Leviticus 21:17

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Speak unto Aaron, saying, Whosoever [he be] of thy seed in their generations that hath [any] blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God.

Complete Jewish Bible:

"Tell Aharon, 'None of your descendants who has a defect may approach to offer the bread of his God.

Berean Standard Bible:

“Say to Aaron, ‘For the generations to come, none of your descendants who has a physical defect may approach to offer the food of his God.

American Standard Version:

Speak unto Aaron, saying, Whosoever he be of thy seed throughout their generations that hath a blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Speak^{H1696} unto Aaron^{H175}, saying^{H559}, Whosoever^{H376} he be of thy seed^{H2233} in their generations^{H1755} that hath any blemish^{H3971}, let him not approach^{H7126} to offer^{H7126} the bread^{H3899} of his God^{H430}.

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Commentary for Leviticus 21:17

Leviticus 21:17 is a part of the Holiness Code within the book of Leviticus, which outlines various laws and rituals to maintain the sanctity of the Israelite priesthood and their religious practices. The verse specifically addresses Aaron, the high priest, and by extension, his descendants, who are to serve as priests. It emphasizes that any man of Aaron's lineage who has a physical blemish is prohibited from presenting the offerings to God, referred to as "the bread of his God."

The historical context of this verse is rooted in the ancient Israelite society, where the priesthood was a hereditary role, and priests were seen as mediators between God and the people. The "blemish" mentioned could refer to a variety of physical imperfections that would render a priest ritually impure and thus unfit for service in the sanctuary. This law served to maintain a high standard of physical perfection among the priests, symbolizing the purity and holiness required in the presence of God.

The themes of the verse include purity, holiness, and the importance of upholding divine standards within the priestly class. It reflects the belief that physical perfection was a reflection of inner purity and was necessary for those who would serve in the tabernacle (and later the temple), handle holy objects, and perform sacred rituals. This requirement also underscored the special status of the priests and the reverence with which they were to approach their divine duties.

In a broader sense, Leviticus 21:17 illustrates the detailed and stringent regulations that governed the religious life of ancient Israel. It highlights the significance of the priesthood and the sanctuary as sacred spaces where only the worthy could serve, and it underscores the importance of ritual and ceremonial laws in the faith and practice of the Israelites.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H1696
   There are 1050 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָבַר
   Transliteration: dâbar
   Pronunciation: daw-bar'
   Description: a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue; answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work.
   
2. Strong's Number: H175
   There are 480 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אַהֲרוֹן
   Transliteration: ʼAhărôwn
   Pronunciation: a-har-one'
   Description: of uncertain derivation; Aharon, the brother of Moses; Aaron.
   
3. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
4. Strong's Number: H376
   There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אִישׁ
   Transliteration: ʼîysh
   Pronunciation: eesh
   Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה.
   
5. Strong's Number: H2233
   There are 205 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: זֶרַע
   Transliteration: zeraʻ
   Pronunciation: zeh'-rah
   Description: from זָרַע; seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity; [idiom] carnally, child, fruitful, seed(-time), sowing-time.
   
6. Strong's Number: H1755
   There are 127 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דּוֹר
   Transliteration: dôwr
   Pronunciation: dore
   Description: or (shortened) דֹּר; from דּוּר; properly, a revolution of time, i.e. an age or generation; also a dwelling; age, [idiom] evermore, generation, (n-) ever, posterity.
   
7. Strong's Number: H3971
   There are 19 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מאוּם
   Transliteration: mʼûwm
   Pronunciation: moom
   Description: usually מוּם; as if passive participle from an unused root probably meaning; to stain; a blemish (physically or morally); blemish, blot, spot.
   
8. Strong's Number: H7126
   There are 259 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קָרַב
   Transliteration: qârab
   Pronunciation: kaw-rab'
   Description: a primitive root; to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose; (cause to) approach, (cause to) bring (forth, near), (cause to) come (near, nigh), (cause to) draw near (nigh), go (near), be at hand, join, be near, offer, present, produce, make ready, stand, take.
   
9. Strong's Number: H3899
   There are 277 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לֶחֶם
   Transliteration: lechem
   Pronunciation: lekh'-em
   Description: from לָחַם; See also בֵּית לְעַפְרָה; food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it); (shew-) bread, [idiom] eat, food, fruit, loaf, meat, victuals.
   
10. Strong's Number: H430
    There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
    Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
    Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
    Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty.