What does Leviticus 21:17 mean?

"Speak unto Aaron, saying, Whosoever he be of thy seed in their generations that hath any blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God." - Leviticus 21:17

Leviticus 21:17 - "Speak unto Aaron, saying, Whosoever he be of thy seed in their generations that hath any blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God."

Leviticus 21:17 - "Speak unto Aaron, saying, Whosoever he be of thy seed in their generations that hath any blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God."

Leviticus 21:17 in the King James Version of the Bible states: "Speak unto Aaron, saying, Whosoever he be of thy seed in their generations that hath any blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God."

This verse comes from the book of Leviticus, which is the third book of the Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament. This particular passage is part of the laws given to the Israelites by God through Moses. These laws were meant to regulate the religious and moral life of the Israelites and set them apart as a holy people.

In this verse, God instructs Moses to speak to Aaron, the high priest, regarding the qualifications for the priests who would offer sacrifices to God. The verse forbids any man with a physical blemish from coming forward to offer the bread of his God. This requirement for physical perfection was meant to maintain the holiness and purity of the priestly office and the offerings made to God.

The context of this verse is crucial to understanding its meaning. The Israelites had a deeply ingrained belief in the importance of physical and ritual purity. The priests were seen as mediators between the people and God, and as such, they were held to a higher standard of holiness. Any physical imperfection was viewed as a symbol of blemish and impurity, which would render the priest unfit to approach God and offer sacrifices on behalf of the people.

On a deeper level, this verse can be seen as a reflection of the Israelites' understanding of the nature of God. In their view, God was holy and perfect, and therefore, only the best and unblemished offerings were worthy of being presented to Him. This requirement for physical perfection symbolized the need for moral and spiritual purity in the worship of God.

The theme of holiness and purity is central to this verse. The Israelites were called to be a holy and set-apart people, and this concept extended to every aspect of their religious life, including the qualifications for the priesthood. By maintaining a standard of physical perfection for the priests, the Israelites sought to uphold the holiness of the temple and the offerings made to God.

It is important to note that the New Testament presents a different understanding of purity and holiness. Jesus Christ, as the ultimate High Priest, offered himself as a perfect and unblemished sacrifice for the sins of humanity. In the Christian faith, the focus is on internal purity and righteousness rather than outward physical perfection. This shift in focus is seen as a fulfillment of the Old Testament laws and a reflection of God's grace and mercy.

In conclusion, Leviticus 21:17 is a verse that reflects the ancient Israelites' understanding of holiness and purity in the context of the priesthood and the offerings made to God. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining physical perfection as a symbol of spiritual and moral purity. While the New Testament offers a different perspective on purity and holiness, the verse remains an important part of the religious and cultural heritage of the Israelite people.

Leviticus 21:17 Artwork

Leviticus 21:17 - "Speak unto Aaron, saying, Whosoever he be of thy seed in their generations that hath any blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God."

Leviticus 21:17 - "Speak unto Aaron, saying, Whosoever he be of thy seed in their generations that hath any blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God."

Leviticus 21:19 - "Or a man that is brokenfooted, or brokenhanded,"

Leviticus 21:19 - "Or a man that is brokenfooted, or brokenhanded,"

Leviticus 11:17 - "And the little owl, and the cormorant, and the great owl,"

Leviticus 11:17 - "And the little owl, and the cormorant, and the great owl,"

Leviticus 22:17 - "¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"

Leviticus 22:17 - "¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"

Leviticus 21:16 - "¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"

Leviticus 21:16 - "¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"

Leviticus 17:1 - "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"

Leviticus 17:1 - "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"

Leviticus 21:13 - "And he shall take a wife in her virginity."

Leviticus 21:13 - "And he shall take a wife in her virginity."

Leviticus 7:17 - "But the remainder of the flesh of the sacrifice on the third day shall be burnt with fire."

Leviticus 7:17 - "But the remainder of the flesh of the sacrifice on the third day shall be burnt with fire."

Leviticus 24:17 - "¶ And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death."

Leviticus 24:17 - "¶ And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death."

Leviticus 21:22 - "He shall eat the bread of his God, both of the most holy, and of the holy."

