Moses receives divine speech about priestly sanctification using the rare Hebrew verb "nazir" (separate), which elsewhere describes Nazirite vows, creating an unexpected parallel between priestly and lay holiness.
Leviticus 22
Priestly Purity and Sacred Food
1The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
2“Tell Aaron and his sons to separate themselves from the holy things of the children of Israel, which they make holy to me, and that they not profane my holy name. I am the LORD.
3“Tell them, ‘If anyone of all your offspring throughout your generations approaches the holy things which the children of Israel make holy to the LORD, having his uncleanness on him, that soul shall be cut off from before me. I am the LORD.
4“‘Whoever of the offspring of Aaron is a leper or has a discharge shall not eat of the holy things until he is clean. Whoever touches anything that is unclean by the dead, or a man who has a seminal emission,
5or whoever touches any creeping thing by which he may be made unclean, or a man from whom he may become unclean, whatever uncleanness he has—
6the person that touches any such shall be unclean until the evening, and shall not eat of the holy things unless he bathes his body in water.
7When the sun is down, he shall be clean; and afterward he shall eat of the holy things, because it is his bread.
8He shall not eat that which dies of itself or is torn by animals, defiling himself by it. I am the LORD.
9“‘They shall therefore follow my commandment, lest they bear sin for it and die in it, if they profane it. I am the LORD who sanctifies them.
10“‘No stranger shall eat of the holy thing: a foreigner living with the priests, or a hired servant, shall not eat of the holy thing.
11But if a priest buys a slave, purchased by his money, he shall eat of it; and those who are born in his house shall eat of his bread.
12If a priest’s daughter is married to an outsider, she shall not eat of the heave offering of the holy things.
13But if a priest’s daughter is a widow, or divorced, and has no child, and has returned to her father’s house as in her youth, she may eat of her father’s bread; but no stranger shall eat any of it.
14“‘If a man eats something holy unwittingly, then he shall add the fifth part of its value to it, and shall give the holy thing to the priest.
15The priests shall not profane the holy things of the children of Israel, which they offer to the LORD,
16and so cause them to bear the iniquity that brings guilt when they eat their holy things; for I am the LORD who sanctifies them.’”
Requirements for Acceptable Sacrifices
17The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
18“Speak to Aaron, and to his sons, and to all the children of Israel, and say to them, ‘Whoever is of the house of Israel, or of the foreigners in Israel, who offers his offering, whether it is any of their vows or any of their free will offerings, which they offer to the LORD for a burnt offering:
19that you may be accepted, you shall offer a male without defect, of the bulls, of the sheep, or of the goats.
20But you shall not offer whatever has a defect, for it shall not be acceptable for you.
21Whoever offers a sacrifice of peace offerings to the LORD to accomplish a vow, or for a free will offering of the herd or of the flock, it shall be perfect to be accepted. It shall have no defect.
22You shall not offer what is blind, is injured, is maimed, has a wart, is festering, or has a running sore to the LORD, nor make an offering by fire of them on the altar to the LORD.
23Either a bull or a lamb that has any deformity or lacking in his parts, that you may offer for a free will offering; but for a vow it shall not be accepted.
24You must not offer to the LORD that which has its testicles bruised, crushed, broken, or cut. You must not do this in your land.
25You must not offer any of these as the bread of your God from the hand of a foreigner, because their corruption is in them. There is a defect in them. They shall not be accepted for you.’”
26The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
27“When a bull, a sheep, or a goat is born, it shall remain seven days with its mother. From the eighth day on it shall be accepted for the offering of an offering made by fire to the LORD.
28Whether it is a cow or ewe, you shall not kill it and its young both in one day.
29“When you sacrifice a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the LORD, you shall sacrifice it so that you may be accepted.
30It shall be eaten on the same day; you shall leave none of it until the morning. I am the LORD.
31“Therefore you shall keep my commandments, and do them. I am the LORD.
32You shall not profane my holy name, but I will be made holy among the children of Israel. I am the LORD who makes you holy,
33who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. I am the LORD.”
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Theme
Leviticus 22 establishes strict purity requirements for priests handling sacred offerings and consuming holy food, emphasizing that ritual uncleanness disqualifies them from these duties until proper cleansing occurs. The chapter also specifies who may partake of priestly portions—including rules for priests' families and slaves—and mandates that all sacrificial animals must be physically perfect and unblemished. These regulations underscore the absolute holiness required in Israel's worship system and the severe consequences of treating sacred things carelessly.
Context
This chapter continues the priestly holiness code from chapters 21-22, following detailed regulations about priestly conduct and preceding the sacred calendar in chapter 23.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-9 Priestly Purity Requirements Priests must be ritually clean to handle holy things or face being cut off from God's presence.
- 10-16 Who May Eat Sacred Food Detailed rules governing which family members and household servants can partake of priestly portions.
- 17-25 Perfect Sacrificial Animals All offerings must be physically unblemished males to be acceptable to the Lord.
