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Saturday, July 5th, 2025
the Week of Proper 8 / Ordinary 13
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Read the Bible

King James Version

Ezekiel 44:28

And it shall be unto them for an inheritance: I am their inheritance: and ye shall give them no possession in Israel: I am their possession.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Minister, Christian;   Priest;   Thompson Chain Reference - Inheritance;   Land;   Leaders;   Priests;   Religious;  

Dictionaries:

- Holman Bible Dictionary - Ezekiel;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Fasting;   Moses;   Nations;   Priests and Levites;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Prince;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Temple;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Levitical Cities;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Hafá¹­arah;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
“This will be their inheritance: I am their inheritance. You are to give them no possession in Israel: I am their possession.
Hebrew Names Version
They shall have an inheritance: I am their inheritance; and you shall give them no possession in Yisra'el; I am their possession.
English Standard Version
"This shall be their inheritance: I am their inheritance: and you shall give them no possession in Israel; I am their possession.
New American Standard Bible
"And it shall be regarding an inheritance for them, that I am their inheritance; and you shall give them no property in Israel—I am their property.
New Century Version
"‘These are the rules about the priests and their property: They will have me instead of property. You will not give them any land to own in Israel; I am what they will own.
Amplified Bible
"It [their ministry to Me] shall be as an inheritance to them, for I am their inheritance; and you shall give them no property (land) in Israel, for I am their possession.
Geneva Bible (1587)
And the Priesthood shall bee their inheritance, yea, I am their inheritance: therefore shall ye giue them no possessio in Israel, for I am their possession.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"And it shall be with regard to an inheritance for them, that I am their inheritance; and you shall give them no possession in Israel—I am their possession.
Legacy Standard Bible
"And it shall be with regard to an inheritance for them, that I am their inheritance; and you shall give them no possession in Israel—I am their possession.
Berean Standard Bible
In regard to their inheritance, I am their inheritance. You are to give them no possession in Israel, for I am their possession.
Contemporary English Version
I myself will provide for my priests, and so they won't receive any land of their own.
Complete Jewish Bible
"‘Their inheritance is to be this: I myself am their inheritance. You are not to grant them any possession in Isra'el — I myself am their possession.
Darby Translation
And it shall be unto them for an inheritance; I am their inheritance: and ye shall give them no possession in Israel; I am their possession.
Easy-to-Read Version
"About the land that will belong to the Levites: I am their property. You will not give the Levites any land in Israel. I am their share in Israel.
George Lamsa Translation
And the sanctuary shall be to them for an inheritance; for I am their inheritance; and you shall give them no possession in Israel; for I am their possession.
Good News Translation
"The priests have the priesthood as their share of what I have given Israel to be handed down from one generation to another. They are not to hold property in Israel; I am all they need.
Lexham English Bible
And thus it will be to them as regards inheritance, that I am their inheritance, and so you shall not give to them property in Israel; I am their property.
Literal Translation
And it shall be to them for an inheritance; I am their inheritance; and you shall not give them possession in Israel; I am their possession.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
They shall haue an heretage, yee I my self wilbe their heretage: els shall ye geue the no possession in Israel, for I am their possession.
American Standard Version
And they shall have an inheritance: I am their inheritance; and ye shall give them no possession in Israel; I am their possession.
Bible in Basic English
And they are to have no heritage; I am their heritage: you are to give them no property in Israel; I am their property.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
And it shall be unto them for an inheritance: I am their inheritance; and ye shall give them no possession in Israel: I am their possession.
King James Version (1611)
And it shall be vnto them for an inheritance; I am their inheritance: and yee shall giue them no possession in Israel; I am their possession.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
There shalbe to them an inheritauce, [euen] I their inheritaunce: but possession shall ye geue them none in Israel, for I am their possession.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And it shall be to them for an inheritance: I am their inheritance: and no possession shall be given them among the children of Israel; for I am their possession.
English Revised Version
And they shall have an inheritance; I am their inheritance: and ye shall give them no possession in Israel; I am their possession.
World English Bible
They shall have an inheritance: I am their inheritance; and you shall give them no possession in Israel; I am their possession.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Forsothe noon eritage schal be to hem, Y am the eritage of hem; and ye schulen not yyue to hem possessioun in Israel, for Y am the possessioun of hem.
Update Bible Version
And they shall have an inheritance: I am their inheritance; and you shall give them no possession in Israel; I am their possession.
Webster's Bible Translation
And it shall be to them for an inheritance: I [am] their inheritance: and ye shall give them no possession in Israel: I [am] their possession.
New English Translation
"‘This will be their inheritance: I am their inheritance, and you must give them no property in Israel; I am their property.
New King James Version
"It shall be, in regard to their inheritance, that I am their inheritance. You shall give them no possession in Israel, for I am their possession.
New Living Translation
"The priests will not have any property or possession of land, for I alone am their special possession.
New Life Bible
"I am to be the only part that the religious leaders have. You must not give them any land in Israel for their own. I am their part.
New Revised Standard
This shall be their inheritance: I am their inheritance; and you shall give them no holding in Israel; I am their holding.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
So shall it become to them an inheritance, I, am their inheritance,- And possession, shall ye not give them in Israel, I am their possession.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And they shall have no inheritance, I am their inheritance: neither shall you give them any possession in Israel, for I am their possession.
Revised Standard Version
"They shall have no inheritance; I am their inheritance: and you shall give them no possession in Israel; I am their possession.
Young's Literal Translation
And it hath been to them for an inheritance; I [am] their inheritance: and a possession ye do not give to them in Israel; I [am] their possession.
THE MESSAGE
"As to priests owning land, I am their inheritance. Don't give any land in Israel to them. I am their ‘land,' their inheritance. They'll take their meals from the grain offerings, the sin offerings, and the guilt offerings. Everything in Israel offered to God in worship is theirs. The best of everything grown, plus all special gifts, comes to the priests. All that is given in worship to God goes to them. Serve them first. Serve from your best and your home will be blessed.

