19 When they go forth into the outer court, even into the outer court to the people, they shall put off their garments in which they minister, and lay them in the holy rooms; and they shall put on other garments, that they not sanctify the people with their garments.
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
They shall not sanctify the people - They shall not touch the people with their holy garments. The word "sanctify" is used because the effect of touching was to separate as holy the persons or things so touched (Exodus 29:37; Exodus 30:29; compare Leviticus 6:18). The priests wore the distinctive dress, only while performing in the temple strictly sacrificial services.
The holy chambers; see Ezekiel 42:1 ff.
And when they go forth into the utter court,.... Out of the inner court where they minister, when they have done their service:
even into the utter court to the people; out of the church into the world, where the people are, doing their business, whether good men or bad:
they shall put off their garments wherein they ministered, and lay them in the holy chambers; the north and south chambers; See Gill on Ezekiel 42:13, Ezekiel 42:14,
and they shall put on other garments; which are their outward conversation garments, which are proper to appear in before men, for the honour of religion; though not sufficient to appear in before God, and render acceptable unto him:
and they shall not sanctify the people with their garments; the garments of the priesthood were reckoned holy, whatsoever was holy, that which it touched accounted holy also; and therefore, to preserve a difference between the priests and the common people, they were not to wear their holy garments but in the time of service; or lest any superstitious notion should obtain among the people, that they were sanctified by touching their clothes; as the Papists give out, that if a man is buried in a monk's cowl, he shall be saved: or the sense is, that they should not possess the minds of the people with a notion of any real sanctity in their garments; or that their conversation garments, or good works, can be of any service to them: this may be opposed to works of supererogation.
not sanctify the people with their garments--namely, those peculiarly priestly vestments in which they ministered in the sanctuary.
Shall not sanctify - By the law, common things, touching holy things, became consecrated, and no more fit for common use.
*More commentary available at chapter level.