- 26-30 Age and Timing Restrictions Animals must be at least eight days old and sacrificed on the same day when offered.
- 31-33 Concluding Charge Final exhortation to keep God's commandments and honor His holy name among the nations.
Priestly Purity and Sacred Food
22:1–22:16 law instruction solemn
God establishes purity requirements for priests eating sacred food, including restrictions based on ritual uncleanness and regulations about who in priestly families may partake. Violations result in being cut off from God's presence.
person_contrast
Moses receives divine speech about priestly sanctification using the rare Hebrew verb "nazir" (separate), which elsewhere describes Nazirite vows, creating an unexpected parallel between priestly and lay holiness.
Requirements for Acceptable Sacrifices
22:17–22:33 law instruction solemn
God requires that all sacrificial animals be without physical defect to be acceptable offerings. Specific regulations govern the timing and manner of sacrifices, emphasizing that only perfect offerings are worthy of the Lord.
person_contrast
Moses receives divine speech about sacrificial perfection in this passage, yet unlike his typical role as lawgiver, here he functions as intermediary for cultic regulations that will outlast the wilderness generation.
Insights
Moses receives divine speech about sacrificial perfection in this passage, yet unlike his typical role as lawgiver, here he functions as intermediary for cultic regulations that will outlast the wilderness generation.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
Leviticus 22:3 1 reference
Leviticus 22:4 5 references
Lexicals 5
Numbers 5:2 Lexical
“Command the children of Israel that they put out of the camp every leper, everyone who has a discharge, and whoever is…
Leviticus 15:32 Lexical
This is the law of him who has a discharge, and of him who has an emission of semen, so that he is unclean by it;
Exodus 28:43 Lexical
They shall be on Aaron and on his sons, when they go in to the Tent of Meeting, or when they come near to the altar to m…
Leviticus 19:20 Lexical
“‘If a man lies carnally with a woman who is a slave girl, pledged to be married to another man, and not ransomed or giv…
Leviticus 15:25 Lexical
“‘If a woman has a discharge of her blood many days not in the time of her period, or if she has a discharge beyond the…
Leviticus 22:5 5 references
Lexicals 5
Leviticus 5:3 Lexical
“‘Or if he touches the uncleanness of man, whatever his uncleanness is with which he is unclean, and it is hidden from h…
Leviticus 11:31 Lexical
These are they which are unclean to you among all that creep. Whoever touches them when they are dead shall be unclean u…
Leviticus 5:2 Lexical
“‘Or if anyone touches any unclean thing, whether it is the carcass of an unclean animal, or the carcass of unclean live…
Numbers 19:13 Lexical
Whoever touches a dead person, the body of a man who has died, and doesn’t purify himself, defiles the LORD’s tabernacle…
Leviticus 7:21 Lexical
When anyone touches any unclean thing, the uncleanness of man, or an unclean animal, or any unclean abomination, and eat…
Leviticus 22:6 5 references
Lexicals 5
Leviticus 15:7 Lexical
“‘He who touches the body of him who has the discharge shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclea…
Leviticus 15:11 Lexical
“‘Whomever he who has the discharge touches, without having rinsed his hands in water, he shall wash his clothes, and ba…
Leviticus 15:22 Lexical
Whoever touches anything that she sits on shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the e…
Leviticus 15:10 Lexical
Whoever touches anything that was under him shall be unclean until the evening. He who carries those things shall wash h…
Leviticus 15:21 Lexical
Whoever touches her bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening.
Leviticus 22:8 4 references
Lexicals 4
Ezekiel 4:14 Lexical
Then I said, “Ah Lord GOD! Behold, my soul has not been polluted; for from my youth up even until now I have not eaten o…
Leviticus 17:15 Lexical
“‘Every person that eats what dies of itself, or that which is torn by animals, whether he is native-born or a foreigner…
Leviticus 7:24 Lexical
The fat of that which dies of itself, and the fat of that which is torn of animals, may be used for any other service, b…
Ezekiel 44:31 Lexical
The priests shall not eat of anything that dies of itself or is torn, whether it is bird or animal.
Leviticus 22:10 3 references
Lexicals 3
Exodus 12:45 Lexical
A foreigner and a hired servant shall not eat of it.
Leviticus 25:40 Lexical
As a hired servant, and as a temporary resident, he shall be with you; he shall serve with you until the Year of Jubilee…
Leviticus 25:6 Lexical
The Sabbath of the land shall be for food for you; for yourself, for your servant, for your maid, for your hired servant…
Leviticus 22:13 1 reference
Leviticus 22:14 1 reference
Leviticus 22:15 1 reference
Leviticus 22:18 5 references
Lexicals 5
Leviticus 7:16 Lexical
“‘But if the sacrifice of his offering is a vow, or a free will offering, it shall be eaten on the day that he offers hi…
Leviticus 9:7 Lexical
Moses said to Aaron, “Draw near to the altar, and offer your sin offering, and your burnt offering, and make atonement f…
Numbers 15:3 Lexical
and will make an offering by fire to the LORD—a burnt offering, or a sacrifice, to accomplish a vow, or as a free will o…
Numbers 29:39 Lexical
“‘You shall offer these to the LORD in your set feasts—in addition to your vows and your free will offerings—for your bu…
Deuteronomy 12:6 Lexical
You shall bring your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, the wave offering of your hand, your vows, your free…
Leviticus 22:19 5 references
Lexicals 5
Leviticus 1:10 Lexical
“‘If his offering is from the flock, from the sheep or from the goats, for a burnt offering, he shall offer a male witho…
Leviticus 1:3 Lexical
“‘If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he shall offer a male without defect. He shall offer it at the door…
Exodus 12:5 Lexical
Your lamb shall be without defect, a male a year old. You shall take it from the sheep or from the goats.
