Leviticus 22:3
Say vnto them, Whosoeuer he be of all your seed, among your generations, that goeth vnto the holy things, which the children of Israel hallow vnto the Lord, hauing his vncleannesse vpon him, that soule shalbe cut off from my presence: I am the Lord. Leviticus 22:3 (KJV)
Leviticus, the third book of the Bible, is part of the Law of Moses and contains detailed instructions given by God to the Israelites concerning worship, ritual, and daily life. Chapter 22 deals specifically with the holiness required of priests and the offerings presented to God.
In this verse God commands Moses to tell the people that anyone—whether of the seed of Israel or of the strangers that sojourn among them—who approaches any of the holy things that the children of Israel sanctify unto the LORD while bearing any uncleanness shall be cut off from his people. The “holy things” refer to the offerings and sacrifices set apart in the Tabernacle, such as bread, meat, and drink offerings, which were consecrated for God’s purposes.
Uncleanness in the Old Testament context includes conditions that rendered a person ceremonially impure, such as contact with a dead body, certain bodily discharges, or skin disease. The strict requirement for holiness meant that the people had to maintain purity when drawing near the holy things of the Lord.
The passage teaches spiritual principles that remain relevant. It underscores the importance of approaching God with reverence, purity, and respect. Just as the Israelites were required to be clean before entering the presence of God, believers today are called to come before Him with hearts cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ.
The consequence of approaching the holy things while unclean is being cut off from God’s presence. In the ancient context this could mean exclusion from the community or even death, highlighting the seriousness of disregarding God’s instructions. For contemporary believers the warning serves as a reminder to seek God’s presence through Christ, who has provided a way to approach God freely.
The declaration “I am the LORD” appears frequently throughout Leviticus as a reminder of God’s authority and sovereignty over His people. Although it does not conclude this particular verse, the repeated statement reinforces that these regulations are given by God Himself and are to be obeyed.
In conclusion, Leviticus 22:3 emphasizes the necessity of approaching God’s holy things with purity and reverence. While the specific ceremonial regulations are not binding on Christians today, the underlying principle of holiness and respect before God endures, pointing us to the privilege we have through Jesus Christ to draw near to God with cleansed hearts.
