Leviticus, Chapter 22

Leviticus Chapter 22

Verses 1-33: Regulations for Priests and Offerings

1. “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2. Speak unto Aaron and his sons, that they separate themselves from the holy things of the children of Israel, and that they profane not my holy name in those things which they hallow unto me: I am the LORD.
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.
4. What man soever of the seed of Aaron is a leper, or hath a running issue; he shall not eat of the holy things, until he be clean. And whoso toucheth any thing that is unclean by the dead, or a man whose seed goeth from him;
5. Or whosoever toucheth any creeping thing, whereby he may be made unclean, or a man of whom he may take uncleanness, whatsoever uncleanness he hath;
6. The soul which hath touched any such shall be unclean until even, and shall not eat of the holy things, unless he wash his flesh with water.
7. And when the sun is down, he shall be clean, and shall afterward eat of the holy things; because it is his food.
8. That which dieth of itself, or is torn with beasts, he shall not eat to defile himself therewith: I am the LORD.
9. 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.
10. There shall no stranger eat of the holy thing: a sojourner of the priest, or an hired servant, shall not eat of the holy thing.
11. But if the priest buy any soul with his money, he shall eat of it, and he that is born in his house: they shall eat of his meat.
12. If the priest’s daughter also be married unto a stranger, she may not eat of an offering of the holy things.
13. But if the priest’s daughter be a widow, or divorced, and have no child, and is returned unto her father’s house, as in her youth, she shall eat of her father’s meat: but there shall no stranger eat thereof.
14. If a man eat of the holy thing unwittingly, then he shall put the fifth part thereof unto it, and shall give it unto the priest with the holy thing.
15. And they shall not profane the holy things of the children of Israel, which they offer unto the LORD;
16. Or suffer them to bear the iniquity of trespass, when they eat their holy things: for I the LORD do sanctify them.
17. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
18. Speak unto Aaron, and to his sons, and unto all the children of Israel, and say unto them, Whatsoever he be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers in Israel, that will offer his oblation for all his vows, and for all his freewill offerings, which they will offer unto the LORD for a burnt offering;
19. Ye shall offer at your own will a male without blemish, of the beeves, of the sheep, or of the goats.
20. But whatsoever hath a blemish, that shall ye not offer: for it shall not be acceptable for you.
21. And whosoever offereth a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the LORD to accomplish his vow, or a freewill offering in beeves or sheep, it shall be perfect to be accepted; there shall be no blemish therein.
22. Blind, or broken, or maimed, or having a wen, or scurvy, or scabbed, ye shall not offer these unto the LORD, nor make an offering by fire of them upon the altar unto the LORD.
23. Either a bullock or a lamb that hath any thing superfluous or lacking in his parts, that mayest thou offer for a freewill offering; but for a vow it shall not be accepted.
24. Ye shall not offer unto the LORD that which is bruised, or crushed, or broken, or cut; neither shall ye make any offering thereof in your land.
25. Neither from a stranger’s hand shall ye offer the bread of your God of any of these; because their corruption is in them, and blemishes be in them: they shall not be accepted for you.
26. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
27. When a bullock, or a sheep, or a goat, is brought forth, then it shall be seven days under the dam; and from the eighth day and thenceforth it shall be accepted for an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
28. And whether it be cow or ewe, ye shall not kill it and her young both in one day.
29. And when ye will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving unto the LORD, offer it at your own will.
30. On the same day it shall be eaten up; ye shall leave none of it until the morrow: I am the LORD.
31. Therefore shall ye keep my commandments, and do them: I am the LORD.
32. Neither shall ye profane my holy name; but I will be hallowed among the children of Israel: I am the LORD which hallow you,
33. That brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the LORD.”

Interpretation: Leviticus 22 continues to detail the requirements for priests, the offerings they present, and the conduct required of all Israelites to maintain holiness in their worship practices. It underscores the necessity for offerings to be without blemish, reflecting the perfection and holiness of God to whom they are presented. The chapter reiterates the importance of purity, not just in the physical sense but also in the intention and execution of religious duties. The prohibition against consuming or offering blemished sacrifices symbolizes the spiritual integrity required in worship. This chapter reinforces the idea that the worship of God is not to be taken lightly or contaminated with imperfections or insincerity. It emphasizes that God’s holiness permeates every aspect of Israelite life, including dietary practices, animal husbandry, and the observance of religious rituals. By setting high standards for the offerings and those who present them, Leviticus 22 teaches reverence for God, respect for His commandments, and the principle of offering God the best, not the flawed or second-rate. The commandments serve to cultivate a deep sense of sanctity around the tabernacle services, highlighting the priests’ role in leading the community in holiness and adherence to God’s standards.Moreover, the inclusion of laws regarding the treatment of offerings and the respect due to God’s name emphasize the broader theme of Leviticus: the call to holiness for both the community and individuals. This holiness is not only demonstrated in grand, religious ceremonies but also in the everyday actions and choices of the Israelites, reflecting a life lived in constant awareness of and respect for God’s presence and commandments.The repeated declarations “I am the LORD” serve as reminders of God’s authority and the covenant relationship He has with Israel. This covenant demands fidelity and obedience as responses to God’s holiness and His acts of deliverance, particularly the exodus from Egypt. By following these commandments, the Israelites affirm their identity as God’s chosen people, set apart to manifest His holiness in the world.