Leviticus 4:23 Lexical
if his sin in which he has sinned is made known to him, he shall bring as his offering a goat, a male without defect.
Leviticus 3:1 Lexical
“‘If his offering is a sacrifice of peace offerings, if he offers it from the herd, whether male or female, he shall off…
Leviticus 22:21 5 references
Lexicals 5
Numbers 15:3 Lexical
and will make an offering by fire to the LORD—a burnt offering, or a sacrifice, to accomplish a vow, or as a free will o…
Numbers 15:8 Lexical
When you prepare a bull for a burnt offering or for a sacrifice, to accomplish a vow, or for peace offerings to the LORD…
Leviticus 3:6 Lexical
“‘If his offering for a sacrifice of peace offerings to the LORD is from the flock, either male or female, he shall offe…
Deuteronomy 12:6 Lexical
You shall bring your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, the wave offering of your hand, your vows, your free…
Leviticus 7:16 Lexical
“‘But if the sacrifice of his offering is a vow, or a free will offering, it shall be eaten on the day that he offers hi…
Leviticus 22:22 4 references
Lexicals 4
Leviticus 21:20 Lexical
or hunchbacked, or a dwarf, or one who has a defect in his eye, or an itching disease, or scabs, or who has damaged test…
Numbers 18:17 Lexical
“But you shall not redeem the firstborn of a cow, or the firstborn of a sheep, or the firstborn of a goat. They are holy…
Exodus 30:20 Lexical
When they go into the Tent of Meeting, they shall wash with water, that they don’t die; or when they come near to the al…
Leviticus 1:13 Lexical
but the innards and the legs he shall wash with water. The priest shall offer the whole, and burn it on the altar. It is…
Leviticus 22:25 3 references
Lexicals 3
Leviticus 21:21 Lexical
No man of the offspring of Aaron the priest who has a defect shall come near to offer the offerings of the LORD made by…
Leviticus 21:17 Lexical
“Say to Aaron, ‘None of your offspring throughout their generations who has a defect may approach to offer the bread of…
Ezekiel 44:7 Lexical
in that you have brought in foreigners, uncircumcised in heart and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary, to pro…
Leviticus 22:27 5 references
Lexicals 5
Numbers 18:17 Lexical
“But you shall not redeem the firstborn of a cow, or the firstborn of a sheep, or the firstborn of a goat. They are holy…
Leviticus 17:3 Lexical
Whatever man there is of the house of Israel who kills a bull, or lamb, or goat in the camp, or who kills it outside the…
Leviticus 1:10 Lexical
“‘If his offering is from the flock, from the sheep or from the goats, for a burnt offering, he shall offer a male witho…
Ezekiel 43:27 Lexical
When they have accomplished the days, it shall be that on the eighth day and onward, the priests shall make your burnt o…
Deuteronomy 14:4 Lexical
These are the animals which you may eat: the ox, the sheep, the goat,
Leviticus 22:28 5 references
Lexicals 5
1 Samuel 14:34 Lexical
Saul said, “Disperse yourselves among the people, and tell them, ‘Every man bring me here his ox, and every man his shee…
Isaiah 66:3 Lexical
He who kills an ox is as he who kills a man; he who sacrifices a lamb, as he who breaks a dog’s neck; he who offers an o…
Deuteronomy 22:1 Lexical
You shall not see your brother’s ox or his sheep go astray and hide yourself from them. You shall surely bring them agai…
Numbers 15:11 Lexical
Thus it shall be done for each bull, for each ram, for each of the male lambs, or of the young goats.
Leviticus 17:3 Lexical
Whatever man there is of the house of Israel who kills a bull, or lamb, or goat in the camp, or who kills it outside the…
Leviticus 22:29 4 references
Lexicals 4
2 Chronicles 33:16 Lexical
He built up the LORD’s altar, and offered sacrifices of peace offerings and of thanksgiving on it, and commanded Judah t…
Psalms 107:22 Lexical
Let them offer the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his deeds with singing.
Psalms 116:17 Lexical
I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call on the LORD’s name.
Leviticus 19:5 Lexical
“‘When you offer a sacrifice of peace offerings to the LORD, you shall offer it so that you may be accepted.
Leviticus 22:32 1 reference
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