“And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,”
Leviticus 21 contains specific instructions regarding the holiness and purity required of the priests who served in the tabernacle and later in the temple. These regulations were given to ensure that the priests maintained a level of spiritual and physical purity in their service to God. Verse 16:serves as an introduction to some of these instructions.
To better understand the context of this verse, it’s helpful to look at the surrounding verses. Starting from verse 16, let’s continue reading:
“And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto Aaron, saying, Whosoever he be of thy seed in their generations that hath any blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God. For whatsoever man he be that hath a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man, or a lame, or he that hath a flat nose, or any thing superfluous, Or a man that is brokenfooted, or brokenhanded, Or crookbackt, or a dwarf, or that hath a blemish in his eye, or be scurvy, or scabbed, or hath his stones broken; No man that hath a blemish of the seed of Aaron the priest shall come nigh to offer the offerings of the Lord made by fire: he hath a blemish; he shall not come nigh to offer the bread of his God.” (Leviticus 21:16-21, KJV)
These verses outline specific physical conditions or blemishes that would disqualify a priest from approaching God’s altar and offering sacrifices. The purpose behind these regulations was to emphasize the holiness and purity that should characterize those who ministered in the tabernacle.
It’s important to note:that these regulations were specifically directed toward the priests of the seed of Aaron, the high priest, and not to all Israelites. The priestly role required a higher standard of physical and spiritual perfection because the priests served as mediators between God and the people.
The specific physical blemishes mentioned in these verses, such as blindness, lameness, flat nose, or deformities, were considered “blemishes” or imperfections. God required the priests to be without these physical blemishes to maintain the sanctity of the tabernacle worship.
These regulations symbolize the spiritual purity and moral integrity required of those who serve God. They highlight the idea that those who approach God in worship should do so with reverence, offering the best they have to offer.
While these specific regulations no longer apply in the context of the New Testament, they do provide valuable lessons for believers today. They remind us of the importance of approaching God with reverence and offering our best in worship. They also point to the ultimate high priest, Jesus Christ, who is without blemish and perfectly qualified to intercede on our behalf before God.
In summary, Leviticus 21:16 introduces a series of regulations regarding the physical blemishes that would disqualify a priest from approaching the altar. These regulations emphasize the need for holiness and purity in the priestly service and remind us of the importance of approaching God with reverence and offering our best in worship.
