Ezekiel 44:12
New International Version
But because they served them in the presence of their idols and made the people of Israel fall into sin, therefore I have sworn with uplifted hand that they must bear the consequences of their sin, declares the Sovereign LORD.

New Living Translation
But they encouraged my people to worship idols, causing Israel to fall into deep sin. So I have taken a solemn oath that they must bear the consequences for their sins, says the Sovereign LORD.

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

Berean Standard Bible
Because they ministered before their idols and became a stumbling block of iniquity to the house of Israel, therefore I swore with an uplifted hand concerning them that they would bear the consequences of their iniquity, declares the Lord GOD.

King James Bible
Because they ministered unto them before their idols, and caused the house of Israel to fall into iniquity; therefore have I lifted up mine hand against them, saith the Lord GOD, and they shall bear their iniquity.

New King James Version
Because they ministered to them before their idols and caused the house of Israel to fall into iniquity, therefore I have raised My hand in an oath against them,” says the Lord GOD, “that they shall bear their iniquity.

New American Standard Bible
Since they ministered to them before their idols and became a stumbling block of wrongdoing to the house of Israel, for that reason I have sworn against them,” declares the Lord GOD, “that they shall suffer the punishment for their wrongdoing.

NASB 1995
“Because they ministered to them before their idols and became a stumbling block of iniquity to the house of Israel, therefore I have sworn against them,” declares the Lord GOD, “that they shall bear the punishment for their iniquity.

NASB 1977
“Because they ministered to them before their idols and became a stumbling block of iniquity to the house of Israel, therefore I have sworn against them,” declares the Lord GOD, “that they shall bear the punishment for their iniquity.

Legacy Standard Bible
Because they ministered to them before their idols and became a stumbling block of iniquity to the house of Israel, therefore I have sworn against them,” declares Lord Yahweh, “that they shall bear the punishment for their iniquity.

Amplified Bible
Because the priests ministered to them before their idols and became a stumbling block of sin to the house of Israel, therefore I have lifted up My hand and have sworn [an oath] against them,” says the Lord GOD, “that they shall bear the punishment for their sin and guilt.

Christian Standard Bible
Because they ministered to the house of Israel before their idols and became a sinful stumbling block to them, therefore I swore an oath against them” —this is the declaration of the Lord GOD—“that they would bear the consequences of their iniquity.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Because they ministered to the house of Israel before their idols and became a sinful stumbling block to them, therefore I swore an oath against them"—this is the declaration of the Lord GOD—"that they would bear the consequences of their sin.

American Standard Version
Because they ministered unto them before their idols, and became a stumblingblock of iniquity unto the house of Israel; therefore have I lifted up my hand against them, saith the Lord Jehovah, and they shall bear their iniquity.

Contemporary English Version
But because these Levites served the people of Israel when they worshiped idols, I, the LORD God, promise that the Levites will be punished. They did not stop the Israelites from sinning,

English Revised Version
Because they ministered unto them before their idols, and became a stumblingblock of iniquity unto the house of Israel; therefore have I lifted up mine hand against them, saith the Lord GOD, and they shall bear their iniquity.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But they served the people by standing in front of their idols and by making Israel fall into sin. So I raised my hand and swore that they would be punished for their sins, declares the LORD.

Good News Translation
But because they conducted the worship of idols for the people of Israel and in this way led the people into sin, I, the Sovereign LORD, solemnly swear that they must be punished.

International Standard Version
Because they kept serving them in the presence of their idols, becoming a sin-filled stumbling block to the house of Israel,' declares the Lord GOD. "'I have sworn to them that they are to bear the consequences of their iniquity.

Majority Standard Bible
Because they ministered before their idols and became a stumbling block of iniquity to the house of Israel, therefore I swore with an uplifted hand concerning them that they would bear the consequences of their iniquity, declares the Lord GOD.

NET Bible
Because they used to minister to them before their idols, and became a sinful obstacle to the house of Israel, consequently I have made a vow concerning them, declares the sovereign LORD, that they will be responsible for their sin.

