Ezekiel 44:23
New International Version
They are to teach my people the difference between the holy and the common and show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean.

New Living Translation
They will teach my people the difference between what is holy and what is common, what is ceremonially clean and unclean.

English Standard Version
They shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the common, and show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.

New King James Version
“And they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the unholy, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.

New American Standard Bible
Moreover, they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the common, and teach them to distinguish between the unclean and the clean.

NASB 1995
“Moreover, they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.

NASB 1977
“Moreover, they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.

Legacy Standard Bible
Moreover, they shall instruct My people about the difference between the holy and the profane, and make them know the difference between the unclean and the clean.

Amplified Bible
The priests shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the common, and teach them to distinguish between the (ceremonially) unclean and the clean.

Christian Standard Bible
They are to teach my people the difference between the holy and the common, and explain to them the difference between the clean and the unclean.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They must teach My people the difference between the holy and the common, and explain to them the difference between the clean and the unclean.”

American Standard Version
And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the common, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.

Contemporary English Version
Priests must teach my people the difference between what is sacred and what is ordinary, and between what is clean and what is unclean.

English Revised Version
And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the common, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They must teach my people the difference between what is holy and what is unholy. They must show the people how to tell the difference between what is clean and what is unclean.

Good News Translation
"The priests are to teach my people the difference between what is holy and what is not, and between what is ritually clean and what is not.

International Standard Version
"They are to teach my people how to discern what is holy in contrast to what is common, showing them how to discern between what is unclean and clean.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
Moreover, they will teach my people the difference between the holy and the common, and show them how to distinguish between the ceremonially unclean and the clean.

New Heart English Bible
They shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the common, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.

Webster's Bible Translation
And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.

World English Bible
They shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the common, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And they direct My people between holy and common, and they cause them to discern between unclean and clean.

Young's Literal Translation
'And My people they direct between holy and common, and between unclean and clean they cause them to discern.

Smith's Literal Translation
And they shall point out to my people between the holy to the profane, and they shall cause them to know between the unclean to the clean.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And they shall teach my people the difference between holy and profane, and shew them how to discern between clean and unclean.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And they shall teach my people the difference between holy and defiled, and they shall distinguish for them between clean and unclean.

New American Bible
They shall teach my people to distinguish between sacred and profane and make known to them the difference between clean and unclean.

New Revised Standard Version
They shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the common, and show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the unconsecrated, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they shall teach my people between holiness and common, and they shall make known between impure and pure
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the common, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And they shall teach my people to distinguish between holy and profane, and they shall make known to them the difference between unclean and clean.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Duties of the Priests
22And 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. 23 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. 24In any dispute, they shall officiate as judges and judge according to My ordinances. They must keep My laws and statutes regarding all My appointed feasts, and they must keep My Sabbaths holy.…

Cross References
Leviticus 10:10
You must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the clean and the unclean,

Malachi 2:7
For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, because he is the messenger of the LORD of Hosts.

Leviticus 11:47
You must distinguish between the unclean and the clean, between animals that may be eaten and those that may not.’”

Leviticus 20:25-26
You are therefore to distinguish between clean and unclean animals and birds. Do not become contaminated by any animal or bird, or by anything that crawls on the ground; I have set these apart as unclean for you. / You are to be holy to Me because I, the LORD, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be My own.

Hebrews 5:14
But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil.

1 Corinthians 2:14-15
The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. / The spiritual man judges all things, but he himself is not subject to anyone’s judgment.

Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

1 Peter 1:14-16
As obedient children, do not conform to the passions of your former ignorance. / But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, / for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

Isaiah 5:20
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter.

Jeremiah 15:19
Therefore this is what the LORD says: “If you return, I will restore you; you will stand in My presence. And if you speak words that are noble instead of worthless, you will be My spokesman. It is they who must turn to you, but you must not turn to them.

1 John 4:1
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Philippians 1:9-10
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, / so that you may be able to test and prove what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,

2 Corinthians 6:17
“Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”

Ephesians 5:8-10
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, / for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. / Test and prove what pleases the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22
but test all things. Hold fast to what is good. / Abstain from every form of evil.


Treasury of Scripture

And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.

Ezekiel 22:26
Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.

Leviticus 10:10,11
And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean; …

Deuteronomy 33:10
They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law: they shall put incense before thee, and whole burnt sacrifice upon thine altar.

