Definition: Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed [difference] between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezekiel 22:26. It's a really important and serious warning about religious practices. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Core Idea: This verse is saying that priests – the leaders of the Jewish people – have been acting in a way that’s completely disrespectful and harmful to God. They’ve gone too far, ignoring the rules and traditions set by God. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “Ezekiel 22:26” : This is the verse itself – it’s from a book called Ezekiel, written by a prophet named Ezekiel in ancient times. "Her priests have violated my law..." : This means the priests were disobeying God's laws and commandments as outlined in the Old Testament. They weren’t following what God instructed them to do. "...and have profaned mine holy things:" This is a really strong phrase. "Holy things" refers to sacred places, rituals, or objects that are important to God – like temples, sacrifices, and certain symbols. They were being treated as unimportant or even dangerous. "They have put no difference between the holy and profane..." : Imagine this as a complete separation of good and bad. The priests were not distinguishing between things that are right and wrong. They weren't honoring God’s standards. "...neither have they shewed [difference] between the unclean and the clean..." : This is a big one. It means they weren't treating people fairly or honestly. They weren't judging people based on their actions or their status – they were ignoring that whole concept of fairness. "And have hid their eyes from my sabbaths:" This signifies that they were neglecting the times when God is set apart for worship and reflection - his holy days. They weren’t honoring the time He dedicated to them. "...and I am profaned among them." : Finally, this says that because of these actions, God's presence (His favor and holiness) was being treated disrespectfully in the eyes of the people they were serving. It meant they were not showing reverence or respect to God. What’s the Big Message? This verse is a warning about the dangers of pride, disobedience, and neglecting God’s law. It suggests that if religious leaders aren't acting in accordance with God’s will, it can lead to serious consequences – disrespecting God and potentially harming his people. In short, it’s telling us to always be mindful of what we are doing and how we are treating God, because our actions have consequences. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail with a specific example? Connect it to a particular biblical story or theme? Discuss the historical context surrounding this verse?