Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ezekiel 44:30
And the first of all the firstfruits of all [things], and every oblation of all, of every [sort] of your oblations, shall be the priest’s: ye shall also give unto the priest the first of your dough, that he may cause the blessing to rest in thine house.
30. And the first ] Or, the best. Cf. Exo 23:19; Exo 34:26; Num 18:13; Deu 18:4.
and every oblation ] The word sometimes rendered heave offering. Num 15:19; Num 18:19. It means a part taken from a larger whole, cf. Eze 45:1, &c., where the portion of land dedicated to the use of the priests and Levites is so called.
of your dough ] The term occurs again only Num 15:20-21; Neh 10:37, and is of doubtful meaning. LXX., dough; Targ. Syr., baking trough; others, coarse meal. On the “blessing,” Mal 3:10; Pro 3:9-10.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And the first; so soon as the first-fruits are ripe in the field, your vineyards and olive-yards, &c.; nay, redemption money for the first-born of man was theirs.
Every oblation, whether free-will offering or prescribed.
Of every sort; of what sort soever, whether of flock, or herd, &c.
The first of your dough: it is conceived this was of every mass of dough they made, and of the first of the dough which every year they first made of the new corn, as by the custom of the Jews at this day appears, who, since they cannot give to the priest, will burn a little cake of every batch in the oven.
That he, the priest, may bless and pray for thee.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
30. give . . . priest the first . .. that he may cause the blessing to rest (Pro 3:9;Pro 3:10; Mal 3:10).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And the first of all the first fruits of all things, and every oblation, of all of every sort of your oblations shall be the priests,…. Suggesting, that their offerings or contributions, which should be made out of their substance, should be in proportion to it, and early as well as free; see Pr 3:9:
ye shall also give unto the priest of your dough; either of the first they made of the new corn of the year, or a piece or cake of whatsoever at any time they made; signifying, that the ministers of the word, that communicate spiritual things to men, should partake of their carnal ones, and have a part and share with them in all good things, in all the enjoyments of life, 1Co 9:11:
that he may cause the blessing to rest in thine house; that is, that he, the priest or minister of the word, that partakes of the above things, and is comfortably provided for and supported, may pray to the Lord for such who liberally contribute to him; that a blessing may come and abide upon them and their families, and prosperity and success may attend them in their worldly business and employments of life; as well as they and theirs may be blessed with all spiritual blessings, with grace here, and glory hereafter.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Eze 44:30. Ye shall also givethe first of your dough See Lev 2:4.
REFLECTIONS.1st, The prophet, following his heavenly guide, returns to the east gate; which, in honour of him whose glory entered the temple thereat, was kept shut ever after, only the prince was admitted to eat his part of the peace-offerings in the porch, and to go in and out by the way of the porch of that gate; which some interpreters suppose to represent the church of Christ upon earth, shut against all profane and impenitent sinners, and only open to those who, by the faith of Jesus, become one with him, and so have boldness to enter into the holiest of all.
2nd, Once more we have the prophet prostrate, adoring the great God whose glory he beheld. Deep views of the divine majesty will ever produce the most abasing apprehensions of ourselves.
1. The prophet is charged to take notice of what he saw, and attend to what was told him; for they whom God employs must carefully observe his orders, and be first taught themselves of him, before they can be effectual teachers of others.
2. He is commanded, [1.] To deliver the message that God gave him to the house of Israel, that rebellious house, to convince them of their sins. Their abominations were great, and it was high time for them to amend: they had introduced into the sanctuary the uncircumcised and the profane, to the defilement of that holy place, and the great dishonour of God; and instead of choosing the most able, zealous, and godly ministers from among the priests and Levites, ye have set keepers in my sanctuary for yourselves; such as studied to please, not profit them, and would flatter them in their sins, instead of terrifying against them. Note; (1.) They who begin to taste anything of the bitterness of sin, will reflect with grief on every moment of the time past when they walked therein. (2.) It is a high profanation of Christ’s table, when persons profane and immoral are admitted thereunto; and he will resent the provocation. (3.) They who choose flattering priests will perish in their own delusions. [2.] To point out to them the path of duty. No stranger, uncircumcised in heart or flesh, may enter the sanctuary; and happy would it be for the church of Christ, if these directions were more carefully observed, and none admitted to partake of her most sacred ordinances, much less entrusted with the ministry, who have not given some satisfactory evidence by their principles and practice, that they are partakers of the grace of God in truth.
3rdly, The Lord takes account of his servants.
1. The unfaithful are degraded: they had betrayed their trust; and as a minister’s ill example has ever the most pernicious effects, their idolatry had emboldened the people in their iniquities; therefore God will suffer them no more to minister as formerly before him: yet not utterly to exclude them, and sink them in utter despair, and as if no place was left for repentance, they are still to be employed in the more servile offices, and to partake in the provision of God’s house, bearing their shame, though not yet utterly cast away. Note; (1.) The church will never recover her primitive beauty, till her primitive discipline is restored. (2.) Though open offenders must be put to shame, too much severity and rigour may drive those to despair whom we should desire to lead to repentance.
