The title “prince” within the E book of Ezekiel refers back to the chief of the Israelite exiles in Babylon after the destruction of Jerusalem. This particular person, typically recognized with Zerubbabel, a descendant of David, held a place of authority and duty throughout the exiled group. He acted as a liaison between the Babylonian authorities and the exiled Israelites, overseeing their affairs and representing their pursuits.
Understanding the position of this chief is essential for decoding the prophecies and messages inside Ezekiel. The e-book addresses this determine instantly with directions, guarantees, and warnings, reflecting the hope for eventual restoration and the return to the land of Israel. This management throughout the exile supplied a focus for the group’s identification and religion throughout a time of displacement and uncertainty. This historic context highlights the significance of lineage and the enduring hope for a Davidic king.
Additional exploration of Ezekiel unveils the advanced relationship between prophecy, management, and the exiled group’s hopes for the longer term. Inspecting the precise passages the place this chief is addressed provides deeper perception into the political and spiritual panorama of the time, and the messianic expectations related to the Davidic line. Moreover, analyzing the historic context surrounding the Babylonian exile offers a richer understanding of the challenges and alternatives confronted by the Israelites and the importance of their management.
1. Davidic Lineage
The Davidic lineage performs a vital position in understanding the determine of the prince in Ezekiel. The prince’s descent from King David isn’t merely genealogical; it carries important political and theological implications, shaping expectations for his position and connecting him to the guarantees made to David regarding a permanent kingdom.
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Inherited Authority
The prince’s Davidic ancestry conferred a level of inherent authority, linking him to a legacy of kingship. This lineage established a foundation for his management throughout the exiled group and supplied a framework for understanding his tasks. Whereas missing the total regal energy of his ancestors in Jerusalem, he however inherited a symbolic authority rooted within the Davidic covenant.
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Messianic Expectations
The connection to David additionally fueled messianic expectations. The prophecies in Ezekiel regarding the restoration of Israel and the longer term temple typically intertwine with the determine of the prince. This affiliation naturally led to hypothesis in regards to the prince’s position in ushering in a brand new period of Davidic rule, aligning with earlier prophecies regarding a future messianic king.
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Symbolic Illustration
The prince served as a symbolic illustration of the continuity of the Davidic line throughout a interval of exile and uncertainty. His presence reassured the exiled group that the Davidic covenant remained in impact, regardless of the lack of their kingdom and temple. This symbolic significance supplied a focus for his or her hopes of eventual restoration and the re-establishment of a Davidic kingdom.
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Zerubbabel’s Function
The identification of the prince with Zerubbabel, a descendant of David who led the primary return from exile, strengthens the connection between the Davidic lineage and the prophecies in Ezekiel. Zerubbabel’s efforts to rebuild the temple resonate with the pronouncements in Ezekiel concerning the prince’s involvement sooner or later restoration, offering a historic grounding for the prophetic pronouncements.
By exploring these sides of the Davidic lineage, a deeper understanding of the prince’s significance in Ezekiel emerges. The prince’s ancestry, his symbolic position, and the potential hyperlink to Zerubbabel contribute to a fancy portrayal of management, hope, and the enduring promise of a restored Davidic kingdom. This connection to David informs not solely the prince’s identification but additionally the broader message of hope and restoration discovered throughout the E book of Ezekiel.
2. Exilic Chief
The “prince” in Ezekiel functioned as a frontrunner for the Israelite group throughout their exile in Babylon. This management position was important, offering a focus for the dispersed and dispossessed group. Understanding the prince’s operate as an exilic chief is crucial for decoding Ezekiel’s prophecies and greedy the socio-political dynamics of the exiled group.
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Authority and Duty
The prince held a place of authority throughout the exilic group, entrusted with tasks delegated by the Babylonian authorities. Whereas not possessing the total sovereignty of a king, the prince oversaw inside affairs, acted as a liaison with the Babylonian authorities, and sure performed a job within the administration of justice and the gathering of taxes. This administrative position demonstrates a level of autonomy throughout the exiled group and highlights the prince’s sensible management.
