New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
Leviticus 22
1
The Lord spoke to Moses. He said,
2
"Here is what I want you to tell Aaron and his sons. Tell them to treat the sacred offerings with respect. They are the offerings the people of Israel set apart to honor me. So Aaron and his sons must never treat my name as if it were not holy. I am the Lord.
Reference
Holy
Exodus 28:38
Leviticus 22:32
Numbers 18:32
References Lord
Deuteronomy 15:19
Leviticus 18:21
Exodus 13:12
Leviticus 19:12
3
"Say to them, 'Suppose a man in your family line is "unclean." And suppose he comes near the sacred offerings. They are the offerings the people of Israel set apart to honor me. That man must be cut off from serving me as a priest. That applies for all time to come. I am the Lord.
4
" 'Suppose a man in Aaron's family line has a skin disease. Or suppose liquid waste is flowing out of his body. Then he can't eat the sacred offerings until he is made pure and clean. " 'Suppose he touches something that has been made "unclean" by coming near a dead body. Or suppose he touches someone who has semen flowing from his body. Then he will not be "clean."
Reference
5
Or suppose he touches any crawling thing that makes him "unclean." Or suppose he touches any person who makes him "unclean." It does not matter what he touches that is "unclean." It will make him "unclean."
Reference
6
" 'The one who touches anything of that kind will be "unclean" until evening. He must not eat any of the sacred offerings unless he has taken a bath.
Reference
7
When the sun goes down, he will be "clean." After that, he can eat the sacred offerings. They are his food.
Reference
Holy
Leviticus 21:22
8
" 'He must not eat anything that is found dead or torn apart by wild animals. If he does, it will make him "unclean." I am the Lord.
Reference
9
" 'The priests must do what I require. But suppose they make fun of what I require. Then they will become guilty and die. I am the Lord. I make them holy.
Reference
10
" 'Only a member of a priest's family can eat the sacred offering. The guest of a priest can't eat it. A priest's hired worker can't eat it either.
Reference
11
" 'But suppose a priest buys a slave with money. Or suppose a slave is born in his house. Then that slave can eat the sacred food.
Reference
Parallel theme
Genesis 17:13
12
" 'Suppose a priest's daughter gets married to someone who is not a priest. Then she can't eat any of the food that is brought as a sacred gift.
13
But suppose the priest's daughter becomes a widow or is divorced. She does not have any children. And she returns to live in her father's house, where she lived when she was young. Then she can eat her father's food. But a person who does not belong to a priest's family can't eat any of it.
Reference
14
" 'Suppose someone eats a sacred offering by mistake. Then he must pay back the priest for the offering. He must also add a fifth of its value to it.
Reference
15
" 'The priests must not allow the sacred offerings to become "unclean." They are the offerings the people of Israel bring to me.
Reference
16
The priests must not allow the offerings to become "unclean" by letting the people eat them. If they do, they will bring guilt on the people. They will have to pay for what they have done. I am the Lord. I make them holy.' "
Reference
17
The Lord spoke to Moses. He said,
18
"Speak to Aaron and his sons. Speak to all of the people of Israel. Tell them, 'Suppose any of you brings a gift for a burnt offering to the Lord. It does not matter whether you are an Israelite or an outsider who lives in Israel. It does not matter whether you bring the offering to keep a promise or because you choose to give it.
Reference
19
You must bring a male animal that does not have any flaws if you want the Lord to accept it from you. It does not matter whether it is from your cattle, sheep or goats.
Reference
20
Do not bring an animal that has any flaws. If you do, the Lord will not accept it from you.
Reference
21
" 'Suppose any of you brings an animal for a friendship offering to the Lord. Then it must not have any flaws at all. If it does, the Lord will not accept it. It does not matter whether the animal is from your herd or flock. It does not matter whether you bring it to keep a promise or because you choose to give it.
