Leviticus 22:8
Leviticus 22:8 in Multiple Translations
He must not eat anything found dead or torn by wild animals, which would make him unclean. I am the LORD.
That which dieth of itself, or is torn with beasts, he shall not eat to defile himself therewith: I am the LORD.
That which dieth of itself, or is torn of beasts, he shall not eat, to defile himself therewith: I am Jehovah.
That which comes to a natural death, or is attacked by beasts, he may not take as food, for it will make him unclean: I am the Lord.
He must not eat anything that has died, or has been killed by wild animals, because that would make him unclean. I am the Lord.
Of a beast that dyeth, or is rent with beasts, whereby he may be defiled, hee shall not eate: I am the Lord.
a carcase or torn thing he doth not eat, for uncleanness thereby; I [am] Jehovah.
He shall not eat that which dies of itself or is torn by animals, defiling himself by it. I am the LORD.
That which dieth of itself, or is torn by beasts , he shall not eat to defile himself with it: I am the LORD.
That which dieth of itself, and that which was taken by a beast, they shall not eat, nor be defiled therewith, I am the Lord.
He must not eat anything that is found dead or that has been killed by wild animals, because if he did that, he would be unfit to work for me. I, Yahweh am commanding those things.
Berean Amplified Bible — Leviticus 22:8
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 22:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
נְבֵלָ֧ה
וּ/טְרֵפָ֛ה
לֹ֥א
יֹאכַ֖ל
לְ/טָמְאָה
בָ֑/הּ
אֲנִ֖י
יְהוָֽה
נְבֵלָ֧ה
nᵉbêlâh
H5038
carcass
N-fs
וּ/טְרֵפָ֛ה
ṭᵉrêphâh
H2966
torn animal
Conj | N-fs
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
יֹאכַ֖ל
ʼâkal
H398
to eat
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
לְ/טָמְאָה
ṭâmêʼ
H2930
to defile
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
בָ֑/הּ
Prep | Suff
אֲנִ֖י
ʼănîy
H589
I
Pron
יְהוָֽה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Leviticus 22:8
נְבֵלָ֧ה
nᵉbêlâh
H5038
"carcass"
N-fs
This Hebrew word refers to a dead body or carcass, whether human or animal, often translated as 'dead body' or 'carcass'. It can also symbolize an idol.
Definition: 1) carcass, corpse 1a) of humans, idols, animals
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: (dead) body, (dead) carcase, dead of itself, which died, (beast) that (which) dieth of itself. See also: Leviticus 5:2; Joshua 8:29; Psalms 79:2.
וּ/טְרֵפָ֛ה
ṭᵉrêphâh
H2966
"torn animal"
Conj | N-fs
This word refers to an animal that has been torn apart by another animal. In Exodus 22:13 and Leviticus 7:24, it describes the remains of an animal that has been attacked by a predator.
Definition: that which is torn, animal torn (by beasts)
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: ravin, (that which was) torn (of beasts, in pieces). See also: Genesis 31:39; Leviticus 17:15; Nahum 2:13.
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יֹאכַ֖ל
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.
לְ/טָמְאָה
ṭâmêʼ
H2930
"to defile"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
This Hebrew word means to be foul or contaminated, often in a moral or ceremonial sense. It is used in the Bible to describe something that is unclean or polluted. In the book of Leviticus, it talks about being unclean and how to become clean again.
Definition: 1) to be unclean, become unclean, become impure 1a) (Qal) to be or become unclean 1a1) sexually 1a2) religiously 1a3) ceremonially 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to defile oneself, be defiled 1b1a) sexually 1b1b) by idolatry 1b1c) ceremonially 1b2) to be regarded as unclean 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to defile 1c1a) sexually 1c1b) religiously 1c1c) ceremonially 1c2) to pronounce unclean, declare unclean (ceremonially) 1c3) to profane (God's name) 1d) (Pual) to be defiled 1e) (Hithpael) to be unclean 1f) (Hothpael) to be defiled
Usage: Occurs in 142 OT verses. KJV: defile (self), pollute (self), be (make, make self, pronounce) unclean, [idiom] utterly. See also: Genesis 34:5; Leviticus 22:5; Psalms 79:1.
בָ֑/הּ
""
Prep | Suff
אֲנִ֖י
ʼănîy
H589
"I"
Pron
This Hebrew word is a simple way of saying 'I' or 'me', often used for emphasis. It is used by people like David in the Psalms to express their thoughts and feelings. The word is a basic part of the Hebrew language.
Definition: I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis)
Usage: Occurs in 803 OT verses. KJV: I, (as for) me, mine, myself, we, [idiom] which, [idiom] who. See also: Genesis 6:17; Leviticus 19:36; 1 Samuel 25:24.
