Leviticus 22 9

Leviticus 22:9 kjv

They shall therefore keep mine ordinance, lest they bear sin for it, and die therefore, if they profane it: I the LORD do sanctify them.

Leviticus 22:9 nkjv

'They shall therefore keep My ordinance, lest they bear sin for it and die thereby, if they profane it: I the LORD sanctify them.

Leviticus 22:9 niv

"?'The priests are to perform my service in such a way that they do not become guilty and die for treating it with contempt. I am the LORD, who makes them holy.

Leviticus 22:9 esv

They shall therefore keep my charge, lest they bear sin for it and die thereby when they profane it: I am the LORD who sanctifies them.

Leviticus 22:9 nlt

"The priests must follow my instructions carefully. Otherwise they will be punished for their sin and will die for violating my instructions. I am the LORD who makes them holy.

Leviticus 22 verses

Leviticus 22 9 Meaning

Leviticus 22:9 establishes the sacred duty of the priests, the descendants of Aaron, to carefully observe and protect God's sacred charge concerning holy offerings. It warns them of severe divine judgment, including death and the bearing of sin, if they fail to uphold this duty by profaning anything consecrated to the Lord. The verse concludes by reaffirming that it is the Lord Himself who sets them apart as holy, underscoring the divine origin and nature of their sacred office and the holiness they are mandated to maintain.

Leviticus 22 9 Context

Leviticus 22:9 is situated within a broader section (Leviticus 21-22) dealing specifically with the laws of priestly holiness and proper conduct. Chapter 21 details the personal holiness required of the priests (e.g., marriage restrictions, physical blemish rules). Chapter 22 extends these purity laws to their interaction with holy things, particularly the sacred offerings made to the Lord. The verse underscores the stringent requirements for priests to eat of the holy food only when ritually pure, lest they defile the sanctity of God's house and offerings. This deep concern for holiness was vital for maintaining the divine presence within the Israelite camp, as defilement could lead to God's withdrawal or judgment. Historically, this meant adhering strictly to the covenant stipulations established at Sinai, particularly as they prepared to fully occupy the Promised Land and live as God's set-apart people, in contrast to the idolatrous and impure practices of surrounding nations.

Leviticus 22 9 Word analysis

• They: Refers specifically to the priests, the male descendants of Aaron, as established in the opening verses of Leviticus 22 (e.g., Lev 22:2-4). Their office placed them in a unique position of direct service and proximity to the holy things of God.
• Shall therefore keep: The Hebrew verb is shamar (שָׁמַר), meaning "to watch, guard, observe, protect, heed." This implies a continuous, vigilant responsibility, not a one-time act. It denotes an active, careful preservation of something entrusted to one's care.
• My charge: The Hebrew term is mishmeret (מִשְׁמֶרֶת), which signifies a custody, an obligation, a duty, or that which is to be guarded. Here, it refers to the sacred laws, duties, and holy things pertaining to the Tabernacle and its service. It highlights that the priests are not arbiters of holiness but custodians of God's prescribed holiness.
• Lest they bear sin for it: The phrase "bear sin" is nasa avon (נָשָׂא עָוֹן) in Hebrew, meaning "to lift, carry, endure iniquity or guilt." It implies incurring guilt and subsequently the punishment for that guilt. This is a severe spiritual and existential consequence, denoting a disruption of their relationship with God and potential forfeiture of His blessing.
• And die therefore: The Hebrew verb mut (מ֥וּת) signifies physical death. In the biblical context, especially for violations of sacred law (e.g., Lev 10:1-2; Num 4:15), this often implies direct divine judgment, leading to literal death, or being "cut off" from the covenant community, which could encompass social ostracization, deprivation of livelihood, or spiritual separation.
• If they profane it: The Hebrew verb is chalal (חָלַל), meaning "to profane, defile, violate, make common." It stands in direct opposition to "sanctify" (qadash). To profane holy things is to treat that which is set apart for God as ordinary or common, thereby stripping it of its sacred distinction and despising God who declared it holy. "It" refers to the holy charge, including the offerings, sacred food, and ordinances connected to the sanctuary.
• I the LORD do sanctify them: This concluding statement uses the Hebrew Ani YHWH Mekaddesham (אֲנִ֛י יְהוָ֥ה מְקַדְּשָׁ֖ם). It translates to "I am the LORD who sanctifies them." This emphasizes God's sovereign initiative and authority in setting apart the priests. Their holiness is not inherent but derived from Him; it is a divine bestowal, not a human achievement. This divine act is both the basis for their service and the reason why profaning holy things is so serious—it defiles God's own work of sanctification.

• "They shall therefore keep my charge": This phrase establishes a direct, non-negotiable command from God to His appointed servants. It emphasizes priestly accountability and their role as stewards of divine mandates and holy things. The "therefore" links their keeping the charge to the preceding regulations of their holiness and sacred eating.
• "Lest they bear sin for it, and die therefore, if they profane it": This forms a single conditional clause with dire consequences. It clearly links action (profaning) to spiritual and physical punishment (bearing sin, dying). The severity highlights the immense value God places on holiness and reverence in service. It underscores that mishandling sacred responsibilities is not merely a procedural error but a direct offense against the Lord Himself.
• "I the LORD do sanctify them": This statement asserts God's ownership and authority. It reveals that the priests are holy because He made them holy. This divine sanctification is what obligates them to holiness, and their profaning of sacred things is a defilement of God's own work and His name. This foundational truth serves as both a powerful reason for their responsibility and a solemn warning.

Leviticus 22 9 Bonus section

The severity of the punishment, "and die therefore," found throughout the Pentateuch for similar offenses (e.g., Nadab and Abihu in Lev 10, Uzzah in 2 Sam 6, unauthorized approach in Num 4:15), illustrates a core theological principle: proximity to God's holiness demands corresponding purity and obedience. The unmediated divine presence, symbolized by the Tabernacle/Temple, could be deadly if approached flippantly or unworthily. This principle underscores that God is not to be trifled with, and His character as holy demands that He not permit defilement within His direct service. This passage, and the surrounding laws, functioned not only as legal strictures but also as profound theological teachings on the nature of God, the nature of sin, and the necessity of mediation (via priests and sacrifices) for unholy humanity to draw near to a holy God. The implication for believers under the New Covenant, though not under the specific Levitical laws, is that while direct physical death for disobedience is rare, spiritual death, loss of communion, and discipline can still result from treating the sacred call lightly or from living profanely in the presence of God.

Leviticus 22 9 Commentary

Leviticus 22:9 serves as a foundational verse encapsulating the profound responsibility of the Aaronic priesthood concerning holiness. It articulates that the priests, consecrated by God, were stewards of His sacred charge. This "charge" encompassed all the rituals, laws, and especially the holy offerings dedicated to the Lord. The verse starkly warns against profanation – treating what God has set apart as common or defiled. Such an act incurred not just ritual impurity but profound "sin" (avon), leading to divine judgment, frequently manifesting as physical "death." This severity underscores God's absolute demand for reverence from those closest to Him and serving His holy sanctuary. The concluding phrase, "I the LORD do sanctify them," is crucial. It asserts God as the ultimate source of holiness; the priests' sacred status and the sanctity of the offerings flow from Him. Their duty was to uphold and not violate this divine act of separation, emphasizing that any act of profaning directly undermined God's character and His own holy establishment. For believers today, while the Levitical priesthood has transformed, the principle resonates: those called by God must honor His holiness, reverently approach sacred truths, and handle spiritual responsibilities with seriousness, understanding that our calling and separation are from God Himself. For instance, mishandling God's Word or despising genuine worship reflect a modern form of profaning His charge.