Leviticus 17:9

KJV

And bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to offer it unto the LORD; even that man shall be cut off from among his people.

KJV (with Strong's)

And bringeth {H935} it not unto the door {H6607} of the tabernacle {H168} of the congregation {H4150}, to offer {H6213} it unto the LORD {H3068}; even that man {H376} shall be cut off {H3772} from among his people {H5971}.

Complete Jewish Bible

without bringing it to the entrance of the tent of meeting to sacrifice it to ADONAI, that person is to be cut off from his people.

Berean Standard Bible

but does not bring it to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting to sacrifice it to the LORD, that man must be cut off from his people.

American Standard Version

and bringeth it not unto the door of the tent of meeting, to sacrifice it unto Jehovah; that man shall be cut off from his people.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 17:9 establishes a foundational covenant mandate for ancient Israel, decreeing that any Israelite who slaughters an animal for sacrifice or consumption outside the divinely appointed location—the door of the tabernacle of the congregation—and fails to present it to the LORD there, shall incur the severe penalty of being "cut off from among his people." This command profoundly underscores the sanctity of proper worship, the centralization of atonement, and the grave implications of disobedience to God's specific instructions for approaching His holy presence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 17 serves as a crucial transitional chapter, bridging the intricate sacrificial laws detailed in chapters 1-16 with the broader holiness code that commences in chapter 18. Specifically, verses 1-9 directly address the proper location for all animal slaughter, whether for sacrificial offering or for consumption as food, mandating that such acts occur at the tabernacle. This directive immediately follows the stark prohibition against offering sacrifices to "goat demons" or "satyrs" in [Leviticus 17:7](/leviticus/17-7 "Leviticus 17:7 - Prohibition of Sacrifices to Goat Demons"), thereby emphasizing God's absolute insistence on exclusive, authorized, and centralized worship. The chapter further elaborates on the sanctity of blood as the life-force, reserving it solely for atonement on the altar and strictly forbidding its consumption, a theme powerfully articulated in [Leviticus 17:10-14](/leviticus/17-10-14 "Leviticus 17:10-14 - The Sacredness of Blood"). Thus, verse 9 reinforces the overarching principle that all legitimate interaction with God through animal sacrifice must occur at His designated dwelling place, serving as a bulwark against both idolatrous practices and unauthorized ritual innovation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Following their miraculous liberation from Egyptian slavery, God consecrated Israel as His unique possession and a holy nation. The covenant established at Sinai, including the meticulous instructions for the construction and operation of the tabernacle (as detailed in [Exodus 25-40](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25 - Instructions for the Tabernacle")), was fundamental to their new identity and relationship with Yahweh. Prior to these laws, patriarchal figures often offered sacrifices at various altars they constructed (e.g., [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - Abram Builds an Altar")). However, with the establishment of the tabernacle—God's mobile dwelling place in the midst of His people—a strict centralization of worship was divinely mandated. This centralization was imperative for several critical reasons: it served as a powerful safeguard against syncretism with the pervasive pagan practices of surrounding cultures (where sacrifices were offered to a pantheon of deities at numerous local shrines), it ensured doctrinal purity, and it maintained the integrity of the Mosaic covenant. By requiring all sacrifices to be brought to the [door of the tabernacle of the congregation](/exodus/40-34 "Exodus 40:34 - The Glory of the LORD Fills the Tabernacle"), God unequivocally asserted His sole authority over worship, providing a singular, holy point of contact for atonement, communion, and instruction in righteous living.
* **Key Themes:** Leviticus 17:9 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **God's Holiness and Separation**, demanding that His people approach Him only on His terms and in His designated way, thus reinforcing the distinction between the sacred and the profane. Secondly, it highlights the **Centralization of Worship**, establishing the tabernacle as the exclusive locus for legitimate sacrifice and atonement, a principle reiterated in [Deuteronomy 12](/deuteronomy/12 "Deuteronomy 12 - The Place the LORD Will Choose"). This centralization was vital for maintaining the **Purity of the Covenant Community**, preventing the proliferation of unauthorized altars and syncretistic practices that could lead Israel astray into idolatry, as seen in the warnings against the Canaanite practices (e.g., [Deuteronomy 12:2-4](/deuteronomy/12-2-4 "Deuteronomy 12:2-4 - Destroying Idolatrous Worship Sites")). Finally, the severe penalty of being "cut off" emphasizes the **Gravity of Disobedience** and the sanctity of the covenant, demonstrating that violations concerning worship were not mere procedural errors but profound affronts to God's authority and the integrity of Israel's relationship with Him.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This term (H3068, יְהֹוָה) refers to the covenant name of God, often translated as Yahweh. It signifies "the self-Existent or Eternal One," emphasizing God's absolute sovereignty, unchanging nature, and His unique relationship with Israel as their covenant Lord. In the context of Leviticus 17:9, offering to "the LORD" underscores that worship is directed exclusively to the one true God, distinguishing Israel's practices from the polytheistic rituals of surrounding nations and asserting His sole prerogative to dictate the terms of worship.