יְהוָֽה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
Study Notes — Leviticus 22:8
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Leviticus 22:8 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 22:8
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 22:8
- Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 22:8
- Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 22:8
- Barnes' Notes on Leviticus 22:8
- Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 22:8
- Sermons on Leviticus 22:8
Context — Restrictions against the Unclean
6the man who touches any of these will remain unclean until evening. He must not eat from the sacred offerings unless he has bathed himself with water.
7When the sun has set, he will become clean, and then he may eat from the sacred offerings, for they are his food.
8He must not eat anything found dead or torn by wild animals, which would make him unclean. I am the LORD.
9The priests must keep My charge, lest they bear the guilt and die because they profane it. I am the LORD who sanctifies them. 10No one outside a priest’s family may eat the sacred offering, nor may the guest of a priest or his hired hand eat it.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leviticus 17:15 | And any person, whether native or foreigner, who eats anything found dead or mauled by wild beasts must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean until evening; then he will be clean. |
| 2 | Exodus 22:31 | You are to be My holy people. You must not eat the meat of a mauled animal found in the field; you are to throw it to the dogs. |
| 3 | Ezekiel 44:31 | The priests may not eat any bird or animal found dead or torn by wild beasts. |
| 4 | Deuteronomy 14:21 | You are not to eat any carcass; you may give it to the foreigner residing within your gates, and he may eat it, or you may sell it to a foreigner. For you are a holy people belonging to the LORD your God. You must not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk. |
| 5 | Leviticus 7:24 | The fat of an animal found dead or mauled by wild beasts may be used for any other purpose, but you must not eat it. |
| 6 | Leviticus 11:39–40 | If an animal that you may eat dies, anyone who touches the carcass will be unclean until evening. Whoever eats from the carcass must wash his clothes and will be unclean until evening, and anyone who picks up the carcass must wash his clothes and will be unclean until evening. |
Leviticus 22:8 Summary
In Leviticus 22:8, God commands the priests not to eat animals that have died or been torn by wild animals, because it would make them unclean. This command was given to help the priests stay pure and holy, so they could serve God properly (as seen in Exodus 28:2-5). As believers today, we are also called to be set apart for God's service, and to maintain our own spiritual purity, as seen in 1 Corinthians 3:16-17. By obeying God's commands and seeking to honor His holiness, we can live lives that are pleasing to Him.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of not eating anything found dead or torn by wild animals in Leviticus 22:8?
This command was given to the priests to maintain their ceremonial purity, as eating such animals would make them unclean, and they were required to be holy as they served the Lord, as seen in Leviticus 21:6 and Exodus 19:6.
How does this verse relate to the concept of being set apart for God?
This verse emphasizes the importance of the priests being set apart for God's service, and not defiling themselves with unclean things, which is a theme also seen in 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 and 1 Peter 1:15-16.
Is this command still applicable to believers today?
While this specific command was given to the Old Testament priests, the principle of being set apart for God and maintaining purity is still relevant for believers today, as seen in 1 Thessalonians 4:7 and 1 John 3:3.
What is the role of the Lord's statement 'I am the LORD' in this verse?
The Lord's statement 'I am the LORD' emphasizes His authority and holiness, and serves as a reminder to the priests of their responsibility to obey His commands, as seen in other verses such as Isaiah 43:11-12 and Ezekiel 20:19-20.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I can maintain my own spiritual purity and set myself apart for God's service?
- How can I balance the need for purity with the reality of living in a fallen world, where I am constantly exposed to unclean things?
- What are some modern-day equivalents of 'eating something found dead or torn by wild animals' that I need to avoid in my own life?
- In what ways can I honor the Lord's holiness and authority in my daily life, as reflected in the statement 'I am the LORD'?
Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 22:8
That which dieth of itself, or is torn [with beasts],.... Whether fowls or beasts, and even clean ones, which, had they been killed in a proper manner, were fit to cut, but dying of themselves, or
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 22:8
And when the sun is down, he shall be clean, and shall afterward eat of the holy things; because it is his food. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 22:8
Leviticus 22:8 That which dieth of itself, or is torn [with beasts], he shall not eat to defile himself therewith: I [am] the LORD. Ver. 8. See on Leviticus 17:15 Exodus 22:31.
Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 22:8
8. Cp. Leviticus 17:15. 10–16 describe those to whom, outside the priestly body, permission to eat of the holy things may be extended.
Barnes' Notes on Leviticus 22:8
The pollution in the priests would be an aggravated one, inasmuch as they would have to forego their sacred functions. Compare Ezekiel 4:14; Ezekiel 44:31.
Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 22:8
8. Dieth of itself — This is prohibited on ceremonial grounds, because the blood is in the veins, and on sanitary grounds, because the blood corrupts and poisons the flesh.
Sermons on Leviticus 22:8
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Of the Various Sorts of Proselytes. by John Gill | John Gill discusses the various types of proselytes in the Jewish tradition, emphasizing their different statuses and the conditions under which they were accepted into the Jewish |