Leviticus 21:19

KJV

Or a man that is brokenfooted, or brokenhanded,

KJV (with Strong's)

Or a man {H376} that is brokenfooted {H7667}{H7272}, or brokenhanded {H7667}{H3027},

Complete Jewish Bible

a broken foot or a broken arm,

Berean Standard Bible

no man who has a broken foot or hand,

American Standard Version

or a man that is broken-footed, or broken-handed,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 21:19 details two specific physical disqualifications for priests in ancient Israel: being "brokenfooted" or "brokenhanded." These regulations are part of a broader set of divine commands ensuring the physical perfection of those who ministered in the tabernacle and later the temple. Such physical integrity was not about moral worth but served as a crucial symbolic representation of the unblemished holiness and wholeness required to approach a perfectly holy God and mediate on behalf of His people, underscoring the gravity and sanctity of divine service.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 21 is a pivotal chapter within the larger Holiness Code (Leviticus 17-27), which delineates the standards of purity and holiness required for the people of Israel, especially for those in positions of spiritual leadership. Following general laws for priests (Leviticus 21:1-9) and specific rules for the High Priest (Leviticus 21:10-15), verses [Leviticus 21:16-23](/leviticus/21-16 "Leviticus 21:16-23 - Priestly Physical Qualifications") enumerate a comprehensive list of physical blemishes that would prevent a descendant of Aaron from serving at the altar, though they could still eat from the holy offerings. This particular verse, [Leviticus 21:19](/leviticus/21-19 "Leviticus 21:19 - Priestly Disqualifications"), specifically addresses severe impairments to the limbs, emphasizing that even functional limitations, not just cosmetic ones, rendered a priest unfit for active service. The passage concludes with a summary statement in [Leviticus 21:24](/leviticus/21-24 "Leviticus 21:24 - Moses Delivers the Law to Aaron"), reinforcing the divine authority behind these stringent requirements.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, physical wholeness was often associated with divine favor and perfection, particularly in religious contexts. Many pagan cults also had requirements for priests or sacrificial animals to be unblemished. However, Israel's regulations, as given by Yahweh, were distinct in their emphasis on the absolute holiness of God and the symbolic nature of the priest's role. The tabernacle, and later the temple, was considered the dwelling place of God's presence, a sacred space where the divine intersected with the human. The priest acted as a mediator, representing a holy God to an unholy people and an unholy people to a holy God. Therefore, his physical state was to symbolize the perfection and integrity of the divine being he served and the ideal state of the worshiper approaching God. A priest with a "broken foot" or "broken hand" would not only be functionally impaired but would also visually represent something less than whole, potentially detracting from the awe and reverence due to God's sanctuary. These rules were not punitive but protective, designed to maintain the sanctity of the worship system and the integrity of the priesthood as a reflection of God's own perfect nature, as described in passages like [Leviticus 19:2](/leviticus/19-2 "Leviticus 19:2 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Brokenfooted (Hebrew, _regel shavu'a'_):** This phrase refers to a foot that is severely fractured, crushed, or permanently disfigured. The Hebrew term _shavu'a_ (שָׁבוּעַ) implies a deep, irreparable injury or a state of being crippled. It's not a temporary sprain but a lasting impairment that would significantly affect mobility and stability, crucial for performing duties around the altar and within the sacred space.
* **Brokenhanded (Hebrew, _yad shavu'a'_):** Similarly, this refers to a hand that has suffered a severe fracture, crushing injury, or permanent deformity. The term _shavu'a_ again emphasizes a crippling or disfiguring condition rather than a minor injury. A priest's hands were essential for handling the sacred vessels, offering sacrifices, and performing intricate rituals. A "broken hand" would impede these vital functions and symbolize a lack of completeness in service.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Or a man that is brokenfooted":** This clause identifies an individual whose foot has sustained a severe, crippling injury or deformity. Such a condition would impair the priest's ability to stand firmly, walk steadily, or move with the necessary grace and precision within the sacred precincts. The physical imperfection would visually contradict the ideal of wholeness and perfection expected in the presence of a holy God, symbolizing a lack of complete readiness or capability for sacred service.
* **"or brokenhanded":** This clause specifies a man whose hand is severely fractured, crushed, or permanently disfigured. The hands were instrumental in all priestly duties—offering sacrifices, handling the implements of the sanctuary, blessing the people, and performing various ritual actions. A "broken hand" would render these actions difficult or impossible, again presenting a visual and functional imperfection that was deemed unsuitable for representing God's perfect standard and for effectively mediating between God and humanity.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Leviticus 21:19 and the surrounding verses is **Symbolism**. The physical wholeness demanded of the priests is symbolic of the spiritual integrity and perfection required to approach a holy God. The absence of blemish in the priest was not about personal sinfulness but about representing the unblemished character of God and the ideal state of worship. The list of disqualifications also employs **Legal Enumeration**, systematically listing specific conditions to ensure clarity and comprehensiveness in the divine law. Furthermore, there's an element of **Metonymy**, where the physical defect (e.g., a "broken foot" or "broken hand") stands for the priest's overall unsuitability for sacred office, emphasizing that even a part's imperfection could disqualify the whole.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The stringent physical requirements for the Levitical priesthood in Leviticus 21:19 underscore a profound theological truth: God's absolute holiness demands perfection in approach and service. These regulations were not arbitrary but served as object lessons, teaching Israel about the seriousness of drawing near to a holy God. The priest, as a mediator, had to embody a symbolic perfection, reflecting the unblemished nature of the God he served and the ideal state of purity required for communion with Him. While these laws were specific to the Old Covenant priesthood, their underlying principles of integrity, wholeness, and reverence for God resonate deeply. They foreshadow the ultimate, perfect High Priest, Jesus Christ, who alone perfectly fulfills the requirement of blemish-free purity, not just physically, but morally and spiritually.

