And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.
Parallel translations
- WEB They shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the common, 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 violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.
- Lev 10:10–11And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean;
- 2 Tim 2:24–25And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
- Hos 4:6My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
- Zeph 3:4Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.
- Mal 2:6–9The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity.
- Hag 2:11–13Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying,
- Deut 33:10They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law: they shall put incense before thee, and whole burnt sacrifice upon thine altar.
- Titus 1:9–11Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
- Mic 3:9–11Hear this, I pray you, ye heads of the house of Jacob, and princes of the house of Israel, that abhor judgment, and pervert all equity.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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.