead, they shall take virgins from the offspring of the house of Israel. But they may also take a widow, if she is the widow of a priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ezekiel/44.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They shall not take as wives either widows or divorced women, but only unmarried women from the line of Israel; however, they may take as wives widows who are widows of priests.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ezekiel/44.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />They shall not marry a widow, or a divorced woman, but only a virgin of the stock of the house of Israel, or a widow who is the widow of a priest.<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 they marry a widow nor her that is put away; but they shall marry a virgin of the descendants of the house of Israel, or a widow who is the widow of a priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ezekiel/44.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And they shall not take for themselves a widow or a divorced woman as wives, but they shall take only a virgin of the seed of Israel, or a widow who is the widow of a Priest<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 they take for their wives a widow, nor her that is put away; but they shall take virgins of the seed of the house of Israel, or a widow that is the widow of a priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ezekiel/44.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Neither shall they take to themselves to wife a widow, or one that is put away, but a virgin of the seed of Israel: but if there should happen to be a priest's widow, they shall take <i>her</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ezekiel/44-22.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=13571" 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">21</span>No priest may drink wine before he enters the inner court. <span class="reftext">22</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.">And they shall not</a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: yiq·ḥū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">marry</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: lə·nā·šîm (Prep-l:: N-fp) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman."></a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/490.htm" title="490: wə·’al·mā·nāh (Conj-w:: N-fs) -- A widow. Fem of 'alman; a widow; also a desolate place.">a widow</a> <a href="/hebrew/1644.htm" title="1644: ū·ḡə·rū·šāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-QalPassPrtcpl-fs) -- To drive out, cast out. A primitive root; to drive out from a possession; especially to expatriate or divorce.">or a divorced woman,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">but</a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: yiq·qā·ḥū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">must marry</a> <a href="/hebrew/1330.htm" title="1330: bə·ṯū·lōṯ (N-fp) -- Feminine passive participle of an unused root meaning to separate; a virgin; sometimes a bride; also a city or state.">a virgin</a> <a href="/hebrew/2233.htm" title="2233: miz·ze·ra‘ (Prep-m:: N-msc) -- A sowing, seed, offspring. From zara'; seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity.">of the descendants</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: bêṯ (N-msc) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">of the house</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">of Israel,</a> <a href="/hebrew/490.htm" title="490: wə·hā·’al·mā·nāh (Conj-w, Art:: N-fs) -- A widow. Fem of 'alman; a widow; also a desolate place."></a> <a href="/hebrew/490.htm" title="490: ’al·mā·nāh (N-fs) -- A widow. Fem of 'alman; a widow; also a desolate place.">or a widow</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: tih·yeh (V-Qal-Imperf-3fs) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3548.htm" title="3548: mik·kō·hên (Prep-m:: N-ms) -- Priest. Active participle of kahan; literally, one officiating, a priest; also an acting priest.">of a priest.</a> </span><span class="reftext">23</span>They are to teach My people the difference between the holy and the common, and show them how to discern between the clean and the unclean.…<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/21-13.htm">Leviticus 21:13-14</a></span><br />The woman he marries must be a virgin. / He is not to marry a widow, a divorced woman, or one defiled by prostitution. He is to marry a virgin from his own people,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/21-7.htm">Leviticus 21:7</a></span><br />A priest must not marry a woman defiled by prostitution or divorced by her husband, for the priest is holy to his God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/3-2.htm">1 Timothy 3:2</a></span><br />An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/3-12.htm">1 Timothy 3:12</a></span><br />A deacon must be the husband of but one wife, a good manager of his children and of his own household.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/titus/1-6.htm">Titus 1:6</a></span><br />An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, having children who are believers and who are not open to accusation of indiscretion or insubordination.