Leviticus 22:9 - “‘They shall therefore follow my commandment, lest they bear sin for it, and die therein, if they profane it. I am Yahweh who sanctifies them.
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What does "Leviticus 22:9" mean?
Leviticus 22:9 is a stern warning to the priests regarding the proper handling of the holy offerings. Let's break down its meaning:
"They shall therefore follow my commandment...": This sets the stage. It's an imperative – the priests must obey God's instructions regarding the holy offerings. "My commandment" refers to all the specific rules and regulations laid out in the preceding chapters concerning who can eat the offerings, when they can be eaten, and in what condition they must be to be acceptable.
"...lest they bear sin for it...": This is the consequence of disobedience. If the priests fail to follow God's commands, they will be guilty of sin. The phrase "bear sin" implies that they will carry the burden of guilt and responsibility for their transgression.
"...and die therein, if they profane it.": This is a stark warning about the potential severity of the consequences. "Profane it" means to treat the holy offerings as common or unclean, violating their sacred nature. This suggests a direct causal relationship between profaning the offerings and death, which is often interpreted literally or as spiritual death.
"I am Yahweh who sanctifies them.": This is the theological foundation for the entire verse. "Yahweh" is God's covenant name, emphasizing His faithfulness and commitment to His people. "Sanctifies them" means that God is the one who makes the priests holy and sets them apart for His service. Because He is the source of their holiness, they must respect His commandments regarding holy things. It reminds the priests that their position of holiness and the ability to handle these sacred offerings come from God and should be treated with utmost reverence.
In summary, the verse means:
The priests are commanded to strictly adhere to God's instructions regarding the holy offerings. Failure to do so will result in sin, and profaning the offerings may lead to death. This is because Yahweh, the one who has sanctified them and made them holy, demands reverence and obedience in dealing with holy things.
Underlying Themes:
Holiness and Reverence: The primary theme is the importance of maintaining holiness and reverence in God's presence, particularly when dealing with sacred objects and rituals.
Obedience and Consequences: Obedience to God's commands is paramount, and disobedience carries severe consequences.
God's Authority and Sovereignty: The verse underscores God's authority as the one who sanctifies and sets apart individuals and things for His purposes.
Responsibility and Accountability: The priests have a significant responsibility to properly handle the holy offerings, and they will be held accountable for their actions.
The verse highlights the high stakes involved in serving God and the importance of careful adherence to His instructions. It serves as a reminder of the need for respect, obedience, and reverence in all aspects of worship and service.
Leviticus 22:9 - “‘They shall therefore follow my commandment, lest they bear sin for it, and die therein, if they profane it. I am Yahweh who sanctifies them.
What does "Leviticus 22:9" mean?
Leviticus 22:9 is a stern warning to the priests regarding the proper handling of the holy offerings. Let's break down its meaning:
"They shall therefore follow my commandment...": This sets the stage. It's an imperative – the priests must obey God's instructions regarding the holy offerings. "My commandment" refers to all the specific rules and regulations laid out in the preceding chapters concerning who can eat the offerings, when they can be eaten, and in what condition they must be to be acceptable.
"...lest they bear sin for it...": This is the consequence of disobedience. If the priests fail to follow God's commands, they will be guilty of sin. The phrase "bear sin" implies that they will carry the burden of guilt and responsibility for their transgression.
"...and die therein, if they profane it.": This is a stark warning about the potential severity of the consequences. "Profane it" means to treat the holy offerings as common or unclean, violating their sacred nature. This suggests a direct causal relationship between profaning the offerings and death, which is often interpreted literally or as spiritual death.
"I am Yahweh who sanctifies them.": This is the theological foundation for the entire verse. "Yahweh" is God's covenant name, emphasizing His faithfulness and commitment to His people. "Sanctifies them" means that God is the one who makes the priests holy and sets them apart for His service. Because He is the source of their holiness, they must respect His commandments regarding holy things. It reminds the priests that their position of holiness and the ability to handle these sacred offerings come from God and should be treated with utmost reverence.
In summary, the verse means:
The priests are commanded to strictly adhere to God's instructions regarding the holy offerings. Failure to do so will result in sin, and profaning the offerings may lead to death. This is because Yahweh, the one who has sanctified them and made them holy, demands reverence and obedience in dealing with holy things.
Underlying Themes:
Holiness and Reverence: The primary theme is the importance of maintaining holiness and reverence in God's presence, particularly when dealing with sacred objects and rituals.
Obedience and Consequences: Obedience to God's commands is paramount, and disobedience carries severe consequences.
God's Authority and Sovereignty: The verse underscores God's authority as the one who sanctifies and sets apart individuals and things for His purposes.
Responsibility and Accountability: The priests have a significant responsibility to properly handle the holy offerings, and they will be held accountable for their actions.
The verse highlights the high stakes involved in serving God and the importance of careful adherence to His instructions. It serves as a reminder of the need for respect, obedience, and reverence in all aspects of worship and service.