Leviticus 22

The chapter belongs to the latter part of Leviticus, within chapters 17–26, a section scholars commonly call the "Holiness Code." Chapter 21 addresses the holiness of the priests themselves, and chapter 22 extends the discussion to the holiness of the holy things and offerings that the priests handle.

Outline

• Verses 1–9 A priest who is ceremonially unclean may not approach the holy things. One who has become unclean through leprosy, a discharge, contact with a corpse, or similar causes must wash his body with water and may eat of the holy things only after the sun has set.
• Verses 10–16 These verses specify who may eat the holy things. A stranger, a sojourner, or a hired servant may not eat them, but a person whom the priest has bought and one born in his house may. A priest's daughter who is married to a stranger may not eat them, but if she returns to her father's house without children, she may eat them again. Anyone who eats them unwittingly must make restitution, adding a fifth part.
• Verses 17–25 Burnt offerings and peace offerings presented in fulfillment of vows or as freewill offerings must be without blemish. Animals that are blind, injured, or otherwise defective may not be offered.
• Verses 26–30 A newborn animal is to remain with its mother for seven days and may be offered from the eighth day onward. A mother and its young are not to be slaughtered on the same day, and the sacrifice of thanksgiving is to be eaten on the day it is offered.
• Verses 31–33 The chapter closes with an exhortation to keep God's commandments and not to profane His name.

Key Verses

• Leviticus 22:21 "It shall be perfect to be accepted; there shall be no blemish therein" — summarizes the governing principle of the regulations on offerings.
• Leviticus 22:32 "I will be hallowed among the children of Israel" — ties the entire chapter to the holiness of God's name.

People and Places

• The LORD speaks to Moses.
• Aaron and his sons hold the office of priest.
• Egypt, the land out of which God brought Israel, is mentioned in verse 33.

Points for Reflection

Protestants generally hold that the sacrificial regulations of this chapter have been fulfilled in Christ and therefore do not observe them literally. The unblemished offering is read in connection with 1 Peter 1:18–19, which speaks of "Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot," and alongside Malachi 1:8, which rebukes the offering of blemished sacrifices. In Jewish tradition, verse 32 has long been regarded as the scriptural basis for a life that sanctifies the name of God.

In the Korean Church

In preaching, the requirement of unblemished offerings is often applied as a call for believers to give their utmost devotion and best effort in worship and in their financial offerings.