Leviticus — Chapter 22

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1And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

2Speak 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

3Say unto them, Whosoever

4What man soever of the seed of Aaron

5Or whosoever toucheth any creeping thing, whereby he may be made unclean, or a man of whom he may take uncleanness, whatsoever uncleanness he hath;

6The 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.

7And when the sun is down, he shall be clean, and shall afterward eat of the holy things; because it

8That which dieth of itself, or is torn

9They shall therefore keep mine ordinance, lest they bear sin for it, and die therefore, if they profane it: I the LORD do sanctify them.

10There shall no stranger eat

11But if the priest buy

12If the priest’s daughter also be

13But 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.

14And if a man eat

15And they shall not profane the holy things of the children of Israel, which they offer unto the LORD;

16Or suffer them to bear the iniquity of trespass, when they eat their holy things: for I the LORD do sanctify them.

17And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

18Speak unto Aaron, and to his sons, and unto all the children of Israel, and say unto them, Whatsoever

19Ye shall offer at your own will a male without blemish, of the beeves, of the sheep, or of the goats.

20But whatsoever hath a blemish,

21And whosoever offereth a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the LORD to accomplish

22Blind, 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.

23Either a bullock or a lamb that hath any thing superfluous or lacking in his parts, that mayest thou offer

24Ye shall not offer unto the LORD that which is bruised, or crushed, or broken, or cut; neither shall ye make

25Neither from a stranger’s hand shall ye offer the bread of your God of any of these; because their corruption

26And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

27When 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.

28And

29And when ye will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving unto the LORD, offer

30On the same day it shall be eaten up; ye shall leave none of it until the morrow: I

31Therefore shall ye keep my commandments, and do them: I

32Neither shall ye profane my holy name; but I will be hallowed among the children of Israel: I

33That brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I

1And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,

2Speak unto Aaron and to his sons, that they separate themselves from the holy things of the children of Israel, which they hallow unto me, and that they profane not my holy name: I am Jehovah.

3Say unto them, Whosoever he be of all your seed throughout your generations, that approacheth unto the holy things, which the children of Israel hallow unto Jehovah, having his uncleanness upon him, that soul shall be cut off from before me: I am Jehovah.

4What man soever of the seed of Aaron is a leper, or hath an issue; he shall not eat of the holy things, until he be clean. And whoso toucheth anything that is unclean by the dead, or a man whose seed goeth from him;

5or whosoever toucheth any creeping thing, whereby he may be made unclean, or a man of whom he may take uncleanness, whatsoever uncleanness he hath;

6the soul that toucheth any such shall be unclean until the even, and shall not eat of the holy things, unless he bathe his flesh in water.

7And when the sun is down, he shall be clean; and afterward he shall eat of the holy things, because it is his bread.

8That which dieth of itself, or is torn of beasts, he shall not eat, to defile himself therewith: I am Jehovah.

9They shall therefore keep my charge, lest they bear sin for it, and die therein, if they profane it: I am Jehovah who sanctifieth them.

10There shall no stranger eat of the holy thing: a sojourner of the priest`s, or a hired servant, shall not eat of the holy thing.

11But if a priest buy any soul, the purchase of his money, he shall eat of it; and such as are born in his house, they shall eat of his bread.

12And if a priest`s daughter be married unto a stranger, she shall not eat of the heave-offering of the holy things.

13But if a priest`s daughter be a widow, or divorced, and have no child, and be returned unto her father`s house, as in her youth, she shall eat of her father`s bread: but there shall no stranger eat thereof.

14And if a man eat of the holy thing unwittingly, then he shall put the fifth part thereof unto it, and shall give unto the priest the holy thing.

15And they shall not profane the holy things of the children of Israel, which they offer unto Jehovah,

16and [so] cause them to bear the iniquity that bringeth guilt, when they eat their holy things: for I am Jehovah who sanctifieth them.

17And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,

18Speak unto Aaron, and to his sons, and unto all the children of Israel, and say unto them, Whosoever he be of the house of Israel, or of the sojourners in Israel, that offereth his oblation, whether it be any of their vows, or any of their freewill-offerings, which they offer unto Jehovah for a burnt-offering;

19that ye may be accepted, [ye shall offer] a male without blemish, of the bullocks, of the sheep, or of the goats.

20But whatsoever hath a blemish, that shall ye not offer: for it shall not be acceptable for you.

21And whosoever offereth a sacrifice of peace-offerings unto Jehovah to accomplish a vow, or for a freewill-offering, of the herd or of the flock, it shall be perfect to be accepted; there shall be no blemish therein.

22Blind, or broken, or maimed, or having a wen, or scurvy, or scabbed, ye shall not offer these unto Jehovah, nor make an offering by fire of them upon the altar unto Jehovah.

23Either a bullock or a lamb that hath anything superfluous or lacking in his parts, that mayest thou offer for a freewill-offering; but for a vow it shall not be accepted.

24That which hath its stones bruised, or crushed, or broken, or cut, ye shall not offer unto Jehovah; neither shall ye do [thus] in your land.

25Neither from the hand of a foreigner shall ye offer the bread of your God of any of these; because their corruption is in them, there is a blemish in them: they shall not be accepted for you.

26And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,

27When 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 the oblation of an offering made by fire unto Jehovah.

28And whether it be cow or ewe, ye shall not kill it and its young both in one day.

29And when ye sacrifice a sacrifice of thanksgiving unto Jehovah, ye shall sacrifice it that ye may be accepted.

30On the same day it shall be eaten; ye shall leave none of it until the morning: I am Jehovah.

31Therefore shall ye keep my commandments, and do them: I am Jehovah.

32And ye shall not profane my holy name; but I will be hallowed among the children of Israel: I am Jehovah who halloweth you,

33who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am Jehovah.

1The Lord spoke to Moses:

2“Tell Aaron and his sons that they must deal respectfully with the holy offerings of the Israelites, which they consecrate to me, so that they do not profane my holy name. I am the Lord.

3Say to them, ‘Throughout your generations, if any man from all your descendants approaches the holy offerings, which the Israelites consecrate to the Lord, while he is impure, that person must be cut off from before me. I am the Lord.

4No man from the descendants of Aaron who is diseased or has a discharge may eat the holy offerings until he becomes clean. The one who touches anything made unclean by contact with a dead person, or with a man who has a seminal emission,

5or with a man who touches a swarming thing by which he becomes unclean, or who touches a person by which he becomes unclean, whatever that person’s impurity—

6the person who touches any of these will be unclean until evening and must not eat from the holy offerings unless he has bathed his body in water.

7When the sun goes down he will be clean, and afterward he may eat from the holy offerings, because they are his food.

8He must not eat an animal that has died of natural causes or an animal torn by beasts and thus become unclean by it. I am the Lord.

9They must keep my charge so that they do not incur sin on account of it and therefore die because they profane it. I am the Lord who sanctifies them.

10“‘No lay person may eat anything holy. Neither a priest’s lodger nor a hired laborer may eat anything holy,

11but if a priest buys a person with his own money, that person may eat the holy offerings, and those born in the priest’s own house may eat his food.

12If a priest’s daughter marries a lay person, she may not eat the holy contribution offerings,

13but if a priest’s daughter is a widow or divorced, and she has no children so that she returns to live in her father’s house as in her youth, she may eat from her father’s food, but no lay person may eat it.

14“‘If a man eats a holy offering by mistake, he must add one-fifth to it and give the holy offering to the priest.

15They must not profane the holy offerings which the Israelites contribute to the Lord,

16and so cause them to incur a penalty for guilt when they eat their holy offerings, for I am the Lord who sanctifies them.’”

17The Lord spoke to Moses:

18“Speak to Aaron, his sons, and all the Israelites and tell them, ‘When any man from the house of Israel or from the resident foreigners in Israel presents his offering for any of the votive or freewill offerings, which they present to the Lord as a burnt offering,

19if it is to be acceptable for your benefit, it must be a flawless male from the cattle, sheep, or goats.

20You must not present anything that has a flaw, because it will not be acceptable for your benefit.

21If a man presents a peace-offering sacrifice to the Lord for a special votive offering or for a freewill offering from the herd or the flock, it must be flawless to be acceptable; it must have no flaw.

22“‘You must not present to the Lord something blind, or with a broken bone, or mutilated, or with a running sore, or with a festering eruption, or with a feverish rash. You must not give any of these as a gift on the altar to the Lord.

23As for an ox or a sheep with a limb too long or stunted, you may present it as a freewill offering, but it will not be acceptable for a votive offering.

24You must not present to the Lord something with testicles that are bruised, crushed, torn, or cut off; you must not do this in your land.

25Even from a foreigner you must not present the food of your God from such animals as these, for they are ruined and flawed; they will not be acceptable for your benefit.’”

26The Lord spoke to Moses:

27“When an ox, lamb, or goat is born, it must be under the care of its mother seven days, but from the eighth day onward it will be acceptable as an offering gift to the Lord.

28You must not slaughter an ox or a sheep and its young on the same day.

29When you sacrifice a thanksgiving offering to the Lord, you must sacrifice it so that it is acceptable for your benefit.

