Leviticus 7:19

KJV

And the flesh that toucheth any unclean [thing] shall not be eaten; it shall be burnt with fire: and as for the flesh, all that be clean shall eat thereof.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the flesh {H1320} that toucheth {H5060} any unclean {H2931} thing shall not be eaten {H398}; it shall be burnt {H8313} with fire {H784}: and as for the flesh {H1320}, all that be clean {H2889} shall eat {H398} thereof.

Complete Jewish Bible

Meat which touches something unclean is not to be eaten but burned up completely. As for the meat, everyone who is clean may eat it;

Berean Standard Bible

Meat that touches anything unclean must not be eaten; it is to be burned up. As for any other meat, anyone who is ceremonially clean may eat it.

American Standard Version

And the flesh that toucheth any unclean thing shall not be eaten; it shall be burnt with fire. And as for the flesh, every one that is clean shall eat thereof:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 7:19 provides precise regulations concerning the consumption of the peace offering, a voluntary sacrifice central to Israelite worship that fostered communal fellowship with God. This verse strictly prohibits the consumption of any portion of the sacrificial meat that has come into contact with a ritually unclean object or state, mandating its immediate destruction by fire. Conversely, it stipulates that only individuals in a state of ritual purity are permitted to partake of the undefiled flesh, thereby underscoring the absolute necessity of holiness and purity in all aspects of approaching God and participating in sacred communion within ancient Israelite worship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 7:19 is situated within the detailed instructions for the peace offering (Hebrew: *zevach shlamim*), which are meticulously laid out in [Leviticus 7:11-36](/leviticus/7-11-36 "Leviticus 7:11-36 - Regulations for the Peace Offering"). This section is a continuation of the broader sacrificial laws found in [Leviticus 6-7](/leviticus/6 "Leviticus 6-7 - Laws for Offerings"), which delineate the specific procedures and priestly portions for various offerings. Unlike other sacrifices where the meat was entirely consumed on the altar or by the priests, a unique aspect of the peace offering was that a significant portion was returned to the worshipper and their household to be consumed in a communal meal. This meal was not merely a secular gathering but a sacred act of fellowship with God, signifying peace and communion. Given its sacred nature, stringent rules were necessary to ensure the purity of the consecrated food, preventing any defilement that would dishonor God or compromise the sanctity of the worship experience.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The pervasive distinction between "clean" (Hebrew: *ṭāhôr*) and "unclean" (Hebrew: *ṭâmêʼ*) was a cornerstone of ancient Israelite religious and daily life. This elaborate system, detailed throughout the book of Leviticus—such as in the dietary laws of [Leviticus 11](/leviticus/11 "Leviticus 11 - Clean and Unclean Animals") and the purity laws concerning bodily discharges and skin diseases in [Leviticus 12-15](/leviticus/12 "Leviticus 12-15 - Laws of Purity")—served a profound theological purpose. It educated the Israelites about God's absolute holiness and His demand for separation from anything that would compromise their purity or defile their worship. The command to burn defiled meat was not a mere hygienic precaution but a powerful theological statement: it represented the complete removal and destruction of that which was unfit for God's presence, preventing any contamination of the sacred sphere or the people. The severe consequences for violating these purity laws, as tragically illustrated by the fate of [Nadab and Abihu](/leviticus/10-1-2 "Leviticus 10:1-2 - Nadab and Abihu's Unauthorized Fire"), underscored the critical importance of strict obedience and profound reverence for God's sanctity.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Leviticus and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it highlights the **absolute holiness of God** and His uncompromising demand for purity from His people, particularly in their approach to Him. The meticulous regulations emphasize that God is distinct from all impurity and cannot be approached carelessly. Secondly, it underscores the **contagious nature of impurity**, demonstrating how defilement can spread from an "unclean thing" to a holy object, rendering it unfit for sacred use. This concept taught the Israelites about the pervasive power of sin and defilement. Thirdly, it reinforces the theme of **separation and distinction**, drawing a clear line between the holy and the profane, the clean and the unclean. This distinction was vital for Israel's identity as a covenant people set apart for God. Finally, it foreshadows the **need for atonement and cleansing**, as the burning of defiled meat symbolized the radical removal of anything that hindered fellowship with a holy God, pointing towards the ultimate cleansing provided through Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Flesh (Hebrew, _bâsâr_):** From H1320, this term refers to the meat of the sacrificial animal, specifically the portion of the peace offering designated for human consumption. In this context, it signifies the tangible element through which fellowship with God was expressed and enjoyed, making its purity paramount for the sanctity of the communal meal.
