Leviticus Chapter 22

At a Glance

  • Leviticus 22 centers on the sanctity of the offerings and the priests who administer them.
  • Historical & Literary Context.
  • As part of the priestly code, Leviticus 22 belongs to the same priestly strata as the rest of the book.
  • - Sacred access and purity boundaries: Only those properly clean and authorized may partake of holy offerings.
  • - The priestly vocation as a defining boundary: The priests guard the holiness of the community through precise standards.

Chapter Overview

Leviticus 22 centers on the sanctity of the offerings and the priests who administer them. The chapter opens with a stern charge to the Aaronic priests to keep themselves and the holy things distinct; they must not profane God’s holy name by mishandling the offerings or approaching in uncleanness. A recurrent rhythm appears: clean and unclean distinctions, how to become clean again, and the consequences of violating these boundaries. The text specifies who may eat of the holy things, especially emphasizing that no “stranger” or outsider may partake, and even within the priestly family, restrictions apply to daughters and the handling of offerings. The regulations emphasize that the sacred items and the offerings belong to God, and mishandling them is a serious offense—one that can invoke removal from God’s presence. The passage moves through details about unclean conditions, the need for cleanliness at mealtime, and the sanctity surrounding the consumption of holy things. The chapter closes with clarifications about offerings and the conditions under which the priests and their households may eat from what is holy, underscoring the intimate link between ritual purity and access to the divine provision.

Historical & Literary Context

As part of the priestly code, Leviticus 22 belongs to the same priestly strata as the rest of the book. Written in a ritual-legal genre, it provides precise instructions for maintaining ritual purity and proper handling of holy things. This chapter sits after the regulations detailing who may serve and how, emphasizing the communal and ceremonial implications of holiness. It reflects an ancient worldview where access to God’s presence is mediated through proper ritual practice, food laws, and purity standards. The language of “holy things” and “the bread of God” ties daily offerings to the holiness of God, reinforcing the idea that worship is a lifestyle, not just a ritual moment. The constraints on eating and the emphasis on the priestly household’s eligibility illustrate the maintenance of purity across generations and the care taken to preserve the sanctity of sacred provisions.

Key Themes

- Sacred access and purity boundaries: Only those properly clean and authorized may partake of holy offerings.

- The priestly vocation as a defining boundary: The priests guard the holiness of the community through precise standards.

- Household norms and lineage: Family members’ conduct and eligibility reflect and sustain ritual integrity.

- The seriousness of defilement: Impure contact has tangible consequences for eating holy items and remaining in service.

- Fear of profanation of the sacred: Divine honor hinges on the correct handling of holy things.

Modern Application

Leviticus 22 invites modern readers to reflect on reverence for what is sacred and the seriousness with which communities steward resources set apart for worship. While today we may not replicate ancient dietary restrictions or temple logistics, the underlying call remains: approaching God requires intentional purity of life and integrity in serving others. The chapter challenges religious leaders and communities to protect the integrity of worship spaces, to ensure that those who lead in sacred roles live in alignment with the values they teach, and to maintain clear boundaries between sacred functions and ordinary life. It also speaks to issues of leadership accountability, the dignity of sacred offerings, and the responsibility to prevent misuse of religious assets. Practically, believers can translate this into guarding the sanctity of worship spaces, stewarding finances and resources responsibly, and cultivating accountability structures for leaders.

Cross-References: 3–5 related chapters or passages

- Leviticus 21 (priests and holiness)

- Leviticus 23 (holy convocations and the calendar)

- Exodus 28–29 (priestly consecration and garments)

- 1 Timothy 3 (qualifications for church leaders)

- Hebrews 9 (Christ as the great high priest and access to God)

Recommended Personas

- Aaron (as chief mediator of sacred things)

- Jesus (fulfillment of sacrifice and the new covenant)

- Paul (principles of church leadership and purity)

- Moses (instruction-keeping and enforcement)

- David (humility and reverence in sacred space)

Chapter Text

1

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

2

Speak unto Aaron and to 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

And 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.

Discuss This Chapter with Biblical Personas

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