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Non secular Significance
Past administrative duties, the prince doubtless held spiritual significance. Ezekiel’s prophecies typically deal with the prince regarding issues of temple worship, sacrificial practices, and non secular management. This means the prince performed a job in sustaining spiritual observance and offering non secular steering throughout a time of upheaval and displacement, preserving a way of communal identification and hope.
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Focal Level for Hope
The prince served as a focus for the group’s hopes for eventual restoration and return to their homeland. Ezekiel’s prophecies regarding the future restoration of Israel typically contain the prince, implying a job within the rebuilding of the temple and the re-establishment of the Davidic kingdom. This messianic hope related to the prince supplied a supply of resilience and sustained the group’s religion throughout their exile.
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Sustaining Communal Identification
Within the absence of their conventional establishments and homeland, the prince performed a vital position in sustaining the exiled group’s identification. By offering management, administering inside affairs, and representing the group to the Babylonian authorities, the prince helped protect a way of cohesion and collective goal, stopping the whole disintegration of the Israelite group within the face of exile.
The prince’s position as an exilic chief offers essential context for decoding the E book of Ezekiel. His authority and tasks, his doubtless involvement in spiritual issues, and the hopes related along with his management all contribute to a deeper understanding of the challenges and aspirations of the exiled group. This management, located throughout the context of exile and the hope for restoration, offers added that means to Ezekiel’s prophecies and underscores the significance of the prince’s position within the narrative of Israel’s historical past.
3. Neighborhood Consultant
The prince in Ezekiel served as a vital consultant for the Israelite group throughout their exile in Babylon. This consultant operate related the exiled group with the Babylonian authorities, supplied a voice for his or her considerations, and embodied their collective hopes for the longer term. Understanding this position is crucial for greedy the social and political dynamics of the exile and decoding Ezekiel’s prophetic message.
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Middleman with Babylonian Authorities
The prince acted as the first middleman between the exiled Israelites and the Babylonian authorities. This concerned speaking the Babylonian authorities’ decrees and calls for to the group and representing the group’s pursuits and must the authorities. This mediating position positioned the prince in a fragile place, requiring diplomatic expertise and the power to navigate the complexities of a international energy construction.
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Voice of the Exiled Neighborhood
The prince served because the voice of the exiled group, expressing their considerations, petitions, and grievances to the Babylonian authorities. This consultant operate supplied a channel for communication and allowed the group to handle their wants throughout the constraints of their exile. This position suggests a level of belief and authority vested within the prince by the group itself.
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Embodiment of Collective Hopes
Past sensible issues, the prince embodied the collective hopes and aspirations of the exiled group, notably concerning their eventual return to their homeland. Ezekiel’s prophecies typically deal with the prince regarding the future restoration of Israel and the rebuilding of the temple, associating him with the group’s future future. This messianic facet of the prince’s consultant position supplied a supply of hope and resilience throughout a difficult interval.
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Sustaining Communal Unity
By performing as a consultant, the prince contributed to sustaining a way of unity and collective identification throughout the dispersed and dispossessed group. This unifying operate was essential in stopping the whole fragmentation of the group within the face of exile and sustaining a way of shared goal and hope for the longer term.
The prince’s operate as a group consultant offers important context for understanding the E book of Ezekiel. His position as an middleman, a voice for the group, an embodiment of their hopes, and a unifying determine sheds gentle on the complexities of the exilic expertise and the importance of management throughout a time of displacement and uncertainty. This consultant position clarifies the prince’s place throughout the group and underscores his significance within the narrative of Israel’s exile and eventual restoration.
4. Recipient of Prophecies
The prince in Ezekiel is not merely a political determine; he is a central recipient of divine communication. Ezekiel’s prophecies continuously deal with the prince instantly, revealing God’s message for the exiled group and outlining the way forward for Israel. This position as a recipient of prophecies highlights the prince’s non secular significance and deepens the understanding of his connection to God’s plan for Israel’s restoration.