Reference
22
Do not offer a blind animal to the Lord. Do not bring an animal that is hurt or wounded. And do not offer one that has warts or boils or running sores. Do not place any of them on the altar as an offering that is made to the Lord with fire.
Reference
Parallel theme
Leviticus 22:20
Sacrifice
Leviticus 3:5
Leviticus 3:3
Leviticus 1:9
Leviticus 1:13
Malachi 1:8
23
" 'But suppose you bring an offering you choose to give. Then you can bring an ox or a sheep whose body is twisted or too small. But the Lord will not accept it if you offer it to keep a promise.
Reference
Parallel theme
Leviticus 21:18
24
" 'You must not offer the Lord a male animal whose sex glands have been hurt. The glands also must not be crushed, torn or cut. You must not offer that kind of animal in your own land.
Reference
Parallel theme
Leviticus 22:20
25
And you must not accept that kind of animal from someone who comes from another land. You must not offer it as food for your God. He will not accept it from you. Its body is twisted and has flaws.' "
Reference
26
The Lord spoke to Moses. He said,
27
"When a calf, lamb or goat is born, it must remain with its mother for seven days. From the eighth day on, I will accept it as an offering that is made to me with fire.
Reference
28
Do not kill a cow and its calf on the same day. Do not kill a female sheep and its lamb on the same day.
Reference
30
You must eat it that same day. Do not leave any of it until morning. I am the Lord.
32
Do not treat my name as if it were not holy. The people of Israel must recognize me as the holy God. I am the Lord. I make you holy.
Reference
Holy
Leviticus 22:2
Leviticus 10:3
Isaiah 5:16
1 Corinthians 1:2
Parallel theme
Luke 11:2
Matthew 6:9
John 17:17
References Lord
Leviticus 18:21
Leviticus 20:8
Leviticus 21:15
Summary of Leviticus 22
Leviticus, chapter 22, continues the instructions concerning the priests and the holy things that were used in the worship of God. While Leviticus 21 deals with the personal behavior and obligations of the priests, Leviticus 22 explains how the priests were to deal with sacred offerings and who was permitted to eat them. It also provides instructions concerning individuals who were ceremonially unclean, members of priestly households, and animals that were brought as sacrifices. The chapter emphasizes that what was offered to God had to be treated with care and respect since the offerings were holy.
The chapter begins with the LORD instructing Moses to speak to Aaron and his sons concerning the holy things of the children of Israel. The priests were not to profane the Lord's holy name through careless handling of the sacred offerings (Leviticus 22:1-2). Any member of the priestly family who became ceremonially unclean had to avoid the holy things until he received cleansing.
Several conditions that could cause a person to be unclean are listed. They include leprosy, bodily discharges, touching something that had been made unclean by a dead person, contact with certain creatures and other forms of ceremonial uncleanness (Leviticus 22:4-5). A priest who became unclean had to wash his flesh with water and was to remain unclean until the evening. He was also to remain unclean until the morning, after which he could return to eating the holy things. These regulations ensured that the sacred offerings were not handled by someone who was ceremonially unclean.
The priests were warned not to eat anything that had died naturally or that had been torn by animals. This food could make them unclean (Leviticus 22:8). The LORD also instructed the priests to observe His requirements so that they would not bear sin and die for bringing profanity of the holy things. The language used in the chapter is serious since the offerings belonged to God and were not ordinary food.
The chapter explains who in the priest's household could eat the sacred offerings. A priest's household had certain privileges because of a priest's position. His servants who had been bought with money could eat from the holy food, just as could people who were born in his household. However, someone who was not a part of the priest's household could not simply eat the sacred food.
For example, a priest's daughter who married a man who was not a priest could no longer eat from the holy things of the priestly household. If she later became a widow or divorced and had no children, and returned to her father's house, as she had been before, she could again eat her father's food (Leviticus 22:12-13). The regulations were therefore related to the household structure and the special privileges given to the priestly family.
