Ezekiel 44:9

This is what the Lord GOD says: No foreigner uncircumcised in heart and flesh may enter My sanctuary—not even a foreigner who lives among the Israelites.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The Lord GOD speaks to the prophet concerning sanctuary regulations immediately after condemning Israel for failing to keep charge of holy things.

The words — The prohibition rests on עֶרֶל ('E.rel), literally "uncircumcised of," and נֵכָ֗ר (ne.Khar), meaning "foreignness," which together define the barred demographic.

The thread — This boundary rule directly continues the accusation in Ezekiel 44:7 and reflects the same sanctuary-holiness motif applied to Jerusalem in Joel 3:17 and Zechariah 14:21.

Why it lands — The text commands strict exclusion from the sanctuary based on explicit criteria, requiring readers to acknowledge that residence among the covenant people does not override the stated access requirements.

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

Thus saith the Lord God; No stranger, uncircumcised in heart, nor uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter into my sanctuary, of any stranger that is among the children of Israel.

Cross-references

Joel 3:17 Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who dwells in Zion, My holy mountain. Jerusalem will be holy, never again to be overrun by foreigners.
Zechariah 14:21 Indeed, every pot in Jerusalem and Judah will be holy to the LORD of Hosts, and all who sacrifice will come and take some pots and cook in them. And on that day there will no longer be a Canaanite in the house of the LORD of Hosts.
Ezekiel 44:7 In addition to all your other abominations, you brought in foreigners uncircumcised in both heart and flesh to occupy My sanctuary; you defiled My temple when you offered My food—the fat and the blood; you broke My covenant.
Mark 16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
John 3:3 Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”
Psalms 50:16 To the wicked, however, God says, “What right have you to recite My statutes and to bear My covenant on your lips?
Psalms 93:5 Your testimonies are fully confirmed; holiness adorns Your house, O LORD, for all the days to come.
Titus 1:5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you would set in order what was unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.