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Divine Communication and Steerage
The prophecies directed towards the prince function a channel of divine communication, offering steering, instruction, and warnings. These messages deal with numerous elements of the group’s life, together with spiritual observance, social conduct, and future hopes. This direct communication underscores the prince’s essential position in conveying God’s will to the exiled group.
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Guarantees of Restoration and Hope
Many prophecies addressed to the prince concern the longer term restoration of Israel and the rebuilding of the temple. These pronouncements provide hope to the exiled group and join the prince to the achievement of God’s guarantees. The prince’s affiliation with these future blessings reinforces his position as a beacon of hope and a logo of future restoration.
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Accountability and Duty
The prophecies additionally maintain the prince accountable for his actions and emphasize his duty to guide the group in line with God’s will. The pronouncements typically embrace warnings in opposition to disobedience and exhortations to righteousness. This accountability reinforces the prince’s position as a non secular chief and highlights the significance of his adherence to God’s commandments.
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Messianic Implications
The prophecies directed towards the prince, notably these regarding future restoration and the Davidic lineage, carry messianic implications. These pronouncements typically blur the traces between the instant context of the exile and the long-awaited messianic age, elevating questions in regards to the prince’s position in ushering in a brand new period of Davidic rule. This messianic dimension provides one other layer of complexity to the prince’s identification and additional connects him to the way forward for Israel.
The prince’s position as a recipient of prophecies in Ezekiel is central to understanding his significance. The divine communication, guarantees of restoration, accountability, and messianic undertones woven into these prophecies spotlight the prince’s non secular authority, his connection to God’s plan, and his essential position within the narrative of Israel’s exile and eventual restoration. The prophecies directed towards him usually are not merely messages for a person; they’re pronouncements that form the future of a whole group and foreshadow the way forward for Israel.
5. Future Restoration
The idea of future restoration is deeply intertwined with the determine of the prince in Ezekiel. The e-book’s prophecies continuously deal with the prince regarding the restoration of Israel after the Babylonian exile, linking his management to the promise of a renewed nation, a rebuilt temple, and a revitalized non secular life. This connection between the prince and future restoration offers a vital framework for understanding Ezekiel’s message of hope and renewal.
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Rebuilding the Temple
Ezekiel’s visions depict a future temple, extra superb than its predecessor, and the prince performs a big position in its institution and operation. The prince’s involvement within the temple’s sacrificial system, its administration, and its non secular management underscores the intertwining of political and spiritual authority within the restored group. This highlights the temple’s centrality within the restored nation and the prince’s position in facilitating its operate and significance.
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Land and Inheritance
The restoration prophecies in Ezekiel promise the return of the exiled group to their ancestral land and the re-establishment of their inheritance. The prince is depicted as overseeing the allocation of the land and guaranteeing its equitable distribution among the many tribes. This signifies the restoration of social order and the re-establishment of communal life grounded within the land, highlighting the prince’s position in restoring stability and prosperity.
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Renewed Covenant and Religious Transformation
Ezekiel envisions not merely a bodily restoration however a non secular transformation of the exiled group. The prophecies communicate of a renewed covenant between God and Israel, characterised by obedience, purity, and a reworked coronary heart. The prince, as a consultant of the group, is predicted to embody this non secular renewal and lead the individuals of their renewed relationship with God. This emphasizes the inner transformation that accompanies the exterior restoration, signifying a deeper change throughout the hearts and minds of the individuals.
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Davidic Kingship and Messianic Hope
The prophecies regarding future restoration typically allude to the Davidic covenant and the expectation of a future messianic king. The prince’s Davidic lineage and his management position within the restored group increase questions in regards to the extent to which he embodies these messianic expectations. This connection between the prince, the Davidic lineage, and future restoration reinforces the hope for a future king who will totally notice the guarantees made to David and usher in an period of peace and prosperity. The prince’s position thus turns into a bridge between the current exile and the longer term messianic age.
