Leviticus 22 2

Leviticus 22:2 kjv

Speak unto Aaron and to his sons, that they separate themselves from the holy things of the children of Israel, and that they profane not my holy name in those things which they hallow unto me: I am the LORD.

Leviticus 22:2 nkjv

"Speak to Aaron and his sons, that they separate themselves from the holy things of the children of Israel, and that they do not profane My holy name by what they dedicate to Me: I am the LORD.

Leviticus 22:2 niv

"Tell Aaron and his sons to treat with respect the sacred offerings the Israelites consecrate to me, so they will not profane my holy name. I am the LORD.

Leviticus 22:2 esv

"Speak to Aaron and his sons so that they abstain from the holy things of the people of Israel, which they dedicate to me, so that they do not profane my holy name: I am the LORD.

Leviticus 22:2 nlt

"Tell Aaron and his sons to be very careful with the sacred gifts that the Israelites set apart for me, so they do not bring shame on my holy name. I am the LORD.

Leviticus 22 verses

Leviticus 22 2 Meaning

This verse issues a divine command to Aaron and his sons, the priests, regarding their conduct with the sacred offerings and consecrated items brought by the Israelites. It strictly enjoins them to avoid ritual defilement or contamination when handling these holy things. The profound reason given for this instruction is to prevent them from profaning God's holy name, emphasizing that their actions in handling sacred items directly reflect upon and honor or dishonor God Himself. The verse concludes with God's authoritative self-declaration, "I am the LORD," affirming His right and power to issue such commands and underscore their absolute necessity.

Leviticus 22 2 Context

This verse initiates a significant section in Leviticus (chapters 22) that provides specific regulations for priests concerning the handling of holy things. The overall context of Leviticus emphasizes God's absolute holiness and the meticulous requirements for a sinful people to approach Him. Chapter 22 deals primarily with conditions under which priests could eat of the holy offerings, focusing on ritual cleanness and temporary disqualifications. The immediate context of verse 2 is setting the foundational principle: the priesthood's duty to maintain ceremonial purity, not just for their own sake, but for the sanctity of God's name itself. Historically, in the Ancient Near East, cultic purity was common, but Israel's system was distinct in its comprehensive nature, linking human purity directly to God's inherent holiness and His unique covenant relationship. This passage subtly distinguishes Yahweh worship from surrounding pagan rituals where priests might engage in practices that defiled God's sacred principles.

Leviticus 22 2 Word analysis

• Speak unto Aaron and to his sons: This establishes the direct divine origin of the command and specifies the intended recipients: the entire Aaronic priesthood. It signifies the weighty responsibility entrusted to those consecrated for divine service.
• that they separate themselves: The Hebrew term is יִנָּזְרוּ (yinnaz'ru), derived from the root nazar, meaning "to separate," "to dedicate," or "to abstain from." It implies an active, deliberate withdrawal from ritual impurity. This concept is notably associated with Nazirites (Num 6), but here it applies to the priestly state of cleanness necessary for their functions. It underscores the active role priests must play in maintaining their consecrated status.
• from the holy things: Hebrew: קָדְשֵׁי (qad'shei). This refers to all things consecrated to God – offerings, sacrifices, firstfruits, tithes, portions of meat from sacrifices, sacred vessels, and dedicated objects. These items, having been "set apart" for God, carry His holiness and are therefore susceptible to being profaned if not handled with absolute purity and reverence. Their intrinsic holiness demands corresponding purity in those who approach them.
• of the children of Israel: This phrase identifies the origin of these holy things: they are dedicated contributions from the community. The holiness attached to them comes from their dedication to the Lord by His covenant people.
• and that they profane not: The Hebrew verb is יְחַלְּלוּ (y'ḥallelū), from the root ḥalal, meaning "to pollute," "to defile," or "to desecrate." It signifies the opposite of sanctifying. This verb implies an action that degrades or renders common something that is holy. It is a severe warning against disrespecting the sacred.
• my holy name: Hebrew: שֵׁם קָדְשִׁי (shem qadshi). God's "name" represents His character, His being, His reputation, and His very essence. Profaning God's name means acting in a way that dishonors Him, undermines His authority, misrepresents His character, or brings disgrace upon Him in the eyes of others. The verse connects the priests' handling of holy things directly to the honor of God's person. Their impurity or irreverence is not merely a technical breach but a direct affront to God Himself.
• in those things which they hallow unto me: This clarifies how they profane God's name—specifically, through their actions concerning objects that are already consecrated to God. The phrase uses the root qadash (הַקְדִּישׁוּ - haqdīshū), "to make holy," referring to the act of dedicating things to God. The priests are to preserve the sanctity of items that have already been declared holy.
• I am the LORD: Hebrew: אֲנִי יְהוָה (ani YHWH). This is a foundational declaration used throughout Leviticus and the Pentateuch. It serves as an assertion of divine authority, sovereignty, and unchanging nature. It is the signature of the Covenant God of Israel, confirming that these commands are from the ultimate, supreme Authority and are non-negotiable. This statement grounds the entire instruction in God's divine character and power.