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/10-6.htm">Leviticus 10:6-7</a></span><br />Then Moses said to Aaron and his sons Eleazar and Ithamar, “Do not let your hair become disheveled and do not tear your garments, or else you will die, and the LORD will be angry with the whole congregation. But your brothers, the whole house of Israel, may mourn on account of the fire that the LORD has ignited. / You shall not go outside the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, or you will die, for the LORD’s anointing oil is on you.” So they did as Moses instructed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/21-1.htm">Leviticus 21:1-4</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Moses, “Speak to Aaron’s sons, the priests, and tell them that a priest is not to defile himself for a dead person among his people, / except for his immediate family—his mother, father, son, daughter, or brother, / or his unmarried sister who is near to him, since she has no husband. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/22-12.htm">Leviticus 22:12-13</a></span><br />If the priest’s daughter is married to a man other than a priest, she is not to eat of the sacred contributions. / But if a priest’s daughter with no children becomes widowed or divorced and returns to her father’s house, she may share her father’s food as in her youth. But no outsider may share it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-39.htm">1 Corinthians 7:39</a></span><br />A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, as long as he belongs to the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/9-5.htm">1 Corinthians 9:5</a></span><br />Have we no right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-7.htm">1 Peter 3:7</a></span><br />Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as a delicate vessel, and with honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/18-11.htm">Numbers 18:11</a></span><br />And this is yours as well: the offering of their gifts, along with all the wave offerings of the Israelites. I have given this to you and your sons and daughters as a permanent statute. Every ceremonially clean person in your household may eat it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/18-19.htm">Numbers 18:19</a></span><br />All the holy offerings that the Israelites present to the LORD I give to you and to your sons and daughters as a permanent statute. It is a permanent covenant of salt before the LORD for you and your offspring.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/21-4.htm">1 Samuel 21:4-5</a></span><br />“There is no common bread on hand,” the priest replied, “but there is some consecrated bread—provided that the young men have kept themselves from women.” / David answered, “Women have indeed been kept from us, as is usual when I set out. And the bodies of the young men are holy even on common missions. How much more so today!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/19-9.htm">Matthew 19:9</a></span><br />Now I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Neither shall they take for their wives a widow, nor her that is put away: but they shall take maidens of the seed of the house of Israel, or a widow that had a priest before.</p><p class="hdg">Neither.</p><p class="hdg">a widow</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/21-7.htm">Leviticus 21:7,13,14</a></b></br> They shall not take a wife <i>that is</i> a whore, or profane; neither shall they take a woman put away from her husband: for he <i>is</i> holy unto his God… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_timothy/3-2.htm">1 Timothy 3:2,4,5,11</a></b></br> A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/titus/1-6.htm">Titus 1:6</a></b></br> If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.</p><p class="hdg">put away [heb] thrust forth</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/24-1.htm">Deuteronomy 24:1-4</a></b></br> When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give <i>it</i> in her hand, and send her out of his house… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jeremiah/48-5.htm">Descent</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/8-8.htm">Divorced</a> <a href="/ezekiel/44-17.htm">House</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-45.htm">Husband</a> <a href="/ezekiel/44-15.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-2.htm">Israelite</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-11.htm">Maidens</a> <a href="/jeremiah/29-6.htm">Marry</a> <a href="/ezekiel/43-19.htm">Offspring</a> <a href="/ezekiel/44-21.htm">Priest</a> <a href="/ezekiel/43-19.htm">Seed</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-8.htm">Stock</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-8.htm">Virgin</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-11.htm">Virgins</a> <a href="/ezekiel/22-7.htm">Widow</a> <a href="/ezekiel/22-25.htm">Widows</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-45.htm">Wives</a> <a href="/ezekiel/30-17.htm">Women</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/daniel/9-1.htm">Descent</a> <a href="/matthew/5-32.htm">Divorced</a> <a href="/ezekiel/44-30.htm">House</a> <a href="/ezekiel/44-25.htm">Husband</a> <a href="/ezekiel/44-28.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/obadiah/1-20.htm">Israelite</a> <a href="/nahum/2-7.htm">Maidens</a> <a href="/matthew/5-32.htm">Marry</a> <a href="/hosea/9-16.htm">Offspring</a> <a href="/ezekiel/44-25.htm">Priest</a> <a href="/daniel/1-3.htm">Seed</a> <a href="/hosea/4-12.htm">Stock</a> <a href="/joel/1-8.htm">Virgin</a> <a href="/amos/8-13.htm">Virgins</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-10.htm">Widow</a> <a href="/matthew/23-13.htm">Widows</a> <a href="/daniel/2-43.htm">Wives</a> <a href="/daniel/5-3.htm">Women</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 />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <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>And they shall not marry a widow or a divorced woman</b><br>This directive is given to the Levitical priests, emphasizing the importance of maintaining ritual purity and holiness. In the ancient Near Eastern context, marriage was not only a personal union but also a reflection of one's social and religious status. Widows and divorced women, while not inherently impure, could have been seen as having complex social ties or pasts that might complicate the priestly role. This command echoes <a href="/leviticus/21-7.htm">Leviticus 21:7</a>, where priests are similarly instructed regarding marriage, highlighting the continuity of priestly standards across the Old Testament.