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Cause Clean Clear Common Difference Direct Discern Distinguish Division Holy Moreover Profane Show Teach Unclean
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Cause Clean Clear Common Difference Direct Discern Distinguish Division Holy Moreover Profane Show Teach Unclean
Ezekiel 44
1. The east gate assigned only to the prince
4. The priests reproved for polluting the sanctuary
9. Idolaters incapable of the priests office
15. The sons of Zadok are accepted thereto
17. Ordinances for the priests














They are to teach
The Hebrew root for "teach" is "yarah," which means to instruct or direct. In the context of Ezekiel, this instruction is not merely academic but deeply spiritual, aiming to guide the Israelites in understanding God's laws and His expectations for holiness. The role of teaching here is a divine mandate, emphasizing the responsibility of the priests to lead the people in spiritual discernment and moral clarity.

My people
This phrase underscores the covenant relationship between God and Israel. "My people" signifies possession and care, indicating that the Israelites are chosen and set apart by God. This relationship is foundational to understanding the entire Old Testament narrative, where God consistently seeks to guide, correct, and bless His people despite their frequent disobedience.

the difference between the holy and the common
The Hebrew words for "holy" (qodesh) and "common" (chol) highlight a central theme in the Old Testament: the separation between what is sacred and what is ordinary. This distinction is crucial for maintaining the purity and sanctity of worship and daily living. The priests' role in teaching this difference is vital for preserving the community's spiritual integrity and ensuring that God's presence remains among them.

and show them how to distinguish
The phrase "show them how to distinguish" involves more than just verbal instruction; it implies a demonstration through example and practice. The Hebrew root "yada" for "distinguish" means to know or perceive, suggesting a deep, experiential understanding. The priests are called to model a lifestyle that reflects God's holiness, thereby teaching the people through their actions as well as their words.

between the unclean and the clean
The concepts of "unclean" (tamei) and "clean" (tahor) are central to the Levitical laws. These terms go beyond physical cleanliness to encompass spiritual and moral purity. The distinction is essential for maintaining a right relationship with God, as uncleanness often symbolizes sin and separation from God. The priests' duty to instruct the people in these matters is a reminder of the need for continual purification and repentance to remain in God's favor.

Verses 23, 24. - Among the priests' official duties four things are prescribed.

(1) The education of the people in the fundamental principles of their religion, viz. that a distinction existed between the "holy" and "profane," or "common," and in the practical application of that principle, the art of discerning between the "unclean" and the "clean." This duty had been laid upon the priests of Mosaism (Leviticus 10:10; Deuteronomy 24:8; Deuteronomy 33:10), but in the last years of the monarchy had been neglected (Ezekiel 26:26; comp. Malachi 2:7-9).

(2) The administration of justice in all disputes arising out of and connected with the practices of their religion. This office had pertained to the priests under the Law (Numbers 5:14-31; Deuteronomy 17:8-13; Deuteronomy 19:17; Deuteronomy 21:5), and was exercised in pre-exilic times (Hosea 4:6; Micah 3:11; Isaiah 28:7; Jeremiah 18:18), though not always in accord-ante with Jehovah s judgments. That the juridical authority of the priests was purely of a moral kind (Wellhausen, Smend), can be maintained only by rejecting 2 Chronicles 17:7-9 and 2 Chron 19:5-11 as unhistorical

(3) The regulation of all festal assemblies in accordance with the Divine statutes. For errors in the celebration of these festivals, the priests should be answerable, as they had always been; only under the new regime there should be no errors. . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
They are to teach
יוֹר֔וּ (yō·w·rū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3384: To flow as water, to lay, throw, to point out, to teach

My people
עַמִּ֣י (‘am·mî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

the difference between
בֵּ֥ין (bên)
Preposition
Strong's 996: An interval, space between

the holy
קֹ֖דֶשׁ (qō·ḏeš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6944: A sacred place, thing, sanctity

and the common,
לְחֹ֑ל (lə·ḥōl)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2455: Profaneness, commonness

and show them how to discern
יוֹדִעֻֽם׃ (yō·w·ḏi·‘um)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3045: To know

between
וּבֵין־ (ū·ḇên-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 996: An interval, space between

the clean
לְטָה֖וֹר (lə·ṭā·hō·wr)
Preposition-l | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2889: Clean, pure

and the unclean.
טָמֵ֥א (ṭā·mê)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2931: Unclean


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 44:23 They shall teach my people the difference (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 44:22
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