Leviticus 22

Leviticus 22:1-10

PRIESTLY SEPARATION FROM CEREMONIAL UNCLEANNESS 22:1-10 TEXT 22:1-10

1

And Jehovah 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, which hallow unto me, and that they profane not my holy name: I am Jehovah.

3

Say 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.

4

What 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;

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 that toucheth any such shall not eat of the holy things, unless he bathe his flesh in water.

7

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

8

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

9

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

10

There 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.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 22:1-10

How is it that the priests are here commanded to stay away from the very things dedicated for their use?

Did the nation of Israel dedicate the sacrifices or the priests? Discuss.

Leviticus 22:2 explains Leviticus 22:1. God has a purpose in this regulation. What is it?

If leprosy wasn-’t contagious from where did it come?

What is a discharge?

Begin reading in Leviticus 22:4 b and read through Leviticus 22:6. Mention the three causes of uncleanness.

If a priest touched the unclean in the morning he might become very hungry before sundown. Why?

The manner and purpose of killing animals became very important. Why?

What was the penalty of disobedience?

Three persons were refused a place at the table. Who were they?

PARAPHRASE 22:1-10

The Lord said to Moses, Instruct Aaron and his sons to be very careful not to defile My holy name by desecrating the peoples-’ sacred gifts; for I am Jehovah. From now on and forever, if a priest who is ceremonially defiled sacrifices the animals brought by the people or handles the gifts dedicated to Jehovah, he shall be discharged from the priesthood. For I am Jehovah! No priest who is a leper or who has a running sore may eat the holy sacrifices until healed. And any priest who touches a dead person, or who is defiled by a seminal emission, or who touches any reptile or other forbidden thing, or who touches anyone who is ceremonially defiled for any reasonthat priest shall be defiled until evening, and shall not eat of the holy sacrifices until after he has bathed that evening. When the sun is down, then he shall be purified again and may eat the holy food, for it is his source of life. He may not eat any animal that dies of itself or is torn by wild animals, for this will defile him. I am Jehovah. Warn the priests to follow these instructions carefully, lest they be declared guilty and die for violating these rules. I am the Lord who sanctifies them. No one may eat of the holy sacrifices unless he is a priest; no one visiting the priest, for instance, nor a hired servant, may eat this food.

COMMENT 22:1-10

Leviticus 22:1-2 The last chapter discussed the persons who were not qualified to be priests; this chapter discusses the limitations of those who are qualified. A certain portion of the sacrifice belonged to the priest. Cf. Leviticus 7:20-21. But the priest must remember that he cannot eat of this unless he is clean. Under penalty of death he must remember he must be clean before he eats of the holy things of God. Eating of the showbread in the holy place or handling the vessels of the sanctuary carried the same regulation Be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord. Isaiah 52:11. The purpose behind this was to teach the priests to sustain a holy respect for the services of God. The priest is to act as a priest at all times and not treat the holy as if it were common. We like the words of Bonar on these verses: Ministers may learn from this law to act for God at all times and in every place. Ministers of God must beware of letting their spirituality be injured by domestic occurrences. They must not let domestic comforts unhinge their soul, so as to lead them to speak of holy things too familiarly. Ministers are specially under God’s eye. He sees whether they walk in the steps of Jesus in their chambers and at their studies. They must be ever separated to the Lord.

Leviticus 22:3-7 Leviticus 22:3 contains a very strong word: shall be cut off from my presence. This seems to suggest that disobedience or neglect of this law would result in the same punishment suffered by Nadab and Abihu. At the least such a one would be excluded from the services of the tabernacle. This would surely prevent a priest from going into the holy place in a careless or thoughtless frame of mind. There is no greater need today than that of a tender sensitiveness or awareness of the presence of God as we minister for Him; whether it is in public, in private, or in our closet. What we say of the preacher we say of the people, for this very cause many are weak and sick and some have died. 1 Corinthians 11:30. We refer to the casual attitude too often present in eating the Lord’s supper.

Leviticus 22:4-7 Since the priest began his day with the morning sacrifices, he would be uncleanand also hungryall day, if he was unfit to offer the morning oblation. There were various forms of leprosy, so the priest needs to be constantly conscious of indications of this disease in his person. Cf. Leviticus 13:3. The running issue has been described in Leviticus 15:2. We have also commented on contact with the dead (Cf. Numbers 19:11-14). Unclean creatures, however small, such as creeping things must be avoided. It is one thing to serve others on behalf of God; it is quite another to serve God on our own behalf. Thou therefore that teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? Cf. Romans 2:21. These words of Paul carry the principle of constant self-evaluation in the light of what we share with others. Such is the same principle of this section of Leviticus.