The chapter also deals with situations in which someone accidentally ate holy food that they were not entitled to eat. Such a person had to restore the holy thing to the priest and add a fifth part to it (Leviticus 22:14). This demonstrated that even an accidental misuse of something dedicated to God was not to be neglected.
The priests were warned not to allow the people of Israel to bring guilt upon themselves by allowing them to eat sacred offerings improperly. They were responsible for safeguarding the holiness of the things that had been dedicated to God. The responsibility for sacred worship therefore rested not only with the one offering something but also with the priests who managed the offerings.
Beginning with verse 17, the LORD instructs concerning acceptable sacrifices. The people were to offer their offerings according to the requirements He had given. When a person brought a burnt offering as a voluntary offering or as part of a vow, the animal had to be a male without blemish from the cattle, sheep, or goats (Leviticus 22:19).
An animal that was blemished was not acceptable as a sacrifice. It was specifically stated that the reason was blindness or brokenness, maiming or disease, or other serious defects. Such an animal was not to be offered upon the altar. God was not to receive something that the person had considered unsuitable or worthless.
The same principle is applied in the instructions concerning peace offerings. An animal that had some of these defects was not to be used as a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD. Some animals that had minor physical conditions could be used for voluntary offerings under the regulations given, but they were not to be used to fulfill a vow. The difference was made because offerings that were connected to a specific promise to God were to meet the required standard.
Animals were also not to be offered to God if they had been bruised, crushed, broken or had their reproductive organs injured. One's body was to be considered a part of God's creation. The Israelites were therefore expected to bring offerings that were complete and acceptable, rather than giving God something that was damaged.
The chapter gives an instruction concerning animals that were born naturally. A newborn ox, sheep or goat was to remain with its mother for seven days. From the eighth day onward, it could be accepted as an offering made by fire unto the LORD. An animal was not to be killed on the same day as its mother. Such instructions showed respect for the life and the order established within God's creation.
Another important command is given near the end of the chapter. An animal that was killed by its own mother on the same day, and the Israelites were instructed not to eat blood. These requirements stressed the difference between ordinary use of animals and their use in worship.
The chapter closes with a more general reminder about holiness. The Israelites were commanded to keep God's commandments and not profane His holy name. Instead, they were to sanctify Him among the children of Israel. God describes Himself as the one who sanctifies them and who brought them out of Egypt to be their God.
Leviticus, chapter 22, unites two related responsibilities. The priests had to treat holy things properly, and the people had to bring appropriate offerings. Ceremonial uncleanness prevented priests from eating sacred food until they had become clean again. The holy offerings were reserved for those who were permitted to receive them and accidental misuse had to be rectified. Animals brought to the altar were expected to be without serious defects and suitable for the purpose for which they were offered.
The main theme is the importance of careful and respectful worship. The Israelites were not free to approach God's sanctuary as they chose to do. The priests had specific responsibilities, the people had specific responsibilities, and the sacrifices themselves had to meet God's requirements. By following these instructions, Israel was taught to recognize that the things dedicated to God were holy and were to be treated differently from ordinary things.
The chapter begins with the LORD instructing Moses to speak to Aaron and his sons concerning the holy things of the children of Israel. The priests were not to profane the Lord's holy name through careless handling of the sacred offerings (Leviticus 22:1-2). Any member of the priestly family who became ceremonially unclean had to avoid the holy things until he received cleansing.
Several conditions that could cause a person to be unclean are listed. They include leprosy, bodily discharges, touching something that had been made unclean by a dead person, contact with certain creatures and other forms of ceremonial uncleanness (Leviticus 22:4-5). A priest who became unclean had to wash his flesh with water and was to remain unclean until the evening. He was also to remain unclean until the morning, after which he could return to eating the holy things. These regulations ensured that the sacred offerings were not handled by someone who was ceremonially unclean.