* [Leviticus 11:44](/leviticus/11-44 "Leviticus 11:44 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy")
* [Hebrews 7:26](/hebrews/7-26 "Hebrews 7:26 - Christ, Our Perfect High Priest")
* [1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - A Spiritual House and Holy Priesthood")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the literal application of Leviticus 21:19 has passed with the fulfillment of the Old Covenant in Christ, its spiritual principles remain profoundly relevant for believers today. As a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9), we are called to offer spiritual sacrifices and to live lives that reflect God's holiness. The physical perfection required of the Old Testament priest serves as a powerful metaphor for the spiritual wholeness God desires in us. Are there "broken" areas in our lives—spiritual "limps" or "crippled hands"—that hinder our full and effective service to God? These might include unconfessed sin, divided loyalties, spiritual laziness, or a lack of integrity. God desires our wholehearted devotion, a life presented as a "living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God" (Romans 12:1). This calls us to a continuous process of sanctification, allowing the Holy Spirit to heal our spiritual infirmities and conform us to the image of Christ, so that our service may be truly unblemished in His sight.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the physical perfection required of Old Testament priests challenge my understanding of what it means to offer "wholehearted" service to God today?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be presenting a "broken" or "incomplete" offering to God, and how can I seek the Holy Spirit's help to become more whole in my devotion?**
* **How does understanding Jesus as the perfect, blemish-free High Priest deepen my appreciation for His sacrifice and my access to God?**

### FAQ
**Did these physical defects imply sinfulness on the part of the individual?**

Answer: No, the physical defects listed in Leviticus 21:19 and the surrounding verses did not imply that the individual was sinful or morally inferior. These were often conditions present from birth or the result of accidents. The disqualification was purely for ritual and symbolic purposes, not a judgment of character or spiritual standing. The priest's physical wholeness was a necessary symbolic representation of the perfection and holiness of God Himself, and the unblemished nature required for approaching Him in worship. It underscored the sanctity of the tabernacle/temple service, not the personal sinfulness of the individual.

**How do these Old Testament rules about physical perfection for priests apply to Christians today?**

Answer: For Christians, the literal application of these rules has been fulfilled and superseded by Jesus Christ, our perfect High Priest. We are no longer under the Old Covenant law concerning physical blemishes for priesthood. However, the underlying spiritual principles remain highly relevant. Believers are called a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9), meaning we are all called to minister to God and to the world. The emphasis shifts from physical perfection to spiritual integrity and wholeness. God desires our wholehearted devotion, free from spiritual "blemishes" like hypocrisy, unconfessed sin, or a divided heart. We are to present ourselves as "living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God" ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Present Your Bodies as Living Sacrifices")). This means striving for purity in thought, word, and deed, allowing the Holy Spirit to sanctify us and make us more like Christ, so that our spiritual service is offered without blemish in God's sight.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 21:19, with its strict requirements for priestly physical perfection, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament priests, with all their human limitations and physical imperfections, could only ever be a shadow of the perfect mediator to come. Jesus, however, is the "high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens" ([Hebrews 7:26](/hebrews/7-26 "Hebrews 7:26 - Christ, Our Perfect High Priest")). He possessed no physical blemish, nor any spiritual or moral defect; He was "without sin" ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest")). His sacrifice was therefore truly "without blemish or spot" ([1 Peter 1:19](/1_peter/1-19 "1 Peter 1:19 - Redeemed by the Precious Blood of Christ")), perfectly satisfying the divine standard of holiness that the Levitical laws symbolized. Through His perfect life and atoning death, Christ has opened a new and living way for all believers to draw near to God ([Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - Confidence to Enter the Holy Place")). We no longer need priests with physically unblemished bodies, because we have a High Priest who is eternally perfect and whose once-for-all sacrifice has made us spiritually whole and acceptable in God's sight, enabling us to offer spiritual sacrifices as a "holy priesthood" ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - A Spiritual House and Holy Priesthood")).

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.