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They are to wear linen turbans on their heads and linen undergarments around their waists. They must not wear anything that makes them perspire.
Ezekiel 44:18 · Berean Standard Bible
Parallel translations
  • WEB They shall have linen tires on their heads, and shall have linen breeches on their waists; they shall not clothe themselves with anything that makes them sweat.
  • KJV They shall have linen bonnets upon their heads, and shall have linen breeches upon their loins; they shall not gird themselves with any thing that causeth sweat.
  • NKJV They shall have linen turbans on their heads and linen trousers on their bodies; they shall not clothe themselves with anything that causes sweat.
  • NASB Linen turbans shall be on their heads and linen undergarments shall be around their waists; they shall not put on anything that makes them sweat.
  • NLT They must wear linen turbans and linen undergarments. They must not wear anything that would cause them to perspire.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Quick answer

Priests wear linen turbans and undergarments and avoid anything that causes sweat while serving.

Overview

Even the priests' headwear and undergarments are regulated to ensure purity and dignity in worship. The avoidance of sweat, associated with toil and the curse, suggests that ministry before God should be marked by purity rather than the strain of fallen labor. These details point to the holiness God requires and graciously provides through the gospel.

Cross-references & the web

Cross-references · 6

  • Exod 39:28as well as the turban of fine linen, the ornate headbands and undergarments of finely spun linen,
  • Exod 28:40–43Make tunics, sashes, and headbands for Aaron’s sons, to give them glory and splendor.
  • Lev 16:4He is to wear the sacred linen tunic, with linen undergarments. He must tie a linen sash around him and put on the linen turban. These are holy garments, and he must bathe himself with water before he wears them.
  • Isa 3:20their headdresses, ankle chains, and sashes; their perfume bottles and charms;
  • 1 Cor 14:40But everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner.
  • 1 Cor 11:4–10Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head.

Themes, concepts, people & topics

Topics (5)

Resources, by level

Commentaries & study tools

  • VideoBibleProject — Ezekiel videosBibleProject · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.

  • VideoWatch teaching on Ezekiel 44:18YouTube · Lay · Free

    Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.

  • CommentaryEnduring Word — verse-by-verseDavid Guzik · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.

  • CommentaryClassic commentaries for this verseBibleHub (20+ works) · Pastoral · Free

    Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.

  • CommentaryMatthew Henry on EzekielMatthew Henry · Pastoral · Free · evangelical

    The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).

  • ReferenceInterlinear, lexicon & Strong'sBlue Letter Bible · Seminary · Free

    Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.

Christ at the center

The promise of one Shepherd-King David, a new heart and new Spirit, and the river of life flowing from the temple all stream toward Christ, the good Shepherd who gives the Spirit.

How Ezekiel 44:18 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.

Original language

Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.