22 They must not marry widows or divorced women; they may marry only virgins of Israelite descent or widows of priests.

Other Translations of Ezekiel 44:22

King James Version

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.

English Standard Version

22 They shall not marry a widow or a divorced woman, but only virgins of the offspring of the house of Israel, or a widow who is the widow of a priest.

The Message

22 "Priests are not to marry widows or divorcees, but only Israelite virgins or widows of priests.

New King James Version

22 They shall not take as wife a widow or a divorced woman, but take virgins of the descendants of the house of Israel, or widows of priests.

New Living Translation

22 They may choose their wives only from among the virgins of Israel or the widows of the priests. They may not marry other widows or divorced women.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ezekiel 44:22

Chapter Summary

This chapter contains ordinances relative to the true priests. The prince evidently means Christ, and the words in verse 2, may remind us that no other can enter heaven, the true sanctuary, as Christ did; namely, by virtue of his own excellency, and his personal holiness, righteousness, and strength. He who is the Brightness of Jehovah's glory entered by his own holiness; but that way is shut to the whole human race, and we all must enter as sinners, by faith in his blood, and by the power of his grace.