Ezekiel 44:17
New International Version
“’When they enter the gates of the inner court, they are to wear linen clothes; they must not wear any woolen garment while ministering at the gates of the inner court or inside the temple.

New Living Translation
“When they enter the gateway to the inner courtyard, they must wear only linen clothing. They must wear no wool while on duty in the inner courtyard or in the Temple itself.

English Standard Version
When they enter the gates of the inner court, they shall wear linen garments. They shall have nothing of wool on them, while they minister at the gates of the inner court, and within.

Berean Standard Bible
When they enter the gates of the inner court, they are to wear linen garments; they must not wear anything made of wool when they minister at the gates of the inner court or inside the temple.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
And it shall be, whenever they enter the gates of the inner court, that they shall put on linen garments; no wool shall come upon them while they minister within the gates of the inner court or within the house.

New American Standard Bible
And it shall be that when they enter at the gates of the inner courtyard, they shall be clothed with linen garments; and wool shall not be worn by them while they are ministering in the gates of the inner courtyard or in the house.

NASB 1995
“It shall be that when they enter at the gates of the inner court, they shall be clothed with linen garments; and wool shall not be on them while they are ministering in the gates of the inner court and in the house.

NASB 1977
“And it shall be that when they enter at the gates of the inner court, they shall be clothed with linen garments; and wool shall not be on them while they are ministering in the gates of the inner court and in the house.

Legacy Standard Bible
And it will be that when they enter at the gates of the inner court, they shall be clothed with linen garments; and wool shall not be on them while they are ministering in the gates of the inner court and in the house.

Amplified Bible
It shall be that when they enter the gates of the inner courtyard, they shall be clothed in linen garments; no wool shall be on them while they minister at the gates of the inner courtyard and within the temple (house).

Christian Standard Bible
When they enter the gates of the inner court they are to wear linen garments; they must not have on them anything made of wool when they minister at the gates of the inner court and within it.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When they enter the gates of the inner court they must wear linen garments; they must not have on them anything made of wool when they minister at the gates of the inner court and within it.

American Standard Version
And it shall be 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, while they minister in the gates of the inner court, and within.

Contemporary English Version
When they come to the inner courtyard, they must wear their linen priestly clothes. My priests must never wear anything made of wool when they are on duty in this courtyard or in the temple.

English Revised Version
And it shall be 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When they enter the gateways to the inner courtyard, they must wear linen clothes. They must have no wool on them while they serve in the gateways to the inner courtyard and in the temple.

Good News Translation
When they enter the gateway to the inner courtyard of the Temple, they are to put on linen clothing. They must not wear anything made of wool when they are on duty in the inner courtyard or in the Temple.

International Standard Version
Whenever they enter at the gates of the inner court, they are to be clothed with linen garments. They are not to wear wool when they are ministering within the gates of the inner courtyard or in the Temple.

Majority Standard Bible
When they enter the gates of the inner court, they are to wear linen garments; they must not wear anything made of wool when they minister at the gates of the inner court or inside the temple.

NET Bible
"'When they enter the gates of the inner court, they must wear linen garments; they must not have any wool on them when they minister in the inner gates of the court and in the temple.

New Heart English Bible
"'It shall be that, when they enter in at the gates of the inner court, they shall be clothed with linen garments; and no wool shall come on them, while they minister in the gates of the inner court, and within.

Webster's Bible Translation
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, while they minister in the gates of the inner court, and within.

World English Bible
“‘“It will be that when they enter in at the gates of the inner court, they shall be clothed with linen garments. No wool shall come on them while they minister in the gates of the inner court, and within.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And it has come to pass, in their going into the gates of the inner court, they put on linen garments; and no wool comes up on them in their ministering in the gates of the inner court and within.

Young's Literal Translation
And it hath come to pass, in their going in unto the gates of the inner court, linen garments they put on; and no wool cometh up on them in their ministering in the gates of the inner court and within.

Smith's Literal Translation
And it was in their going in to the gates of the inner enclosure they shall put on linen garments; and wool shall not come up upon them in their serving in the gates of the inner enclosure, and the house.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when they shall enter in at the gates of the inner court, they shall be clothed with linen garments: neither shall any woollen come upon them, when they minister in the gates of the inner court and within.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when they enter the gates of the inner court, they shall be clothed with linen garments. Neither shall anything woolen be placed over them, when they minister within the gates of the inner and the outer court.

New American Bible
Whenever they enter the gates of the inner court, they shall wear linen garments; they shall not put on anything woolen when they serve at the gates of the inner court or within the temple.

