Leviticus 22:16

KJV

Or suffer them to bear the iniquity of trespass, when they eat their holy things: for I the LORD do sanctify them.

KJV (with Strong's)

Or suffer them to bear {H5375} the iniquity {H5771} of trespass {H819}, when they eat {H398} their holy things {H6944}: for I the LORD {H3068} do sanctify {H6942} them.

Complete Jewish Bible

and thus cause them to bear guilt requiring a guilt offering, by eating their holy things; because I am ADONAI, who makes them holy.'"

Berean Standard Bible

by allowing the people to eat the sacred offerings and thus to bear the punishment for guilt. For I am the LORD who sanctifies them.”

American Standard Version

and so cause them to bear the iniquity that bringeth guilt, when they eat their holy things: for I am Jehovah who sanctifieth them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 22:16 articulates a critical divine decree concerning the sanctity of holy offerings and the grave consequences for priests and their households who consume them while ritually impure. This verse underscores the profound reverence due to God's consecrated provisions, emphasizing the absolute necessity of purity for those who serve Him and partake of His sacred things, lest they incur guilt and divine judgment for profaning what the LORD Himself has set apart. It serves as a powerful declaration of God's unyielding holiness and His sovereign authority over all that is dedicated to Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 22:16 is strategically placed within a larger section (Leviticus 21-22) that meticulously details the stringent regulations governing the priesthood and the handling of sacred offerings. Chapter 21 establishes the personal holiness requirements for priests, including marital restrictions and prohibitions against contact with the dead, all designed to maintain their ritual purity for service. Chapter 22 then extends these purity mandates to the consumption of "holy things"—portions of sacrifices and offerings divinely designated for the priests' sustenance, such as the heave offering, wave offering, and portions of the sin and guilt offerings. The verses immediately preceding (Leviticus 22:1-15) enumerate various conditions that would render a priest or a member of his household ritually unclean, thereby strictly prohibiting them from eating these consecrated foods. Verse 16 functions as a climactic warning, articulating the severe spiritual danger and the consequence of "bearing the iniquity of trespass" for violating these purity laws. The subsequent verses (Leviticus 22:17-33) transition to regulations concerning the quality of animals acceptable for sacrifice, further reinforcing God's unwavering demand for unblemished holiness in all aspects of worship and interaction with the divine.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the Tabernacle, and later the Temple, served as the tangible focal point of God's holy presence among His people. The elaborate system of laws presented in Leviticus, given at Mount Sinai (as detailed in [Exodus 19-24](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19-24 - The Giving of the Law")), established the foundational framework for a holy nation to live in covenant relationship with a holy God. The priests, specifically the descendants of Aaron, were divinely appointed as mediators, entrusted with the sacred duty of maintaining the sanctity of the sanctuary and facilitating the people's access to God through the prescribed rituals of sacrifices and offerings. The concept of "holiness" (Hebrew: *qodesh*) was utterly paramount, signifying a state of separation unto God and freedom from any form of defilement. "Holy things" were not merely mundane food items; they were consecrated portions of sacrifices that embodied reconciliation, atonement, and communion with God. To treat them lightly or to consume them while ritually impure was not a minor oversight but an act of profound sacrilege, a direct offense against God's inherent holiness and His divinely established order. This strict adherence to purity laws reflected the deep reverence required when interacting with the divine, a principle foundational to the entire Mosaic covenant, as powerfully articulated in passages like [Leviticus 10:10](/leviticus/10-10 "Leviticus 10:10 - Distinguishing Between Holy and Unholy").
* **Key Themes:** Leviticus 22:16 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost among these is the theme of **Divine Holiness and Purity**. The verse underscores that God's nature is utterly holy, necessitating a corresponding purity from those who serve Him and interact with His sacred provisions. It highlights the **Seriousness of Sin and Impurity**, particularly when it involves the profanation of what God has set apart. The consequence of "bearing the iniquity of trespass" reveals that violations of God's holy standards are not trivial but incur divine judgment and spiritual culpability. Furthermore, the verse reinforces the theme of **God's Sovereign Authority** over His people and His worship. The declaration "for I the LORD do sanctify them" asserts that the holiness of the offerings is not a human designation but a divine impartation, demanding absolute obedience and reverence. Finally, it speaks to the **Mediatorial Role of the Priesthood**, emphasizing their unique responsibility to maintain ritual purity as they minister before a holy God and handle His consecrated things, a role that foreshadows the ultimate mediation of Christ (as seen in [Hebrews 7:26-28](/hebrews/7-26-28 "Hebrews 7:26-28 - Christ, Our Perfect High Priest")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **bear (Hebrew, _nâsâʼ'_):** H5375. This primitive root means "to lift" or "to carry," but in this context, it carries the significant metaphorical weight of "to suffer" or "to endure" the consequences of an action. When applied to "iniquity," it means to take upon oneself the spiritual guilt, blame, and resulting punishment for a transgression. It signifies accountability and the experience of divine judgment for the specified offense.
* **iniquity (Hebrew, _ʻâvôn'_):** H5771. This term denotes perversity or moral evil, encompassing not only the sinful act itself but also the guilt, fault, and punishment associated with it. It implies a moral crookedness or distortion of what is right in God's eyes. In Leviticus 22:16, "bearing the iniquity" means incurring the full spiritual and judicial consequences for the moral offense of disrespecting God's holiness.
* **sanctify (Hebrew, _qâdash'_):** H6942. This primitive root means "to be clean," "to make holy," "to set apart," or "to consecrate." It is a foundational concept in Leviticus, denoting the act of God (or by extension, humans acting according to God's command) setting something or someone apart for sacred use, thereby imparting a special status of holiness. The use of this verb here emphasizes that the offerings are not inherently holy but are made so by divine declaration, demanding a corresponding reverence and purity from those who interact with them.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Or suffer them to bear the iniquity of trespass,"**: This clause states the severe consequence for violating the preceding purity regulations. If a priest or a member of his household, while ritually unclean, partakes of the holy offerings, they will "bear" or "carry" the spiritual guilt and the resulting divine judgment for this act of sacrilege. It signifies that the offense is not overlooked but incurs a direct and unavoidable divine penalty, highlighting the gravity of profaning consecrated things.
* **"when they eat their holy things:"**: This specifies the forbidden action: the consumption of consecrated food portions (such as portions of sacrifices designated for priestly sustenance) by individuals who are in a state of ritual impurity. These "holy things" were specifically allocated for the sustenance of the priests and their clean household members, underscoring the sacred nature of even their daily provisions and the strict conditions for their consumption.
* **"for I the LORD do sanctify them."**: This concluding clause provides the ultimate divine rationale and unchallengeable authority for the strict prohibition. The offerings are holy not due to any intrinsic quality of the food itself, but because the LORD Himself, YHWH (H3068), the self-existent and eternal God, has declared and made them holy. This divine act of sanctification demands that these items be treated with the utmost reverence, purity, and distinction, and any violation is therefore a direct offense against God's own holiness and His sovereign will.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 22:16 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. The verse functions as a **Divine Declaration** or **Assertion of Authority**, most notably in the concluding phrase, "for I the LORD do sanctify them." This direct statement from God grounds the entire prohibition in His unchallengeable will and holy nature, serving as the ultimate **Rationale** for the preceding regulations. The structure also clearly exhibits **Cause and Effect**: the cause is the eating of holy things while impure, and the inevitable effect is "bearing the iniquity of trespass." This clear linkage underscores the certainty of divine judgment for disobedience. Furthermore, the use of precise legalistic and theological terms such as "iniquity" (Hebrew: *ʻâvôn*) and "trespass" (Hebrew: *ʼashmâh*) highlights the **Legal Language** inherent in the Mosaic covenant, framing the act as a serious breach of divine law with specific, unavoidable penalties. The verse's concise and definitive phrasing also lends it an air of **Divine Mandate**, leaving no room for ambiguity regarding the seriousness of the command.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 22:16 profoundly illustrates God's unyielding holiness and the absolute necessity of purity in approaching Him and His consecrated provisions. It reveals that God's holiness is not merely an abstract attribute but a dynamic, active force that demands a corresponding separation, reverence, and purity from His people. The verse underscores the principle that profaning what God has set apart carries grave spiritual consequences, demonstrating that God takes the sanctity of His worship, His name, and His appointed order with utmost seriousness. This principle of divine holiness demanding human purity is a recurring and foundational theme throughout Scripture, culminating in the New Testament's call for believers to live holy lives as a spiritual priesthood, set apart for God's purposes.