The assorted sides of future restoration in Ezekielthe rebuilding of the temple, the return to the land, non secular transformation, and the Davidic hopeconverge on the determine of the prince. His management is offered as integral to the conclusion of those prophetic visions. Understanding the prince’s position in future restoration offers important context for decoding Ezekiel’s message of hope and renewal, providing a glimpse into the envisioned way forward for Israel and the anticipated position of its divinely appointed chief.
6. Messianic Implications
The “prince” in Ezekiel, notably when thought of in gentle of potential connections to Zerubbabel, carries important messianic implications. Whereas not explicitly recognized because the Messiah, the prince’s Davidic lineage, management position throughout the exiled group, and affiliation with the longer term restoration of Israel and the temple naturally give rise to messianic expectations. Ezekiel’s prophecies typically blur the traces between the instant context of the exile and the anticipated messianic age, imbuing the prince’s determine with a deeper symbolic that means.
A number of elements contribute to those messianic implications. The prophecies continuously depict the prince overseeing the rebuilding of the temple, a job typically related to the messianic period. Moreover, the prince’s duty for allocating the restored land and main the group in renewed covenant echoes the expectations of a messianic king who will set up righteous rule and restore God’s favor to Israel. The emphasis on the prince’s Davidic ancestry additional strengthens this connection, recalling God’s promise to David of an eternal kingdom. Whereas Zerubbabel, a descendant of David who led the primary return from exile and oversaw the preliminary rebuilding of the temple, matches some elements of the prince’s portrayal, he in the end didn’t fulfill all of the messianic expectations current in Ezekiel. This historic context highlights the advanced and evolving understanding of messianic hope throughout the exilic and post-exilic durations.
Understanding the messianic implications related to the prince in Ezekiel offers essential perception into the evolving messianic expectations inside Jewish thought. The prince’s portrayal displays the hope for a future Davidic king who would restore Israel’s fortunes, rebuild the temple, and usher in an period of peace and prosperity. Whereas the prince’s determine could not signify a completely realized Messiah, it serves as a precursor, shaping later messianic expectations and contributing to a richer understanding of the messianic hope that permeates the Hebrew Bible. This evaluation clarifies the complexities surrounding the idea of messianism and offers a framework for decoding related themes in later prophetic and apocalyptic literature.
7. Zerubbabel’s Connection
Zerubbabel, a descendant of King David, served because the governor of Judah through the first return of exiles from Babylon. His historic position and lineage create a compelling connection to the enigmatic “prince” of Ezekiel. Inspecting this connection offers essential insights into the interpretation of Ezekiel’s prophecies and the historic context surrounding the return from exile. This exploration considers whether or not Zerubbabel is perhaps the prince Ezekiel addresses, recognizing that the prophetic language can operate on each literal and symbolic ranges.
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Governor and Chief
Zerubbabel’s place as governor of Judah parallels the management position ascribed to the prince in Ezekiel. Each figures maintain positions of authority throughout the group, tasked with overseeing its affairs and interacting with exterior powers. Zerubbabel’s management through the essential interval of rebuilding demonstrates a sensible achievement of the prince’s tasks as envisioned in Ezekiel. This parallel suggests a possible direct connection, providing a historic grounding for Ezekiel’s prophetic pronouncements.
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Davidic Lineage
Zerubbabel’s descent from David is an important factor linking him to the prince in Ezekiel. The prophecies continuously emphasize the prince’s Davidic ancestry, connecting him to the guarantees of a permanent Davidic kingdom. Zerubbabel’s lineage makes him a believable candidate for the prince, fulfilling this key criterion and reinforcing the Davidic theme woven all through Ezekiel’s prophecies. This genealogical connection provides weight to the chance that Zerubbabel is the supposed referent of the “prince.”
