Leviticus 7:20 - but the soul who eats of the meat of the sacrifice of peace offerings, that belongs to Yahweh, having his uncleanness on him, that soul shall be cut off from his people.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Leviticus 7:20" mean?
Leviticus 7:20 outlines a specific prohibition regarding the consumption of peace offerings. To understand its meaning, let's break down the components:
"But the soul who eats of the meat of the sacrifice of peace offerings...": This refers to anyone who partakes in the consumption of the meat from a peace offering. Peace offerings were a type of sacrifice offered to God as an expression of gratitude, fellowship, or a vow fulfilled. A portion of the animal was burned on the altar for God, a portion was given to the priests, and the remaining portion was eaten by the offerer and their family/guests.
"...that belongs to Yahweh...": The peace offering, in its essence, is considered to belong to God. While a portion is consumed by humans, the offering is ultimately made to Him. The implication is that consuming it requires a state of ritual purity.
"...having his uncleanness on him...": This is the crucial condition. "Uncleanness" (or ritual impurity) in Levitical law refers to a state that renders a person temporarily unfit to participate in sacred activities. Uncleanness could arise from various sources, such as:
Skin diseases (like leprosy)
Bodily discharges (menstrual blood, seminal emissions)
Contact with a dead body
Eating certain unclean foods
Childbirth
Other specified situations
Importantly, uncleanness wasn't inherently sinful; it was a temporary state requiring specific cleansing rituals to restore ritual purity.
"...that soul shall be cut off from his people.": This is the consequence of violating the rule. "Cut off" (Hebrew: karath) is a severe penalty that has been interpreted in various ways by Jewish scholars:
Excommunication: Banishment from the Israelite community, denying the person social and religious participation.
Premature death: A divine intervention causing the person's life to be shortened.
Spiritual excision: Separation from God's covenant and blessings in the afterlife.
The most common understanding is that it represents a severe consequence imposed by God for violating the sacred order.
In essence, the verse prohibits anyone in a state of ritual impurity from eating the meat of a peace offering. Violating this prohibition results in a severe penalty of being "cut off" from the community and/or from God's favor.
Meaning and Purpose:
Holiness of God: The prohibition emphasizes the holiness of God and the respect due to sacred things. The peace offering, as a sacrifice to God, demanded that those who partook in it be in a state of ritual purity.
Ritual Purity: The verse highlights the importance of ritual purity in the Israelite religious system. It demonstrates that access to sacred things and participation in religious rituals required a specific state of cleanliness and preparation.
Order and Structure: The law helps maintain order and structure within the religious community. It ensures that sacred activities are conducted with reverence and that the boundaries between the sacred and the profane are respected.
Symbolic Significance: Ritual purity could also have symbolized moral and spiritual purity. While uncleanness wasn't inherently sinful, it served as a reminder of human imperfection and the need for cleansing and restoration.
Context:
This verse is part of a larger section in Leviticus (chapters 1-7) that outlines the laws and regulations concerning various types of sacrifices. Understanding the specific rules and procedures for each type of offering is crucial for interpreting individual verses like this one. Leviticus emphasizes the importance of following God's instructions precisely when offering sacrifices and participating in religious rituals.
It's important to remember that these laws were part of the Old Covenant established between God and the Israelites. Christian theology generally views these laws as having been fulfilled and superseded by the New Covenant established through Jesus Christ. However, studying these laws can still provide valuable insights into the nature of God, the importance of holiness, and the historical context of the Bible.
Leviticus 7:20 - but the soul who eats of the meat of the sacrifice of peace offerings, that belongs to Yahweh, having his uncleanness on him, that soul shall be cut off from his people.
What does "Leviticus 7:20" mean?
Leviticus 7:20 outlines a specific prohibition regarding the consumption of peace offerings. To understand its meaning, let's break down the components:
"But the soul who eats of the meat of the sacrifice of peace offerings...": This refers to anyone who partakes in the consumption of the meat from a peace offering. Peace offerings were a type of sacrifice offered to God as an expression of gratitude, fellowship, or a vow fulfilled. A portion of the animal was burned on the altar for God, a portion was given to the priests, and the remaining portion was eaten by the offerer and their family/guests.
"...that belongs to Yahweh...": The peace offering, in its essence, is considered to belong to God. While a portion is consumed by humans, the offering is ultimately made to Him. The implication is that consuming it requires a state of ritual purity.
"...having his uncleanness on him...": This is the crucial condition. "Uncleanness" (or ritual impurity) in Levitical law refers to a state that renders a person temporarily unfit to participate in sacred activities. Uncleanness could arise from various sources, such as:
Skin diseases (like leprosy)
Bodily discharges (menstrual blood, seminal emissions)
Contact with a dead body
Eating certain unclean foods
Childbirth
Other specified situations
Importantly, uncleanness wasn't inherently sinful; it was a temporary state requiring specific cleansing rituals to restore ritual purity.
"...that soul shall be cut off from his people.": This is the consequence of violating the rule. "Cut off" (Hebrew: karath) is a severe penalty that has been interpreted in various ways by Jewish scholars:
Excommunication: Banishment from the Israelite community, denying the person social and religious participation.
Premature death: A divine intervention causing the person's life to be shortened.
Spiritual excision: Separation from God's covenant and blessings in the afterlife.
The most common understanding is that it represents a severe consequence imposed by God for violating the sacred order.
In essence, the verse prohibits anyone in a state of ritual impurity from eating the meat of a peace offering. Violating this prohibition results in a severe penalty of being "cut off" from the community and/or from God's favor.
Meaning and Purpose:
Holiness of God: The prohibition emphasizes the holiness of God and the respect due to sacred things. The peace offering, as a sacrifice to God, demanded that those who partook in it be in a state of ritual purity.
Ritual Purity: The verse highlights the importance of ritual purity in the Israelite religious system. It demonstrates that access to sacred things and participation in religious rituals required a specific state of cleanliness and preparation.
Order and Structure: The law helps maintain order and structure within the religious community. It ensures that sacred activities are conducted with reverence and that the boundaries between the sacred and the profane are respected.
Symbolic Significance: Ritual purity could also have symbolized moral and spiritual purity. While uncleanness wasn't inherently sinful, it served as a reminder of human imperfection and the need for cleansing and restoration.
Context:
This verse is part of a larger section in Leviticus (chapters 1-7) that outlines the laws and regulations concerning various types of sacrifices. Understanding the specific rules and procedures for each type of offering is crucial for interpreting individual verses like this one. Leviticus emphasizes the importance of following God's instructions precisely when offering sacrifices and participating in religious rituals.
It's important to remember that these laws were part of the Old Covenant established between God and the Israelites. Christian theology generally views these laws as having been fulfilled and superseded by the New Covenant established through Jesus Christ. However, studying these laws can still provide valuable insights into the nature of God, the importance of holiness, and the historical context of the Bible.