* [Leviticus 11:44](/leviticus/11-44 "Leviticus 11:44 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy")
* [Hebrews 12:14](/hebrews/12-14 "Hebrews 12:14 - Pursue Peace and Holiness")
* [1 Peter 1:15-16](/1_peter/1-15-16 "1 Peter 1:15-16 - Called to be Holy as God is Holy")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific regulations of Leviticus 22:16 pertain to the Old Covenant priesthood and the physical handling of holy offerings, the underlying principles of reverence for God, profound respect for His holiness, and the critical importance of spiritual purity remain profoundly relevant and applicable for believers today. As New Testament believers, we are collectively called a "royal priesthood" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")) and are exhorted to present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is our spiritual act of worship ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Present Your Bodies as Living Sacrifices")). This verse challenges us to deeply consider the attitude and state of our hearts when we approach God in worship, how we handle His sacred Word, and how we participate in the sacraments, particularly the Lord's Supper. Just as the ancient priests faced severe consequences for defiling holy things, we are warned against partaking unworthily, which can bring judgment upon ourselves ([1 Corinthians 11:27-29](/1_corinthians/11-27-29 "1 Corinthians 11:27-29 - Unworthy Partaking of the Lord's Supper")). Our lives, our resources, our time, and our worship are all to be consecrated to God, reflecting His holiness in every sphere. This means diligently striving for spiritual purity, not merely outward conformity, and treating all that pertains to God with the reverence and awe due to His majestic, holy character.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be treating God's "holy things" (e.g., His Word, corporate worship, my spiritual gifts, my body as His temple, the Lord's Supper) with less reverence or purity than they deserve?**
* **How does the warning to "bear the iniquity of trespass" deepen my understanding of the seriousness of sin, especially sins that involve disrespecting God, His commands, or His purposes?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a deeper sense of spiritual purity, reverence, and awe in my daily walk with God and in my participation in corporate worship?**