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Temple Rebuilding
Zerubbabel performed a pivotal position in rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem after the return from exile. This act aligns with Ezekiel’s prophecies regarding the future temple and the prince’s involvement in its restoration. Zerubbabel’s efforts to re-establish the central place of worship resonate with the prince’s depicted tasks in Ezekiel, additional strengthening the potential connection between the 2 figures. This convergence of historic motion and prophetic imaginative and prescient offers compelling proof for figuring out Zerubbabel because the prince.
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Unfulfilled Expectations
Whereas Zerubbabel’s historic position displays important parallels with the prince in Ezekiel, it’s essential to acknowledge that he didn’t fulfill all of the messianic expectations related to the prince within the e-book. The complete restoration of the Davidic kingdom, as envisioned in some interpretations of Ezekiel, didn’t happen underneath Zerubbabel’s management. This discrepancy necessitates a nuanced understanding of the prince’s identification, recognizing the potential for each literal and symbolic interpretations. Zerubbabel’s position could signify a partial or preliminary achievement of the prophecies, with additional achievement anticipated sooner or later.
The connection between Zerubbabel and the prince in Ezekiel provides a invaluable lens via which to interpret the e-book’s prophecies. Whereas not a definitive equation, the parallels between Zerubbabel’s historic position and the prince’s depicted responsibilitiesparticularly his management, Davidic lineage, and involvement in temple rebuildingprovide a compelling case for contemplating him as a possible achievement of Ezekiel’s imaginative and prescient. Recognizing the unfulfilled messianic expectations related to the prince, nonetheless, encourages a deeper exploration of the symbolic dimensions of Ezekiel’s prophecies and the continuing growth of messianic hope inside Jewish custom.
Steadily Requested Questions in regards to the “Prince” in Ezekiel
This part addresses widespread inquiries concerning the identification and position of the “prince” within the E book of Ezekiel, aiming to make clear potential ambiguities and supply additional perception into this important determine.
Query 1: Is the “prince” in Ezekiel a literal political chief or a symbolic determine?
The “prince” doubtless features on each ranges. Whereas probably referring to a selected particular person like Zerubbabel, the time period additionally carries symbolic weight, representing the Davidic lineage, the hopes of the exiled group, and the longer term restoration of Israel.
Query 2: Is the “prince” the Messiah?
Whereas the prince’s Davidic lineage and affiliation with restoration evoke messianic themes, Ezekiel doesn’t explicitly determine him as the Messiah. The prince’s portrayal may prefigure later messianic expectations however would not essentially equate to a full messianic realization.
Query 3: Why is knowing the “prince” essential for decoding Ezekiel?
The prince’s position is integral to Ezekiel’s message of hope and restoration. Understanding his operate as a frontrunner, consultant, and recipient of prophecies illuminates the e-book’s themes of exile, return, and the way forward for Israel.
Query 4: What’s the significance of the “prince’s” Davidic lineage?
The Davidic lineage connects the prince to the guarantees made to King David regarding a permanent kingdom. This lineage establishes his authority, fuels messianic expectations, and symbolizes the continuity of the Davidic covenant through the exile.
Query 5: How does Zerubbabel match into the dialogue of the “prince”?
Zerubbabel, a governor of Judah and descendant of David, is commonly thought of a possible historic counterpart to the prince. His management through the return from exile and involvement in rebuilding the temple align with sure elements of the prince’s portrayal in Ezekiel.
Query 6: What are the important thing tasks of the “prince” in line with Ezekiel?
Ezekiel depicts the prince as a frontrunner liable for interacting with Babylonian authorities, representing the exiled group, overseeing the longer term temple, and allocating the restored land. These tasks replicate the prince’s multifaceted position within the restoration of Israel.
Greedy the assorted dimensions of the “prince”his management, Davidic lineage, and connection to future restorationis essential for a complete understanding of Ezekiel’s message. Additional analysis into the historic context of the exile and the event of messianic expectations can enrich this understanding.
