Leviticus 21:6
They shall be holy unto their God, and not profane the name of their God: for the offerings of the Lord made by fire, and the bread of their God, they do offer: therefore they shall be holy.
Leviticus 21:6 (KJV)
Context
This verse is part of God’s regulations for the priests of Israel. In Leviticus, God gave detailed instructions about the conduct, duties, and consecration of the priests who served in the tabernacle and later the temple. These rules set the priests apart because they handled holy things on behalf of the nation.
Meaning
The command “They shall be holy unto their God” means the priests were to be set apart and consecrated for God’s service. They were to maintain a higher standard of purity than the rest of the Israelites, and their lives were to reflect their devotion to God. The phrase “not profane the name of their God” forbids any action that would bring dishonor to God’s name.
The verse gives the reason for this holiness: the priests offered “the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and the bread of their God.” These were the sacrifices presented on the altar and the showbread placed in the tabernacle. Because the priests handled these holy gifts, they had to be wholly given to God’s service, not entangled with anything that would make them unfit for their duties.
Biblical connections
The New Testament applies this principle to believers. First Peter 2:5 teaches that Christians are a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. This connects to the priestly duty in Leviticus: just as the priests offered gifts to God, believers now offer their lives as spiritual sacrifices. First Peter 1:15-16 calls believers to be holy in all conduct because God is holy, echoing the same standard given to the priests. Romans 12:1 urges believers to present their bodies as a living sacrifice, a New Testament expression of the consecration required of the priests.
Application
As believers, we are called to be holy and set apart for God’s service. We should honor and uphold God’s name in our lives, avoiding actions that would bring dishonor to Him. We have the privilege and responsibility to offer our lives as spiritual sacrifices and to feed on God’s Word for spiritual nourishment. The Levitical priesthood and its regulations were specific to the Old Covenant, which was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Hebrews 4:14-16 describes Jesus as our high priest, and Hebrews 9:11-14 explains that He offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. Through faith in Jesus, we enter a new covenant relationship with God, where all believers are priests (1 Peter 2:9) and are to live in a manner that honors Him.
Reflection
Consider the seriousness of serving a holy God. The priests could not approach their duties carelessly. Today, every believer shares in this priestly calling. Reflect on your daily life: does it show that you are set apart for God? Do your words and actions honor His name? The same God who required holiness from the priests now calls you to live in reverence and devotion, because you have been made holy through Christ.