The priests were warned not to eat anything that had died naturally or that had been torn by animals. This food could make them unclean (Leviticus 22:8). The LORD also instructed the priests to observe His requirements so that they would not bear sin and die for bringing profanity of the holy things. The language used in the chapter is serious since the offerings belonged to God and were not ordinary food.
The chapter explains who in the priest's household could eat the sacred offerings. A priest's household had certain privileges because of a priest's position. His servants who had been bought with money could eat from the holy food, just as could people who were born in his household. However, someone who was not a part of the priest's household could not simply eat the sacred food.
For example, a priest's daughter who married a man who was not a priest could no longer eat from the holy things of the priestly household. If she later became a widow or divorced and had no children, and returned to her father's house, as she had been before, she could again eat her father's food (Leviticus 22:12-13). The regulations were therefore related to the household structure and the special privileges given to the priestly family.
The chapter also deals with situations in which someone accidentally ate holy food that they were not entitled to eat. Such a person had to restore the holy thing to the priest and add a fifth part to it (Leviticus 22:14). This demonstrated that even an accidental misuse of something dedicated to God was not to be neglected.
The priests were warned not to allow the people of Israel to bring guilt upon themselves by allowing them to eat sacred offerings improperly. They were responsible for safeguarding the holiness of the things that had been dedicated to God. The responsibility for sacred worship therefore rested not only with the one offering something but also with the priests who managed the offerings.
Beginning with verse 17, the LORD instructs concerning acceptable sacrifices. The people were to offer their offerings according to the requirements He had given. When a person brought a burnt offering as a voluntary offering or as part of a vow, the animal had to be a male without blemish from the cattle, sheep, or goats (Leviticus 22:19).
An animal that was blemished was not acceptable as a sacrifice. It was specifically stated that the reason was blindness or brokenness, maiming or disease, or other serious defects. Such an animal was not to be offered upon the altar. God was not to receive something that the person had considered unsuitable or worthless.
The same principle is applied in the instructions concerning peace offerings. An animal that had some of these defects was not to be used as a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD. Some animals that had minor physical conditions could be used for voluntary offerings under the regulations given, but they were not to be used to fulfill a vow. The difference was made because offerings that were connected to a specific promise to God were to meet the required standard.
Animals were also not to be offered to God if they had been bruised, crushed, broken or had their reproductive organs injured. One's body was to be considered a part of God's creation. The Israelites were therefore expected to bring offerings that were complete and acceptable, rather than giving God something that was damaged.
The chapter gives an instruction concerning animals that were born naturally. A newborn ox, sheep or goat was to remain with its mother for seven days. From the eighth day onward, it could be accepted as an offering made by fire unto the LORD. An animal was not to be killed on the same day as its mother. Such instructions showed respect for the life and the order established within God's creation.
Another important command is given near the end of the chapter. An animal that was killed by its own mother on the same day, and the Israelites were instructed not to eat blood. These requirements stressed the difference between ordinary use of animals and their use in worship.
The chapter closes with a more general reminder about holiness. The Israelites were commanded to keep God's commandments and not profane His holy name. Instead, they were to sanctify Him among the children of Israel. God describes Himself as the one who sanctifies them and who brought them out of Egypt to be their God.
Leviticus, chapter 22, unites two related responsibilities. The priests had to treat holy things properly, and the people had to bring appropriate offerings. Ceremonial uncleanness prevented priests from eating sacred food until they had become clean again. The holy offerings were reserved for those who were permitted to receive them and accidental misuse had to be rectified. Animals brought to the altar were expected to be without serious defects and suitable for the purpose for which they were offered.
The main theme is the importance of careful and respectful worship. The Israelites were not free to approach God's sanctuary as they chose to do. The priests had specific responsibilities, the people had specific responsibilities, and the sacrifices themselves had to meet God's requirements. By following these instructions, Israel was taught to recognize that the things dedicated to God were holy and were to be treated differently from ordinary things.