Leviticus 22:8-10 The ordinary Israelite would be unclean if he ate of a clean animal which had died in the wrong manner, i.e. was killed by accident. Cf. Leviticus 17:15. However, the priest was not only unclean but unable to serve in the tabernacle.

The above laws were to be kept under penalty of death. The manner in which such a sentence is stated, i.e.: lest they bear sin for it, and die therein, if they profane it, seems to say that God would strike them dead as He did the two sons of Aaron.

The three persons unqualified to eat of the priest’s portion should be clearly identified: (1) no strangerone who was not a descendant of Aaron, even if he were from Levihe was yet a stranger to the promise of communing with God in this particular sense. Cf. Leviticus 7:30; (2) a sojournerthis could have been a Hebrew servant who chose to have his ear pierced and belong to the priest until the year of jubilee. Cf. Exodus 21:6. The priest would need to supply other food for him; (3) a hired servantthis was the Hebrew who was hired for six years and left free. Cf. Exodus 21:2. Neither of them was the property of the priest, though his labor belonged to him. As these Hebrew servants could not be bought with money like a heathen slave, they were treated like strangers, or non-Aaronites, and hence could not partake of the holy food. (ibid)

FACT QUESTIONS 22:1-10

How does chapter 22 relate to chapter 21?

What is the basic lesson of Lev 22:1-10?

There is a grand principle in this section for the minister of the gospel. What is it?

What is meant by the phrase cut off from my presence?

What is the great need today of those who minister? (and for the people to whom we minister?)

To be unclean was also to be hungry. Explain. The priest was taught to serve God on his own behalf. How?

Identify the three unqualified persons.

Leviticus 22:11-16

THE RIGHTS OF THE PRIEST’S FAMILY TO THE HOLY THINGS 22:11-16 TEXT 22:11-16

11

But 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.

12

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

13

But 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.

14

And 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.

15

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

16

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

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 22:11-16

What difference is there in the slave of Lev 22:11 and the servant of Lev 22:10? Why give to one and refuse the other?

Could his wife and children and slaves eat even when the priest couldn-’t?

The priest’s daughter could marry out of the Aaronic family, but she lost some rights. What were they?

The daughter could return to the table of her father. How?

Suppose her husband had a brother. Wasn-’t he obligated to marry the widow: Cf. Leviticus 18:16. Discuss.

A kind provision is made for those who act in sincere ignorance. (Cf. Leviticus 4:2; Leviticus 4:22; Leviticus 4:27; Leviticus 5:15; Leviticus 5:18) What was it?

However, ignorance was not overlooked. What penalty was paid: (Cf. Leviticus 5:16)

How is the word profane used here?

The priest has a responsibility in developing the proper attitude among the worshippers. Is this the meaning of Lev 22:16?

PARAPHRASE 22:11-16

However, there is one exceptionif the priest buys a slave with his own money, that slave may eat it, and any slave children born in his household may eat it. If a priest’s daughter is married outside the tribe, she may not eat the sacred offerings. But if she is a widow or divorced and has no son to support her, and has returned home to her father’s household, she may eat of her father’s food again. But otherwise, no one who is not in the priestly families may eat this food. If someone should eat of the holy sacrifices without realizing it, he shall return to the priest the amount he has used, with twenty per cent added; for the holy sacrifices brought by the people of Israel must not be defiled by being eaten by unauthorized persons, for these sacrifices have been offered to the Lord. Anyone who violates this law is guilty and is in great danger because he has eaten the sacred offerings; for I am Jehovah who sanctifies the offerings.

COMMENT 22:11-16

Leviticus 22:11 Slaves were treated as part of the family who owned them. They were admitted to the Jewish family by circumcision and were given all the privileges of the Israelites. The children of such slaves were treated in the same manner as the salves (Cf. Genesis 17:12-13). Thus slaves and their children ate the same food as the rest of the family of the preist.

Leviticus 22:12-13 We have discussed the daughter of the priest earlier. We now note she can disqualify herself from eating of the holy food by marrying a Hebrew of non-Aaronic descent. She has chosen to eat at the table of her husband. However, if her husband were to die, or she was divorced, and there were no children, she could return and share in the priest’s home as before her marriage. Traditionally such a woman could not eat of the first class of the offerings, i.e. the wave-breast and heave-shoulder. She could eat the heave-offering.

Leviticus 22:14 Supposing someone ate of the holy portion and didn-’t know it was sanctified? Provision was made for such a mistake. He would not be put to death. Judgment is made by motive as well as action. He is to obtain a similar piece of meat and what amounts to twenty per cent of its total value and return both the principal and interest to the priest.

