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Ezekiel 44:31

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Ezekiel 44:31 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “The priests shall not eat of anything that dieth of itself, or is torn, whether it be bird or beast.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

The priests shall not eat of anything that dieth of itself, or is torn, whether it be bird or beast.
Ezekiel 44:31 — American Standard Version

Context — Ezekiel 44

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
28And they shall have an inheritance: I am their inheritance; and ye shall give them no possession in Israel; I am their possession.
29They shall eat the meal-offering, and the sin-offering, and the trespass-offering; and every devoted thing in Israel shall be theirs.
30And the first of all the first-fruits of every thing, and every oblation of everything, of all your oblations, shall be for the priest: ye shall also give unto the priests the first of your dough, to cause a blessing to rest on thy house.
31The priests shall not eat of anything that dieth of itself, or is torn, whether it be bird or beast.
← Ezekiel 44:30Ezekiel 45:1 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“The priests shall not eat of anything that is dead of itself, or torn, &c.] They shall have no need to eat of such things, being plentifully provided for with better; nor will it become them so to do through avarice, not allowing themselves to enjoy what is liberally given them. Here the Jewish doctorsf813 observe that it is said, the priests shall not eat of these things, suggesting that Israelites might; this puzzles them, therefore they say, Elijah will explain this verse; and the gloss says, till Elijah comes, and explains it to us, we know not how to explain it. In the mystic sense it may signify, that the priests of the Lord should have no communication with such as are dead in sin, or…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Regulations as to the priests’ services. The garments of the priests are defined and various rules prescribed in the Law are repeated with some additions in order to denote additional care to avoid uncleanness. Ezekiel 44:18 The material of which the four vestments of the ordinary priest were made was “linen,” or, more accurately, “byssus,” the cotton stuff of Egypt. The two special qualities of the byssus - white and shining - are characteristic, and on them part of the symbolic meaning depended. Compare Revelation 19:8. Ezekiel 44:19 They shall not sanctify the people - They shall not touch the people with their holy garments. The word “sanctify” is used because the effect of touching was…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“44:31 In their radical separation from the realm of death, they could not eat any bird or animal that died a natural death or was attacked by another animal.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Exo 22:31; Lev 17:15, Lev 22:8; Deu 14:21; Rom 14:20; Co1 8:13 Next: Ezekiel Chapter 45”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification