King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 48:11 Mean?

Ezekiel 48:11 in the King James Version says “It shall be for the priests that are sanctified of the sons of Zadok; which have kept my charge, which went not astray w...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 48 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“It shall be for the priests that are sanctified of the sons of Zadok; which have kept my charge, which went not astray when the children of Israel went astray, as the Levites went astray. It: or, The sanctified portion shall be for the priests charge: or, ward, or, ordinance”

Ezekiel 48:11 · KJV

Context

9

The oblation that ye shall offer unto the LORD shall be of five and twenty thousand in length, and of ten thousand in breadth.

10

And for them, even for the priests, shall be this holy oblation; toward the north five and twenty thousand in length, and toward the west ten thousand in breadth, and toward the east ten thousand in breadth, and toward the south five and twenty thousand in length: and the sanctuary of the LORD shall be in the midst thereof.

11

It shall be for the priests that are sanctified of the sons of Zadok; which have kept my charge, which went not astray when the children of Israel went astray, as the Levites went astray. It: or, The sanctified portion shall be for the priests charge: or, ward, or, ordinance

12

And this oblation of the land that is offered shall be unto them a thing most holy by the border of the Levites.

13

And over against the border of the priests the Levites shall have five and twenty thousand in length, and ten thousand in breadth: all the length shall be five and twenty thousand, and the breadth ten thousand.

Read Ezekiel 48 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
It shall be for the priests that are sanctified of the sons of Zadok; which have kept my charge, which went not astray when the children of Israel went astray, as the Levites went astray. This verse identifies the specific priests receiving the sacred inheritance: the bĕnê-Tsādôq (בְּנֵי־צָדוֹק, "sons of Zadok"). The name Zadok (צָדוֹק) means "righteous," and these priests demonstrated righteousness through faithfulness during Israel's apostasy.

"Which have kept my charge" translates šāmĕrû mišmartî (שָׁמְרוּ מִשְׁמַרְתִּי), literally "kept my keeping"—they guarded what God entrusted to them. This distinguishes Zadokite priests from other Levites who "went astray" (tā'û, תָּעוּ), likely referring to priests who officiated at illegitimate shrines or participated in idolatry during the monarchic period. The contrast is severe: faithfulness versus apostasy among the priestly class itself.

Zadok served David and Solomon faithfully (2 Samuel 15:24-29, 1 Kings 1:32-40), while other priests supported Adonijah's rebellion or served at high places. Ezekiel's vision rewards faithfulness under pressure—those who maintained integrity when apostasy was widespread receive the privileged position near God's sanctuary. This anticipates Jesus' teaching that faithfulness in little leads to greater responsibility (Luke 19:17) and Revelation's promise that overcomers will serve as priests before God's throne (Revelation 20:6). Zadokite fidelity becomes the prototype for Christian perseverance.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Zadok descended from Eleazar, Aaron's son, representing the legitimate high priestly line (1 Chronicles 6:50-53). During David's reign, both Zadok (Eleazarite) and Abiathar (Ithamarite) served as priests, but Abiathar supported Adonijah's coup and was banished (1 Kings 2:26-27), fulfilling the prophecy against Eli's house (1 Samuel 2:31-35). From Solomon onward, Zadokites held the high priesthood.

By Ezekiel's time, the priesthood was corrupted. Jeremiah condemned priests who handled the law without knowing God (Jeremiah 2:8), and Ezekiel himself witnessed priestly abominations in the temple (Ezekiel 8:11-16). The Zadokite restriction functioned as both reward for past faithfulness and reform measure ensuring future purity. Post-exilic high priests claimed Zadokite descent to legitimize their office. The Qumran community (Dead Sea Scrolls) expected a Zadokite priesthood in the messianic age, showing this passage's ongoing influence in Jewish eschatological hope.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's rewarding of Zadokite faithfulness during widespread apostasy encourage perseverance when surrounded by compromise?
  2. What specific "charge" has God entrusted to you that requires faithfulness regardless of others' behavior?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
לַכֹּהֲנִ֤ים1 of 16

“It shall be for the priests”

H3548

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

הַֽמְקֻדָּשׁ֙2 of 16

“that are sanctified”

H6942

to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)

בְּנֵ֣י3 of 16

“of the sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

צָד֔וֹק4 of 16

“of Zadok”

H6659

tsadok, the name of eight or nine israelites

אֲשֶׁ֥ר5 of 16
H834

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

שָׁמְר֖וּ6 of 16

“which have kept”

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

מִשְׁמַרְתִּ֑י7 of 16

“my charge”

H4931

watch, i.e., the act (custody), or (concretely) the sentry, the post; objectively preservation, or (concretely) safe; figuratively observance, i.e., (

אֲשֶׁ֣ר8 of 16
H834

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

לֹֽא9 of 16
H3808

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

תָּע֖וּ10 of 16

“went astray”

H8582

to vacillate, i.e., reel or stray (literally or figuratively); also causative of both

תָּע֖וּ11 of 16

“went astray”

H8582

to vacillate, i.e., reel or stray (literally or figuratively); also causative of both

בְּנֵ֣י12 of 16

“of the sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל13 of 16

“of Israel”

H3478

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

כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר14 of 16
H834

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

תָּע֖וּ15 of 16

“went astray”

H8582

to vacillate, i.e., reel or stray (literally or figuratively); also causative of both

הַלְוִיִּֽם׃16 of 16

“as the Levites”

H3881

a levite or descendant of levi

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 48:11 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 48:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 44:10Ezekiel 40:46Matthew 24:45-46Ezekiel 43:191 Peter 5:4Ezekiel 44:15-16

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