Leviticus 7:21 (KJV) states, "Moreover the soul that shall touch any unclean thing, as the uncleanness of man, or any unclean beast, or any abominable unclean thing, and eat of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which pertain unto the Lord, even that soul shall be cut off from his people."

This verse is part of the Old Testament book of Leviticus, which is traditionally attributed to Moses and is considered one of the five books of Moses. Leviticus is primarily concerned with the laws and rituals given to the Israelites by God, particularly in relation to their worship practices and their daily lives. The book contains detailed instructions on offerings, sacrifices, and rituals for the priests and the people of Israel.

In Leviticus 7:21, the passage addresses the issue of ritual purity and the consequences for those who fail to maintain it. The "unclean thing" mentioned refers to anything that has been contaminated by impurity, such as the uncleanness of man, an unclean beast, or an abominable unclean thing. The act of touching or making contact with such impure things would render a person ceremonially unclean according to the Mosaic law.

The verse goes on to specify that if a person who has become unclean through contact with impurity were to eat of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which are supposed to be dedicated unto the Lord, then that person would be "cut off from his people." This punishment of being "cut off" likely refers to being exiled from the community or being separated from the congregation of Israel. This is a serious consequence in the context of ancient Israel, as the community and the religious practices were integral to the identity and well-being of the people.

The theme of ritual purity and the consequences of failing to maintain it is central to this passage. The concept of ritual purity is fundamental to the religious practices outlined in the book of Leviticus. The Israelites were expected to maintain a state of ritual purity in order to approach and worship God. This involved following strict guidelines for cleanliness and avoiding contact with anything that could defile them. Failure to adhere to these guidelines resulted in being considered unclean and, as seen in this verse, potentially being cut off from the community.

This passage also highlights the significance of sacrifices and offerings in the religious life of the Israelites. The sacrifices of peace offerings were an essential part of the Israelites' worship practices, and they were meant to be dedicated unto the Lord. The idea that a person who was unclean would defile the sacrifice by partaking in it underscores the importance of maintaining purity in the context of worship and religious observance.

Moreover, the language and imagery used in this verse convey a sense of the seriousness of the consequences for violating the laws of ritual purity. The phrase "cut off from his people" conveys a sense of exclusion and separation from the community, which would have been a severe punishment for an Israelite. The language used is meant to emphasize the gravity of the offense and the importance of adhering to the laws and commands given by God.

Symbolically, this verse serves as a reminder of the holiness and purity that God requires of his people. It underscores the idea that God's holiness and the worship of Him require a strict adherence to the laws and regulations set forth in the Mosaic covenant. It also serves as a foreshadowing of the need for a perfect sacrifice to atone for the sins of humanity, ultimately fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ.

In conclusion, Leviticus 7:21 addresses the importance of ritual purity and the consequences for failing to maintain it in the context of the Israelites' worship practices. The verse underscores the significance of sacrifices and offerings, as well as the severity of the consequences for violating the laws of purity. It serves as a symbolic reminder of the holiness and purity that God requires of His people and points to the need for a perfect sacrifice for the atonement of sins.