Leviticus 22:9

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

They shall therefore keep {H8104} mine ordinance {H4931}, lest they bear {H5375} sin {H2399} for it, and die {H4191} therefore, if they profane {H2490} it: I the LORD {H3068} do sanctify {H6942} them.

Complete Jewish Bible

The cohanim must observe this charge of mine; otherwise, if they profane it, they will bear the consequences of their sin for doing so and die in it; I am ADONAI, who makes them holy.

Berean Standard Bible

The priests must keep My charge, lest they bear the guilt and die because they profane it. I am the LORD who sanctifies them.

American Standard Version

They shall therefore keep my charge, lest they bear sin for it, and die therein, if they profane it: I am Jehovah who sanctifieth them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 22:9 delivers a solemn warning to the Levitical priests, underscoring the critical importance of adhering to God's ordinances concerning holy things. It declares that failure to "keep mine ordinance" by "profaning" what is sacred will result in bearing sin and death. This severe consequence highlights God's absolute holiness and the immense responsibility placed upon those consecrated to His service, culminating in the foundational truth that it is the Lord Himself who sanctifies both the priests and the sacred objects they handle.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 22:9 serves as a concluding and emphatic warning within a broader section (Leviticus 21-22) that meticulously details the laws governing the purity and conduct of the Aaronic priesthood. Chapter 21 focuses on the personal holiness required of priests, including restrictions on marriage and contact with the dead, ensuring their fitness for sacred service. Chapter 22 then shifts to regulations concerning the "holy things" (sacred offerings and tithes) that priests were permitted to eat. This chapter outlines strict conditions for who among the priestly family could partake, when they could partake (only when ceremonially clean), and what types of offerings were acceptable. Verse 9, therefore, acts as a powerful summation of the preceding rules, emphasizing the dire consequences for any priest who treats these divine commands or the holy provisions as common or defiled, thereby undermining the sanctity of God's worship system. It reinforces the idea that the privilege of priestly service comes with profound accountability within the covenant.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Levitical priesthood was divinely instituted as the mediator between God and Israel, responsible for maintaining the purity of worship and administering the sacrificial system at the tabernacle (and later, the temple). This role was not merely ceremonial but deeply spiritual, reflecting God's holy character and His desire for a holy people. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, priests often held significant social and religious authority, but Israel's priesthood was uniquely defined by divine election and strict adherence to covenant stipulations. The concept of "holiness" (separation for God's exclusive use) was central to Israelite life, permeating every aspect of their interaction with the divine. The laws in Leviticus, including those in [Leviticus 22](/leviticus/22 "Leviticus 22 - Laws Concerning Holy Things"), established clear distinctions between the sacred and the common, the clean and the unclean. Violating these distinctions, particularly by those consecrated to God, was considered a grave affront to God's character and could bring severe judgment upon the individual and even the community. The tragic account of [Nadab and Abihu](/leviticus/10-1 "Leviticus 10:1 - Nadab and Abihu's Unholy Fire"), who offered "strange fire" and died before the Lord, serves as a stark historical precedent for the immediate and fatal consequences of profaning God's holiness, a principle clearly echoed in the warning of [Leviticus 22:9](/leviticus/22-9 "Leviticus 22:9 - Priestly Responsibility and Consequences").

* **Key Themes:** Leviticus 22:9 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of **God's Absolute Holiness**, emphasizing that Yahweh is utterly set apart and demands a corresponding reverence from His people, especially those in sacred service. This verse highlights the **Seriousness of Sin**, particularly the sin of irreverence or profanation against that which God has declared holy, demonstrating that such transgressions carry severe, even capital, consequences. It underscores the **Responsibility of the Priesthood**, illustrating that their privileged position comes with immense accountability to meticulously observe God's commands. Finally, the verse powerfully asserts the theme of **Divine Sanctification**, reminding the reader that holiness is not something achieved by human effort but is ultimately a status conferred and maintained by God Himself. These themes are foundational to understanding Israel's covenant relationship with God and the principles of worship.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Ordinance (Hebrew, _mishmereth'_):** This term (H4931) refers to a charge, duty, or prescribed observance, often relating to something that is "kept" or "guarded." In this context, it signifies a specific divine regulation or statute that the priests are commanded to diligently observe and safeguard. The use of "mine ordinance" emphasizes that these are God's own decrees, reflecting His sovereign will and holy nature, and thus demand absolute obedience from those who serve Him, ensuring the preservation of sacred boundaries.

* **Profane (Hebrew, _châlal'_):** To "profane" (H2490) means to defile, pollute, or treat as common or unholy something that is sacred. It implies a disregard for the holy-common distinction that is fundamental to Israelite worship and the very character of God. This act is the antithesis of "sanctify" and represents a deliberate or negligent act that diminishes the sacredness of God's commands, His dwelling place, or His consecrated people and provisions, effectively "wounding" or "breaking" the sanctity established by God.

