Leviticus 22 details regulations for priests concerning their ritual purity and access to holy offerings, emphasizing that uncleanness profanes God's name. It also outlines strict requirements for animals presented as sacrifices, demanding they be without blemish to be acceptable to the Lord. Furthermore, the chapter specifies who may partake of the holy things and concludes with a reminder of God's holiness and His sanctification of Israel.
Speak unto Aaron and to his sons, that they separate themselves from the holy things of the children of Israel, and that they profane not my holy name in those things which they hallow unto me: I am the LORD.
Say unto them, Whosoever he be of all your seed among your generations, that goeth unto the holy things, which the children of Israel hallow unto the LORD, having his uncleanness upon him, that soul shall be cut off from my presence: I am the LORD.
What man soever of the seed of Aaron is a leper, or hath a running issue; he shall not eat of the holy things, until he be clean. And whoso toucheth any thing that is unclean by the dead, or a man whose seed goeth from him;
But if the priest's daughter be a widow, or divorced, and have no child, and is returned unto her father's house, as in her youth, she shall eat of her father's meat: but there shall no stranger eat thereof.
And if a man eat of the holy thing unwittingly, then he shall put the fifth part thereof unto it, and shall give it unto the priest with the holy thing.
Speak unto Aaron, and to his sons, and unto all the children of Israel, and say unto them, Whatsoever he be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers in Israel, that will offer his oblation for all his vows, and for all his freewill offerings, which they will offer unto the LORD for a burnt offering;
And whosoever offereth a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the LORD to accomplish his vow, or a freewill offering in beeves or sheep, it shall be perfect to be accepted; there shall be no blemish therein.
Blind, or broken, or maimed, or having a wen, or scurvy, or scabbed, ye shall not offer these unto the LORD, nor make an offering by fire of them upon the altar unto the LORD.
Either a bullock or a lamb that hath any thing superfluous or lacking in his parts, that mayest thou offer for a freewill offering; but for a vow it shall not be accepted.
Neither from a stranger's hand shall ye offer the bread of your God of any of these; because their corruption is in them, and blemishes be in them: they shall not be accepted for you.
When a bullock, or a sheep, or a goat, is brought forth, then it shall be seven days under the dam; and from the eighth day and thenceforth it shall be accepted for an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
That brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the LORD.
Study Notes for Leviticus 22
Verse 2
The priests must maintain strict separation and ritual purity when dealing with God’s holy offerings. Failure to do so profanes God’s holy name, treating sacred things as common.
Verse 3
The phrase 'cut off from my presence' signifies severe punishment, often death or exclusion from the community, emphasizing the danger of approaching God while in a state of profanity.
Verse 4
This verse lists specific major impurities (leprosy, bodily discharge, contact with the dead) that temporarily disqualify a priest from consuming the sacrificial portions assigned to him.
Verse 6
Minor forms of uncleanness only required washing and waiting until sunset (until even) for the priest to be restored to ritual purity and resume eating the holy food.
Verse 8
Priests were also forbidden from eating animals that died naturally or were killed by predators (carrion). This rule maintained their physical and ritual purity, setting them apart from the common diet.
Verse 10
The 'holy thing' (portions of sacrifices) was exclusive food for the priests and their immediate families. A 'stranger' (layperson, non-descendant of Aaron) was strictly prohibited from eating it.
Verse 11
Slaves bought by the priest and those born into his household were considered permanent members of the priestly family unit and were consequently permitted to eat the holy food.
Verse 12
If a priest’s daughter marries a non-priest ('stranger'), she loses her right to the holy food because her provision and status are now tied to her husband’s non-priestly household.
Verse 14
If a layperson unintentionally eats a holy offering, they must immediately make restitution by repaying the value of the food plus a 20% penalty (the 'fifth part') to the priest.
Verse 16
The priests are held responsible for preventing unauthorized consumption. Allowing laypersons to eat the holy things causes the priests to 'bear the iniquity of trespass,' polluting their sacred duty.
Verse 18
These standards for sacrifice apply universally, not only to native Israelites but also to 'strangers' (resident aliens) who participate in the covenant community through offerings.
Verse 19
The foundational requirement for an acceptable offering is that it must be a 'male without blemish.' This signifies offering God the best possible quality and points toward the perfect sacrifice to come (Christ).
Verse 22
This list specifies severe physical defects (blindness, broken limbs, skin conditions) that render an animal unacceptable for sacrifice. God rejects defective or second-rate gifts.
Verse 23
A distinction is made: minor imperfections (superfluous or lacking parts) might be accepted only for a *freewill* offering, which is a voluntary gift, but never for a *vow* or obligatory sacrifice.
Verse 25
The strict quality standards apply regardless of the source of the offering, meaning priests must not accept blemished animals even from foreigners, ensuring the sanctity of the altar.
Verse 27
Sacrificial animals needed to be at least eight days old before they could be offered. This ensured the animal was viable and links to the concept of sanctification often associated with the eighth day.
Verse 28
This law, rooted in mercy and respect for life, prohibits the slaughter of a mother and her offspring on the same day. It reflects God’s concern for the natural order and humane treatment.
Verse 30
The sacrifice of thanksgiving (V. 29) was meant to be a communal feast, consumed completely on the day of offering. This prevents the holy food from decaying or being treated casually.
Verse 32
This concluding statement summarizes the theological purpose of Leviticus: Israel must obey to avoid profaning God's name. God’s ultimate desire is to be recognized and 'hallowed' (treated as holy) by the people he saved.
Use ←→ arrow keys to navigate
Settings
Reading Style
Typeface
Font Size px
The Calling of Disciples
19And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
Options
Choose a Book
Study Note
Bible Version
Recent History
Get the App
Add TrulyRandomVerse to your home screen for instant access
TRV