Leviticus 21:8 - You shall sanctify him therefore; for he offers the bread of your God. He shall be holy to you; for I Yahweh, who sanctify you, am holy.
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What does "Leviticus 21:8" mean?
Leviticus 21:8 speaks about the special treatment and respect due to priests within the Israelite community. Let's break down the verse:
"You shall sanctify him therefore...": This command is directed to the Israelites. It means they are obligated to treat the priest with reverence and set him apart as holy. "Sanctify" in this context means to treat as holy, to respect, to honor, and to set apart for sacred service.
"...for he offers the bread of your God.": This is the reason why the priest should be sanctified. He is the one who officiates in the sacrifices and offerings to God, including the "bread," which refers to the grain offerings or showbread presented to God. The act of offering these sacrifices makes him a key intermediary between the people and God.
"He shall be holy to you...": The priest himself should be considered holy by the people. His role in the sanctuary and his connection to the divine require that he be seen as someone special and worthy of honor.
"...for I Yahweh, who sanctify you, am holy.": This is the ultimate grounding for the command. God, who is holy, is the one who sanctifies the people of Israel (sets them apart as His chosen people). Since God is holy and sanctifies them, and the priest represents God in offering sacrifices, the priest must also be treated as holy. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of holiness: God's holiness is the source, and it extends to the people and to those who serve Him directly.
In summary, Leviticus 21:8 emphasizes the special status of the priesthood. It tells the Israelites that they are to treat priests with respect and reverence because they are chosen to offer sacrifices to God. This is linked to the very nature of God, who is holy and sets His people apart. The priests' role necessitates a degree of holiness that mirrors the holiness of God they serve.
Essentially, the verse is about maintaining order, reverence, and the connection between the people and God through the appointed priests. It reinforces the hierarchical structure of the religious system and the importance of honoring those who serve in that system.
Leviticus 21:8 - You shall sanctify him therefore; for he offers the bread of your God. He shall be holy to you; for I Yahweh, who sanctify you, am holy.
What does "Leviticus 21:8" mean?
Leviticus 21:8 speaks about the special treatment and respect due to priests within the Israelite community. Let's break down the verse:
"You shall sanctify him therefore...": This command is directed to the Israelites. It means they are obligated to treat the priest with reverence and set him apart as holy. "Sanctify" in this context means to treat as holy, to respect, to honor, and to set apart for sacred service.
"...for he offers the bread of your God.": This is the reason why the priest should be sanctified. He is the one who officiates in the sacrifices and offerings to God, including the "bread," which refers to the grain offerings or showbread presented to God. The act of offering these sacrifices makes him a key intermediary between the people and God.
"He shall be holy to you...": The priest himself should be considered holy by the people. His role in the sanctuary and his connection to the divine require that he be seen as someone special and worthy of honor.
"...for I Yahweh, who sanctify you, am holy.": This is the ultimate grounding for the command. God, who is holy, is the one who sanctifies the people of Israel (sets them apart as His chosen people). Since God is holy and sanctifies them, and the priest represents God in offering sacrifices, the priest must also be treated as holy. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of holiness: God's holiness is the source, and it extends to the people and to those who serve Him directly.
In summary, Leviticus 21:8 emphasizes the special status of the priesthood. It tells the Israelites that they are to treat priests with respect and reverence because they are chosen to offer sacrifices to God. This is linked to the very nature of God, who is holy and sets His people apart. The priests' role necessitates a degree of holiness that mirrors the holiness of God they serve.
Essentially, the verse is about maintaining order, reverence, and the connection between the people and God through the appointed priests. It reinforces the hierarchical structure of the religious system and the importance of honoring those who serve in that system.