New Heart English Bible
Because they ministered to them before their idols, and became a stumbling block of iniquity to the house of Israel; therefore have I lifted up my hand against them, says the Lord GOD, and they shall bear their iniquity.

Webster's Bible Translation
Because they ministered to them before their idols, and caused the house of Israel to fall into iniquity; therefore have I lifted up my hand against them, saith the Lord GOD, and they shall bear their iniquity.

World English Bible
Because they ministered to them before their idols, and became a stumbling block of iniquity to the house of Israel, therefore I have lifted up my hand against them,” says the Lord Yahweh, “and they will bear their iniquity.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Because that they serve them before their idols, and have been for a stumbling-block of iniquity to the house of Israel, therefore I have lifted up My hand against them—a declaration of Lord YHWH—and they have borne their iniquity.

Young's Literal Translation
Because that they serve them before their idols, and have been to the house of Israel for a stumbling-block of iniquity, therefore I have lifted up my hand against them -- an affirmation of the Lord Jehovah -- and they have borne their iniquity.

Smith's Literal Translation
Because they will serve them before their blocks, and they were to the house of Israel for a stumbling block of iniquity; for this I lifted up my hand against them, says the Lord Jehovah, and they bare their iniquity.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Because they ministered to them before their idols, and were a stumblingblock of iniquity to the house of Israel: therefore have I lifted up my hand against them, saith the Lord God, and they shall bear their iniquity:

Catholic Public Domain Version
But because they ministered to them in the sight their idols, and they became a stumbling block of iniquity to the house of Israel, for this reason, I have lifted up my hand against them, says the Lord God, and they will bear their iniquity.

New American Bible
Because they used to serve them before their idols, thus becoming a stumbling block to the house of Israel, therefore I have sworn an oath against them, says the Lord GOD, and they will bear the consequences of their sin.

New Revised Standard Version
Because they ministered to them before their idols and made the house of Israel stumble into iniquity, therefore I have sworn concerning them, says the Lord GOD, that they shall bear their punishment.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But because they ministered to them before their idols and became a stumbling block of iniquity to the house of Israel; therefore I have lifted up my hand against them, says the LORD God, and they have borne their iniquity.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because they ministered to them before their idols, and they were a stumbling block of evil to the children of Israel; because of this, I have lifted my hands against them, says THE LORD OF LORDS, and they bear their evil
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Because they ministered unto them before their idols, and became a stumblingblock of iniquity unto the house of Israel; therefore have I lifted up My hand against them, saith the Lord GOD, and they shall bear their iniquity.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Because they ministered to them before their idols, and it became to the house of Israel a punishment of iniquity; therefore have I lifted up my hand against them, saith the Lord God.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Duties of the Levites
11Yet they shall be ministers in My sanctuary, having charge of the gates of the temple and ministering there. They shall slaughter the burnt offerings and other sacrifices for the people and stand before them to minister to them. 12Because they ministered before their idols and became a stumbling block of iniquity to the house of Israel, therefore I swore with an uplifted hand concerning them that they would bear the consequences of their iniquity, declares the Lord GOD. 13They must not approach Me to serve Me as priests or come near any of My holy things or the most holy things. They will bear the shame of the abominations they have committed.…

Cross References
Leviticus 10:1-2
Now Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense, and offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to His command. / So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died in the presence of the LORD.

Numbers 16:1-35
Now Korah son of Izhar, the son of Kohath son of Levi, along with some Reubenites—Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth—conducted / a rebellion against Moses, along with 250 men of Israel renowned as leaders of the congregation and representatives in the assembly. / They came together against Moses and Aaron and told them, “You have taken too much upon yourselves! For everyone in the entire congregation is holy, and the LORD is in their midst. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?” ...

1 Samuel 2:12-17
Now the sons of Eli were wicked men; they had no regard for the LORD / or for the custom of the priests with the people. When any man offered a sacrifice, the servant of the priest would come with a three-pronged meat fork while the meat was boiling / and plunge it into the pan or kettle or cauldron or cooking pot. And the priest would claim for himself whatever the meat fork brought up. This is how they treated all the Israelites who came to Shiloh. ...

