King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
He shall eat the bread of his God, [both] of the most holy, and of the holy.
Complete Jewish Bible:
He may eat the bread of his God, both the especially holy and the holy;
Berean Standard Bible:
He may eat the most holy food of his God as well as the holy food,
American Standard Version:
He shall eat the bread of his God, both of the most holy, and of the holy:
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
He shall eat{H398} the bread{H3899} of his God{H430}, both of the most{H6944} holy{H6944}, and of the holy{H6944}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Leviticus 2:3
- And the remnant of the meat offering [shall be] Aaron's and his sons': [it is] a thing most holy of the offerings of the LORD made by fire.
Numbers 18:9
- This shall be thine of the most holy things, [reserved] from the fire: every oblation of theirs, every meat offering of theirs, and every sin offering of theirs, and every trespass offering of theirs, which they shall render unto me, [shall be] most holy for thee and for thy sons.
Numbers 18:10
- In the most holy [place] shalt thou eat it; every male shall eat it: it shall be holy unto thee.
Leviticus 6:16
- And the remainder thereof shall Aaron and his sons eat: with unleavened bread shall it be eaten in the holy place; in the court of the tabernacle of the congregation they shall eat it.
Leviticus 6:17
- It shall not be baken with leaven. I have given it [unto them for] their portion of my offerings made by fire; it [is] most holy, as [is] the sin offering, and as the trespass offering.
1 Corinthians 9:13
- Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live [of the things] of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?
Leviticus 24:8
- Every sabbath he shall set it in order before the LORD continually, [being taken] from the children of Israel by an everlasting covenant.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Leviticus 21:22
1. **Themes:**
- **Holiness and Purity:** The verse emphasizes the sanctity of the priests' role in ancient Israelite society. The priests were expected to maintain a high level of ritual purity, as they were entrusted with the sacred duties of serving God in the Tabernacle (and later the Temple).
- **Separation and Status:** The verse reflects the unique status of the priests, who were set apart from the rest of the community. They were given specific instructions on how to conduct themselves, including what they could eat, to reinforce their distinct role as mediators between God and the people.
- **Provision and Care:** The verse also underscores God's provision for the priests, who were allowed to eat from the offerings presented to God. This was part of the sustenance provided to them since they did not inherit land like other Israelites and thus had no agricultural income.
2. **Historical Context:**
- **Levitical Priesthood:** Leviticus 21 is part of a section of the book that deals with laws specific to the priesthood, particularly the Aaronic priesthood (Aaron was the brother of Moses and the first high priest of Israel). The regulations were given to Moses by God on Mount Sinai after the exodus from Egypt, during the wilderness wanderings of the Israelites.
- **Cultic Practices:** The verse is situated within a broader context of cultic practices and rituals that were central to the religious life of ancient Israel. These practices included various offerings and sacrifices, which were part of the worship and atonement process.
- **Social Structure:** The instructions to the priests also reflect the social structure of Israelite society, where the tribe of Levi was designated to serve in the Tabernacle/Temple, and within that tribe, only the direct descendants of Aaron could serve as priests.
In summary, Leviticus 21:22 reflects the themes of holiness, purity, and the special role of the priesthood within Israelite society. Historically, it is part of the detailed instructions given to the Levitical priests regarding their duties and lifestyle, which were integral to the religious and social fabric of ancient Israel.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H398
There are 825 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָכַל
Transliteration: ʼâkal
Pronunciation: aw-kal'
Description: a primitive root; to eat (literally or figuratively); [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. - 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. - 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. - Strong's Number: H6944
There are 382 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קֹדֶשׁ
Transliteration: qôdesh
Pronunciation: ko'-desh
Description: from קָדַשׁ; a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity; consecrated (thing), dedicated (thing), hallowed (thing), holiness, ([idiom] most) holy ([idiom] day, portion, thing), saint, sanctuary.