Bible Strands
Ezekiel 42:14
Once the priests have entered the holy area, they must not go out into the outer court until they have left behind the garments in which they minister, for these are holy. They are to put on other clothes before they approach the places that are for the people.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The measuring angel issues a direct command to Ezekiel regarding priestly conduct within the temple complex. The instruction occurs during the architectural survey of the inner sanctum and its adjacent holy chambers.
The words — הַ/כֹּהֲנִ֗ים (ha./ko.ha.Nim) translates literally to "the priests," identifying the specific group bound by the restriction. מֵ/הַ/קֹּ֙דֶשׁ֙ (me./ha./Ko.desh) means "from the holy place," establishing the spatial boundary they cannot cross while wearing their ministering garments.
The thread — The same garment-changing protocol appears in Ezekiel 44:19 when priests exit to the outer court. Levitical consecration rites in Exodus 29:4 and Leviticus 8:7 establish the broader pattern of sacred vestments requiring separation from common areas.
Why it lands — The text demands that ministers remove consecrated clothing before entering public spaces to prevent profaning the holy garments. It requires readers to recognize that sacred service necessitates strict boundaries between the holy and the common.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
When the priests enter therein, then shall they not go out of the holy place into the utter court, but there they shall lay their garments wherein they minister; for they are holy; and shall put on other garments, and shall approach to those things which are for the people.
Cross-references
- Ezekiel 44:19 When they go out to the outer court, to the people, they are to take off the garments in which they have ministered, leave them in the holy chambers, and dress in other clothes so that they do not transmit holiness to the people with their garments.
- Leviticus 8:7 He put the tunic on Aaron, tied the sash around him, clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod on him. He tied the woven band of the ephod around him and fastened it to him.
- Exodus 29:4 Then present Aaron and his sons at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and wash them with water.
- Leviticus 8:13 Then Moses presented Aaron’s sons, put tunics on them, wrapped sashes around them, and tied headbands on them, just as the LORD had commanded him.
- 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 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.”
- Exodus 28:40 Make tunics, sashes, and headbands for Aaron’s sons, to give them glory and splendor.
- Leviticus 8:33 You must not go outside the entrance to the Tent of Meeting for seven days, until the days of your ordination are complete; for it will take seven days to ordain you.
- Luke 9:62 Then Jesus declared, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and then looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
- Romans 3:22 And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction,