Leviticus 21:22
Leviticus 21:22 in Multiple Translations
He may eat the most holy food of his God as well as the holy food,
He shall eat the bread of his God, both of the most holy, and of the holy.
He shall eat the bread of his God, both of the most holy, and of the holy:
He may take of the bread of God, the holy and the most holy;
He is still allowed to eat the food from the Most Holy Place of his God and also from the sanctuary,
The bread of his God, euen of the most holie, and of the holy shall he eate:
'Bread of his God — of the most holy things, and of the holy things — he doth eat;
He shall eat the bread of his God, both of the most holy, and of the holy.
He shall eat the bread of his God, both of the most holy, and of the holy.
He shall eat nevertheless of the loaves, that are offered in the sanctuary,
Priests who have defects are permitted to eat the various kinds of holy food offered to me.
Berean Amplified Bible — Leviticus 21:22
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Leviticus 21:22 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
לֶ֣חֶם
אֱלֹהָ֔י/ו
מִ/קָּדְשֵׁ֖י
הַ/קֳּדָשִׁ֑ים
וּ/מִן
הַ/קֳּדָשִׁ֖ים
יֹאכֵֽל
לֶ֣חֶם
lechem
H3899
food
N-cs
אֱלֹהָ֔י/ו
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
God
N-mp | Suff
מִ/קָּדְשֵׁ֖י
qôdesh
H6944
Holy Place
Prep | N-mp
הַ/קֳּדָשִׁ֑ים
qôdesh
H6944
Holy Place
Art | N-mp
וּ/מִן
min
H4480
from
Conj | Prep
הַ/קֳּדָשִׁ֖ים
qôdesh
H6944
Holy Place
Art | N-mp
יֹאכֵֽל
ʼâkal
H398
to eat
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Leviticus 21:22
לֶ֣חֶם
lechem
H3899
"food"
N-cs
This Hebrew word refers to food, especially bread or grain. It's used throughout the Bible to describe meals, sacrifices, and daily life, highlighting the importance of food in ancient Israelite culture.
Definition: : food(eating) 1) bread, food, grain 1a) bread 1a1) bread 1a2) bread-corn 1b) food (in general)
Usage: Occurs in 277 OT verses. KJV: (shew-) bread, [idiom] eat, food, fruit, loaf, meat, victuals. See also: Genesis 3:19; 1 Samuel 20:34; Psalms 14:4.
אֱלֹהָ֔י/ו
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
"God"
N-mp | Suff
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
מִ/קָּדְשֵׁ֖י
qôdesh
H6944
"Holy Place"
Prep | N-mp
The Holy Place refers to a sacred or set-apart area, like the temple in Jerusalem. It is a place of sanctity and holiness, where God is worshipped. The Bible describes it as a place of reverence and awe.
Definition: This name means apartness, holiness, sacredness Also named: hagion (ἅγιον "Holy Place" G0039)
Usage: Occurs in 380 OT verses. KJV: consecrated (thing), dedicated (thing), hallowed (thing), holiness, ([idiom] most) holy ([idiom] day, portion, thing), saint, sanctuary. See also: Exodus 3:5; Leviticus 23:4; 1 Chronicles 26:26.
הַ/קֳּדָשִׁ֑ים
qôdesh
H6944
"Holy Place"
Art | N-mp
The Holy Place refers to a sacred or set-apart area, like the temple in Jerusalem. It is a place of sanctity and holiness, where God is worshipped. The Bible describes it as a place of reverence and awe.
Definition: This name means apartness, holiness, sacredness Also named: hagion (ἅγιον "Holy Place" G0039)
Usage: Occurs in 380 OT verses. KJV: consecrated (thing), dedicated (thing), hallowed (thing), holiness, ([idiom] most) holy ([idiom] day, portion, thing), saint, sanctuary. See also: Exodus 3:5; Leviticus 23:4; 1 Chronicles 26:26.
וּ/מִן
min
H4480
"from"
Conj | Prep
This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.
Definition: prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)
Usage: Occurs in 1094 OT verses. KJV: above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, [idiom] neither, [idiom] nor, (out) of, over, since, [idiom] then, through, [idiom] whether, with. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 16:32; Leviticus 14:26.
הַ/קֳּדָשִׁ֖ים
qôdesh
H6944
"Holy Place"
Art | N-mp
The Holy Place refers to a sacred or set-apart area, like the temple in Jerusalem. It is a place of sanctity and holiness, where God is worshipped. The Bible describes it as a place of reverence and awe.
Definition: This name means apartness, holiness, sacredness Also named: hagion (ἅγιον "Holy Place" G0039)
Usage: Occurs in 380 OT verses. KJV: consecrated (thing), dedicated (thing), hallowed (thing), holiness, ([idiom] most) holy ([idiom] day, portion, thing), saint, sanctuary. See also: Exodus 3:5; Leviticus 23:4; 1 Chronicles 26:26.
יֹאכֵֽל
ʼâkal
H398
"to eat"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This word means to eat or devour, and it's used in many stories, including when Jesus fed the 5000 with fish and bread in the book of Matthew. It's about taking in nourishment and being satisfied.
Definition: 1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to eat (human subject) 1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds) 1a3) to devour, consume (of fire) 1a4) to devour, slay (of sword) 1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought) 1a6) to devour (of oppression) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be eaten (by men) 1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire) 1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh) 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to cause to eat, feed with 1c2) to cause to devour 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to feed 1d2) to cause to eat 1e) (Piel) 1e1) consume Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)
Usage: Occurs in 703 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. See also: Genesis 2:16; Leviticus 6:9; Numbers 24:8.
Study Notes — Leviticus 21:22
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Leviticus 21:22 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 21:22
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 21:22
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Leviticus 21:22
- Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 21:22
- Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 21:22
- Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 21:22
- Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 21:22
- Sermons on Leviticus 21:22
Context — Restrictions against Those with Blemishes
20or who is a hunchback or dwarf, or who has an eye defect, a festering rash, scabs, or a crushed testicle.
21No descendant of Aaron the priest who has a defect shall approach to present the food offerings to the LORD. Since he has a defect, he is not to come near to offer the food of his God.
22He may eat the most holy food of his God as well as the holy food,
23but because he has a defect, he must not go near the veil or approach the altar, so as not to desecrate My sanctuaries. For I am the LORD who sanctifies them.’” 24Moses told this to Aaron and his sons and to all the Israelites.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leviticus 2:3 | The remainder of the grain offering shall belong to Aaron and his sons; it is a most holy part of the offerings made by fire to the LORD. |
| 2 | Numbers 18:19 | All the holy offerings that the Israelites present to the LORD I give to you and to your sons and daughters as a permanent statute. It is a permanent covenant of salt before the LORD for you and your offspring.” |
| 3 | Leviticus 24:8–9 | Every Sabbath day the bread is to be set out before the LORD on behalf of the Israelites as a permanent covenant. It belongs to Aaron and his sons, who are to eat it in a holy place; for it is to him a most holy part of the offerings made by fire to the LORD—his portion forever.” |
| 4 | Leviticus 7:1 | “Now this is the law of the guilt offering, which is most holy: |
| 5 | Numbers 18:9–10 | A portion of the most holy offerings reserved from the fire will be yours. From all the offerings they render to Me as most holy offerings, whether grain offerings or sin offerings or guilt offerings, that part belongs to you and your sons. You are to eat it as a most holy offering, and every male may eat it. You shall regard it as holy. |
| 6 | Leviticus 22:10–13 | No one outside a priest’s family may eat the sacred offering, nor may the guest of a priest or his hired hand eat it. But if a priest buys a slave with his own money, or if a slave is born in his household, that slave may eat his food. If the priest’s daughter is married to a man other than a priest, she is not to eat of the sacred contributions. But if a priest’s daughter with no children becomes widowed or divorced and returns to her father’s house, she may share her father’s food as in her youth. But no outsider may share it. |
| 7 | Leviticus 6:16–17 | Aaron and his sons are to eat the remainder. It must be eaten without leaven in a holy place; they are to eat it in the courtyard of the Tent of Meeting. It must not be baked with leaven; I have assigned it as their portion of My offerings made by fire. It is most holy, like the sin offering and the guilt offering. |
| 8 | 1 Corinthians 9:13 | Do you not know that those who work in the temple eat of its food, and those who serve at the altar partake of its offerings? |
| 9 | Leviticus 2:10 | But the remainder of the grain offering shall belong to Aaron and his sons; it is a most holy part of the offerings made by fire to the LORD. |
| 10 | Leviticus 6:29 | Any male among the priests may eat it; it is most holy. |
Leviticus 21:22 Summary
[This verse is saying that even though a priest with a defect cannot do certain jobs, like presenting offerings to God, they can still eat the special food that is set apart for the priests, as a way of showing they are still part of the community of believers (Leviticus 10:12-13). It's like how we, as believers, are called to be holy and set apart for God, even if we're not perfect (1 Peter 1:15-16). This verse reminds us that God is holy and He wants us to treat Him and His things with respect, just like the Israelites were commanded to be holy in Leviticus 19:2.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for a priest with a defect to eat the most holy food of his God?
According to Leviticus 21:22, even though a priest with a defect cannot present offerings to the Lord, he is still allowed to eat the most holy food of his God, which includes the holy food, as a way of sustaining himself and participating in the community of believers, as seen in Leviticus 10:12-13 where Aaron and his sons were instructed to eat the most holy food.
Why is it important for priests to be without defect in Leviticus 21:21-22?
In Leviticus 21:21-22, it is stated that a priest with a defect cannot approach the Lord to present offerings, because the Lord is holy and His sanctuary must be treated with reverence and respect, as seen in Leviticus 19:2 where the Lord commands the Israelites to be holy because He is holy.
How does this verse relate to the concept of holiness in the Bible?
This verse highlights the importance of holiness in the Bible, as seen in Leviticus 11:44-45 where the Lord commands the Israelites to be holy because He is holy, and in 1 Peter 1:15-16 where believers are called to be holy in all their conduct, because God is holy.
What does this verse teach us about the role of priests in the Old Testament?
This verse teaches us that priests in the Old Testament played a crucial role in mediating between God and the people, and that they were required to be without defect in order to perform their duties, as seen in Exodus 28:1 where Aaron and his sons were set apart to minister as priests to the Lord.
Reflection Questions
- What does it mean for me to 'eat the most holy food of my God' in my own life, and how can I deepen my participation in the community of believers?
- How can I balance the tension between being imperfect and being called to holiness, as seen in this verse and in other parts of Scripture?
- What are some ways that I can treat the Lord's sanctuary with reverence and respect, even if I am not a priest in the classical sense?
- How can I apply the concept of holiness in my own life, and what are some practical steps I can take to become more like Christ?
Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 21:22
He shall eat the bread of his God,.... That part of the sacrifices which was appropriated by the Lord to the priests, for the maintenance of them and their families; for though their natural
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 21:22
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Any blemish. Since visible things exert a strong influence on the minds of men, any physical infirmity or malformation of body in the ministers of religion,
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Leviticus 21:22
Which a priest having any uncleanness upon him might not do; whereby God would show the great difference between natural infirmities sent upon a man by God, and moral defilements which a man brought upon himself. What was holy, and what most holy, was declared before. See 6:17 7:1 14:13 22:10.
Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 21:22
Leviticus 21:22 He shall eat the bread of his God, [both] of the most holy, and of the holy.Ver. 22. He shall eat the bread.] So might not the unclean priests. Our involuntary weaknesses shall not debar us from benefit by Christ.
Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 21:22
(22) He shall eat the bread of his God.—But though unfit for serving at the altar, and reduced to do the menial work connected with the sanctuary, he was not only allowed to partake of the less holy sacrificial gifts, such as the peace shoulder, the tithes, and the first-fruits, but also to eat what remained of the meat-offerings, the sin-offerings, and the trespass-offerings, which were most holy. (See Leviticus 2:3.)
Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 21:22
22. both of the most holy, and of the holy] This distinction is not recognised elsewhere. In Leviticus 22:1-16, where there is ample opportunity for the distinction, the offerings are spoken of in general terms as holy things. It is therefore probably the insertion of a later reviser.
Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 21:22
22. He shall eat — The blemishes exclude only from the activities of the priest’s office, not from its emoluments. Hence no injustice was suffered. Of the most holy — See Leviticus 2:3, note.
Sermons on Leviticus 21:22
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Table and Shew-Bread, Typical of Christ and His Church. by John Gill | John Gill expounds on Leviticus 24:8-9, illustrating how the Table of Shew-Bread symbolizes Christ and His Church. He emphasizes that the shew-bread, representing the twelve tribes |