* **Unclean (Hebrew, _ṭâmêʼ_):** From H2931, this denotes a state of ritual impurity, rendering a person, object, or food unfit for sacred activities or contact with holy things. It is a ceremonial, not necessarily moral, defilement that necessitates specific purification rites. Here, it signifies anything that would ritually contaminate the consecrated meat, making it unacceptable for consumption in a holy meal.
* **Burnt (Hebrew, _sâraph_):** From H8313, this command to "burn" (with fire) signifies complete and irreversible destruction. It was the prescribed method for disposing of anything ritually defiled that could not be purified, ensuring no trace of impurity remained to contaminate the holy space or the people. This emphasizes the absolute separation required between the holy and the profane.
* **Clean (Hebrew, _ṭâhôwr_):** From H2889, this word signifies a state of ritual purity, indicating fitness and acceptability for sacred interaction, participation in worship, and consumption of holy food. It stands in direct contrast to "unclean" and highlights the prerequisite of purity for fellowship with God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the flesh that toucheth any unclean [thing] shall not be eaten":** This initial clause establishes a stringent prohibition concerning the sacred meat of the peace offering. Despite being designated for human consumption, any portion of the consecrated flesh that came into contact with an "unclean thing"—whether a ritually impure person, object, or animal—was immediately rendered defiled. This highlights the contagious nature of ritual impurity and God's absolute demand for holiness in all matters pertaining to His worship, emphasizing that even the slightest contamination made the holy unacceptable.
* **"it shall be burnt with fire":** This is the mandatory disposal method for the defiled meat. Burning with fire represented the ultimate and complete destruction of anything deemed utterly unfit for sacred use or consumption. This act served as a powerful visual and theological statement, signifying a radical separation and eradication of the defiled element, thereby preventing any further contamination and underscoring the severity with which God regarded ritual impurity in connection with His holy offerings.
* **"and as for the flesh, all that be clean shall eat thereof":** This final clause provides the essential counter-stipulation, clearly defining who is permitted to partake of the undefiled sacrificial meat. Only those individuals who were in a state of ritual purity (i.e., "clean") were allowed to eat. This reinforces the fundamental principle that access to God's presence and participation in sacred meals necessitated a state of ceremonial readiness, ensuring that both the inherent holiness of the offering and the sanctity of the communal meal were meticulously preserved.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Leviticus 7:19 is **Contrast**. The verse sharply juxtaposes two distinct states and their corresponding outcomes: the "flesh that toucheth any unclean [thing]" which "shall not be eaten" and "shall be burnt with fire," versus "the flesh, all that be clean shall eat thereof." This stark dichotomy highlights the absolute distinction God establishes between that which is acceptable and that which is anathema in His presence. The consequence of contact with impurity (complete destruction by fire) is set against the privilege of purity (communal eating of the sacred offering), thereby emphasizing the critical importance of ritual holiness for fellowship. This contrast serves to powerfully reinforce the overarching theological principle that God is holy and demands holiness from His people, particularly in their approach to Him through worship and sacred acts.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 7:19 profoundly communicates God's unchanging nature as a holy God who demands holiness from His people. The meticulous regulations surrounding the peace offering underscore the foundational principle that genuine fellowship with God necessitates purity and a radical separation from anything that defiles. This physical and ceremonial purity served as a tangible, pedagogical representation of the spiritual purity God desires from the hearts and lives of His worshippers. The strictness of the law demonstrated the gravity of sin and impurity in God's sight and the absolute necessity of addressing it before approaching Him. While the literal application of these ceremonial laws has changed with the advent of the New Covenant, the underlying theological truths about God's intrinsic holiness, sin's defiling power, and the indispensable need for purity to commune with Him remain eternally relevant and foundational for Christian theology.

* [Haggai 2:13](/haggai/2-13 "Haggai 2:13 - Contagion of Uncleanness"): "Then said Haggai, If one that is unclean by a dead body touch any of these, shall it be unclean? And the priests answered and said, It shall be unclean."
* [Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifice"): "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."
* [1 Peter 1:15-16](/1_peter/1-15-16 "1 Peter 1:15-16 - Be Holy, for I Am Holy"): "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 7:19, though deeply rooted in ancient Israelite sacrificial law, offers profound and enduring spiritual lessons for believers today. It serves as a powerful reminder that God is unchangingly holy, and therefore, our approach to Him—whether in corporate worship, private devotion, dedicated service, or daily living—must always be marked by reverence, intentionality, and a diligent pursuit of personal holiness. While the ceremonial laws concerning clean and unclean foods no longer bind New Covenant believers, the underlying principle of guarding our spiritual lives from defilement remains paramount. This calls for exercising keen discernment in what we allow to influence our minds, hearts, and actions, actively avoiding anything that would compromise our walk with God, hinder our fellowship with Him, or diminish our witness to the world. Our "spiritual offerings"—our prayers, our praise, our acts of service, and indeed, our very lives—should be presented to God with integrity, purity of motive, and a sincere desire to honor His high standard of holiness, reflecting the transformed lives of His redeemed people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life might I be inadvertently allowing "unclean" influences or compromises to defile my spiritual walk or hinder my intimate fellowship with God?**
* **How does the strictness of God's purity laws in the Old Testament deepen my understanding of His unblemished holiness and underscore my own profound need for spiritual cleansing and sanctification today?**
* **What concrete, practical steps can I commit to taking this week to cultivate greater spiritual discernment and actively maintain a lifestyle of purity that truly honors God in every aspect?**

### FAQ
**Why was it so important to burn the defiled meat instead of just discarding it?**

Answer: The command to burn the defiled meat, rather than merely discarding it, underscores the extreme seriousness with which God viewed ritual impurity, especially concerning consecrated items. Burning was the prescribed method for complete and irreversible destruction, ensuring that no trace of the impurity remained to contaminate the holy space, the people, or the memory of the sacred offering. It served as a vivid object lesson that defilement was utterly incompatible with God's holiness and had to be entirely eradicated. This act underscored the absolute separation required between the holy and the profane, preventing any potential for the unclean to compromise the sacred. It was a profound theological statement about God's nature and His uncompromising demand for purity in all matters related to worship and fellowship with Him, vividly illustrating the principle that sin, the ultimate defilement, must be completely removed.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 7:19, with its stringent demands for purity in the handling of the peace offering, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound transformation in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament system of clean and unclean, and the burning of defiled sacrifices, pointed forward to a greater reality: the indispensable need for a perfect sacrifice that could truly cleanse from sin, which is the ultimate and most pervasive defilement. The peace offering symbolized fellowship with God, a communion made possible only through the shedding of blood and the maintenance of external purity. However, the temporary and external nature of these laws meant that true, internal purity and unbroken fellowship remained elusive for humanity. Jesus, as the [perfect Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offered Himself as the final and sufficient sacrifice, not merely to cover ceremonial impurity but to cleanse us from the defilement of sin itself ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Blood Cleanses Conscience")). His precious blood, unlike the ashes of burnt offerings, possesses the power to truly purify our consciences from dead works, enabling us to serve the living God with genuine freedom and purity. Through His atoning work on the cross, the formidable barrier of impurity is irrevocably removed, and believers are granted direct, unhindered access to God's holy presence, entering into an eternal peace offering—a profound fellowship not based on our fleeting ritual cleanliness but on His perfect righteousness and the complete efficacy of His sacrifice ([Ephesians 2:13-18](/ephesians/2-13-18 "Ephesians 2:13-18 - Access to God Through Christ")). The Old Testament laws concerning defiled meat being burnt foreshadowed the complete removal of sin's power and presence through Christ's death, allowing all who are made "clean" by His atoning blood to partake in the spiritual feast of eternal life and unending communion with God ([Revelation 7:14](/revelation/7-14 "Revelation 7:14 - Washed in the Blood of the Lamb")).

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 11:24

And for these ye shall be unclean: whosoever toucheth the carcase of them shall be unclean until the even.

Leviticus 11:39

And if any beast, of which ye may eat, die; he that toucheth the carcase thereof shall be unclean until the even.

Luke 11:41

But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.

2 Corinthians 6:17

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you,

Numbers 19:11

¶ He that toucheth the dead body of any man shall be unclean seven days.

Numbers 19:16

And whosoever toucheth one that is slain with a sword in the open fields, or a dead body, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days.

Acts 10:28

And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.