Contextual Overview

17 And it shall come to pass, that when they enter in at the gates of the inner court, they shall be clothed with linen garments; and no wool shall come upon them, whiles they minister in the gates of the inner court, and within. 18 They shall have linen bonnets upon their heads, and shall have linen breeches upon their loins; they shall not gird themselves with any thing that causeth sweat. 19 And when they go forth into the utter court, even into the utter court to the people, they shall put off their garments wherein they ministered, and lay them in the holy chambers, and they shall put on other garments; and they shall not sanctify the people with their garments. 20 Neither shall they shave their heads, nor suffer their locks to grow long; they shall only poll their heads. 21 Neither shall any priest drink wine, when they enter into the inner court. 22 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. 23 And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean. 24 And in controversy they shall stand in judgment; and they shall judge it according to my judgments: and they shall keep my laws and my statutes in all mine assemblies; and they shall hallow my sabbaths. 25 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 hath had no husband, they may defile themselves. 26 And after he is cleansed, they shall reckon unto him seven days.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

I am their inheritance: Ezekiel 45:4, Ezekiel 48:9-11, Numbers 18:20, Deuteronomy 10:9, Deuteronomy 18:1, Deuteronomy 18:2, Joshua 13:14, Joshua 13:33, 1 Peter 5:2-4

Reciprocal: Leviticus 6:26 - priest Ezekiel 48:10 - for the priests

Cross-References

Genesis 37:33
And he knew it, and said, It is my son's coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces.
Genesis 42:36
And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me.
Genesis 42:38
And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.
Genesis 44:13
Then they rent their clothes, and laded every man his ass, and returned to the city.
Genesis 44:14
And Judah and his brethren came to Joseph's house; for he was yet there: and they fell before him on the ground.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And it shall be unto them for an inheritance,.... Either the sin offering, or the priesthood, and the perquisites belonging to it: or,

they shall have an inheritance r; but what shall it be? God himself:

I am their inheritance; the Lord is the portion and inheritance of his people, who are made priests unto him, whether in a private or public capacity; they are heirs of God, he is their portion in the land of the living, and forever: God in all his perfections is theirs; and though incommunicable, they have the use and advantage of them, so far as they are capable and stand in need of them; as his eternity, immutability, omniscience, omnipotence, omnipresence, grace, mercy, goodness, truth, and faithfulness: he is theirs in all his persons; God the Father is their covenant God and Father; the Son of God is their Head and Husband, their Saviour and Redeemer, Mediator and Peacemaker, their Prophet, Priest, and King; his blood, righteousness, sacrifice, and faithfulness, theirs, and even all that he is and has: the Spirit of God is their convincer and enlightener, their quickener and sanctifier; their Comforter, and the Spirit of adoption to them, the seal and earnest of their future glory; and God under every character is theirs, as the God of nature and providence, and as the God of all grace; and this is an inheritance rich and large, a soul satisfying portion, an inconceivable and an inexhaustible one.

