King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 44:22 Mean?

Ezekiel 44:22 in the King James Version says “Neither shall they take for their wives a widow, nor her that is put away: but they shall take maidens of the seed of th...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 44 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Neither shall they take for their wives a widow, nor her that is put away: but they shall take maidens of the seed of the house of Israel, or a widow that had a priest before. put: Heb. thrust forth that had: Heb. from a priest”

Ezekiel 44:22 · KJV

Context

20

Neither shall they shave their heads, nor suffer their locks to grow long; they shall only poll their heads.

21

Neither shall any priest drink wine, when they enter into the inner court.

22

Neither shall they take for their wives a widow, nor her that is put away: but they shall take maidens of the seed of the house of Israel, or a widow that had a priest before. put: Heb. thrust forth that had: Heb. from a priest

23

And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.

24

And in controversy they shall stand in judgment; and they shall judge it according to my judgments: and they shall keep my laws and my statutes in all mine assemblies; and they shall hallow my sabbaths.

Read Ezekiel 44 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Neither shall they take for their wives a widow, nor her that is put away: but they shall take maidens of the seed of the house of Israel, or a widow that had a priest before. This regulation restricts priestly marriage to maintain ritual purity and symbolic holiness. The Hebrew almanah (אַלְמָנָה, "widow") and gerushah (גְּרוּשָׁה, "divorced woman") were generally forbidden, with one exception: a widow that had a priest before (almanah asher tihyeh almanah mik-kohen)—a priest's widow could remarry within the priesthood.

The requirement for maidens of the seed of the house of Israel (betulot miz-zera beit Yisrael) emphasizes both virginity and covenant lineage. This parallels the High Priest's restriction to marry only a virgin (Leviticus 21:13-14), though Ezekiel's millennial temple applies this to all priests. The rationale is both practical (avoiding complicated inheritance disputes) and symbolic—priests represent God's holiness and the covenant community's exclusive relationship to Yahweh, pictured in marriage to a virgin bride.

This foreshadows Christ and His church: Christ the High Priest presents His bride "as a chaste virgin" without spot or blemish (2 Corinthians 11:2, Ephesians 5:27). The church's purity comes not from inherent virtue but from Christ's cleansing—positional holiness imputed through faith. The exception for priests' widows illustrates redemptive grace: those once joined to holiness may be restored to sacred service.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This appears in Ezekiel 40-48, the prophet's vision of a restored temple and reconstituted worship (circa 573 BC during Babylonian exile). While some provisions match Levitical law, others present stricter requirements—suggesting either idealized standards for millennial worship or heightened holiness expectations for restoration.

Under Mosaic law, ordinary priests could marry widows, though not divorced women or prostitutes (Leviticus 21:7). Only the High Priest was restricted to virgins (Leviticus 21:13-14). Ezekiel's vision elevates all priests to near-High Priestly standards, reflecting the holiness theme pervading chapters 40-48. The exiles needed to understand that return from Babylon required renewed commitment to covenant distinctiveness—no compromise with pagan practices, including marriage customs.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the church as Christ's bride reflect the purity and exclusive devotion pictured in priestly marriage regulations?
  2. What does the exception for priests' widows teach about God's redemptive grace toward those with complicated pasts who seek to serve Him?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
אַלְמָנָ֔ה1 of 18

“a widow”

H490

a widow; also a desolate place

וּגְרוּשָׁ֔ה2 of 18

“nor her that is put away”

H1644

to drive out from a possession; especially to expatriate or divorce

לֹֽא3 of 18
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִקָּֽחוּ׃4 of 18

“Neither shall they take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

לָהֶ֖ם5 of 18
H0
לְנָשִׁ֑ים6 of 18

“for their wives”

H802

a woman

כִּ֣י7 of 18
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אִם8 of 18
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

בְּתוּלֹ֗ת9 of 18

“maidens”

H1330

a virgin (from her privacy); sometimes (by continuation) a bride; also (figuratively) a city or state

וְהָֽאַלְמָנָה֙10 of 18

“of the seed”

H2233

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

בֵּ֣ית11 of 18

“of the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל12 of 18

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וְהָֽאַלְמָנָה֙13 of 18

“of the seed”

H2233

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

אֲשֶׁ֣ר14 of 18
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

תִּֽהְיֶ֣ה15 of 18
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

אַלְמָנָ֔ה16 of 18

“a widow”

H490

a widow; also a desolate place

מִכֹּהֵ֖ן17 of 18

“that had a priest”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

יִקָּֽחוּ׃18 of 18

“Neither shall they take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 44:22 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 44:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 21:7Leviticus 21:13-141 Timothy 3:21 Timothy 3:4-5Deuteronomy 24:1-4Titus 1:6

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