“Or a man that is brokenfooted, or brokenhanded,”
Context: Leviticus 21 contains instructions given by God to Moses regarding the requirements for the priests who would serve in the tabernacle. God set apart the tribe of Levi for the priestly duties and provided specific guidelines for their conduct, holiness, and physical qualifications.
Explanation:
In Leviticus 21:19, God addresses the issue of physical defects that would disqualify a priest from performing certain priestly duties. The verse mentions two specific conditions: being “brokenfooted” and “brokenhanded.” These physical defects were seen as blemishes that would hinder the priest’s ability to fulfill his duties properly and present himself as a representative of God before the people.
Brokenfooted: This condition refers to a deformity or injury affecting the feet, such as a malformation, a limp, or the inability to walk properly. The priests were required to be physically whole and able-bodied to approach the altar and perform their sacred duties.
Brokenhanded: This term refers to a defect or injury affecting the hands, which would impair the priest’s ability to handle the sacred objects and perform the necessary rituals with precision. Again, physical wholeness and dexterity were essential for carrying out the duties assigned to the priests.
These physical defects were considered blemishes because they compromised the physical requirements set by God for those who would minister in the tabernacle. The priests were to be a reflection of God’s holiness and were expected to approach their sacred duties with reverence and without any physical impairments.
Importance and Application: While the specific regulations mentioned in Leviticus 21:19 apply to the priestly line in the Old Testament, they carry symbolic significance and teach important principles that can be relevant for believers today:
- Holiness and dedication: The physical qualifications of the priests were a reflection of the need for holiness and consecration in the service of God. Today, as followers of Christ, we are called to be a holy people, set apart for God’s purposes (1 Peter 1:15-16). Our dedication to God should encompass all aspects of our lives, including our physical bodies, which are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
- Offering our best to God: The requirement for physical wholeness and soundness in the priests emphasizes the importance of offering our best to God. In our worship and service to Him, we should give our wholehearted devotion, presenting our bodies as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1).
- Spiritual symbolism: The physical defects mentioned in Leviticus 21:19 can also be seen symbolically. They represent spiritual imperfections and weaknesses that hinder our ability to serve God effectively. We should seek healing and wholeness in Christ, allowing Him to restore and strengthen us in areas where we may be broken or wounded.
- The grace of God: While the physical defects mentioned in Leviticus disqualified priests from specific duties, we can find comfort in the grace of God revealed in the New Testament. In Christ, there is no exclusion based on physical conditions or limitations. Through His grace, all believers are called to serve and minister according to their unique gifts and abilities (1 Peter 4:10).
In summary, Leviticus 21:19 highlights the physical requirements set by God for the priests serving in the tabernacle. These regulations carry symbolic significance and teach us about the importance of holiness, dedication, offering our best to God, seeking spiritual wholeness, and relying on the grace of God for our service in the Kingdom of God.