<p><b>but must marry a virgin of the descendants of the house of Israel</b><br>The requirement for priests to marry virgins from among the Israelites underscores the importance of purity and covenant faithfulness. Virgins symbolize purity and a fresh start, aligning with the priestly duty to represent holiness before God. This stipulation also ensures that the priestly lineage remains within the covenant community, preserving the distinct identity of Israel. The emphasis on marrying within the house of Israel reflects the broader biblical theme of maintaining the sanctity and distinctiveness of God's chosen people, as seen in <a href="/deuteronomy/7-3.htm">Deuteronomy 7:3-4</a>.<p><b>or a widow of a priest</b><br>Allowing marriage to a widow of a priest provides a compassionate exception, recognizing the unique status of a priest's widow who would have shared in the priestly life and its demands. This provision respects the widow's previous role and experience within the priestly community, acknowledging her understanding of the responsibilities and lifestyle required. It also maintains the integrity of the priestly line, as she would have been part of the same covenantal and cultural framework. This exception highlights the balance between upholding holiness and showing grace within the community.<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, who received visions and messages from God concerning the restoration of Israel and the temple.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_priests.htm">The Priests</a></b><br>Specifically, the Levitical priests, who were given specific instructions regarding their conduct and duties in the temple.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_house_of_israel.htm">The House of Israel</a></b><br>Refers to the descendants of Jacob, the chosen people of God, who were to maintain purity and holiness.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_temple.htm">The Temple</a></b><br>The central place of worship for the Israelites, symbolizing God's presence among His people.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/m/marriage_regulations.htm">Marriage Regulations</a></b><br>Specific guidelines given to the priests regarding whom they could marry, emphasizing purity and holiness.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/h/holiness_in_leadership.htm">Holiness in Leadership</a></b><br>The priests were held to a higher standard of holiness, reflecting their role as mediators between God and the people. This principle applies to spiritual leaders today, who are called to live lives of integrity and purity.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/purity_in_relationships.htm">Purity in Relationships</a></b><br>The marriage regulations for priests highlight the importance of purity in relationships. Believers are encouraged to pursue relationships that honor God and reflect His holiness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/symbolism_of_the_bride.htm">Symbolism of the Bride</a></b><br>The requirement for priests to marry a virgin or a widow of a priest symbolizes the purity and faithfulness expected of God's people, who are often depicted as the bride of Christ in the New Testament.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/covenant_faithfulness.htm">Covenant Faithfulness</a></b><br>The emphasis on marrying within the house of Israel underscores the importance of covenant faithfulness, both in marriage and in our relationship with God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/role_of_the_priesthood.htm">Role of the Priesthood</a></b><br>The priesthood's role in maintaining the sanctity of the temple serves as a reminder of the believer's role in maintaining the sanctity of their own lives as temples of the Holy Spirit.<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/who's_the_prince_in_ezekiel's_prophecy.htm">Who is the prince mentioned in Ezekiel's prophecy?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_biblical_prophecy's_meaning.htm">What is the meaning of Biblical prophecy?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_ezekiel_22_26_conflict_with_strict_laws.htm">Does the failure of priests to differentiate between the holy and profane in Ezekiel 22:26 conflict with other passages that claim Israel kept strict religious laws?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_severe_punishment_for_non-virgin_bride.htm">Why does Deuteronomy 22:13-21 prescribe a severe punishment if a bride is found not to be a virgin?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ezekiel/44.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(22) <span class= "bld">A widow that had a priest before</span>.--In regard both to marriage and to mourning (<a href="/context/ezekiel/44-25.htm" title="And they shall come at no dead person to defile themselves: but for father, or for mother, or for son, or for daughter, for brother, or for sister that has had no husband, they may defile themselves.">Ezekiel 44:25-27</a>) the Levitical law made a broad distinction between the ordinary priest and the high priest. The former was only forbidden to marry a divorced woman (<a href="/leviticus/21-7.htm" title="They shall not take a wife that is a whore, or profane; neither shall they take a woman put away from her husband: for he is holy to his God.">Leviticus 21:7</a>), but was allowed to marry a widow; the latter could marry only a virgin of Israel (<span class= "ital">ib.