They shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the common, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.
Parallel translations
- KJV And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.
- BSB They are to teach My people the difference between the holy and the common, and show them how to discern between the clean and the unclean.
- NKJV “And they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the unholy, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.
- NASB Moreover, they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the common, and teach them to distinguish between the unclean and the clean.
- NLT They will teach my people the difference between what is holy and what is common, what is ceremonially clean and unclean.
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
The priests are to teach God's people to distinguish the holy from the common and the clean from the unclean.
Overview
A central priestly duty was instruction, helping Israel discern what is sacred and what defiles. Teaching God's people to discern rightly is essential to faithful worship and living. This pastoral, teaching role anticipates the ministry of God's word in the church, by which believers are trained in holiness through Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- Ezek 22:26Her priests have done violence to my law, and have profaned my holy things. They have made no distinction between the holy and the common, neither have they caused men to discern between the unclean and the clean, and have hidden their eyes from my Sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.
- Lev 10:10–11You are to make a distinction between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean.
- 2 Tim 2:24–25The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but be gentle towards all, able to teach, patient,
- Hos 4:6My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you, that you may be no priest to me. Because you have forgotten your God’s law, I will also forget your children.
- Zeph 3:4Her prophets are arrogant and treacherous people. Her priests have profaned the sanctuary. They have done violence to the law.
- Mal 2:6–9The law of truth was in his mouth, and unrighteousness was not found in his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and turned many away from iniquity.
- Hag 2:11–13“Yahweh of Armies says: Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying,
- Deut 33:10They shall teach Jacob your ordinances, and Israel your law. They shall put incense before you, and whole burnt offering on your altar.
- Titus 1:9–11holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict those who contradict him.
- Mic 3:9–11Please listen to this, you heads of the house of Jacob, and rulers of the house of Israel, who abhor justice, and pervert all equity.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
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 44:23 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.