Additional sections will discover particular passages inside Ezekiel regarding the “prince,” delve deeper into the historic context of the Babylonian exile, and look at the lasting affect of Ezekiel’s prophecies on later Jewish thought and custom.
Understanding the “Prince” in Ezekiel
The following tips provide steering for navigating the complexities surrounding the determine of the “prince” within the E book of Ezekiel, facilitating a extra nuanced understanding of this multifaceted determine and his significance throughout the prophetic narrative.
Tip 1: Take into account the Historic Context: Inspecting the historic backdrop of the Babylonian exile, together with the political and social dynamics of the interval, offers essential context for understanding the prince’s position and tasks throughout the exiled group.
Tip 2: Acknowledge the Davidic Lineage: The prince’s descent from King David isn’t merely genealogical; it carries important political and theological weight, linking him to the guarantees made to David and shaping expectations for his management.
Tip 3: Analyze the Prophetic Language: Ezekiel’s prophecies typically make use of symbolic language and imagery. Deciphering these prophecies requires cautious consideration to the nuances of the textual content, recognizing that the prince could signify broader ideas past a single historic particular person.
Tip 4: Discover the Messianic Implications: The prince’s affiliation with the longer term restoration of Israel, the rebuilding of the temple, and the Davidic lineage evokes messianic themes. Take into account how these themes contribute to the event of messianic expectations inside Jewish custom.
Tip 5: Examine Zerubbabel’s Function: Discover the historic determine of Zerubbabel, a governor of Judah and descendant of David, as a possible historic counterpart to the prince described in Ezekiel. Evaluate Zerubbabel’s actions with the prophecies regarding the prince to evaluate the potential connections.
Tip 6: Concentrate on the Exilic Neighborhood: The prince’s position can’t be understood in isolation. Take into account how his management impacted the exiled group, addressing their wants, representing their hopes, and guiding them via a interval of displacement and uncertainty.
Tip 7: Acknowledge the A number of Dimensions: The “prince” in Ezekiel features on a number of ranges: as a possible historic determine, a symbolic illustration of the Davidic line, and a determine imbued with messianic expectations. Acknowledge these numerous dimensions to realize a extra complete understanding.
By contemplating these insights, one can navigate the complexities surrounding the “prince” in Ezekiel, gaining a deeper appreciation for his multifaceted position and significance throughout the prophetic narrative and its enduring affect on Jewish thought and custom.
The next conclusion will synthesize the important thing themes explored all through this evaluation, providing a concise abstract of the “prince’s” identification, position, and significance throughout the broader context of Ezekiel’s message.
Who Is the Prince in Ezekiel
Evaluation of “prince” in Ezekiel reveals a multifaceted determine essential for understanding the e-book’s message. This particular person, probably Zerubbabel, a Davidic descendant, functioned as a frontrunner and consultant of the exiled group in Babylon. Entrusted with important tasks, together with interacting with Babylonian authorities and overseeing the longer term temple, this determine embodied the group’s hopes for restoration. The prophecies directed towards the prince, typically regarding the way forward for Israel and the rebuilding of the temple, imbue the position with messianic implications, connecting the current exile with the anticipated messianic age. Whereas not explicitly recognized as the Messiah, the prince’s Davidic lineage, management position, and affiliation with future restoration contribute to evolving messianic expectations inside Jewish thought.
Additional investigation into the historic context of the Babylonian exile, the intricacies of Ezekiel’s prophetic language, and the event of messianic thought enriches comprehension of this important determine. The “prince” in Ezekiel serves as a pivotal determine, bridging the despair of exile with the hope of restoration, providing a glimpse into the enduring religion and resilience of the exiled group and their anticipation of a future redeemed by divine promise. Continued examine of this subject guarantees deeper insights into the complexities of Ezekiel’s prophetic imaginative and prescient and its lasting affect on Jewish custom.