</span> 14). So also in the law of mourning; the high priest might not be "defiled" nor make any sign of mourning even for his nearest of kin (<a href="/context/leviticus/21-11.htm" title="Neither shall he go in to any dead body, nor defile himself for his father, or for his mother;">Leviticus 21:11-14</a>). Ezekiel does not recognise this distinction, and in fact nowhere mentions the high priest at all; but, instead, gives a general law for all priests, somewhat between the two.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ezekiel/44.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 22.</span> - As to marriage (since the priests in Ezekiel's "house" were no more expected to be celibates than were those employed about Moses' tabernacle or Solomon's temple), they were forbidden to marry widows (which the Levitical priests were not, though the high priest was) or divorced women, and allowed to wed only virgins of the house of Israel, or (the sole exception) widows of such as had been priests (compare with the priest-code, <a href="/leviticus/21-7.htm">Leviticus 21:7, 13, 14</a>). Ezekiel's enactment discovers two variations - first, that it does not formally forbid to the priests marriage with a harlot; and, second, that it sanctions marriage with a priest's widow. But the first was implied in the prohibition of marriage with an adulteress, and the second was a sign of the higher sanctity of the priesthood belonging to Ezekiel's temple. Hence, so far from indicating the priority of Ezekiel, it rather points to the priority of Leviticus. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ezekiel/44-22.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">And they shall not</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">marry</span><br /><span class="heb">יִקְח֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(yiq·ḥū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a widow</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאַלְמָנָה֙</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’al·mā·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_490.htm">Strong's 490: </a> </span><span class="str2">A widow, a desolate place</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or a divorced woman,</span><br /><span class="heb">וּגְרוּשָׁ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḡə·rū·šāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1644.htm">Strong's 1644: </a> </span><span class="str2">To drive out from a, possession, to expatriate, divorce</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but must marry</span><br /><span class="heb">יִקָּֽחוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(yiq·qā·ḥū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a virgin</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּתוּלֹ֗ת</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ṯū·lōṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1330.htm">Strong's 1330: </a> </span><span class="str2">A virgin, sometimes, a bride</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the descendants</span><br /><span class="heb">מִזֶּ֙רַע֙</span> <span class="translit">(miz·ze·ra‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2233.htm">Strong's 2233: </a> </span><span class="str2">Seed, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the house</span><br /><span class="heb">בֵּ֣ית</span> <span class="translit">(bêṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> </span><span class="str2">A house</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Israel,</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·rā·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> </span><span class="str2">Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or a widow</span><br /><span class="heb">אַלְמָנָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(’al·mā·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_490.htm">Strong's 490: </a> </span><span class="str2">A widow, a desolate place</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of a priest.</span><br /><span class="heb">מִכֹּהֵ֖ן</span> <span class="translit">(mik·kō·hên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | 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 /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ezekiel/44-22.htm">Ezekiel 44:22 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/44-22.htm">Ezekiel 44:22 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ezekiel/44-22.htm">Ezekiel 44:22 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/44-22.htm">Ezekiel 44:22 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/44-22.htm">Ezekiel 44:22 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ezekiel/44-22.htm">Ezekiel 44:22 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ezekiel/44-22.htm">Ezekiel 44:22 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ezekiel/44-22.htm">Ezekiel 44:22 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ezekiel/44-22.htm">Ezekiel 44:22 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ezekiel/44-22.htm">Ezekiel 44:22 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ezekiel/44-22.htm">OT Prophets: Ezekiel 44:22 Neither shall they take for their wives (Ezek. Eze Ezk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ezekiel/44-21.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ezekiel 44:21"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 44:21" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ezekiel/44-23.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ezekiel 44:23"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 44:23" /></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>