Leviticus 22:3

Say unto them, Whosoever [he be] of all your seed among your generations, that goeth unto the holy things, which the children of Israel hallow unto the LORD, having his uncleanness upon him, that soul shall be cut off from my presence: I [am] the LORD.

Say {H559} unto them, Whosoever {H376} he be of all your seed {H2233} among your generations {H1755}, that goeth {H7126} unto the holy things {H6944}, which the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} hallow {H6942} unto the LORD {H3068}, having his uncleanness {H2932} upon him, that soul {H5315} shall be cut off {H3772} from my presence {H6440}: I am the LORD {H3068}.

Tell them, 'Any descendant of yours through all your generations who approaches the holy things that the people of Isra'el consecrate to ADONAI and is unclean will be cut off from before me; I am ADONAI.

Tell them that for the generations to come, if any of their descendants in a state of uncleanness approaches the sacred offerings that the Israelites consecrate to the LORD, that person must be cut off from My presence. I am the LORD.

Say unto them, Whosoever he be of all your seed throughout your generations, that approacheth unto the holy things, which the children of Israel hallow unto Jehovah, having his uncleanness upon him, that soul shall be cut off from before me: I am Jehovah.

Commentary

Leviticus 22:3 delivers a solemn warning from the LORD concerning the sanctity of His holy things and the purity required of those who handle them. Directed primarily at the Levitical priests and their descendants, this verse underscores the severe consequences for approaching God's consecrated offerings while in a state of ritual uncleanness.

Context

This verse is part of a larger section in Leviticus chapter 22 that outlines the specific regulations for priests regarding their handling of sacred offerings and their conduct in the Tabernacle. Following detailed instructions on various forms of ritual impurity (e.g., bodily discharges, contact with dead bodies), God emphasizes that any priest or his descendant who touches or consumes "holy things" while unclean would face dire consequences. The entire book of Leviticus highlights the importance of holiness and separation for the people of Israel, especially those serving in the priesthood, reflecting God's own holy nature.

Key Themes

  • God's Holiness and Purity: The verse powerfully asserts God's absolute demand for purity in His presence and around His sacred items. It reinforces the idea that God is utterly distinct from all impurity.
  • Reverence in Worship: It teaches a profound respect and awe for anything dedicated to the LORD. Approaching God or His holy things was never to be taken lightly.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The phrase "cut off from my presence" signifies a severe penalty, potentially excommunication from the community, spiritual death, or even physical death, emphasizing the gravity of violating God's commands regarding holiness.
  • Priestly Responsibility: It underscores the immense responsibility of the priests, who served as mediators between God and Israel, to maintain a state of ritual cleanliness to avoid defiling the holy and incurring divine wrath.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Holy things" (ืงึนื“ึถืฉื, qodesh): This term refers to all items, offerings, and consecrated elements dedicated to the LORD, such as sacrifices, tithes, and parts of the Tabernacle itself. They were set apart for God's exclusive use and were not to be treated as common.
  • "Uncleanness" (ื˜ึปืžึฐืึธื”, tum'ah): This denotes a state of ritual impurity, which could be caused by various factors (e.g., childbirth, skin diseases, contact with a dead body, certain bodily discharges). It was not necessarily moral sin, but it rendered a person unfit to participate in sacred rituals or approach God's holy presence until a prescribed purification process was completed.
  • "Cut off from my presence" (ื•ึฐื ึดื›ึฐืจึฐืชึธื” ื”ึทื ึถึผืคึถืฉื ื”ึทื”ึดื•ื ืžึดืœึฐึผืคึธื ึธื™, v'nikhreta hannefesh hahi mil'fanai): This is a strong and recurring phrase in the Pentateuch, indicating severe divine judgment. It implies removal from the covenant community, loss of divine favor, and potentially a spiritual or physical death. It signifies being alienated from God's protective and blessing presence.

Cross-References

The principle of God's holiness and the requirement for purity in His service is foundational throughout Scripture. This verse echoes the warning found in Leviticus 10:1-2, where Nadab and Abihu were consumed by fire for offering "strange fire" before the LORD, highlighting the strictness of God's demands for worship. The broader call to be holy because God is holy is central to Leviticus 11:44. In the New Testament, while ceremonial laws are fulfilled in Christ, the spiritual principle of approaching God with reverence and purity remains. Believers are encouraged to draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having their consciences cleansed by the blood of Christ. Christians are also called a "holy priesthood" offering spiritual sacrifices to God (1 Peter 2:5), emphasizing the importance of spiritual purity in their worship and service.

Practical Application

While the ceremonial laws of Leviticus no longer apply in the same way for New Covenant believers, the underlying principles of reverence for God and the need for purity before Him are timeless. This verse reminds us:

  1. God is Holy: Our approach to God, whether in personal prayer, corporate worship, or service, should always be marked by deep reverence and awe for His holiness.
  2. Spiritual Purity Matters: Though we are cleansed by Christ's blood, we are still called to confess our sins and live a life that honors God. We should seek spiritual purity through repentance and faith before engaging in worship or ministry, recognizing that God's standards for holiness have not diminished.
  3. Consequences of Disregard: Treating God's presence or His Word lightly can have serious spiritual consequences, impacting our relationship with Him and our effectiveness in His kingdom.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Leviticus 7:20

    But the soul that eateth [of] the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offerings, that [pertain] unto the LORD, having his uncleanness upon him, even that soul shall be cut off from his people.

  • Leviticus 7:21

    Moreover the soul that shall touch any unclean [thing, as] the uncleanness of man, or [any] unclean beast, or any abominable unclean [thing], and eat of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which [pertain] unto the LORD, even that soul shall be cut off from his people.

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:9

    Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

  • Psalms 16:11

    Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence [is] fulness of joy; at thy right hand [there are] pleasures for evermore.

  • Matthew 25:41

    Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

  • Psalms 51:11

    Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

  • Numbers 19:13

    Whosoever toucheth the dead body of any man that is dead, and purifieth not himself, defileth the tabernacle of the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from Israel: because the water of separation was not sprinkled upon him, he shall be unclean; his uncleanness [is] yet upon him.
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