Words-group Analysis

• "Speak unto Aaron and to his sons, that they separate themselves": This underscores the specific target and the active responsibility required. The divine directive comes directly to the leadership, indicating their pivotal role in maintaining cultic purity. "Separate themselves" emphasizes intentional action to avoid impurity, indicating accountability.
• "from the holy things...and that they profane not my holy name": This central theological connection reveals the core concern. The sacred objects are extensions of God's holiness. Mishandling them due to impurity is not merely a breach of ritual law; it's an act of defiling God's character and bringing contempt upon His Name, which embodies His very essence. The external action (separation) directly correlates to internal reverence for God's Person.
• "in those things which they hallow unto me: I am the LORD.": This emphasizes the double holiness: items made holy by God (through command) and unto God (by consecration), and the ultimate authority behind these commands. God's holiness dictates the stringent rules, and His identity as Yahweh demands unquestioning obedience and reverence. It binds the priestly duty directly to God's nature and covenant.

Leviticus 22 2 Bonus section

The strong emphasis on God's "holy name" links this command to the broader theological theme of God's reputation in the world. For the priesthood to be lax or impure in handling "holy things" would have sent a detrimental message to Israel and surrounding nations about the true character of Yahweh. The strict regulations were not arbitrary but served as pedagogical tools to teach the people the infinite holiness of God and the seriousness of sin. The purity demanded of the Aaronic priesthood in the Old Covenant prefigures the spiritual purity and holiness required of New Covenant believers, who are called a "royal priesthood" (1 Pet 2:9). Believers are to offer "spiritual sacrifices" (Heb 13:15-16, Rom 12:1-2) with a pure conscience and sanctified lives, lest their actions bring dishonor to Christ's name. This highlights a continuity of principle from the physical sacrifices to the spiritual worship.

Leviticus 22 2 Commentary

Leviticus 22:2 highlights the absolute necessity of priestly purity in the execution of their duties related to holy offerings. It is a command for vigilance: priests must actively discern their own ritual status and, if defiled, abstain from interacting with the sacred things. The gravity of this injunction is immense, extending beyond mere ceremonial breach to the direct dishonoring of God's name. Any impurity on the part of the priests while dealing with consecrated items constituted an act of profanation against God Himself, thereby misrepresenting His absolute holiness to the people. This underscores that service to God is not merely about performing rituals, but about a consecrated life that reflects the purity and character of the One being served. It establishes an enduring principle that those who minister in God's name, or engage with His sacred truths and provisions, must do so with utmost reverence, purity, and holiness, ensuring their conduct brings honor, not disgrace, to God. This principle foreshadows the spiritual purity expected of believers, who are now a "royal priesthood," when handling God's truths, or participating in New Covenant sacraments, such as the Lord's Supper.