Leviticus 21 12

Leviticus 21:12 kjv

Neither shall he go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God; for the crown of the anointing oil of his God is upon him: I am the LORD.

Leviticus 21:12 nkjv

nor shall he go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God; for the consecration of the anointing oil of his God is upon him: I am the LORD.

Leviticus 21:12 niv

nor leave the sanctuary of his God or desecrate it, because he has been dedicated by the anointing oil of his God. I am the LORD.

Leviticus 21:12 esv

He shall not go out of the sanctuary, lest he profane the sanctuary of his God, for the consecration of the anointing oil of his God is on him: I am the LORD.

Leviticus 21:12 nlt

He must not defile the sanctuary of his God by leaving it to attend to a dead person, for he has been made holy by the anointing oil of his God. I am the LORD.

Leviticus 21 verses

Leviticus 21 12 Meaning

Leviticus 21:12 mandates strict separation and perpetual holiness for the high priest due to his unique role and consecrated status. He was prohibited from leaving the immediate vicinity of the sanctuary after his anointing, symbolizing an unwavering dedication and constant readiness for service. This injunction also prevented him from defiling himself with anything that would disqualify him from his sacred office or render the sanctuary impure, as his very identity and function were bound up with God's dwelling place. The "crown of the anointing oil" signifies the enduring mark of his sacred dedication, set apart by divine authority, which demanded absolute purity and unwavering service.

Leviticus 21 12 Context

Leviticus chapter 21 establishes detailed laws concerning the holiness required for priests. It begins with general rules applicable to all priests, such as restrictions on mourning rituals, marriage, and interactions with dead bodies, all designed to maintain their ritual purity. Verse 10 specifically singles out the high priest, highlighting his preeminent status and consequently, the even stricter regulations he must observe. Unlike regular priests who could participate in some mourning rites for immediate family members (vv. 1-4), the high priest was forbidden from any actions that symbolized mourning (like tearing his clothes or uncovering his head), even for his closest relatives (v. 10). He could not go near a dead body, even that of his father or mother (v. 11). Leviticus 21:12 culminates these heightened expectations for the high priest, asserting his permanent identification with the holy sanctuary due to the enduring consecration of the anointing oil. His perpetual presence within, or in direct relation to, the holy space was vital for his ongoing mediation between God and Israel, ensuring no impurity tainted the sacred precincts. Historically, this ensured the functionality and purity of the worship system that centered around the Tabernacle/Temple, vital for God's holy presence to dwell among His people.

Leviticus 21 12 Word analysis

• Neither shall he go out:
  • "go out" (yatsa - יָצָא): To exit, depart, leave. In this context, it signifies a literal prohibition from leaving the sacred precinct of the sanctuary. It also conveys a spiritual truth of being completely set apart and perpetually dedicated. The high priest's life was wholly bound to the holy dwelling.
  • Significance: This strict rule ensured the high priest maintained a state of ritual purity and perpetual readiness for divine service, preventing defilement from common contact or daily life outside the holy space. It underlined the intensity of his consecration.
• of the sanctuary:
  • "sanctuary" (miqdāsh - מִקְדָּשׁ): A holy place, a consecrated place, sacred precinct. This refers specifically to the tabernacle complex or, later, the Temple, the physical dwelling place of God's presence among Israel.
  • Significance: It emphasizes that the high priest's existence was intrinsically tied to God's presence. He belonged to God's holy space, set apart for divine service only within its bounds.
• nor profane:
  • "profane" (chalal - חָלַל): To defile, desecrate, pollute, make common, violate. It implies stripping something of its sacredness.
  • Significance: The command goes beyond merely avoiding physical defilement; it speaks to protecting the very sanctity of the consecrated space and the high priest's office from being treated as ordinary or common. His actions were not to diminish the sacredness of the sanctuary.
• the sanctuary of his God:
  • "sanctuary" (miqdāsh - מִקְדָּשׁ): Reiterates the specific holy space.
  • "his God": Emphasizes the personal relationship and covenant between God and the high priest, whose sacred duties served his God directly.
• for the crown:
  • "crown" (nezer - נֵזֶר): Here, it doesn't refer to a physical crown but to the concept of consecration, dedication, or separation, as conveyed by the anointing oil. While the high priest did wear a golden plate (often called a "holy crown") inscribed "Holy to the LORD," this particular "crown" refers to the spiritual anointing and the state of being set apart for God.
  • Significance: This points to an inward spiritual state, made visible by the anointing, that permanently separated the high priest for God's service. It highlights the lasting nature of his consecrated status.
• of the anointing oil:
  • "anointing oil" (shemen mishchah - שֶׁמֶן מִשְׁחָה): The specially compounded holy anointing oil used to consecrate priests, the tabernacle, and its furnishings (Exod 30:22-33).
  • Significance: This oil was more than a mere ritual; it signified a divine endowment, a setting apart by God for His purposes. Its "crown" aspect means the effect of this anointing was a permanent mark of dedication, similar to a sovereign's crown.
• of his God:
  • Further reinforces the divine origin and ownership of the high priest's consecration and ministry. His sacred duty stemmed from God.
• is upon him:
  • Signifies the abiding presence and effect of the anointing, marking him continuously as consecrated. It’s a permanent state.
• I am the LORD:
  • "I am the LORD" (Ani Adonai - אֲנִי יְהוָה): The divine self-revelation, a statement of Yahweh's sovereign authority and unwavering character.
  • Significance: This phrase frequently punctuates God's commands in Leviticus, underscoring the divine authority behind these laws. It implies that these are not suggestions but divine ordinances that derive their absolute weight and importance from the very nature of God Himself. Compliance is a matter of acknowledging His sovereign holiness.

Leviticus 21 12 Bonus section

The intense restrictions on the high priest, especially his inability to leave the sanctuary (which often meant living near or within the temple complex), highlighted the immense responsibility and burden of his office. He was meant to be the purest representative of a holy God before a sinful people, perpetually ready for divine service without distraction or contamination. This "separation unto the LORD" mirrors the concept of the Nazirite vow (Num 6), but the high priest's consecration was for life and by divine decree for a specific mediatorial role. The anointing oil here, distinct from the temporary mark for specific tasks, established a lasting state of holy dedication that was paramount for maintaining the integrity of the covenant relationship between God and Israel. It's a foreshadowing of the perfect High Priesthood of Christ, who perfectly embodied ultimate separation unto God without defilement.

Leviticus 21 12 Commentary

Leviticus 21:12 delivers a profound mandate on the unique and perpetual holiness demanded of the high priest. His prohibition from leaving the sanctuary's vicinity and from profaning it emphasizes his unwavering identification with God's dwelling. This goes beyond mere ritual cleanliness; it points to a total, unending consecration. The "crown of the anointing oil" signifies the enduring spiritual mark and the special, inseparable status bestowed upon him by divine anointing, transforming him into a sacred entity wholly dedicated to God. This deep consecration meant his actions directly impacted the sanctity of God's dwelling place among Israel. Therefore, any defilement on his part would not merely affect him but desecrate the very sanctuary of God. The phrase "I am the LORD" reinforces the ultimate authority behind these strict regulations, reminding all that these are not arbitrary rules but divine requirements stemming from the Holy God who chooses to dwell among His people. In a deeper sense, it points to the perfect holiness of Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, who required no external anointing but was internally pure and perpetually set apart, eternally mediating for us in the true heavenly sanctuary, never departing from His divine appointment.