Leviticus 22:7

And when the sun is down, he shall be clean, and shall afterward eat of the holy things; because it [is] his food.

And when the sun {H8121} is down {H935}, he shall be clean {H2891}, and shall afterward {H310} eat {H398} of the holy things {H6944}; because it is his food {H3899}.

After sunset he will be clean; and afterwards, he may eat the holy things; because they are his food.

When the sun has set, he will become clean, and then he may eat from the sacred offerings, for they are his food.

And when the sun is down, he shall be clean; and afterward he shall eat of the holy things, because it is his bread.

Commentary

Leviticus 22:7 describes a crucial aspect of the purification process for Israelite priests under the Old Covenant law. It specifies the moment a priest, who had become ceremonially unclean, was permitted to resume eating from the "holy things"β€”the sacred portions of sacrifices and offerings.

Context

This verse is part of a larger section (Leviticus 22:1-16) that outlines the stringent rules for priests concerning their holiness and purity when handling or eating sacred offerings. Priests were required to maintain a high standard of ritual cleanliness because they served in God's presence and handled items consecrated to Him. If a priest became unclean through contact with a dead body, an unclean animal, or certain bodily discharges (as detailed in Leviticus chapters 11-15), they were temporarily disqualified from eating the holy food. Leviticus 22:7 provides the concluding step for their restoration: after performing the necessary purification rites and waiting until sunset, their state of uncleanness officially ended, and they could once again partake of their designated food.

Key Themes

  • Purity and Holiness: The verse underscores the absolute necessity of purity for those who serve God and handle sacred things. God's holiness demands that His servants reflect a measure of that holiness in their conduct and ritual state.
  • Divine Provision: The phrase "because it is his food" highlights that the holy offerings were the priests' sustenance, their livelihood provided by God. This emphasizes God's faithfulness in caring for those consecrated to His service, as also seen in Numbers 18:8-10.
  • Restoration and Access: The sunset marked a clear transition from a state of impurity and exclusion to one of cleanliness and renewed access to the holy food. This illustrates God's provision for restoration after ritual defilement, allowing His servants to return to their duties and enjoy His provision.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "clean" here is tahor (Χ˜Χ”Χ•Χ¨), which denotes ritual purity, free from defilement. It's a state of being ceremonially acceptable to God. The "holy things" are qodesh (Χ§Χ“Χ©), referring to anything set apart or consecrated exclusively for God's use or consumption, emphasizing their sacredness.

Practical Application

While Christians are no longer bound by the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament, the principles behind Leviticus 22:7 remain relevant. Spiritually, believers are called to live lives of purity and holiness, recognizing that we are a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9). Just as the priests needed to be ceremonially clean to eat the holy things, we are called to be spiritually clean to commune with God and partake in His spiritual provisions.

Our cleansing comes not from ritual baths or the setting of the sun, but through the atoning work of Jesus Christ. His blood cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7), making us spiritually clean and enabling us to approach God's presence and partake in the spiritual sustenance He offers, which is His Word and His presence. The concept of restoration also applies: when we confess our sins, God is faithful to cleanse us and restore our fellowship with Him, allowing us to continue in our service and enjoy His provisions.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Leviticus 21:22

    He shall eat the bread of his God, [both] of the most holy, and of the holy.

  • Deuteronomy 18:3

    And this shall be the priest's due from the people, from them that offer a sacrifice, whether [it be] ox or sheep; and they shall give unto the priest the shoulder, and the two cheeks, and the maw.

  • Deuteronomy 18:4

    The firstfruit [also] of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the first of the fleece of thy sheep, shalt thou give him.

  • 1 Corinthians 9:13

    Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live [of the things] of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?

  • 1 Corinthians 9:14

    Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

  • 1 Corinthians 9:4

    Have we not power to eat and to drink?

  • 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.
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