30On that very day it must be eaten; you must not leave any part of it over until morning. I am the Lord.

31“You must be sure to do my commandments. I am the Lord.

32You must not profane my holy name, and I will be sanctified in the midst of the Israelites. I am the Lord who sanctifies you,

33the one who brought you out from the land of Egypt to be your God. I am the Lord.”

1Yahweh 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 Yahweh.

3“Tell them, ‘If anyone of all your offspring throughout your generations approaches the holy things, which the children of Israel make holy to Yahweh, having his uncleanness on him, that soul shall be cut off from before me. I am Yahweh.

4“‘Whoever of the offspring of Aaron is a leper or has an issue; he shall not eat of the holy things, until he is clean. Whoever touches anything that is unclean by the dead, or a man whose offspring goes from him;

5or whoever touches any creeping thing, whereby he may be made unclean, or a man of whom he may take uncleanness, 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.

8That which dies of itself, or is torn by animals, he shall not eat, defiling himself by it. I am Yahweh.

9“‘They shall therefore follow my commandment, lest they bear sin for it, and die therein, if they profane it. I am Yahweh 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 such as are born in his house, they 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 Yahweh,

16and so cause them to bear the iniquity that brings guilt, when they eat their holy things; for I am Yahweh who sanctifies them.’”

17Yahweh 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 freewill offerings, which they offer to Yahweh 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 whatever has a defect, that you shall not offer; for it shall not be acceptable for you.

21Whoever offers a sacrifice of peace offerings to Yahweh to accomplish a vow, or for a freewill offering, of the herd or of the flock, it shall be perfect to be accepted. It shall have no defect.

22Blind, injured, maimed, having a wart, festering, or having a running sore: you shall not offer these to Yahweh, nor make an offering by fire of them on the altar to Yahweh.

23Either a bull or a lamb that has any deformity or lacking in his parts, that you may offer for a freewill offering; but for a vow it shall not be accepted.

24You must not offer to Yahweh that which has its testicles bruised, crushed, broken, or cut. You must not do this in your land.

25You must not offer the bread of your God from the hand of a foreigner as any of these; because their corruption is in them. There is a defect in them. They shall not be accepted for you.’”

26Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,

27“When a bull, or a sheep, or a goat, is born, then it shall remain seven days with its mother; and from the eighth day and thenceforth it shall be accepted for the offering of an offering made by fire to Yahweh.

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 Yahweh, 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 Yahweh.

31“Therefore you shall keep my commandments, and do them. I am Yahweh.

32You shall not profane my holy name, but I will be made holy among the children of Israel. I am Yahweh who makes you holy,

33who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. I am Yahweh.”

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Commentary
Videos
Reflection

Summary

God demands that offerings be without blemish and that priests be ceremonially clean — nothing defective may be brought before a holy God.