Leviticus 22:15-16* Keil* believes these verses form a conclusion to the immediately preceding verses, i.e. 10 through 14. We believe he presents a convincing argument. He says: In the concluding exhortation in Leviticus 22:15-16, the subject -to profane-’ and -bear-’ is indefinite, and the passage to be rendered thus: -They are not to profane the sanctified gifts of the children of Israel, what they heave for the Lord. (Namely, by letting laymen eat of them), and are to cause them (the laymen) who do this unawares to bear a trespass sin (by imposing the compensation mentioned in Leviticus 22:14), if they eat their (the priests-’) sanctified gifts. Understood in this way, both verses furnish a fitting conclusion to the section of Lev 22:10-14. On the other hand, according to traditional interpretation of these verses, the priesthood is regarded as the subject of the first verb, and a negative supplied before the second. Both of these are arbitrary and quite indefensible, because Leviticus 22:10-14 do not refer to the priests, but to laymen.

FACT QUESTIONS 22:11-16

The whole subject of slavery as described in the Bible should be studied by those who are serious about God’s word as related to life. The INTERNATIONAL STANDARD BIBLE ENCYCLOPEDIA, p. 2815 would be a good place to begin.

Provision and protection are made for the daughter whose marriage did not succeed. Discuss.

Someone ate of the holy meat and did not know it. Who is at fault? What is to be done?

Do you agree with Keil’s use of Lev 22:15-16?

Leviticus 22:17-33

VOWS AND FREEWILL OFFERINGS 22:17-33 TEXT 22:17-33

17

And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,

18

Speak 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;

19

that ye may be accepted, ye shall offer a male without blemish, of the bullocks, 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 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.

22

Blind, 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.

23

Either 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.

24

That 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.

25

Neither 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.

26

And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,

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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 the oblation of an offering made by fire unto Jehovah.

28

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

29

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

30

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

31

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

32

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

33

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

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 22:17-33

Why address these instructions to whosoever?

These are directions for a burnt offering given in fulfillment of a vow or given as a freewill offering. Define the difference.

What is the one point of Lev 22:17 through 19?

What would happen if a blemished animal was brought to be offered?

The animals for the peace-offering are also to be without blemish, but there is an exception. What is it? Or is this the meaning of the text?

There was one imperfection in the animal for which it should be removed from the land. What was it?

Explain in your own words Leviticus 22:25.

Why the regulation that an animal under eight days old was not acceptable? Suppose the mother died?

Since both the mother and the offspring are to be used as offerings, why not kill them both on one day?

What offering is in view in Leviticus 22:29? Cf. Leviticus 7:15-16.

What is the whole purpose of these regulations and the offerings?

PARAPHRASE 22:17-33

And the Lord said to Moses, Tell Aaron and his sons and all the people of Israel that if an Israelite or other person living among you offers a burnt offering sacrifice to the Lordwhether it is to fulfill a promise or is a spontaneous free will offeringit will only be acceptable to the Lord if it is a male animal without defect; it must be a young bull or a sheep or a goat. Anything that has a defect must not be offered, for it will not be accepted. Anyone sacrificing a peace offering to the Lord from the herd or flock, whether to fulfill a vow or as a voluntary offering, must sacrifice an animal that has no defect, or it will not be accepted: an animal that is blind or disabled or mutilated, or which has sores or itch or any other skin disease, must not be offered to the Lord; it is not a fit burnt offering for the altar of the Lord. If the young bull or lamb presented to the Lord has anything superfluous or lacking in its body parts, it may be offered as a free will offering, but not for a vow. An animal that has injured genitalscrushed or castratedshall not be offered to the Lord at any time. This restriction applies to the sacrifices made by foreigners among you as well as those made by yourselves, for no defective animal is acceptable for this sacrifice. And the Lord said to Moses, When a bullock, sheep, or goat is born, it shall be left with its mother for seven days, but from the eighth day onward it is acceptable as a sacrifice by fire to the Lord. You shall not slaughter a mother animal and her offspring the same day, whether she is a cow or ewe. When you offer the Lord a sacrifice of thanksgiving, you must do it in the right way, eating the sacrificial animal the same day it is slain. Leave none of it for the following day. I am the Lord. You must keep all of My commandments, for I am the Lord. You must not treat Me as common and ordinary. Revere Me and hallow Me, for I, the Lord, made you holy to Myself and rescued you from Egypt to be My own people! I am the Lord!