New Revised Standard Version
When they enter the gates of the inner court, they shall wear linen vestments; they shall have nothing of wool on them, while they minister at the gates of the inner court, and within.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when they enter the gate of the inner court, they shall be clothed with linen garments; they shall not wear any garments made of wool, while they minister at the gate of the inner court.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And when they enter into the gate of the court, they shall wear inner garments of linen, and they shall not wear any wool, also when they serve in the gate of the inner courtyard
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And it shall be 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, while they minister in the gates of the inner court, and within.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it shall come to pass when they enter the gates of the inner court, that they shall put on linen robes; and they shall not put on woollen garments when they minister at the gate of the inner court.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Duties of the Priests
16They alone shall enter My sanctuary and draw near to My table to minister before Me. They will keep My charge. 17 When they enter the gates of the inner court, they are to wear linen garments; they must not wear anything made of wool when they minister at the gates of the inner court or inside the temple. 18They are to wear linen turbans on their heads and linen undergarments around their waists. They must not wear anything that makes them perspire.…

Cross References
Exodus 28:39-43
You are to weave the tunic with fine linen, make the turban of fine linen, and fashion an embroidered sash. / Make tunics, sashes, and headbands for Aaron’s sons, to give them glory and splendor. / After you put these garments on your brother Aaron and his sons, anoint them, ordain them, and consecrate them so that they may serve Me as priests. ...

Leviticus 16:4
He is to wear the sacred linen tunic, with linen undergarments. He must tie a linen sash around him and put on the linen turban. These are holy garments, and he must bathe himself with water before he wears them.

Revelation 19:8
She was given clothing of fine linen, bright and pure.” For the fine linen she wears is the righteous acts of the saints.

Isaiah 61:10
I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom wears a priestly headdress, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Zechariah 3:4-5
So the angel said to those standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes!” Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have removed your iniquity, and I will clothe you with splendid robes.” / Then I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So a clean turban was placed on his head, and they clothed him, as the angel of the LORD stood by.

Matthew 22:11-12
But when the king came in to see the guests, he spotted a man who was not dressed in wedding clothes. / ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ But the man was speechless.

Revelation 3:4-5
But you do have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments, and because they are worthy, they will walk with Me in white. / Like them, he who overcomes will be dressed in white. And I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and His angels.

Exodus 28:2-4
Make holy garments for your brother Aaron, to give him glory and splendor. / You are to instruct all the skilled craftsmen, whom I have filled with a spirit of wisdom, to make garments for Aaron’s consecration, so that he may serve Me as priest. / These are the garments that they shall make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a woven tunic, a turban, and a sash. They are to make these holy garments for your brother Aaron and his sons, so that they may serve Me as priests.

Leviticus 6:10
And the priest shall put on his linen robe and linen undergarments, and he shall remove from the altar the ashes of the burnt offering that the fire has consumed and place them beside it.

1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Revelation 7:13-14
Then one of the elders addressed me: “These in white robes,” he asked, “who are they, and where have they come from?” / “Sir,” I answered, “you know.” So he replied, “These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Exodus 39:27-29
For Aaron and his sons they made tunics of fine linen, the work of a weaver, / as well as the turban of fine linen, the ornate headbands and undergarments of finely spun linen, / and the sash of finely spun linen, embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

2 Chronicles 5:12
all the Levitical singers—Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and relatives—stood on the east side of the altar, dressed in fine linen and playing cymbals, harps, and lyres, accompanied by 120 priests sounding trumpets.

Luke 15:22
But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.

Acts 1:10
They were looking intently into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them.


Treasury of Scripture

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 on them, whiles they minister in the gates of the inner court, and within.

they shall

Exodus 28:39,40,43
And thou shalt embroider the coat of fine linen, and thou shalt make the mitre of fine linen, and thou shalt make the girdle of needlework…

Exodus 39:27-29
And they made coats of fine linen of woven work for Aaron, and for his sons, …

Leviticus 16:4
He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches upon his flesh, and shall be girded with a linen girdle, and with the linen mitre shall he be attired: these are holy garments; therefore shall he wash his flesh in water, and so put them on.

Jump to Previous
Clothed Clothes Court Doorway Doorways Enter Garment Garments Gates House Inner Inside Linen Minister Ministering Robes Square Temple Towards Wear Whiles Within Wool Woolen Work
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Clothed Clothes Court Doorway Doorways Enter Garment Garments Gates House Inner Inside Linen Minister Ministering Robes Square Temple Towards Wear Whiles Within Wool Woolen 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














When they enter the gates of the inner court
The phrase "enter the gates of the inner court" refers to the priests' approach to the sacred space within the temple, a place of divine presence and worship. In Hebrew, the word for "gates" (שַׁעַר, sha'ar) signifies a place of transition and decision, often symbolizing the threshold between the secular and the sacred. The "inner court" (חָצֵר, chatser) was a place of heightened holiness, accessible only to those who were consecrated. This highlights the importance of preparation and purity when approaching God, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture, emphasizing the reverence and sanctity required in worship.