2. The faithful are distinguished. The sons of Zadok, who in the general apostacy maintained their integrity, are confirmed in their office, and in the high honour of drawing near to God in his most solemn services. Fidelity shall never lose its reward; and they who know the happiness of communion with God desire no higher honour or greater reward than to be established his servants, and preserved in a constant state of nearness to his blessed self.
4thly, The faithful, who are appointed to minister before God, have here directions given them:
1. Concerning their clothes. They must wear linen garments when they are employed in their ministry, and put them off when they have finished the service, and not sanctify the people with their garments; as if the touch of them communicated any holiness, or lest any superstitious conceit might be entertained thereof by the people. The ministers of Christ, above all others, are especially called upon to keep their garments clean from every spot; for on them every eye will be fixed.
2. Concerning their hair. They must not be on the one hand shaved, as the priests of Egypt, nor on the other effeminately affect long hair, but have their heads polled. The Romish friars choose to copy after their heathen predecessors.
3. Concerning their drink. No wine must enter their lips when they went in to minister. Note; Nothing can be conceived in a christian minister more scandalously infamous than intemperance.
4. Concerning their marriages. They may not take for a wife a woman divorced, lest her suspicious character bring a dishonour upon her husband; nor a widow, unless it be a priest’s widow; but a maiden of the house of Israel. Note; (1.) It is a mark of the antichristian church to forbid marriage to the clergy. (2.) Ministers, above all others, for the honour of their high office, need be especially careful whom they choose for their yoke-fellow.
5. Concerning the exercise of their ministry. [1.] They must teach the people the difference between the holy and profane, between the unclean and the clean; and this with regard to persons, principles, and practices; pointing out the evil as to be avoided, and the good to be embraced and followed. [2.] In appeals made to them, they must judge impartially according to God’s word. [3.] In their assemblies they must be directed in their worship and discipline by his laws and statutes, and hallow God’s sabbaths, both in private and public, and exhort others to do the same.
6. Concerning their mourning. They may not come near a dead corpse, which would make them ceremonially unclean, and prevent them from approaching the sanctuary: only for those nearest relations specified, they may defile themselves; but before they return to their sacred services again, they must be cleansed by a sin-offering. Though ministers are not forbidden to sorrow as men, they must be examples of resignation, and see that their grief do not break in upon the duties of their office.
7. Concerning their maintenance. They had no inheritance in Israel, but their provision arose from the altar which they served: God was their possession, whose favour is the richest portion; and while they exerted themselves in his service, the piety of the people would procure them plenty of all needful things; so that they should not be reduced to eat what died of itself, or was torn; and, in return, the blessing of God’s ministers resting upon the people would amply compensate them for what they employed in his service and the maintenance of his ministers. Note; God’s ministers have a right to live by the altars which they serve; and it is the interest, as well as duty of the people, to take care of them; for the blessing of God in answer to their prayers shall be an abundant recompence.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Eze 44:30 And the first of all the firstfruits of all [things], and every oblation of all, of every [sort] of your oblations, shall be the priest’s: ye shall also give unto the priest the first of your dough, that he may cause the blessing to rest in thine house.
Ver. 30. That he may cause the blessing. ] Tithe and be rich. See Mal 3:10 . See Trapp on “ Mal 3:10 “
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
first of all, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Exo 13:2; Exo 22:29, Exo 22:30; Exo 23:19. Num 3:13; Num 18:12, Num 18:13).
oblation = heave offering. Hebrew. terumah. See note on Exo 29:27. The word is often repeated here. See Eze 45:6, Eze 45:7, Eze 45:13, Eze 45:16; Eze 48:8-10, Eze 48:12, Eze 48:18, Eze 48:20, Eze 48:21.
the first of your dough. Reference to Pentateuch (Num 15:20).
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
first: or, chief
all the firstfruits: Exo 13:2, Exo 13:12, Exo 22:29, Exo 23:19, Num 3:13, Num 15:19-21, Num 18:12-18, Num 18:27-30, Deu 18:4, 2Ch 31:4-6, 2Ch 31:10, Neh 10:35-37, Jam 1:18
that he may: Deu 26:10-15, Pro 3:9, Pro 3:10, Mal 3:10, Mal 3:11
Reciprocal: Exo 34:19 – openeth Lev 23:10 – sheaf Num 5:9 – offering Num 15:20 – a cake Deu 26:2 – That thou shalt Rom 11:16 – if the firstfruit
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Eze 44:30. Oblations Is another name for offerings which the people were required to bring to the service. Before they could, make use of the products of the soil and herds, they must take the best of the fruit and turn it over to the priests.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
They would also receive the best parts of the firstfruits of every kind that the people brought to the Lord. The Lord would bless the people who were careful to provide the priests with their firstfruits (cf. Mal 3:8-12; 2Co 9:10-11). Priests were not to eat any animals that died a natural death or had been slain in a way other than as a sacrifice to the Lord (cf. Lev 17:5; Lev 22:8; Deu 14:21). These animals might be inferior and might carry communicable diseases.