* **Sanctify (Hebrew, _qâdash'_):** This verb (H6942) means to be (or causatively, to make, pronounce, or observe as) clean, consecrated, or set apart for sacred use. It signifies the act of dedicating something or someone exclusively to God's service and presence, thereby imbuing it with a special, sacred status. The concluding phrase, "I the LORD do sanctify them," is crucial. It asserts God's ultimate sovereignty as the source of all holiness. He is the one who sets apart the priests for their office and the offerings for their sacred purpose; the priests' responsibility is to maintain that God-given holiness, not to create it.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They shall therefore keep mine ordinance":** The "they" refers specifically to the priests (Aaron and his sons and their descendants), who are the subject of the preceding regulations in [Leviticus 22](/leviticus/22 "Leviticus 22 - Laws for Priestly Purity and Offerings"). The phrase "keep mine ordinance" is a direct command for diligent obedience to the specific rules God has laid down regarding their conduct, particularly concerning the handling and consumption of holy offerings. This implies careful adherence, watchful attention, and a reverent attitude towards divine commands, safeguarding the sacred.

* **"lest they bear sin for it, and die therefore":** This clause states the severe consequences of disobedience. To "bear sin" (H5375, _nâsâʼ_ for "bear"; H2399, _chêṭᵉʼ_ for "sin") means to incur guilt, to be held accountable for a transgression, and to suffer the penalty associated with it. The ultimate penalty specified here is "die therefore" (H4191, _mûwth_), indicating a literal, potentially immediate, divine judgment by death. This underscores the gravity of profaning God's holy things, demonstrating that such an act is not merely a ceremonial error but a capital offense in God's eyes, reflecting the penalty for a "crime" or "offence" against divine order.

* **"if they profane it":** This is the condition that triggers the severe consequences. "It" refers to "mine ordinance" or, by extension, the holy things and the sacred system established by God. To "profane it" means to treat God's holy commands or consecrated items with irreverence, disrespect, or to violate the sacred boundaries He has set. This could involve negligence, unauthorized access, or treating holy things as common, thereby defiling or polluting them.

* **"I the LORD do sanctify them":** This powerful concluding declaration reaffirms God's absolute sovereignty and His role as the ultimate source of holiness. "Them" refers to the priests themselves, whom God has set apart for sacred service, and implicitly also the "ordinance" and "holy things" that He has declared sacred. This statement serves as the theological bedrock for the preceding warnings: because God Himself (H3068, _Yᵉhôvâh_) has consecrated these things and people, any act of profanation is a direct affront to His holy character and authority, challenging the very source of their sacred status.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 22:9 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message with force and clarity. Primarily, it functions as a **Legal Stipulation** or **Divine Decree**, characteristic of the Mosaic Law, presenting a clear command followed by a conditional consequence. This structure emphasizes the binding nature of God's word and the non-negotiable terms of the covenant. There is a strong use of **Antithesis** or **Contrast**, particularly between the concepts of "profane" and "sanctify." This highlights the fundamental sacred-common dichotomy that underpins the entire Levitical system, underscoring that these two states are mutually exclusive and that treating the holy as common is an egregious offense. The verse also demonstrates clear **Cause and Effect**: the act of profaning (cause) directly leads to bearing sin and death (effect), illustrating the immediate and severe repercussions of disobedience to divine holiness. Finally, the concluding phrase, "I the LORD do sanctify them," is a powerful **Divine Assertion** or **Declaration of Sovereignty**. It grounds the entire warning in God's own character and authority, reminding the reader that the holiness of the priests and the sacred system originates solely from Him, making any violation a direct challenge to His divine prerogative and a profound act of rebellion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 22:9 is profoundly theological, articulating core truths about God's character and humanity's responsibility. It asserts God's absolute holiness as the foundation for all His commands and the demand for purity from those who serve Him. The verse reveals the immense seriousness of sin, particularly that which directly affronts divine holiness, demonstrating that such transgressions carry the penalty of death. It also highlights the principle that true holiness is not achieved by human effort but is a divine impartation—God Himself "sanctifies" His chosen people and the means of worship. This establishes a high standard for reverence and obedience, reinforcing the idea that proximity to a holy God requires a corresponding dedication to holiness, a concept that transcends the Old Covenant and resonates through all of Scripture.

* [Hebrews 12:29](/hebrews/12-29 "Our God is a Consuming Fire")
* [1 Samuel 2:30](/1_samuel/2-30 "Those Who Honor Me I Will Honor")
* [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "The Wages of Sin is Death")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific priestly regulations of Leviticus are no longer binding in the same ceremonial way for New Covenant believers, the underlying principles of reverence, holiness, and the seriousness of sin remain profoundly relevant. As Christians, we are called a "royal priesthood" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")), set apart by Christ to offer spiritual sacrifices of praise and service. This verse reminds us that our spiritual responsibilities are immense. We are to approach God, His Word, prayer, worship, and our callings with profound reverence, recognizing the sacredness of these divine encounters and gifts. Treating our faith casually, neglecting spiritual disciplines, or living in a manner that contradicts God's holiness can be seen as a form of "profaning" the sacred in our lives. While salvation is by grace through faith, there are still consequences for spiritual negligence and irreverence, impacting our fellowship with God and our effectiveness in His kingdom. Ultimately, our ability to live holy lives comes from God, who sanctifies us through Christ, empowering us to "keep His ordinance" by walking in obedience to the Spirit and reflecting His holiness in our daily lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, as a New Covenant believer, inadvertently "profane" God's holiness in my daily life or spiritual practices?**
* **How does understanding God's absolute holiness, as revealed in Leviticus, deepen my reverence for Him and impact my approach to worship and obedience?**
* **What specific "ordinances" (commands or principles) of God am I called to "keep" today, and what are the spiritual consequences of neglecting them?**

