Leviticus 7:20
But the soul that eateth of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offerings, that pertain unto the Lord, having his uncleanness upon him, even that soul shall be cut off from his people.
Leviticus 7:20 (KJV)
Context
Leviticus is the third book of the Bible and part of the Torah, the law God gave to Israel through Moses. This book records the rituals, sacrifices, and laws that governed the religious and moral life of the Israelite community.
Leviticus 7:20 addresses eating the flesh of the peace offering while being ritually unclean. The peace offering was a voluntary sacrifice made to express thanksgiving, to fulfill a vow, or as a freewill offering. It established fellowship between the offerer and God, and part of the meat was eaten by the offerer and his household in a sacred meal that signified communion with God.
According to the Law, the people had to be ceremonially clean before taking part in the sacrifices and eating the meat. Unclean individuals, such as those who had touched a dead body or had certain bodily discharges, were not allowed to eat the sacred offerings until they were purified. The immediate context in Leviticus 7:19-21 reinforces this rule: flesh that touches anything unclean must be burned, and anyone who touches something unclean and then eats the peace offering is also cut off.
Meaning
The verse warns that anyone who eats the peace offering while ritually unclean would be “cut off from his people.” This phrase means being excluded from the covenant community of Israel. It was a severe punishment that removed the person from the blessings and benefits of belonging to God’s people.
This regulation emphasized the importance of ceremonial purity in worship. Ritual purity was a symbolic way of showing reverence for God’s holiness. The Israelites were called to be a holy people, set apart for God’s service, and these rules helped reinforce that calling. Worship was not merely an outward ritual; it required a state of purity and reverence before God.
Biblical connections
The seriousness of this command points to the holiness of God and the need for purity when approaching Him. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ fulfills the sacrificial system. His sacrifice on the cross provides the spiritual cleansing that makes true fellowship with God possible. Hebrews 10:19-22 explains that believers can draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having their hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience.
Application
While this verse belongs to Israel’s ceremonial laws, it teaches lasting principles for Christians. God still calls His people to approach Him with reverence and a pure heart. The command warns against treating worship or communion with God carelessly or without repentance.
Holiness and reverence: Just as Israel approached God with ceremonial purity, Christians are called to honor God and worship Him with awe and a clean heart.
Obedience to God’s commands: Although believers are no longer under the ceremonial laws, they are still called to obey God’s moral commands revealed in the New Testament.
The seriousness of sin: Sin still separates people from God and damages their relationship with Him. This verse reminds believers to take sin seriously and seek repentance and forgiveness.
The grace of God: In the Old Testament, violators were cut off from the community, but through Christ, forgiveness and restoration are available. Jesus’ sacrifice makes reconciliation with God possible for those who confess their sins and place their faith in Him.
Reflection
True fellowship with God requires a heart cleansed by faith and obedience. The peace offering meal was a joyful communion with God, but it could not be enjoyed by someone who remained unclean. In the same way, believers are invited to enjoy close communion with God through Christ, but that communion calls for a life that honors His holiness. The warning in this verse is not a threat of exclusion for believers today, but a loving reminder to examine the heart before approaching God in worship.
