Leviticus 22:15

KJV

And they shall not profane the holy things of the children of Israel, which they offer unto the LORD;

KJV (with Strong's)

And they shall not profane {H2490} the holy things {H6944} of the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}, which they offer {H7311} unto the LORD {H3068};

Complete Jewish Bible

They are not to profane the holy things of the people of Isra'el that they have set apart for ADONAI

Berean Standard Bible

The priests must not profane the sacred offerings that the Israelites present to the LORD

American Standard Version

And they shall not profane the holy things of the children of Israel, which they offer unto Jehovah,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 22:15 stands as a critical injunction within the priestly code, specifically prohibiting the sons of Aaron from profaning the sacred offerings presented by the Israelites to the LORD. This verse underscores the absolute necessity of maintaining the holiness of all things dedicated to God, emphasizing that any act diminishing their sacred status—whether through improper handling, consumption by the ritually unclean, or general disrespect—constitutes a grave offense against the divine. It highlights the profound responsibility of the priesthood to uphold the sanctity of God's provisions and the meticulous standards required for approaching a holy God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 22 is a detailed exposition of the regulations governing the priests' interaction with holy things, particularly sacrificial offerings. The chapter begins by outlining the conditions under which priests could eat the holy food (Leviticus 22:1-9), emphasizing their ritual purity. It then transitions to specific prohibitions regarding who may eat these sacred portions, extending to non-priestly family members, temporary sojourners, and hired servants (Leviticus 22:10-14). Leviticus 22:15 serves as a foundational summary prohibition, reinforcing the principle that the "holy things" must not be treated as common. It acts as a severe warning against any action that would violate the sanctity established in the preceding verses, leading into further regulations about acceptable sacrifices (Leviticus 22:17-33). The verse thus functions as a theological anchor, reiterating the overarching demand for holiness that permeates the entire book of [Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus - Laws of Holiness").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the Tabernacle (and later the Temple) served as the focal point of divine-human interaction, representing God's dwelling among His people. The sacrificial system was the primary means of worship and atonement, and the offerings brought by the people were considered "holy things" (קֳדָשִׁים, *qodashim*), set apart exclusively for God. The priesthood, specifically the descendants of Aaron, were the designated mediators, entrusted with the sacred duty of handling these offerings. Their role was not merely ceremonial but deeply theological, as they were to "put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean" (as commanded in [Leviticus 10:10](/leviticus/10-10 "Leviticus 10:10 - Priestly Discernment")). To profane these holy things was not merely a breach of ritual protocol but an act of disrespect and contempt towards God Himself, who had commanded their consecration. Such profanation could have severe consequences, as seen in the judgment upon Nadab and Abihu for offering "strange fire" (recorded in [Leviticus 10:1-2](/leviticus/10-1-2 "Leviticus 10:1-2 - Nadab and Abihu's Sin")). The meticulous regulations ensured the integrity of the covenant relationship and the awe-inspiring presence of the Holy God in the midst of His people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Profane (Hebrew, _ḥālal'_):** This verb, חָלַל (*ḥālal*), carries the core meaning of "to pollute," "to defile," "to desecrate," or "to treat as common." It signifies a lowering of status from sacred to ordinary, or from consecrated to unholy. In the context of the Mosaic Law, to profane something holy was to violate its dedicated status, thereby showing contempt for the God to whom it was dedicated. It implies a deliberate or negligent act that diminishes the reverence due to God's presence and provisions.
* **Holy Things (Hebrew, _qodashim'_):** The plural noun קֳדָשִׁים (*qodashim*) refers to items, substances, or portions that have been "set apart," "consecrated," or "dedicated" exclusively for God's use or worship. This includes various offerings (e.g., peace offerings, sin offerings, grain offerings), portions of sacrifices designated for priestly consumption, and other items consecrated to the Tabernacle. These "holy things" were not merely human gifts but were imbued with a sacred character by virtue of their dedication to the LORD, reflecting His inherent holiness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they shall not profane":** This opening phrase establishes a direct and emphatic prohibition. The "they" refers specifically to the priests, the sons of Aaron, who are the primary subjects of the regulations in Leviticus 22. The negative command underscores the seriousness of the action being forbidden, highlighting that profanation is not merely a mistake but a violation of divine order and sanctity.
* **"the holy things of the children of Israel":** This specifies the objects of the prohibition. These "holy things" are the offerings and consecrated items brought by the entire community of Israel. They represent the people's devotion, their covenant obligations, and their means of approaching God. The phrase emphasizes that these items, though originating from the people, become God's exclusive property upon dedication, and their sanctity must be guarded.
* **"which they offer unto the LORD;":** This final clause clarifies the ultimate destination and purpose of the "holy things." They are not merely offerings to a deity but specifically "unto the LORD"—Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. This reinforces the theological weight of the prohibition: profaning these items is an affront directly to God Himself, diminishing His honor and the sacredness of His worship.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 22:15 employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Legal Language** is paramount, as the verse is a direct, concise prohibition, characteristic of the apodictic law found throughout the Pentateuch. This directness lends an air of absolute authority and leaves no room for ambiguity regarding the required conduct. The verse also utilizes **Contrast**, implicitly setting the "holy things" (קֳדָשִׁים, *qodashim*) against the act of "profaning" (חָלַל, *ḥālal*). This stark opposition highlights the fundamental theological distinction between the sacred and the common, a core theme in Leviticus. Furthermore, the phrase "which they offer unto the LORD" functions as a form of **Emphasis**, underscoring the divine recipient of the offerings and thereby elevating the gravity of any act that would disrespect them. The prohibition itself serves as a **Warning**, not just against a specific action, but against a mindset that fails to properly revere what God has set apart for Himself.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 22:15 is deeply rooted in the overarching biblical theology of God's holiness and humanity's call to reflect that holiness. God, as the perfectly pure and transcendent One, demands that all things pertaining to Him—His dwelling place, His worship, His provisions, and His people—be treated with utmost reverence and purity. The priests, as mediators, bore the solemn responsibility of upholding this sacred boundary between the holy and the common, ensuring that Israel understood the gravity of God's presence. To profane the holy things was to desecrate God's honor and to undermine the very foundation of the covenant relationship, which was predicated on His holiness. This principle extends beyond ritual purity to encompass moral and spiritual integrity, reminding us that true worship involves a holistic dedication of all that we are and have to the LORD.

