Leviticus 22:11

KJV

But if the priest buy [any] soul with his money, he shall eat of it, and he that is born in his house: they shall eat of his meat.

KJV (with Strong's)

But if the priest {H3548} buy {H7069} any soul {H5315} with {H7075} his money {H3701}, he shall eat {H398} of it, and he that is born {H3211} in his house {H1004}: they shall eat {H398} of his meat {H3899}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But if a cohen acquires a slave, either through purchase or through his being born in his household, he may share his food.

Berean Standard Bible

But if a priest buys a slave with his own money, or if a slave is born in his household, that slave may eat his food.

American Standard Version

But if a priest buy any soul, the purchase of his money, he shall eat of it; and such as are born in his house, they shall eat of his bread.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 22:11 delineates a crucial exception within the broader regulations governing who may partake of the holy offerings designated for the priests. While the general rule restricts access to those outside the immediate priestly lineage, this verse specifically permits individuals acquired by the priest through purchase (servants) and those born within his household to share in these sacred provisions, thereby extending the privilege of sustenance from God's dedicated portion to integrated members of the priestly family unit.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Leviticus 22, a chapter meticulously detailing the laws concerning the priests' personal holiness and their handling of "holy things"—portions of sacrifices and offerings consecrated to Yahweh. The preceding verses, particularly [Leviticus 22:1-9](/leviticus/22-1-9 "Leviticus 22:1-9 - Regulations for Priests and Holy Things"), establish stringent requirements for priestly purity and conduct, emphasizing that only those ceremonially clean may approach or eat of the holy offerings. [Leviticus 22:10](/leviticus/22-10 "Leviticus 22:10 - Who May Not Eat Holy Things") explicitly states, "There shall no stranger eat of the holy thing: a sojourner of the priest, or an hired servant, shall not eat of the holy thing." Leviticus 22:11 then provides a direct counterpoint and clarification to this exclusion, distinguishing between temporary residents or hired laborers and those permanently integrated into the priest's household, such as purchased servants and those born within the family's domestic sphere. This careful delineation underscores the importance of belonging and the sacred boundaries surrounding God's provisions.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the concept of a "household" (Hebrew: *bayit*) was expansive, encompassing not only immediate blood relatives but also extended family, servants, and sometimes even resident aliens who had become integrated into the family unit. The practice of "buying" a "soul" (person) with money refers to the acquisition of servants, often through debt servitude or as a result of economic hardship, rather than chattel slavery as understood in modern contexts. These individuals were typically indentured for a period, or for life, and became permanent members of the household, sharing in its responsibilities and privileges. Unlike "hired servants" who were temporary employees, purchased servants and those "born in his house" were considered integral to the family's structure and economy. For a priest, whose sustenance came from the offerings, the inclusion of these household members ensured that all who contributed to the functioning of his domestic and priestly life were also provided for by God's designated portions, reflecting a broader understanding of communal responsibility and divine provision within the covenant community.
* **Key Themes:** Leviticus 22:11 contributes to several overarching themes within Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Holiness and Separation**, meticulously defining who may partake of the holy offerings, thereby maintaining the sanctity of God's provisions. Secondly, it highlights **Divine Provision and Sustenance**, demonstrating God's meticulous care for His consecrated servants, the priests, and by extension, for all who are legitimately integrated into their households. This provision extends beyond immediate family to include those acquired through purchase or born within the domestic sphere. Thirdly, the verse subtly introduces the theme of **Inclusion and Belonging** within the covenant community, illustrating how individuals, even those not of direct priestly lineage, could become integral members of a household dedicated to Yahweh, sharing in its blessings. This anticipates a broader principle of God's grace extending beyond narrow boundaries, a theme developed more fully in later biblical revelation concerning the inclusion of Gentiles into God's people (e.g., [Ephesians 2:11-22](/ephesians/2-11-22 "Ephesians 2:11-22 - Gentiles Included in God's Household")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Soul (Hebrew, _nephesh'_):** While commonly translated as "soul" or "life," *nephesh* here functions as a metonymy for "person" or "individual." In the context of "buy any soul with his money," it specifically refers to a human being acquired as a servant or slave. This usage highlights the holistic understanding of a person in Hebrew thought, where the "soul" is not merely an ethereal part but the entire living being.