### FAQ

**What does it mean to "bear the iniquity of trespass" in this context?**

Answer: To "bear the iniquity of trespass" means to incur spiritual guilt and suffer the divine consequences or punishment for an act of unfaithfulness, sacrilege, or profound disrespect towards God's holy things. In Leviticus 22:16, it specifically refers to the spiritual culpability and potentially physical judgment that would come upon a priest or a member of his household for eating consecrated offerings while in a state of ritual impurity. It signifies that God would not overlook such a violation of His holiness and established order, and the offender would be held directly accountable for profaning what God Himself had set apart. This concept is similar to other instances where individuals "bear their iniquity" for disobedience, as seen in [Numbers 14:34](/numbers/14-34 "Numbers 14:34 - Bearing Iniquity for Disobedience").

**How does this Old Testament law apply to Christians today, given that we are not under the Mosaic Law?**

Answer: While Christians are indeed not under the ceremonial and civil laws of the Old Testament, the underlying theological principles of God's unchanging holiness, the seriousness of sin, and the necessity of purity remain timeless and eternally relevant. As believers in Christ, we are considered a "holy priesthood" ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - A Holy Priesthood")) called to offer spiritual sacrifices of praise and service. Therefore, the spirit of Leviticus 22:16 calls us to approach God and all that pertains to Him with utmost reverence, spiritual purity, and a profound sense of awe. This applies to our personal and corporate worship, our diligent handling and study of God's Word, our participation in the Lord's Supper, and our daily lives, which are to be consecrated to Him as living sacrifices. Just as physical defilement prevented access to holy things then, spiritual defilement (such as unconfessed sin, unholy living, or a lack of reverence) can hinder our fellowship with God and diminish our effectiveness in His service today.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 22:16, with its stern warning against profaning holy things and the consequence of "bearing the iniquity of trespass," finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The strict purity laws and the severe penalties for their violation vividly highlight humanity's inherent inability to achieve the perfect, unblemished holiness required to approach a perfectly holy God. We, like the ritually impure of old, would inevitably "bear the iniquity of trespass" for our sins and defilement against God's perfect standards. However, Christ, as our great High Priest, perfectly fulfilled all the righteous requirements of the Law, living a life of absolute purity, blamelessness, and unwavering obedience ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Our High Priest, Tempted Yet Sinless")). More profoundly, Jesus did not merely avoid bearing His own iniquity; He willingly and completely bore *our* iniquity and trespass on the cross, becoming sin for us so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Through His singular, perfect sacrifice, Jesus, the true [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), perfectly sanctified us, setting us apart as holy and acceptable in God's sight. Now, through faith in Him, we are cleansed and granted bold access to the very presence of God ([Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19-22 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Access to God Through Christ")), no longer fearing to "bear the iniquity of trespass" for our defilement, but rather clothed in His imputed righteousness and empowered by His Spirit to live lives that reflect the holiness of the One who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light ([1 Peter 1:15-16](/1_peter/1-15-16 "1 Peter 1:15-16 - Be Holy as God is Holy") and [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

Leviticus 22:9

They shall therefore keep mine ordinance, lest they bear sin for it, and die therefore, if they profane it: I the LORD do sanctify them.

1 Peter 2:24

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Psalms 38:4

For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.

Isaiah 53:11

He shall see of the travail of his soul, [and] shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

Isaiah 53:12

Therefore will I divide him [a portion] with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Leviticus 20:8

And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I [am] the LORD which sanctify you.

Leviticus 7:18

And if [any] of the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings be eaten at all on the third day, it shall not be accepted, neither shall it be imputed unto him that offereth it: it shall be an abomination, and the soul that eateth of it shall bear his iniquity.