1 Samuel 2:22-25
Now Eli was very old, and he heard about everything his sons were doing to all Israel and how they were sleeping with the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. / “Why are you doing these things?” Eli said to his sons. “I hear about your wicked deeds from all these people. / No, my sons; it is not a good report I hear circulating among the LORD’s people. ...

1 Kings 12:31-33
Jeroboam also built shrines on the high places and appointed from every class of people priests who were not Levites. / And Jeroboam ordained a feast on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, like the feast that was in Judah, and he offered sacrifices on the altar; he made this offering in Bethel to sacrifice to the calves he had set up, and he installed priests in Bethel for the high places he had set up. / On the fifteenth day of the eighth month, a month of his own choosing, Jeroboam offered sacrifices on the altar he had set up in Bethel. So he ordained a feast for the Israelites, offered sacrifices on the altar, and burned incense.

2 Kings 17:16-20
They abandoned all the commandments of the LORD their God and made for themselves two cast idols of calves and an Asherah pole. They bowed down to all the host of heaven and served Baal. / They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire and practiced divination and soothsaying. They devoted themselves to doing evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger. / So the LORD was very angry with Israel, and He removed them from His presence. Only the tribe of Judah remained, ...

2 Kings 23:8-9
Then Josiah brought all the priests from the cities of Judah and desecrated the high places, from Geba to Beersheba, where the priests had burned incense. He tore down the high places of the gates at the entrance of the gate of Joshua the governor of the city, which was to the left of the city gate. / Although the priests of the high places did not come up to the altar of the LORD in Jerusalem, they ate unleavened bread with their fellow priests.

Jeremiah 23:11-15
“For both prophet and priest are ungodly; even in My house I have found their wickedness,” declares the LORD. / “Therefore their path will become slick; they will be driven away into the darkness and fall into it. For I will bring disaster upon them in the year of their punishment,” declares the LORD. / “Among the prophets of Samaria I saw an offensive thing: They prophesied by Baal and led My people Israel astray. ...

Hosea 4:6-9
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children. / The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against Me; they exchanged their Glory for a thing of disgrace. / They feed on the sins of My people and set their hearts on iniquity. ...

Malachi 2:8-9
But you have departed from the way, and your instruction has caused many to stumble. You have violated the covenant of Levi,” says the LORD of Hosts. / “So I in turn have made you despised and humiliated before all the people, because you have not kept My ways, but have shown partiality in matters of the law.”

Matthew 7:21-23
Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. / Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ / Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’

Matthew 15:14
Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”

Matthew 23:13-15
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter. / Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter. / Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You traverse land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.

Luke 6:39
Jesus also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?

John 10:12-13
The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock. / The man runs away because he is a hired servant and is unconcerned for the sheep.


Treasury of Scripture

Because they ministered to them before their idols, and caused the house of Israel to fall into iniquity; therefore have I lifted up my hand against them, said the Lord GOD, and they shall bear their iniquity.

they ministered

1 Samuel 2:29,30
Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people? …

2 Kings 16:10-16
And king Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, and saw an altar that was at Damascus: and king Ahaz sent to Urijah the priest the fashion of the altar, and the pattern of it, according to all the workmanship thereof…

Isaiah 9:16
For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.

Ezekiel 14:3,4
Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be inquired of at all by them? …

therefore

Ezekiel 20:6,15,23,28
In the day that I lifted up mine hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands: …

Deuteronomy 32:40-42
For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever…

Psalm 106:26
Therefore he lifted up his hand against them, to overthrow them in the wilderness:

and they shall

Ezekiel 44:10,13
And the Levites that are gone away far from me, when Israel went astray, which went astray away from me after their idols; they shall even bear their iniquity…

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Bear Block Caused Consequences Declares Fall Hand House Idols Images Iniquity Israel Lifted Ministered Presence Punishment Served Sin Sovereign Stumbling Stumblingblock Stumbling-Block Sworn Uplifted Work
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Bear Block Caused Consequences Declares Fall Hand House Idols Images Iniquity Israel Lifted Ministered Presence Punishment Served Sin Sovereign Stumbling Stumblingblock Stumbling-Block Sworn Uplifted Work
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














