Bible Strands
Ezekiel 48:11
It will be for the consecrated priests, the descendants of Zadok, who kept My charge and did not go astray as the Levites did when the Israelites went astray.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — God speaks through the prophet Ezekiel to the exiled Israelites, outlining the territorial division of the restored land. This verse allocates the central holy portion immediately after describing the sanctuary's dimensions in Ezekiel 48:10.
The words — The text emphasizes מִבְּנֵי צָדוֹק (mi./be.Nei tza.Dok), meaning "from the sons of Zadok," and שָׁמְרוּ מִשְׁמַרְתִּי (sha.me.Ru mish.mar.T/i), meaning "they kept My charge." These terms identify the specific priestly lineage and their active preservation of divine instruction.
The thread — This allocation directly contrasts with Ezekiel 44:10, which notes the Levites wandered from God when Israel turned to idols. The pattern of faithful stewardship also appears in Matthew 24:45, where a servant is put in charge of the household.
Why it lands — The text states that the holy portion belongs to priests who maintained their duty while others strayed. It requires readers to prioritize faithful obedience over nominal status when approaching God's presence.
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
It shall be for the priests that are sanctified of the sons of Zadok; which have kept my charge, which went not astray when the children of Israel went astray, as the Levites went astray.
Cross-references
- Ezekiel 40:46 and the chamber that faces north is for the priests who keep charge of the altar. These are the sons of Zadok, the only Levites who may approach the LORD to minister before Him.”
- 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.
- Matthew 24:45 Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of his household, to give the others their food at the proper time?
- Ezekiel 43:19 You are to give a young bull from the herd as a sin offering to the Levitical priests who are of the family of Zadok, who approach Me to minister before Me, declares the Lord GOD.
- Ezekiel 44:15 But the Levitical priests, who are descended from Zadok and who kept charge of My sanctuary when the Israelites went astray from Me, are to approach Me to minister before Me. They will stand before Me to offer Me fat and blood, declares the Lord GOD.
- 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
- 1 Peter 5:4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
- Revelation 2:10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will suffer tribulation for ten days. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.