Ezekiel 40:46 - Exposition

The keepers of the charge of the altar . These formed another body of priests, whose duties generally were to officiate in the temple-worship, and more specifically to sacrifice and burn incense upon the altars (Leviticus 1-6.). Under the Law the priests were all descendants of Aaron ( Exodus 27:20 , Exodus 27:21 ; Exodus 28:1-4 ; Exodus 29:9 , Exodus 29:44 ; Exodus 40:15 ). By David these were divided into two classes—the sons of Eleazar, at the head of whom stood Zadok; and the sons of Ithamar, with Ahimelech as their chief ( 1 Chronicles 24:3 ). In the vision-temple the sons of Zadok among the sons of Levi have the sole right of drawing near to the Lord to minister unto him (see on Ezekiel 43:15 ).