* **congregation (Hebrew, _môwʻêd'_):** This word (H4150, מוֹעֵד), found in the phrase "tabernacle of the congregation," literally means "appointed place" or "appointed time." In this context, it refers to the "tent of meeting," the divinely appointed location where God met with His people. The "congregation" here signifies the assembly of Israel, convened for the specific purpose of meeting with God through worship and sacrifice. Its inclusion emphasizes that the tabernacle was not merely a building, but the specific, designated point of encounter between a holy God and His assembled people, where all legitimate religious activity was to occur.
* **cut off (Hebrew, _kârath'_):** This primitive root (H3772, כָּרַת) signifies a severe and absolute severance. While it can mean to "cut (off, down or asunder)," in a covenantal and legal context, it implies excommunication from the community, destruction, or consumption. For an Israelite, being "cut off" meant more than social ostracism; it often carried the weight of divine judgment, leading to the loss of covenantal rights, privileges, and potentially premature death or the termination of one's lineage. It underscores the gravity of violating fundamental covenant stipulations, particularly those pertaining to the purity and integrity of worship, which were seen as direct affronts to God's holiness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation":** This clause describes the specific transgression: the failure to bring an animal intended for slaughter (whether for sacrifice or consumption, as implied by the broader context of [Leviticus 17:3-4](/leviticus/17-3-4 "Leviticus 17:3-4 - Prohibition of Sacrificing Outside the Camp")) to the singular, divinely appointed location for such offerings. The "door of the tabernacle of the congregation" was the exclusive access point for presenting offerings to God, symbolizing the centralization of worship and the singular path to atonement and communion.
* **"to offer it unto the LORD":** This phrase clarifies the sacred purpose of bringing the animal to the tabernacle: it is to be presented as an offering to Yahweh, the God of Israel. This emphasizes that the act is not merely a procedural requirement but a profound act of worship, submission, and recognition of God's supreme authority. Any offering made outside this prescribed location, even if purportedly intended for the LORD, would be considered illegitimate and an act of profound disobedience.
* **"even that man shall be cut off from among his people":** This final clause pronounces the severe and absolute consequence for violating the command. Being "cut off" signifies excommunication from the covenant community, a spiritual and social death sentence. It highlights the absolute seriousness with which God viewed adherence to His instructions regarding worship, demonstrating that unauthorized or improper worship was an offense against the very foundation of Israel's covenant relationship with Him and a threat to the community's holiness.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 17:9 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message and enforce its divine command. The most prominent is **Legal Language**, characterized by its direct, declarative, and prescriptive formulation ("And bringeth it not... even that man shall be cut off"). This precise, unambiguous wording leaves no room for misinterpretation regarding the command or its severe consequence, thereby reinforcing the absolute authority of the divine law. The verse also utilizes a clear **Conditional Clause** structure, where a specific action (or, in this case, inaction) directly leads to a stated outcome, emphasizing the immutable cause-and-effect relationship between obedience or disobedience and divine judgment. Furthermore, there is an inherent element of **Symbolism** embedded in the "door of the tabernacle," which represents the sole, divinely sanctioned access point to God's holy presence and the exclusive means of atonement. The stark **Contrast** between proper, centralized worship and unauthorized, decentralized practices underscores the critical importance of purity, order, and fidelity in Israel's religious life. Finally, the severe penalty of being "cut off" functions as a powerful **Deterrent**, designed to instill a reverent fear of God and promote strict adherence to His sacred commands.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 17:9 powerfully articulates God's unwavering demand for exclusive and orderly worship, emphasizing that genuine communion and atonement can only occur on His terms and in His divinely appointed way. This principle profoundly underscores God's absolute holiness and His sovereign right to dictate how He is to be approached by His covenant people. The centralization of sacrifice at the tabernacle was far more than a logistical arrangement; it was a profound theological statement: there is one God, one divinely ordained means of atonement, and one unified community called to worship Him. Disregarding this explicit command was not merely a procedural error but an act of rebellion against God's authority and a direct threat to the purity and integrity of the covenant community, hence the severe and absolute penalty of being "cut off." This enduring theme of exclusive and proper worship resonates throughout the entire biblical narrative, from the repeated warnings against idolatry in the Old Testament to the New Testament's emphasis on worship "in spirit and truth" (e.g., [John 4:23](/john/4-23 "John 4:23 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")).