COMMENT 22:17-33

Leviticus 22:17-19 The sacrifice must be as pure as the priest. Indeed, without the proper sacrifice the priest cannot serve. Since every offerer is responsible for the selection of the animal these words are not only given by God to Moses, and through Moses to Aaron, but to all the Israelites, and even to the foreigners in Israel. A burnt offering is the subject under discussion, but such an offering could conceivably have several expressions; such as a vow or a freewill offering. Under these two we can include all others, for the worshipper was either fulfilling a personal need, such as a vow or he was expressing his thanks or praise to God. In either case the animal, be it a bull, sheep or goat, must be a male without blemish. We have already commented on our burnt offering who was without blemish. Cf. 1 Peter 1:18-19.

Leviticus 22:20-22 What was said of the burnt offerings as related to a personal or public expression is here said of the peace offerings.

Man is always full of questions when he is given an assignment. If we are not to offer an animal with a blemish, just what shall I call -blemished-’? God has an answer: an animal which is blind, disabled, mutilated, one that has a discharge, or an itch or scabs; all these have a blemish. You shall not use any of them as an offering.

Leviticus 22:23 It would seem from the reading of this verse in the American Standard version that there is some exception to the above prohibitions. The New English Bible translates this verse: If a bull or a sheep is overgrown or stunted, you may make of it a freewill offering, but it will not be acceptable in fulfillment of a vow. The Jerusalem Bible translates it: As a voluntary offering, you may offer a bull or a lamb that is underdeveloped or deformed; but such will not be acceptable in payment of a vow. In each of these translations (and in others) the thought is that dislocations and deformed blemishes can be offered when the worshipper is making a peace offering as an expression of worship or praise, but not a peace offering in fulfillment of a vow.

Leviticus 22:24-25 The four terms: bruised, crushed, broken, cut, refer to the four ways used in the practice of gelding or castrating animals. Such was strictly forbidden of the Israelites. If a stranger gave or sold such an animal to be used as an offering it must be rejected. Evidently such a practice was aligned with some form of idolatry.

Leviticus 22:26-28 Are we to conclude that because Leviticus 22:27 discusses the natural birth of a bull, sheep or goat that one born by any artificial means would not be acceptable as a sacrifice? Such an argument from silence was used by traditionalists in the days of our Lord. It would seem the only reason found for not killing the mother and the young for a sacrifice on the same day was to teach kindness or mercy to dumb animals. We are impressed over and over again at the tender thoughtfulness of the One who cared enough to tell man how to live. Under seven days the animal is extremely weak, and unfit for human food, and hence must not be offered as the food of God, as sacrifices are called.

Leviticus 22:29-33 Four times in five verses God identifies Himself Why? Because an acceptance of the sovereignty of God is behind all obedience. This is the beginning of worship and service: Hallowed be Thy name! The peace offering is clearly indicated in Leviticus 22:29-30. (Cf. Leviticus 7:15-16). Once again we have found the comments of Andrew Bonar of particular poignancy:

When first the purpose was formed of offering a thanksgiving, it was the duty of each one to see that the purpose sprang from a thankful heart. Let none be induced to bring it because of the arguments of some of his friends, or because it might appear fitted to produce an impression in his favour among his neighbors. It must be at your own will. It must flow spontaneously from the heart. So, also, it must not be laid by, as if you were intending to use it for a feast. Leave none of it till tomorrow; use it at the time. As the peace-offerings represented communion with God, reconciled to the sinner, they must represent this as enjoyed by the sinner, as his feast, his joy, his chief delight. Now, thanksgivings were of this class; and the offerer must not seek any selfish gratification on such an occasion, but must, on the spot and at the time, offer all to his God, and in the presence of his God, satisfied with this full outpouring of his own soul to the God who pours out His fellowship in return. Five motives are strewn on their path to constrain them to close obedience. 1*. I am the Lord.* This is authority. 2. I will be hallowed among the children of Israel. This is His holiness, and His desire to diffuse awe of His holy name. 3. I am the Lord which hallow you. Here is an appeal to their privileges as Israelites. Do you not feel that you actually are set apart for me? 4. I am the Lord which brought you out of Egypt. Here is His claim as Redeemer, who paid the price and set free the captives. Is there gratitude in your souls? Is there sense of thankfulness for favour done? 5. Your Godas well as your Lord; His claim as Father, Shepherd, King, and whatever else there is that is tender in relationship, or beneficial in office, or sweet in characterall is summed up in YOUR GOD! Who is like our God? Who would not fear Thee?? (Jeremiah 10:6)

FACT QUESTIONS 22:17-33

Which is the most importantthe priest or the sacrifice?

Who was really responsible for obtaining an acceptable sacrifice?

How does a vow or a freewill offering relate to the burnt offering?

Why list all the blemishes of Lev 22:22?

What is the one exception? Discuss.

Why was castrating so violently opposed?

Why not kill the mother and the young on the same day?

Why does God identify Himself four times in five verses?

Give the three characteristics of real thanksgiving.

List and discuss the five motives for obedience.