* **Buy (Hebrew, _qânâh'_):** The verb *qânâh* means "to acquire," "to purchase," or "to possess." In this context, it refers to the legal transaction by which a priest would acquire a servant. This acquisition was a legitimate and common practice in ancient Israelite society, often involving the transfer of money or goods in exchange for labor or service, typically for a defined period or under specific conditions that were distinct from the brutal chattel slavery of other nations.
* **Meat (Hebrew, _lechem'_):** The King James Version's "meat" is an archaic translation of the Hebrew word *lechem*, which broadly means "bread" or "food" in general. It does not exclusively refer to animal flesh. In this verse, *lechem* signifies the portions of the holy offerings (which could include grain offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, etc.) that were designated as sustenance for the priests and their households. This clarifies that the privilege extended to these household members was to partake of the full range of priestly provisions.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But if the priest buy [any] soul with his money":** This clause introduces the specific condition under which an exception to the general rule of exclusion is made. It refers to a priest acquiring a servant through a financial transaction, integrating that individual into his permanent household. The phrase "any soul" underscores that this provision applies to any person legitimately acquired by the priest, regardless of their origin, once they become a part of his domestic unit.
* **"he shall eat of it":** This refers to the acquired servant. Once purchased and fully integrated into the priest's household, this individual is granted the privilege of partaking in the holy provisions. This signifies their change in status from an outsider or temporary worker to a recognized, permanent member of the priestly family, sharing in its sustenance and privileges.
* **"and he that is born in his house":** This phrase extends the privilege to those born within the priest's household, typically referring to the children of his servants who were born into the household's service. Like purchased servants, these individuals were considered permanent members of the domestic unit, distinct from temporary hired laborers. Their birth within the household conferred upon them the right to share in its provisions.
* **"they shall eat of his meat.":** This concluding phrase collectively affirms that both purchased servants and those born within the priest's house are permitted to eat of the "meat" (food/provisions) that belongs to the priest, which comes from the holy offerings. This reiterates their full inclusion in the economic and social life of the priestly family, underscoring God's provision for all who are legitimately part of His dedicated servants' household.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Leviticus 22:11 is **Legal Language**, characterized by its precise and prescriptive nature. The verse functions as a **Stipulation** within a larger body of **Covenant Law**, clearly defining conditions and consequences. The use of "But if..." (Hebrew: *v'ki*) signals a conditional clause, a common feature in ancient Near Eastern legal texts, setting up an exception to a previously stated general rule. There is also an element of **Inclusion/Exclusion**, as the verse meticulously defines who is *included* in the privilege of eating holy food, contrasting them with those *excluded* (as per [Leviticus 22:10](/leviticus/22-10 "Leviticus 22:10 - Who May Not Eat Holy Things")). The term "soul" (*nephesh*) functions as **Metonymy**, where a part (soul) stands for the whole person, emphasizing the individual human being involved in the transaction.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 22:11, while a specific dietary regulation, illuminates profound theological principles concerning inclusion, divine provision, and the nature of God's covenant community. It demonstrates that God's care extends beyond biological lineage to encompass all who are legitimately integrated into the household of His consecrated servants. This inclusion of "purchased souls" and "those born in his house" highlights a divine economy where belonging is not solely determined by birth but also by acquisition and integration, ensuring that those who serve and are part of the priest's life are sustained by the very provisions God has set aside for His priesthood. This foreshadows a broader spiritual reality where outsiders can be brought into God's family.