* [Deuteronomy 12:13-14](/deuteronomy/12-13-14 "Warning Against Offering Sacrifices Anywhere")
* [Numbers 15:30-31](/numbers/15-30-31 "Presumptuous Sin and Being Cut Off")
* [Exodus 29:42-43](/exodus/29-42-43 "The Tent of Meeting Where God Will Meet Israel")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific practice of animal sacrifice at a physical tabernacle is no longer applicable under the New Covenant, the enduring spiritual principles embedded in Leviticus 17:9 remain profoundly relevant for believers today. This verse serves as a powerful call to examine the authenticity, sincerity, and Christ-centeredness of our worship, reminding us that God desires to be approached on His terms, not according to our own preferences or innovations. It challenges us to critically assess whether our spiritual lives are truly centered on Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate "tabernacle," the perfect High Priest, and the once-for-all sacrifice, or if we are attempting to forge our own paths to God, which ultimately lead to spiritual separation. The severity of being "cut off" in the Old Testament should instill in us a healthy reverence for God's holiness and a deep, abiding appreciation for the immeasurable grace that now grants us direct, unhindered access to Him through faith in Jesus. Furthermore, this passage prompts us to value the corporate worship of the church, where believers gather according to God's revealed will, upholding sound doctrine and biblical practices, thereby maintaining the purity, unity, and witness of the Body of Christ in the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what subtle or overt ways might we, in our modern context, be tempted to "offer sacrifices" (i.e., engage in worship or spiritual practices) outside of God's prescribed will or apart from Christ?**
* **How does the Old Testament concept of being "cut off" from God's people deepen our appreciation for the security, inclusion, and eternal life offered to believers through Christ in the New Covenant?**
* **What does "worshiping in spirit and truth" (John 4:24) truly mean for us today, and how does it relate to the Old Testament emphasis on specific places, rituals, and the centralization of worship?**

### FAQ
**What does "cut off from among his people" truly mean in the context of Leviticus 17:9?**

Answer: In the Old Testament, the phrase "cut off from among his people" (Hebrew: *karath*) signifies a severe and multi-faceted penalty. Primarily, it meant excommunication from the covenant community of Israel, leading to social ostracism and the loss of all rights and privileges within the nation. The individual would no longer be considered a part of God's chosen people. Beyond mere social exclusion, it often implied a direct divine judgment, suggesting that God Himself would intervene to remove the person, potentially through premature death, or by preventing them from having descendants, thereby ending their lineage within Israel. It was a spiritual death sentence, severing the individual's participation in the blessings of the covenant and their relationship with God through the community. This penalty underscored the absolute gravity of violating fundamental commands, particularly those related to God's holiness and the purity of worship, as seen in [Leviticus 17:9](/leviticus/17-9 "Leviticus 17:9 - Penalty for Improper Sacrifice").

**Why was it so important for sacrifices to be offered specifically at the "door of the tabernacle"? Couldn't God be worshipped anywhere?**

Answer: While God is omnipresent and can be worshipped anywhere in spirit, the command to offer sacrifices exclusively at the "door of the tabernacle of the congregation" was absolutely crucial for maintaining the purity, integrity, and unity of Israel's worship and their covenant relationship with God. This centralization served as a vital safeguard against syncretism with pagan practices, where people often offered sacrifices to various deities at numerous local altars, frequently involving abominable rituals. By requiring all sacrifices at one designated place, God ensured that worship was conducted according to His specific instructions, under the supervision of the Levitical priesthood, and for the purpose of true, authorized atonement. The tabernacle was God's chosen dwelling place among His people, symbolizing His holy presence and the sole authorized means of approaching Him. This command protected Israel from idolatry and powerfully reinforced the uniqueness and holiness of Yahweh, as well as the essential unity of His people in their corporate worship, a principle emphasized throughout [Leviticus 17](/leviticus/17 "Leviticus 17 - Laws Concerning Blood and Sacrifices").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 17:9, with its stringent requirement for centralized worship and the severe penalty for any deviation, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The tabernacle, with its "door" serving as the singular, divinely appointed access point for atonement, was a profound and tangible foreshadowing of Christ Himself. He unequivocally declared, "I am the [door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved](/john/10-9 "John 10:9 - Jesus, the Door")" and "I am the [way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, Truth, and Life")". The Old Testament sacrifices, meticulously offered at the tabernacle's door, pointed forward to the once-for-all, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice of the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). In Christ, the need for a physical tabernacle or a localized altar is entirely transcended, as His resurrected body became the true temple (as prophesied in [John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Predicts the Destruction and Resurrection of the Temple")). The severe consequence of being "cut off" for unauthorized worship in the Old Covenant powerfully highlights the even greater spiritual and eternal consequence of rejecting Christ, who is the ultimate and exclusive means of access to God. Through His finished work on the cross, believers are no longer "cut off" but are brought near to God, having "boldness to [enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19 - Access to God Through Christ's Blood")". Our worship is now truly "in [spirit and truth](/john/4-23-24 "John 4:23-24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")", centered on the person, perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection of Christ, who perfectly fulfilled every requirement of the Law and opened a new and living way to the Father.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Leviticus 17:4

And bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to offer an offering unto the LORD before the tabernacle of the LORD; blood shall be imputed unto that man; he hath shed blood; and that man shall be cut off from among his people: