Leviticus 7:20

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

But the soul {H5315} that eateth {H398} of the flesh {H1320} of the sacrifice {H2077} of peace offerings {H8002}, that pertain unto the LORD {H3068}, having his uncleanness {H2932} upon him, even that soul {H5315} shall be cut off {H3772} from his people {H5971}.

Complete Jewish Bible

but a person in a state of uncleanness who eats any meat from the sacrifice of peace offerings made to ADONAI will be cut off from his people.

Berean Standard Bible

But if anyone who is unclean eats meat from the peace offering that belongs to the LORD, that person must be cut off from his people.

American Standard Version

but the soul that eateth of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace-offerings, that pertain unto Jehovah, having his uncleanness upon him, that soul shall be cut off from his people.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 7:20 details a severe prohibition within the Mosaic Law concerning the peace offering. It mandates that any individual who partakes of the sacred flesh of a peace offering while in a state of ritual uncleanness will be "cut off from his people." This regulation underscores the absolute holiness of God, the meticulous demands for ritual purity in approaching Him, and the grave consequences of defiling sacred acts or objects. The peace offering, symbolizing fellowship and communion with the Lord, required a pure participant to maintain the integrity of the covenant relationship and the sanctity of divine worship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 7:20 is situated within the broader instructions concerning the various offerings presented to the Lord, specifically following the detailed regulations for the peace offering in [Leviticus 7:11-21](/leviticus/7-11 "Leviticus 7:11-21 - Regulations for Peace Offerings"). Chapters 1-7 of Leviticus meticulously outline the procedures for the burnt, grain, peace, sin, and guilt offerings, establishing the foundational sacrificial system of Israel. While earlier chapters focus on how the offerings are to be prepared and presented to God (e.g., [Leviticus 3](/leviticus/3 "Leviticus 3 - The Peace Offering")), chapter 7 shifts focus to the proper handling and consumption of the portions designated for the priests and the offerers. Verse 20, along with verses 19 and 21, specifically addresses the conditions under which the flesh of the peace offering may or may not be eaten, emphasizing the critical role of ritual purity in partaking of what is holy to the Lord. It serves as a strict warning, reinforcing the sanctity of the offering and the divine presence it represents within the covenant community.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israelite society, centered around the Tabernacle, operated under a complex system of ritual purity and impurity. This system was not merely about hygiene but served as a profound theological framework, symbolizing the separation between a holy God and a sinful people, and the necessary conditions for drawing near to Him. Uncleanness (Hebrew: *tum'ah*) could arise from various sources, including contact with a dead body, certain skin diseases, or bodily discharges, as detailed in [Leviticus 11-15](/leviticus/11 "Leviticus 11-15 - Laws of Purity and Impurity"). A person in a state of ritual uncleanness was temporarily separated from the community's worship and sacred activities. The peace offering was unique among the sacrifices in that a portion was returned to the offerer and priests to be eaten, signifying a communal meal of fellowship with God. Therefore, participating in such a sacred meal while ritually unclean was a direct affront to God's holiness and a defilement of the covenant relationship, meriting the severe penalty of being "cut off from his people." This penalty underscored the gravity of violating divine ordinances and maintaining the sanctity of the Tabernacle and its worship.
* **Key Themes:** Leviticus 7:20 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of **God's Absolute Holiness**, which permeates the entire book, declaring that the Lord is distinct and set apart from all impurity, demanding a corresponding holiness from His people ([Leviticus 11:44-45](/leviticus/11-44-45 "Leviticus 11:44-45 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy")). This leads directly to the theme of **Purity and Impurity**, where ritual cleanliness is essential for maintaining fellowship with God and participating in His worship. The verse also highlights the **Covenant Relationship** between God and Israel, emphasizing that adherence to divine stipulations, including those concerning purity, was foundational to the covenant's integrity. The severe consequence of being "cut off" underscores the theme of **Consequences of Disobedience**, illustrating that violations of sacred law carried profound penalties, impacting one's standing within the community and before God. Finally, the verse, in its context of the peace offering, touches upon the theme of **Fellowship with God**, demonstrating that while God desires communion with His people, it must occur on His terms of holiness and purity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Soul (Hebrew, _nephesh_):** In this context, "soul" refers not merely to the inner spiritual essence but to the entire person, the individual self, encompassing their life, being, and personal responsibility. The use of _nephesh_ (H5315) here highlights that the individual, in their entirety, is culpable for transgressing the divine command, indicating that the consequence affects their very existence within the covenant community and their relationship with God. It signifies the whole living person.
* **Uncleanness (Hebrew, _ṭumʼâh_):** This term denotes a state of ritual impurity, rendering a person unfit to participate in sacred activities or enter holy spaces. It is distinct from moral sin, though it often served as a symbolic representation of the defilement that sin brings. Being in a state of _ṭumʼâh_ (H2932) meant a temporary, often involuntary, separation from the community's access to God, requiring specific purification rituals before one could again approach the holy. This impurity was contagious and could defile sacred objects or other people.
* **Cut off (Hebrew, _kârath_):** This verb literally means "to cut off," "to cut down," or "to destroy." In the context of covenant law, _kârath_ (H3772) signifies a severe penalty, often implying divine judgment. While it could mean excommunication from the community, it frequently carried the connotation of premature death, the termination of one's lineage, or a complete severance from the covenant people by divine hand. It underscores the ultimate seriousness of violating fundamental covenant stipulations, highlighting the loss of covenant benefits and protection.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But the soul that eateth [of] the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offerings":** This clause identifies the specific act and the sacred object involved. The "peace offering" (Hebrew: _zevach sh'lamim_) was unique in that a portion of the sacrificed animal was returned to the offerer and the priests for consumption, symbolizing fellowship and communion with God. The act of "eating" was not merely physical sustenance but a participation in a sacred meal, a tangible expression of relationship with the divine, making the conditions for participation critically important.
* **"that [pertain] unto the LORD":** This phrase emphasizes the divine ownership and sacred nature of the offering. The flesh, having been consecrated and presented to God, was holy. To partake of it was to engage with something set apart for the Lord, demanding the utmost reverence and adherence to His prescribed conditions, as it was considered to be "of the Lord" Himself.
* **"having his uncleanness upon him":** This is the critical condition that triggers the severe consequence. It refers to a state of ritual impurity, whether from contact with a dead body, a bodily discharge, or another source of _tum'ah_. The presence of uncleanness rendered the individual unfit to interact with holy things, as it represented a state incompatible with God's perfect holiness, thereby defiling the sacred meal.
* **"even that soul shall be cut off from his people":** This final clause pronounces the severe penalty for violating the preceding conditions. "Cut off" signifies a profound and often irreversible separation from the covenant community. This could manifest as excommunication, social ostracization, or, more gravely, divine judgment leading to premature death or the termination of one's family line. It highlights the absolute necessity of ritual purity for maintaining fellowship with God and remaining within the blessings of the covenant, emphasizing the gravity of defiling sacred acts.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 7:20 employs several literary devices to convey its weighty message. The primary device is **Legal Language**, characterized by its precise, conditional, and prescriptive nature. The verse functions as a clear legal statute, outlining a specific transgression and its corresponding punishment. The use of the phrase "But the soul that eateth... having his uncleanness upon him, even that soul shall be cut off" demonstrates this conditional, cause-and-effect legal structure, typical of covenant stipulations. There is also a subtle use of **Repetition**, particularly with the word "soul" (Hebrew: _nephesh_), which appears twice in the verse. This repetition emphasizes the individual's personal responsibility and the direct, personal consequence of their actions, underscoring that the penalty is applied to the very being who transgresses. Furthermore, the verse relies on **Symbolism**: the peace offering symbolizes communion and fellowship with God, while "uncleanness" symbolizes a state of defilement that breaks that fellowship. The act of eating the holy food while unclean thus symbolically represents a defilement of the sacred relationship itself, leading to the symbolic and literal severing of ties with the covenant community. The stark contrast between the sacredness of the offering and the defilement of the participant amplifies the severity of the transgression.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 7:20 powerfully articulates fundamental theological truths about God's holiness, the necessity of purity in approaching Him, and the gravity of disobedience within a covenant relationship. God, being utterly holy, demands that all who draw near to Him, especially in acts of worship and communion, must reflect a state of purity. The ritual laws, while specific to the Old Covenant, served as tangible lessons about the spiritual reality of sin's defilement and the absolute incompatibility of impurity with divine holiness. The severe penalty of being "cut off" underscores that violating these sacred boundaries was not a minor infraction but a profound affront to God's character and a breach of the covenant, threatening one's very existence within the community of faith. This principle transcends mere ritual, pointing to the eternal truth that fellowship with a holy God requires a separation from defilement, ultimately foreshadowing the perfect purity required for true communion with God, which only Christ can provide.

* [Leviticus 11:44-45](/leviticus/11-44-45 "Leviticus 11:44-45 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy")
* [Hebrews 12:14](/hebrews/12-14 "Hebrews 12:14 - Pursue Holiness")
* [1 Corinthians 11:27-29](/1_corinthians/11-27-29 "1 Corinthians 11:27-29 - Unworthy Communion")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific ritual laws of the Old Testament are no longer binding for believers under the New Covenant, the profound spiritual principles embedded in Leviticus 7:20 remain eternally relevant. This verse challenges us to consider the nature of our approach to God today. It reminds us that God is still holy, and our worship, whether corporate or individual, must be marked by reverence, humility, and a sincere desire for spiritual purity. Just as ritual uncleanness prevented physical participation in sacred meals, unconfessed sin and an unrepentant heart can hinder our spiritual fellowship with God and participation in the "spiritual sacrifices" we offer ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - A Holy Priesthood")). We are called to live lives set apart, recognizing that our cleansing comes not from physical rituals but from the atoning work of Jesus Christ. The warning of being "cut off" serves as a sober reminder that persistent, unrepentant sin can lead to a spiritual separation from God's blessings and fellowship, even if not physical excommunication. We are therefore encouraged to continually examine our hearts, confess our sins, and pursue holiness, ensuring that our communion with God is genuine and undefiled, reflecting the holiness of the One we worship.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of God's absolute holiness, as emphasized in Leviticus 7:20, shape your understanding of worship and personal devotion today?**
* **What might "spiritual uncleanness" look like in a believer's life under the New Covenant, and what steps can be taken to address it?**
* **In what ways might we, perhaps unintentionally, approach God or sacred things (like prayer, Bible study, or corporate worship) casually, and how can we cultivate a deeper sense of reverence and purity?**

### FAQ

**What was the "peace offering" and why was it different from other sacrifices?**

Answer: The peace offering (Hebrew: _zevach sh'lamim_) was one of the primary sacrifices in ancient Israel, distinct from burnt, sin, or guilt offerings. Its primary purpose was to express fellowship, thanksgiving, or to fulfill a vow. Unlike other offerings where the entire animal (burnt offering) or specific portions (sin/guilt offerings) were given entirely to God or the priests, a significant portion of the [peace offering](/leviticus/7-11 "Leviticus 7:11-21 - Regulations for Peace Offerings") was returned to the offerer and their family to be eaten in a communal meal. This meal symbolized peace, communion, and reconciliation between God and His people, allowing them to "eat with God" in His presence at the Tabernacle. This unique aspect made the rules of purity surrounding its consumption particularly critical, as it involved direct participation in a sacred meal.

**What did "cut off from his people" truly mean in the context of Leviticus 7:20?**

Answer: The phrase "cut off from his people" (Hebrew: _nikhr'tah hanefesh hahi mimmeiha_) signifies a severe and ultimate penalty for violating a fundamental covenant law. Its precise meaning has been debated among scholars, but it generally encompasses several possibilities, often implying divine judgment:
* **Excommunication:** The individual would be formally expelled from the community, losing their social and religious standing within Israel.
* **Divine Judgment/Premature Death:** It could signify that God Himself would intervene to end the person's life, often prematurely, as a direct consequence of their sin.
* **Termination of Lineage:** In some contexts, it might imply that the individual would die without heirs, thus cutting off their family line from Israel.
Regardless of the exact manifestation, it represented a complete severance from the covenant blessings and the protective sphere of God's relationship with His chosen people. For Leviticus 7:20, it underscored the absolute seriousness of defiling God's holiness through improper interaction with sacred objects or rituals, emphasizing the dire consequences of breaching covenant stipulations.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 7:20, with its stern warning against approaching the holy while unclean, finds its profound fulfillment and ultimate resolution in Jesus Christ. The peace offering, symbolizing communion and reconciliation, foreshadowed the ultimate peace that Christ would establish between God and humanity. He is our true [peace offering](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace"), breaking down the wall of hostility and bringing us near to God. The ritual uncleanness that barred access to God's presence and sacred meals pointed to the deeper spiritual uncleanness of sin that separates all humanity from a holy God ([Isaiah 59:2](/isaiah/59-2 "Your Sins Have Separated You")). Jesus, as the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offers not merely ritual cleansing but a complete and eternal purification from all spiritual defilement through His shed blood ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Cleansed by Christ's Blood")). Through faith in Him, we are made righteous and holy, enabling us to draw near to God with confidence, not based on our own ritual purity but on Christ's perfect sacrifice ([Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19-22 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Confidence to Enter the Holy Place")). Our communion with God is now through partaking of His body and blood in the Lord's Supper, a new covenant meal that demands spiritual discernment and a pure heart, lest we eat and drink judgment upon ourselves ([1 Corinthians 11:27-29](/1_corinthians/11-27-29 "1 Corinthians 11:27-29 - Unworthy Communion")). The severe consequence of being "cut off" from God's people is ultimately averted for those who are "in Christ," as He has borne the full penalty for our sin, ensuring that those who believe in Him will never be "cut off" from His eternal presence and fellowship ([John 6:37](/john/6-37 "John 6:37 - All That the Father Gives Me Will Come to Me")).

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 15:2

Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When any man hath a running issue out of his flesh, [because of] his issue he [is] unclean.

Leviticus 15:33

And of her that is sick of her flowers, and of him that hath an issue, of the man, and of the woman, and of him that lieth with her that is unclean.

Genesis 17:14

And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.

1 Corinthians 11:28

But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of [that] bread, and drink of [that] cup.

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.

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.