Bible Strands
Ezekiel 44:12
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Lord GOD speaks to Ezekiel concerning the Levites who previously engaged in idolatry, establishing their restricted duties immediately after detailing their permitted sanctuary roles in Ezekiel 44:11.
The words — יְשָׁרְת֤וּ (ye.sha.re.Tu) literally means "they served," and גִלּֽוּלֵי/הֶ֔ם (gi.lu.lei./Hem) translates to "their idols," directly naming the action that triggered the sworn judgment.
The thread — The phrase "swore with an uplifted hand" appears in Psalms 106:26 regarding wilderness condemnation, while the "stumbling block of iniquity" motif runs through Ezekiel 14:3, where idols placed before faces provoke divine confrontation.
Why it lands — The text states that prior idol service permanently bars former priestly access, requiring readers to acknowledge that compromised worship history dictates fixed ministerial boundaries without exception.
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
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.
Cross-references
- 2 Kings 16:10 Then King Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria. On seeing the altar in Damascus, King Ahaz sent Uriah the priest a model of the altar and complete plans for its construction.
- Psalms 106:26 So He raised His hand and swore to cast them down in the wilderness,
- Ezekiel 14:3 “Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling blocks before their faces. Should I consult with them in any way?
- Ezekiel 20:15 Moreover, with an uplifted hand I swore to them in the wilderness that I would not bring them into the land that I had given them—a land flowing with milk and honey, the glory of all lands—
- Ezekiel 20:23 However, with an uplifted hand I swore to them in the wilderness that I would scatter them among the nations and disperse them throughout the lands.
- Ezekiel 44:10 Surely the Levites who wandered away from Me when Israel went astray, and who wandered away from Me after their idols, will bear the consequences of their iniquity.
- Deuteronomy 32:40 For I lift up My hand to heaven and declare: As surely as I live forever,
- 1 Samuel 2:29 Why then do you kick at My sacrifice and offering that I have prescribed for My dwelling place? You have honored your sons more than Me by fattening yourselves with the best of all the offerings of My people Israel.’
- Isaiah 9:16 For those who guide this people mislead them, and those they mislead are swallowed up.
- Ezekiel 20:6 On that day I swore to bring them out of the land of Egypt into a land that I had searched out for them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the glory of all lands.