* [Exodus 12:43-44](/exodus/12-43-44 "Exodus 12:43-44 - Passover Regulations for Strangers")
* [Ephesians 2:19](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19 - Fellow Citizens with the Saints")
* [Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - No Jew or Gentile in Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This ancient regulation, though part of the Old Covenant's specific ceremonial law, carries enduring principles for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God's grace and provision are not limited by human distinctions of birth, status, or origin, but extend to all who are genuinely integrated into His household. Just as the purchased servant became fully part of the priest's family and shared in its blessings, so too does God welcome those who were once "strangers and foreigners" into His spiritual family through faith in Christ. This calls us to embrace a radical inclusivity within the church, recognizing that all who are "bought with a price" (cf. [1 Corinthians 6:20](/1_corinthians/6-20 "1 Corinthians 6:20 - Bought with a Price"))—the blood of Christ—are equally heirs and partakers of the spiritual provisions of God's grace. It challenges us to consider how we, as the household of God, extend genuine belonging and share our spiritual and material blessings with those whom God brings into our midst, ensuring that no one truly within the family is left without sustenance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the inclusion of "purchased souls" in the priest's household challenge our modern notions of family and belonging within the church?**
* **In what ways do we, as believers, "eat of his meat" (partake of God's provision) today, and how are we called to share these spiritual and material blessings with others?**
* **What does this verse teach us about God's care for all members of His covenant community, regardless of their original status?**

### FAQ
**Does the concept of "buying a soul" in Leviticus 22:11 endorse slavery as we understand it today?**

Answer: No, the concept of "buying a soul" in ancient Israel, as reflected in Leviticus 22:11, refers to the acquisition of servants or indentured laborers, a practice distinct from the brutal, dehumanizing chattel slavery of later periods and other cultures. In ancient Israel, such arrangements often provided a form of social welfare or debt relief, where individuals would sell their labor for a period to pay off debts or secure sustenance. These servants were considered part of the household, protected by specific laws (e.g., [Exodus 21:2-11](/exodus/21-2-11 "Exodus 21:2-11 - Laws Concerning Servants")), and were to be treated humanely. They were integrated into the family unit, sharing in its provisions and even participating in religious observances like the Passover (cf. [Exodus 12:44](/exodus/12-44 "Exodus 12:44 - Passover for Purchased Servants")). This stands in stark contrast to the racialized, lifelong, and often cruel system of chattel slavery that emerged in later history.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 22:11, with its emphasis on the inclusion of "purchased souls" and those "born in the house" into the priestly family's sacred provisions, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. As the Great High Priest (cf. [Hebrews 4:14](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus, the Great High Priest")), Christ establishes a new spiritual household, the Church, where inclusion is no longer based on physical lineage or ceremonial law, but on being "bought with a price" (cf. [1 Corinthians 6:20](/1_corinthians/6-20 "1 Corinthians 6:20 - Bought with a Price"))—the precious blood of the Lamb of God (cf. [1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18-19 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redeemed by Christ's Blood")). Through His atoning sacrifice, those who were once "strangers and foreigners" (cf. [Ephesians 2:19](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19 - Fellow Citizens with the Saints")) are now brought near and adopted as "children of God" (cf. [John 1:12](/john/1-12 "John 1:12 - Children of God")), becoming "fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household" (cf. [Ephesians 2:19](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19 - Fellow Citizens with the Saints")). We, who are spiritually "born again" (cf. [John 3:3](/john/3-3 "John 3:3 - Born Again")) into His house, now partake of the true "meat"—the spiritual sustenance of Christ Himself, the Bread of Life (cf. [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")) and the living water (cf. [John 4:10](/john/4-10 "John 4:10 - Living Water")), sharing in all the spiritual blessings and privileges of His New Covenant priesthood (cf. [1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal 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.

Cross-References

Genesis 17:13

He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.

Exodus 12:44

But every man's servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof.

Numbers 18:11

And this [is] thine; the heave offering of their gift, with all the wave offerings of the children of Israel: I have given them unto thee, and to thy sons and to thy daughters with thee, by a statute for ever: every one that is clean in thy house shall eat of it.

Numbers 18:13

[And] whatsoever is first ripe in the land, which they shall bring unto the LORD, shall be thine; every one that is clean in thine house shall eat [of] it.