Leviticus 21:22 - "He shall eat the bread of his God, both of the most holy, and of the holy."

Leviticus 21:24 - "And Moses told it unto Aaron, and to his sons, and unto all the children of Israel."

Leviticus 21:24 - "And Moses told it unto Aaron, and to his sons, and unto all the children of Israel."

Matthew 17:21 - "Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting."

Matthew 17:21 - "Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting."

1 Kings 21:17 - "¶ And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,"

1 Kings 21:17 - "¶ And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,"

Leviticus 9:21 - "And the breasts and the right shoulder Aaron waved for a wave offering before the LORD; as Moses commanded."

Leviticus 9:21 - "And the breasts and the right shoulder Aaron waved for a wave offering before the LORD; as Moses commanded."

Leviticus 21:4 - "But he shall not defile himself, being a chief man among his people, to profane himself."

Leviticus 21:4 - "But he shall not defile himself, being a chief man among his people, to profane himself."

Leviticus 21:20 - "Or crookbackt, or a dwarf, or that hath a blemish in his eye, or be scurvy, or scabbed, or hath his stones broken;"

Leviticus 21:20 - "Or crookbackt, or a dwarf, or that hath a blemish in his eye, or be scurvy, or scabbed, or hath his stones broken;"

Luke 21:17 - "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake."

Luke 21:17 - "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake."

Leviticus 24:21 - "And he that killeth a beast, he shall restore it: and he that killeth a man, he shall be put to death."

Leviticus 24:21 - "And he that killeth a beast, he shall restore it: and he that killeth a man, he shall be put to death."

Leviticus 27:17 - "If he sanctify his field from the year of jubile, according to thy estimation it shall stand."

Leviticus 27:17 - "If he sanctify his field from the year of jubile, according to thy estimation it shall stand."

Leviticus 17:16 - "But if he wash them not, nor bathe his flesh; then he shall bear his iniquity."

Leviticus 17:16 - "But if he wash them not, nor bathe his flesh; then he shall bear his iniquity."

Leviticus 15:17 - "And every garment, and every skin, whereon is the seed of copulation, shall be washed with water, and be unclean until the even."

Leviticus 15:17 - "And every garment, and every skin, whereon is the seed of copulation, shall be washed with water, and be unclean until the even."

Leviticus 17:3 - "What man soever there be of the house of Israel, that killeth an ox, or lamb, or goat, in the camp, or that killeth it out of the camp,"

Leviticus 17:3 - "What man soever there be of the house of Israel, that killeth an ox, or lamb, or goat, in the camp, or that killeth it out of the camp,"

Matthew 21:17 - "¶ And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there."

Matthew 21:17 - "¶ And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there."

Joshua 21:17 - "And out of the tribe of Benjamin, Gibeon with her suburbs, Geba with her suburbs,"

Joshua 21:17 - "And out of the tribe of Benjamin, Gibeon with her suburbs, Geba with her suburbs,"

Leviticus 21:15 - "Neither shall he profane his seed among his people: for I the LORD do sanctify him."

Leviticus 21:15 - "Neither shall he profane his seed among his people: for I the LORD do sanctify him."

Leviticus 21:3 - "And for his sister a virgin, that is nigh unto him, which hath had no husband; for her may he be defiled."

Leviticus 21:3 - "And for his sister a virgin, that is nigh unto him, which hath had no husband; for her may he be defiled."

Leviticus 15:21 - "And whosoever toucheth her bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even."

Leviticus 15:21 - "And whosoever toucheth her bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even."

Leviticus 25:21 - "Then I will command my blessing upon you in the sixth year, and it shall bring forth fruit for three years."

Leviticus 25:21 - "Then I will command my blessing upon you in the sixth year, and it shall bring forth fruit for three years."

Acts 21:17 - "And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly."

Acts 21:17 - "And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly."

Leviticus 9:17 - "And he brought the meat offering, and took an handful thereof, and burnt it upon the altar, beside the burnt sacrifice of the morning."

Leviticus 9:17 - "And he brought the meat offering, and took an handful thereof, and burnt it upon the altar, beside the burnt sacrifice of the morning."