“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 anything superfluous,”
Context:Leviticus is the third book of the Bible and is part of the Torah, specifically dealing with the laws and regulations given to the Israelites by God through Moses. Leviticus 21 contains regulations for the priests concerning their consecration and conduct in their service to God.
Focus on the priesthood:The verse emphasises the standards and qualifications required for the priests who would serve in the tabernacle and later in the temple. These standards aimed to ensure the holiness and purity of the priesthood, as they were mediators between God and the people.
Physical blemishes and their symbolism:The verse lists specific physical blemishes that would disqualify a man from approaching God’s altar. These include being blind, lame, having a flat nose, or having any superfluous (excessive) body part. It’s important to note that these regulations were specific to the priesthood and not applicable to the general population.
Symbolic significance:The physical blemishes mentioned in this verse are often interpreted symbolically, representing spiritual or moral imperfections. They highlight the importance of presenting oneself before God in a state of wholeness, both physically and spiritually.
Spiritual application:While the Levitical priesthood and its regulations no longer apply in the same way in the Christian context, we can draw spiritual principles from this verse. It reminds us of the need for reverence and holiness in our approach to God. Just as the priests were to be physically unblemished, we are called to offer ourselves to God in a manner that is spiritually pure and without blemish.
Jesus Christ as the perfect High Priest:In the New Testament, Jesus is presented as the ultimate High Priest who fulfils and surpasses the requirements of the Levitical priesthood. Unlike the priests of old who had physical limitations, Jesus is described as blameless and without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, Jesus opened the way for all people, regardless of physical or spiritual blemishes, to approach God’s throne of grace with confidence (Hebrews 10:19-22).
In summary, Leviticus 21:18 highlights the standards and qualifications for the priests serving in the tabernacle. While these regulations no longer apply in the same way today, they remind us of the need for reverence and holiness in our approach to God. The verse also points to Jesus Christ as the perfect High Priest who allows all people to approach God’s presence, irrespective of physical or spiritual blemishes.