Because they ministered to them before their idols
The Hebrew word for "ministered" is "שָׁרַת" (sharat), which implies serving or attending to someone or something. In this context, it refers to the Levites who served the people in their idolatrous practices. Historically, the Levites were set apart for service to God, yet here they are depicted as having turned away from their sacred duties to facilitate idol worship. This phrase highlights the gravity of their betrayal, as they were meant to lead Israel in worship of the one true God, not false idols. The term "idols" (גִּלּוּלִים, gillulim) often denotes detestable things, emphasizing the abomination of idolatry in the eyes of God.

and became a stumbling block of iniquity to the house of Israel
The phrase "stumbling block" (מִכְשׁוֹל, mikshol) is significant in biblical literature, often symbolizing an obstacle that leads to sin or error. Here, the Levites' actions are not just personal failings but have broader implications, causing the entire "house of Israel" to falter in their faithfulness to God. The term "iniquity" (עָוֹן, avon) refers to moral perversity or sin, indicating that the Levites' actions were not merely mistakes but deliberate transgressions that led others astray. This serves as a sobering reminder of the responsibility of spiritual leaders to guide their communities in righteousness.

therefore I have raised My hand in an oath against them
The imagery of God "raising His hand" is a powerful expression of divine resolve and judgment. In ancient Near Eastern culture, raising a hand was a gesture associated with making a solemn oath or declaration. Here, it signifies God's unwavering commitment to hold the Levites accountable for their actions. The phrase underscores the seriousness with which God views the breach of covenant and the certainty of His ensuing judgment.

declares the Lord GOD
The use of "declares" (נְאֻם, neum) emphasizes the authoritative and prophetic nature of the message. It is a term often used in the context of divine pronouncements, underscoring that this is not merely a human perspective but a direct communication from "the Lord GOD" (אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה, Adonai Yahweh). This dual title for God combines His sovereign lordship with His covenantal name, reminding the audience of both His authority and His faithfulness to His promises.

and they will bear the consequences of their iniquity
The phrase "bear the consequences" (נָשָׂא עָוֹן, nasa avon) conveys the idea of carrying the weight or burden of one's sins. In the biblical context, this often implies experiencing the repercussions of one's actions, whether in the form of divine judgment or natural consequences. The Levites' iniquity has not gone unnoticed, and they are assured that they will face the results of their transgressions. This serves as a warning and a call to repentance, highlighting the justice of God and the importance of aligning one's life with His statutes.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Because
יַ֗עַן (ya·‘an)
Adverb
Strong's 3282: Heed, purpose, to indicate the reason, cause

they ministered
יְשָׁרְת֤וּ (yə·šā·rə·ṯū)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 8334: To attend as a, menial, worshipper, to contribute to

before
לִפְנֵ֣י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

their idols
גִלּֽוּלֵיהֶ֔ם (ḡil·lū·lê·hem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1544: A log, an idol

and became
וְהָי֥וּ (wə·hā·yū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

a stumbling block
לְמִכְשׁ֣וֹל (lə·miḵ·šō·wl)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4383: A stumbling, means or occasion of stumbling, a stumbling block

of iniquity
עָוֺ֑ן (‘ā·wōn)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 5771: Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity

to the house
לְבֵֽית־ (lə·ḇêṯ-)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of Israel,
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

therefore
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

I swore with an uplifted
נָשָׂ֨אתִי (nā·śā·ṯî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

hand
יָדִ֜י (yā·ḏî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3027: A hand

concerning them
עֲלֵיהֶ֗ם (‘ă·lê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

that they would bear the consequences
וְנָשְׂא֖וּ (wə·nā·śə·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

of their iniquity,
עֲוֺנָֽם׃ (‘ă·wō·nām)
Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5771: Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity

declares
נְאֻם֙ (nə·’um)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5002: An oracle

the Lord
אֲדֹנָ֣י (’ă·ḏō·nāy)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 136: The Lord

GOD.
יְהוִ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 44:12 Because they ministered to them before their (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 44:11
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