Authorship & Background

Author: Moses. Leviticus is the third book of the Pentateuch, written during the wilderness period (approximately 1445-1405 BC). Hebrew title: "Vayikra" — "And He called." God speaks from the newly completed Tabernacle, giving Israel instructions for worship, sacrifice, and holy living.
Historical Context: Chapter 22 continues the "Holiness Code" section of Leviticus (chapters 17-27), specifically addressing priestly holiness in relation to eating holy food and the quality of sacrificial animals. Chapter 21 dealt with the physical qualifications of priests; chapter 22 now deals with the conditions under which priests may eat the holy portions and the conditions under which animals may be offered. The chapter divides into two major sections: (1) Who may eat holy things and when they are disqualified (vv.1-16), and (2) What animals are acceptable for sacrifice (vv.17-33). The underlying principle is that God's holiness demands corresponding holiness in everything connected with His worship — both the worshippers and the offerings must be without defilement. The chapter closes with one of the great declarations of Leviticus: "Neither shall ye profane my holy name; but I will be hallowed among the children of Israel" (v.32). God's name — His reputation, character, and glory — must not be treated as common. The repeated refrain "I am the LORD" (appearing seven times) underscores divine authority behind every regulation.
Priestly Holiness in Eating Holy Things (vv.1-9): God commands Aaron and his sons to "separate themselves from the holy things" (KJV) / "abstain from the holy things" (ESV) when they are in a state of uncleanness (v.2). The holy things are the portions of offerings that belong to the priests (breast, shoulder, grain offerings, etc.). A priest with uncleanness who approaches these holy things will be "cut off from my presence" (v.3). Specific disqualifications: leprosy, bodily discharge (v.4), touching anything unclean by the dead, emission of semen (v.4), touching swarming creatures, or touching an unclean person (v.5). The remedy: wait until evening, bathe in water, then he is clean and may eat (vv.6-7). He must not eat what dies of itself or is torn by beasts (v.8). Penalty for profaning: death (v.9). The principle: even legitimate priests with legitimate access must be in a state of cleanness to handle holy things. Privilege does not override purity.
Who May and May Not Eat Holy Things (vv.10-16): A "stranger" (KJV) / "lay person" (ESV) — anyone not of the priestly family — may not eat holy food (v.10). This includes a priest's guest or hired worker (v.10). However, a slave purchased by the priest and anyone born in his household MAY eat (v.11) — they are part of his household. A priest's daughter married to a non-priest ("stranger" KJV / "layman" ESV) may not eat (v.12). But if she is widowed or divorced with no children and returns to her father's house, she may eat again (v.13). If someone eats holy food unintentionally, he must add a fifth (20%) to its value and give it to the priest (v.14). The priests must not allow the people to profane the holy things by eating them improperly (vv.15-16).
Acceptable Sacrificial Animals (vv.17-25): This section addresses ALL Israel and sojourners (v.18) — not just priests. For burnt offerings: the animal must be male, without blemish — from cattle, sheep, or goats (v.19). Anything with a blemish "shall not be acceptable for you" (v.20). Peace offerings must be "perfect" (KJV) / "perfect" (ESV) — no blemish (v.21). Specific disqualifications listed: blind, broken, maimed/mutilated, having a wen/discharge, scurvy/itch, scabbed/scabs (v.22). Exception: an animal with a limb too long or too short may be used for a freewill offering but NOT for a vow (v.23). Animals with damaged reproductive organs (bruised, crushed, broken, cut) are forbidden (v.24). Even animals from foreigners with blemishes are unacceptable (v.25). The principle: God deserves the BEST. A blemished offering insults His worth. This points to Christ — the Lamb "without blemish and without spot" (1 Peter 1:19).
Additional Regulations (vv.26-30): A newborn animal must stay with its mother seven days; from the eighth day onward it is acceptable for offering (v.27). A mother and her young must not be killed on the same day (v.28) — a provision showing God's compassion even in sacrifice. A thanksgiving offering must be eaten the same day — none left until morning (vv.29-30).
The Closing Declaration (vv.31-33): "Keep my commandments and do them" (v.31). "Neither shall ye profane my holy name; but I will be hallowed among the children of Israel" (v.32). God's identity: "I am the LORD which hallow you, that brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God" (vv.32-33). The God who sanctifies them is the God who redeemed them. Holiness flows from redemption.

Map & Geography

  • Egypt (v.33): Land to the southwest; place of Israel's bondage and exodus.

Commentary

  • Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik emphasizes that the requirement for unblemished animals points directly to Christ as the perfect sacrifice. He notes that Malachi 1:8 shows Israel eventually violated this principle by offering blind and lame animals — treating God's altar with contempt.
  • Charles Spurgeon: "God will not accept from you that which costs you nothing. The lame, the blind, the sick — these are what men offer when they do not truly value God. But He who gave His only Son — the spotless Lamb — demands that we bring our best. Not because our best earns anything, but because anything less reveals a heart that does not treasure Him."

Reflection

  • 1. "Separate themselves from the holy things" (v.2). Even those with legitimate access to God's holy things must approach with reverence. Familiarity breeds contempt. Pastors, teachers, worship leaders — those who handle God's Word and lead His worship — are especially warned: do not let proximity to holy things make you casual about holiness. "To whom much is given, much is required" (Luke 12:48).
  • 2. "Without blemish" (vv.19-21). God demands the best, not the leftovers. Israel would later offer blind, lame, and sick animals (Malachi 1:8) — giving God what cost them nothing. What do you offer God? Your best time, energy, and attention — or what's left over? "Shall I offer to the LORD that which costs me nothing?" (2 Samuel 24:24).
  • 3. "Neither shall ye profane my holy name" (v.32). God's name — His reputation — is at stake in how His people live and worship. When believers live carelessly, they profane God's name before the world. When we worship half-heartedly, we declare God is not worth our best. His name is hallowed when His people reflect His character.
  • 4. "I am the LORD which hallow you, that brought you out of Egypt" (vv.32-33). The demand for holiness is grounded in redemption. God does not say "Be holy and then I will save you." He says "I have saved you — therefore be holy." Grace precedes demand. Redemption is the foundation of sanctification.
  • 5. The eighth day (v.27). A newborn animal is not acceptable until the eighth day. Eight is the number of new beginnings in Scripture (circumcision on the eighth day, resurrection on the first day of a new week). There is a divine timing to acceptability — God's purposes unfold according to His schedule, not ours.