### FAQ
**Who are "they" in this verse, and why are these rules so strict for them?**

Answer: "They" refers specifically to the Aaronic priests—Aaron and his sons, and their descendants—who were consecrated by God to serve in the tabernacle (and later the temple). These rules are so strict because the priests were uniquely set apart to mediate between a holy God and His people. Their role involved handling sacred objects and offerings, and their personal conduct directly impacted the purity of Israel's worship. Any deviation or irreverence on their part would not only defile the holy things but also dishonor God's character and potentially bring judgment upon the entire community. The high stakes reflected God's absolute holiness and the seriousness with which He regarded His covenant relationship with Israel, as seen in the broader context of [Leviticus 21-22](/leviticus/21 "Leviticus 21-22 - Laws for Priests and Holy Things").

**What does it mean to "bear sin for it"?**

Answer: To "bear sin for it" means to be held accountable for a transgression, to incur guilt, and to suffer the full consequences or penalty of that sin. In the Old Testament context, particularly for the priests, this often referred to the direct, divine judgment for violating God's commands, which could include physical illness, exclusion from the community, or even death, as stated in the verse. It signifies that the sin is not overlooked but is fully charged to the individual, demanding a just recompense. This concept is distinct from bearing the sin of others, which is a theme more fully developed in the sacrificial system and ultimately in Christ's work, but here it refers to the individual's personal culpability for their own actions.

**How does "profane" relate to "sanctify" in this verse?**

Answer: "Profane" and "sanctify" are direct antonyms, representing the fundamental dichotomy between the common/unholy and the sacred/holy. To "sanctify" means to set apart something or someone exclusively for God's use, making it holy and distinct from the ordinary. To "profane," on the other hand, means to treat something that has been sanctified as if it were common, defiled, or unholy. It is an act of disrespect or violation against God's established order and holiness. The verse highlights this contrast: God "sanctifies" the priests and His ordinances, but if the priests "profane" what God has set apart, they face severe consequences. This tension underscores the critical importance of maintaining the boundaries of holiness that God Himself has established.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 22:9, with its stern warning to the Old Covenant priesthood, finds its ultimate fulfillment and transformation in Jesus Christ. As our great High Priest, Jesus perfectly "kept God's ordinance" ([Hebrews 4:14](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest")). Unlike the Levitical priests, who were prone to sin and needed to offer sacrifices for themselves, Jesus was "holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens" ([Hebrews 7:26](/hebrews/7-26 "Hebrews 7:26 - A Holy and Blameless High Priest")). He never profaned God's holiness but perfectly honored it through His life of obedience and His sacrificial death. Furthermore, while the Levitical priests bore sin for their own transgressions, Jesus uniquely "bore sin" not for His own, but for ours ([1 Peter 2:24](/1_peter/2-24 "1 Peter 2:24 - Christ Bore Our Sins on the Cross"); [Isaiah 53:4-6](/isaiah/53-4 "Isaiah 53:4-6 - He Bore Our Griefs and Sorrows")). He died the death that we, as sinners who have profaned God's holy standards, deserved. Through His perfect sacrifice, He became the means by which we are truly "sanctified" ([Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Sanctified Through Christ's Offering")). In Christ, believers are now a "holy priesthood" ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - A Holy Priesthood")) and a "royal priesthood" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")), not by our own merit or ritual purity, but by His imputed righteousness and the indwelling Holy Spirit. Our calling is no longer to avoid ceremonial defilement but to live lives consecrated to God, reflecting His holiness in every aspect, empowered by the One who perfectly fulfilled all righteousness and made true holiness accessible.

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

Exodus 28:43

And they shall be upon Aaron, and upon his sons, when they come in unto the tabernacle of the congregation, or when they come near unto the altar to minister in the holy [place]; that they bear not iniquity, and die: [it shall be] a statute for ever unto him and his seed after him.

Numbers 18:22

Neither must the children of Israel henceforth come nigh the tabernacle of the congregation, lest they bear sin, and die.

Numbers 18:32

And ye shall bear no sin by reason of it, when ye have heaved from it the best of it: neither shall ye pollute the holy things of the children of Israel, lest ye die.

Leviticus 10:1

¶ And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not.

Leviticus 10:2

And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.

Leviticus 22:16

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

Leviticus 16:2

And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy [place] within the vail before the mercy seat, which [is] upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.