And ye shall give them no possession in Israel; so the priests and Levites had none under the law, but were provided for in another way,

Numbers 18:20, the Lord's people and priests, under the Gospel dispensation, for the most part are the poor of this world, who have no share in the possessions of it; their good things are not here, but in the world to come, and in God himself: "I am their possession"; the Lord is enjoyed by them now; his love is shed abroad in their hearts; they have fellowship with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ, and communion with the Holy Ghost; and which is infinitely better than all the possessions of this world; and besides, provision is made for their outward maintenance, as follows:

r והיתה להם לנחלה "habebunt etiam hereditarium aliquid", Tigurine version.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Regulations as to the priests’ services. The garments of the priests are defined and various rules prescribed in the Law are repeated with some additions in order to denote additional care to avoid uncleanness.

Ezekiel 44:18

The material of which the four vestments of the ordinary priest were made was “linen,” or, more accurately, “byssus,” the cotton stuff of Egypt. The two special qualities of the byssus - white and shining - are characteristic, and on them part of the symbolic meaning depended. Compare Revelation 19:8.

Ezekiel 44:19

They shall not sanctify the people - They shall not touch the people with their holy garments. The word “sanctify” is used because the effect of touching was to separate as holy the persons or things so touched (Exodus 29:37; Exodus 30:29; compare Leviticus 6:18). The priests wore the distinctive dress, only while performing in the temple strictly sacrificial services.

The holy chambers; see Ezekiel 42:1 ff.

Ezekiel 44:22

Restrictions and exceptions intended to mark the holiness of the office of a priest, imposing on him additional (compare the marginal reference) obligations to purity, and communicating it in some degree to his wife. In the Christian Church all the members are “priests” 1 Peter 2:5; Revelation 1:6; Revelation 20:6. Hence, the directions for maintaining the holiness of the “priesthood” in the new order, represent the necessity for holiness in all Christians, and the exclusion of the “uncircumcised in heart and in flesh” is equivalent to the exclusion of “all that defileth” from the New Jerusalem Revelation 21:27.

Ezekiel 44:24

There was in Herod’s Temple a council of priests, whose special duty it was to regulate every thing connected with the sanctuary. They did not ordinarily busy themselves with criminal questions, although they took a leading part in the condemnation of Jesus Mark 15:1.

Ezekiel 44:28

It shall be unto them - The remains of the sacrifices were a chief source of the priests’ support. The burnt-offerings being entirely consumed, the priests had the skins, which yielded a considerable revenue; meat-offerings and drink-offerings belonged entirely to them. sin-offerings and trepass-offerings, except in particular cases, also belonged to the priests and were partaken of in the temple. Of the peace-offerings a portion dedicated to the Lord by waving was left for the priests, and the rest eaten by the officers and their friends, either in the courts of the temple, or at least within Jerusalem. The kitchen-courts (K, Plan II Ezek. Ezekiel 46:21-24), were provided in order to prepare these public meals.

Ezekiel 44:30

Oblation - Offering, margin “heave-offering” (see Ezekiel 45:1; Exodus 25:2; Exodus 29:27; Notes and Pref. to Leviticus).

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Ezekiel 44:28. I am their inheritance — Those who affect to form their ecclesiastical matters on the model of the Jewish Church have with one consent left this out of the question. They will not live on the free-will offerings of the people; but must have vast revenues, and these secured to them by law. That every minister of God should be supported by the altar I grant; but I think, instead of that method of paying the parochial clergy which I see is so much objected to, and breeds so much dissension between the pastors and their flocks, it would be better, on these accounts, to assign them a portion of land adequate to their supply, or let the state maintain them as it does its other officers. In Israel God was their inheritance and their possession; but they had the breast and shoulder of all sin-offerings and trespass-offerings, and all dedicated things were theirs; and they had a portion of all the dough that was prepared for bread. These were considered as the Lord's property, and these he gave to them; and this is always implied in the Lord's being their inheritance and their possession. They had a plentiful support.

Hitherto tithes have been thought the best mode of paying the clergy, and providing for the poor of each parish; but these matters have undergone such alterations since the time of their institution, that some emendation of the system is at present absolutely necessary.

There should be a public acknowledgment of God in every nation, and this should be provided for by the state in a way the least burdensome to the people, that all may rejoice in the benefit. Happy the nations that have a Bible so correct, and a Liturgy so pure, as those in the British empire! In such cases, a religion established by the state is an unutterable blessing to the nation; only keep it to the Bible, and to the Liturgy, and all, under God, will be well; but when the sermon is against these, all is bad.


 
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