Leviticus 7:21

Moreouer, the soule that shall touch any vncleane thing, as the vncleannesse of man, or any vncleane beast, or any abominable vncleane thing, and eate of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offerings which pertaine vnto the Lord, euen that soule shall be cut off from his people. Leviticus 7:21 (KJV)

Leviticus is part of the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, and it specifically focuses on the laws and regulations given by God to the Israelites through Moses. Leviticus 7 deals with the various instructions related to the guilt offering and the peace offering.

In Leviticus 7:21, the verse talks about a situation where a person becomes ceremonially unclean by touching something unclean, such as an unclean animal or an abominable thing. If such a person, who is unclean, partakes of the flesh of the peace offering that belongs to the Lord, they shall be “cut off” from their people. The text reads, “And the soul that eateth of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offering, which pertaineth unto the LORD, shall be cut off from his people.”

The Old Testament contains numerous rules concerning ceremonial cleanliness. Touching certain unclean things or creatures would render a person temporarily impure, requiring a period of separation and cleansing before they could participate in religious activities. These laws were intended to teach the Israelites about holiness and separation from sin.

The peace offering was a sacrificial offering made to God as an expression of thanksgiving, fellowship, and devotion. It served to express gratitude and seek communion with God, and its meat was distributed among the Lord, the priests, and the offerer according to specific regulations.

The verse emphasizes that anyone who partakes of the flesh of the peace offering while ceremonially unclean will be “cut off” from the community of Israel. This severe punishment underscores the importance of maintaining ceremonial purity and treating holy things with reverence.

While the ceremonial laws are no longer binding for Christians, several spiritual principles can be drawn: reverence for the holy, recognizing the seriousness of sin, the need for separation from sinful practices, and the significance of communion with God through prayer, worship, and thanksgiving.

In conclusion, Leviticus 7:21 highlights the need for reverence, purity, and separation from sin. Though the specific regulations of ceremonial uncleanness do not apply to believers today, the principles derived from this passage remain relevant in the pursuit of holiness and a deeper relationship with God.