When they enter the gates of the inner court, they are to wear linen garments; they must not wear anything made of wool when they minister at the gates of the inner court or inside the temple. They are to wear linen turbans on their heads and linen undergarments around their waists. They must not wear anything that makes them perspire. When they go out to the outer court, to the people, they are to take off the garments in which they have ministered, leave them in the holy chambers, and dress in other clothes so that they do not transmit holiness to the people with their garments.
You are to weave the tunic with fine linen, make the turban of fine linen, and fashion an embroidered sash. Make tunics, sashes, and headbands for Aaron's sons, to give them glory and splendor. After you put these garments on your brother Aaron and his sons, anoint them, ordain them, and consecrate them so that they may serve Me as priests. Make linen undergarments to cover their bare flesh, extending from waist to thigh. Aaron and his sons must wear them whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting or approach the altar to minister in the Holy Place, so that they will not incur guilt and die. This is to be a permanent statute for Aaron and his descendants.
Significance
Ezekiel 44:17-19 continues the priestly garment tradition of Exodus 28:39-43, which specifies linen (שֵׁשׁ, shesh) tunics and undergarments for Aaron and his sons. Both texts share the concern that priests must be properly vested to approach God's presence without incurring guilt. Ezekiel adds the distinctive regulation about changing garments when transitioning between inner court and outer court (44:19), which extends the Exodus principle: the sacred vestments that have been in contact with the divine presence in the inner sanctuary must not inadvertently "transmit holiness to the people" through casual contact. This innovation reflects the eschatological temple's intensified holiness gradations.