they are to wear linen garments
The instruction to "wear linen garments" underscores the purity and simplicity required of the priests. Linen (פִּשְׁתִּים, pishtim) is a fabric that symbolizes purity and righteousness, often associated with priestly duties. Historically, linen was chosen for its lightweight and breathable qualities, which were practical for the hot climate and symbolically represented the removal of impurities. This attire signifies the need for spiritual cleanliness and the shedding of worldly encumbrances when serving before the Lord, reflecting the call for holiness in the lives of believers.

they must not wear anything made of wool
The prohibition against wearing wool (צֶמֶר, tsemer) while ministering is significant. Wool, derived from animals, can symbolize the earthly and the fleshly, contrasting with the purity of linen. This distinction serves as a metaphor for the separation between the holy and the common, the spiritual and the carnal. In a broader biblical context, it reminds believers of the need to distinguish between the sacred and the profane in their own lives, striving for spiritual integrity and devotion.

when they minister at the gates of the inner court or inside the temple
The phrase "when they minister" (שָׁרַת, sharath) refers to the act of serving or attending to the duties within the temple. This service is not merely a ritual but a profound act of worship and dedication to God. The "gates of the inner court" and "inside the temple" denote areas of significant spiritual activity and presence. The emphasis on proper attire and conduct in these spaces highlights the seriousness and honor of serving in God's presence. It serves as a reminder to all believers of the privilege and responsibility of worship, calling for a heart and life dedicated to God's service.

(17) Clothed with linen garments.--The rest of the chapter is occupied with directions for the clothing and conduct of the priests. The dress (Ezekiel 44:17-19) is the same as that prescribed in Lev. 28, only a few special points being mentioned partly for emphasis, and partly as recalling to mind the whole.

Verses 17-31. - The duties and emoluments of the priests. Verse 17. - Beginning with their attire when engaged in temple service, this verse states, in a general way, that the priests should be clothed with linen garments, as the priests were under the Law (Exodus 28:40-43; Exodus 39:27-29; Leviticus 6:10), with this difference, that whereas under the Law the terms employed were שֵׁשׁ, the white byssus of Egypt, and בַּד, "fine white linen," here the word is פִּשְׁתֶּה, or "flax" - a difference which assists newer critics to perceive in the so-called priest-code a refinement on Ezekiel, and therefore an evidence that the priest-cede arose later than Ezekiel But if the so-called priest-code had already indicated that the linen for priests' garments should be of the finest quality, Ezekiel may have felt there was no occasion for him to use other than the generic term for "linen," which פִעשׁתֶּה (pishteh) seems to have been (comp. Leviticus 13:47, 48, 52, 59; Deuteronomy 22:11; Jeremiah 13:1). That this was so is suggested by the statement that no wool, צֶמֶר, "perhaps so called from its being shorn off" (Gesenius), should come upon them whiles they ministered in the gates of the inner court, or within the court itself, or the house - the contrast being between what was of vegetable and what was of animal production. The reason for the prohibition of wool is hinted at in ver. 18 - it was apt to cause sweat, and thus entail impurity; the clean white linen, on the other hand, was designed both for hygienic reasons and as an emblem of purity (comp. Revelation 19:8, 14).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When they enter
בְּבוֹאָם֙ (bə·ḇō·w·’ām)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

the gates
שַׁעֲרֵי֙ (ša·‘ă·rê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate

of the inner
הַפְּנִימִ֔ית (hap·pə·nî·mîṯ)
Article | Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 6442: Interior

court,
הֶחָצֵ֣ר (he·ḥā·ṣêr)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 2691: A yard, a hamlet

they are to wear
יִלְבָּ֑שׁוּ (yil·bā·šū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3847: Wrap around, to put on a, garment, clothe

linen
פִשְׁתִּ֖ים (p̄iš·tîm)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 6593: Flax, linen

garments;
בִּגְדֵ֥י (biḡ·ḏê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 899: A covering, clothing, treachery, pillage

they must not
וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

wear
יַעֲלֶ֤ה (ya·‘ă·leh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

anything made of wool
צֶ֔מֶר (ṣe·mer)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6785: Wool

when they minister
בְּשָֽׁרְתָ֗ם (bə·šā·rə·ṯām)
Preposition-b | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 8334: To attend as a, menial, worshipper, to contribute to

at the gates
בְּשַׁעֲרֵ֛י (bə·ša·‘ă·rê)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate

of the inner
הַפְּנִימִ֖ית (hap·pə·nî·mîṯ)
Article | Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 6442: Interior

court
הֶחָצֵ֥ר (he·ḥā·ṣêr)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 2691: A yard, a hamlet

or inside [the temple].
וָבָֽיְתָה׃ (wā·ḇā·yə·ṯāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1004: A house


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 44:17 It shall be that when they enter (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 44:16
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