Ezekiel 44:21
New International Version
No priest is to drink wine when he enters the inner court.

New Living Translation
The priests must not drink wine before entering the inner courtyard.

English Standard Version
No priest shall drink wine when he enters the inner court.

Berean Standard Bible
No priest may drink wine before he enters the inner court.

King James Bible
Neither shall any priest drink wine, when they enter into the inner court.

New King James Version
No priest shall drink wine when he enters the inner court.

New American Standard Bible
Nor shall any of the priests drink wine when they enter the inner courtyard.

NASB 1995
“Nor shall any of the priests drink wine when they enter the inner court.

NASB 1977
“Nor shall any of the priests drink wine when they enter the inner court.

Legacy Standard Bible
Nor shall any of the priests drink wine when they enter the inner court.

Amplified Bible
Nor shall any priest drink wine when he enters the inner courtyard.

Christian Standard Bible
No priest may drink wine before he enters the inner court.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
No priest may drink wine before he enters the inner court.

American Standard Version
Neither shall any of the priests drink wine, when they enter into the inner court.

Contemporary English Version
They must not drink wine before going to the inner courtyard.

English Revised Version
Neither shall any priest drink wine, when they enter into the inner court.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
None of the priests may drink wine when they enter the inner courtyard.

Good News Translation
Priests must not drink any wine before going into the inner courtyard.

International Standard Version
None of the priests are to drink wine after entering the inner courtyard.

Majority Standard Bible
No priest may drink wine before he enters the inner court.

NET Bible
No priest may drink wine when he enters the inner court.

New Heart English Bible
Neither shall any of the priests drink wine, when they enter into the inner court.

Webster's Bible Translation
Neither shall any priest drink wine, when they enter into the inner court.

World English Bible
None of the priests shall drink wine when they enter into the inner court.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And no priest drinks wine in their coming into the inner court.

Young's Literal Translation
And no priest doth drink wine in their coming in unto the inner court.

Smith's Literal Translation
And they shall not drink wine every priest in their going in to the inner enclosure.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And no priest shall drink wine when he is to go into the inner court.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And no priest shall drink wine, when he will be entering into the inner court.

New American Bible
No priest shall drink wine before he enters the inner court.

New Revised Standard Version
No priest shall drink wine when he enters the inner court.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Neither shall the priests drink wine when they enter into the inner court.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the Priests shall not drink wine when they enter the inner courtyard
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Neither shall any priest drink wine, when they enter into the inner court.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And no priest shall drink any wine, when they go into the inner court.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Duties of the Priests
20They must not shave their heads or let their hair grow long, but must carefully trim their hair. 21No priest may drink wine before he enters the inner court. 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.…

Cross References
Leviticus 10:9
“You and your sons are not to drink wine or strong drink when you enter the Tent of Meeting, or else you will die; this is a permanent statute for the generations to come.

Numbers 6:3
he is to abstain from wine and strong drink. He must not drink vinegar made from wine or strong drink, and he must not drink any grape juice or eat fresh grapes or raisins.

Isaiah 28:7
These also stagger from wine and stumble from strong drink: Priests and prophets reel from strong drink and are befuddled by wine. They stumble because of strong drink, muddled in their visions and stumbling in their judgments.

Proverbs 31:4-5
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink, / lest they drink and forget what is decreed, depriving all the oppressed of justice.

1 Timothy 3:3
not dependent on wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, and free of the love of money.

1 Timothy 3:8
Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued or given to much wine or greedy for money.

Titus 1:7
As God’s steward, an overseer must be above reproach—not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money.

1 Peter 5:8
Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Leviticus 21:10-12
The priest who is highest among his brothers, who has had the anointing oil poured on his head and has been ordained to wear the priestly garments, must not let his hair hang loose or tear his garments. / He must not go near any dead body; he must not defile himself, even for his father or mother. / He must not leave or desecrate the sanctuary of his God, for the consecration of the anointing oil of his God is on him. I am the LORD.