* [Leviticus 11:44](/leviticus/11-44 "Leviticus 11:44 - Be Holy, for I Am Holy")
* [Leviticus 10:10](/leviticus/10-10 "Leviticus 10:10 - Priestly Discernment Between Holy and Unholy")
* [1 Peter 1:15-16](/1_peter/1-15-16 "1 Peter 1:15-16 - Call to Holiness in Conduct")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific Levitical laws concerning ritual purity and animal sacrifices are fulfilled and transformed in the New Covenant through Christ, the timeless principles embedded in Leviticus 22:15 remain profoundly relevant for believers today. This verse calls us to cultivate a deep sense of reverence for God and all that pertains to Him. It challenges us to consider how we handle the "holy things" in our lives: our worship, our spiritual disciplines, our bodies (as temples of the Holy Spirit), our time, talents, and resources consecrated to God, and even the sacred fellowship of the church. Do we approach these with a casual indifference, or with the awe and respect due to their divine connection? This verse serves as a powerful reminder that our God is holy, and our lives, consecrated to Him through Christ, are likewise called to reflect that holiness in every sphere, guarding against any attitude or action that would diminish their sacred purpose.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be inadvertently "profaning" what God considers holy, perhaps through casualness or neglect?**
* **How does my approach to worship, prayer, and Bible study reflect a reverence for the "holy things" of God?**
* **Considering my body as a temple of the Holy Spirit, what practical steps can I take to honor its sacredness more fully?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper sense of awe and respect for God's presence and provisions in my daily life?**

### FAQ
**What does "profane" truly mean in this context, and why was it such a serious offense?**

Answer: In Leviticus 22:15, "profane" (Hebrew: *ḥālal*) means to treat something sacred as common, defiled, or unholy. It's not necessarily about physical destruction, but about violating the consecrated status of an item. This was a serious offense because the "holy things" were dedicated to the LORD, symbolizing His presence and the covenant relationship with Israel. To profane them was to show contempt for God Himself, diminishing His honor and the sanctity of His worship. It blurred the crucial distinction between the holy and the common, a distinction fundamental to Israel's understanding of God's character and their own identity as a holy nation set apart by Him (as seen in [Leviticus 19:2](/leviticus/19-2 "Leviticus 19:2 - Be Holy, for I the LORD your God am Holy")). Such an act could incur divine judgment, as it directly challenged God's authority and holiness.

**Are these laws still relevant for Christians today, given that we are not under the Old Covenant sacrificial system?**

Answer: While Christians are not bound by the ceremonial laws of the Old Covenant, as the sacrificial system has been fulfilled in Christ (as explained in [Hebrews 10:1-10](/hebrews/10-1-10 "Hebrews 10:1-10 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")), the underlying principles of holiness, reverence, and the distinction between the sacred and the common remain profoundly relevant. Leviticus 22:15 teaches us about God's unchanging character—He is holy and demands holiness from His people. For believers today, the "holy things" are no longer animal sacrifices but include our lives consecrated to God, our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit (as in [1 Corinthians 6:19-20](/1_corinthians/6-19-20 "1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Your Body is a Temple")), the church as God's holy people, and the spiritual blessings and privileges we have in Christ. The command not to profane them translates into a call to live a life of purity, reverence, and devoted stewardship, honoring God in all we do (echoing [Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Present Your Bodies as a Living Sacrifice")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 22:15, with its strict prohibition against profaning holy things, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Old Covenant system, with its meticulous regulations for priests and sacrifices, served as a shadow pointing to the reality found in Christ (as articulated in [Colossians 2:17](/colossians/2-17 "Colossians 2:17 - The Shadow and the Substance")). Jesus, as our great High Priest, perfectly fulfilled the requirements of holiness, offering Himself as the unblemished, once-for-all sacrifice (described in [Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). He was the "holy thing" par excellence, dedicated entirely to the LORD, and He could not be profaned by sin or death, for He was without blemish (as affirmed in [1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18-19 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redeemed by the Precious Blood of Christ")). Through His perfect life, atoning death, and resurrection, Christ not only upheld the holiness of God but also made a way for sinful humanity to be made holy and acceptable in God's sight. Now, under the New Covenant, believers are declared holy in Christ (as in [Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Sanctified Through the Offering of Jesus Christ")), becoming a "holy priesthood" (as stated in [1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "A Holy Priesthood")) called to offer spiritual sacrifices. The command not to profane holy things transforms into a call for believers to live lives worthy of their calling, guarding the sanctity of their new identity in Christ and honoring God with their bodies and all that they are, as they are now temples of the Holy Spirit (from [1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "Your Body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit")).

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.