Leviticus 21:17-21
“Say to Aaron, ‘For the generations to come, none of your descendants who has a physical defect may approach to offer the food of his God. / No man who has any defect may approach—no man who is blind, lame, disfigured, or deformed; / no man who has a broken foot or hand, ...

Hosea 4:11
to promiscuity, wine, and new wine, which take away understanding.

1 Corinthians 6:10
nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 5:11
But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a verbal abuser, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.

Romans 14:21
It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything to cause your brother to stumble.

Ephesians 5:18
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.


Treasury of Scripture

Neither shall any priest drink wine, when they enter into the inner court.

Leviticus 10:9
Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations:

Luke 1:15
For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.

1 Timothy 3:8
Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

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Court Drink Enter Enters Inner Priest Priests Square Wine
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














No priest may drink wine
This phrase highlights the requirement for priests to maintain sobriety while performing their sacred duties. In the broader biblical context, this command echoes Leviticus 10:9, where Aaron and his sons are instructed not to drink wine or strong drink when they enter the tent of meeting. The prohibition underscores the need for priests to be fully alert and focused on their service to God, avoiding any impairment that could lead to negligence or error in their duties. Historically, wine was a common beverage in ancient Israel, often used in religious rituals and daily life, but its consumption was regulated for those serving in the temple to ensure reverence and purity.

before he enters the inner court
The inner court refers to the area within the temple complex where only priests could enter to perform their duties, such as offering sacrifices and maintaining the altar. This area was considered holy, and access was restricted to those who were ritually clean and prepared. The inner court's sanctity required that priests approach with the utmost respect and readiness, free from any influence that could compromise their ability to serve. This requirement for purity and preparedness can be seen as a type of Christ, who serves as our High Priest, entering the heavenly sanctuary on our behalf, perfectly pure and without blemish (Hebrews 9:11-12). The emphasis on entering the inner court soberly also reflects the broader biblical theme of approaching God with reverence and holiness, as seen in passages like Psalm 24:3-4, which speaks of those who may ascend the hill of the Lord and stand in His holy place.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ezekiel
A prophet and priest during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel is the author of the book. He receives visions and messages from God concerning the future of Israel and the temple.

2. Priests
The Levitical priests are the focus of this verse. They are responsible for performing duties in the temple and maintaining holiness in their service to God.

3. Inner Court
This is a specific area within the temple where the priests perform sacred duties. It symbolizes a place of holiness and direct service to God.

4. Temple
The central place of worship for the Israelites, representing God's presence among His people.

5. Babylonian Exile
The historical context in which Ezekiel prophesied, a time when the Israelites were in captivity and the temple in Jerusalem was destroyed.
Teaching Points
Holiness in Service
Priests were called to a higher standard of holiness, especially when serving in the temple. This principle applies to all believers, who are called to live holy lives as representatives of Christ.

Sobriety and Clarity of Mind
The prohibition against wine for priests entering the inner court underscores the importance of being clear-minded and fully focused when serving God. Believers today are encouraged to maintain spiritual alertness.

Reverence for God's Presence
The inner court represents a place of divine encounter. Approaching God with reverence and respect is crucial, reflecting an attitude of worship and submission.

Spiritual Readiness
Just as priests needed to be prepared to serve, Christians are called to be spiritually ready at all times, living lives that honor God and reflect His holiness.Verse 21. - The prohibition of wine to the priests when engaged in temple service accorded with Mosaic legislation (Leviticus 10:9). Total abstinence at other times was not enjoined.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
No
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

priest
כֹּהֵ֑ן (kō·hên)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3548: Priest

may drink
יִשְׁתּ֖וּ (yiš·tū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 8354: To imbibe

wine
וְיַ֥יִן (wə·ya·yin)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3196: Wine, intoxication

before he enters
בְּבוֹאָ֖ם (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 inner
הַפְּנִימִֽית׃ (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


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 44:21 Neither shall any of the priests drink (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 44:20
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