Topical Bible: Defilement: Priests: Not to Eat Holy Things While Under

◄ Defilement: Priests: Not to Eat Holy Things While Under ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the context of the Old Testament, the concept of defilement holds significant importance, particularly concerning the Levitical priesthood. Priests, who were set apart to serve in the tabernacle and later the temple, were required to maintain a state of ritual purity to perform their sacred duties and partake in holy offerings. The laws regarding defilement and the consumption of holy things are primarily outlined in the book of Leviticus.

Biblical Foundation

The primary scriptural basis for the prohibition against priests eating holy things while in a state of defilement is found in Leviticus 22. The chapter provides detailed instructions regarding the conduct of priests and the conditions under which they may partake of the sacred offerings. Leviticus 22:3-7 states:

"Say to them: 'For the generations to come, if any of your descendants, while in a state of uncleanness, approaches the sacred offerings that the Israelites consecrate to the LORD, that person must be cut off from My presence. I am the LORD. None of the descendants of Aaron who has a skin disease or a bodily discharge may eat the sacred offerings until he is clean. And whoever touches anything made unclean by a corpse, or by one who has an emission of semen, or by any crawling creature that makes him unclean, or by any person who makes him unclean, whatever the uncleanness may be—the man who touches any of these will remain unclean until evening. He must not eat any of the sacred offerings until he has bathed himself with water. When the sun has set, he will become clean, and then he may eat from the sacred offerings, for they are his food.'"

Ritual Purity and Holiness

The requirement for priests to avoid eating holy things while defiled underscores the broader biblical theme of holiness and separation. The priests, as mediators between God and the people, were to exemplify the holiness of God in their conduct and service. The consumption of holy offerings was not merely a matter of sustenance but a sacred act that required the participant to be in a state of ritual purity.

Consequences of Defilement

The consequences for a priest who violated these laws were severe. Being "cut off" from God's presence, as mentioned in Leviticus 22:3, implies a form of divine judgment or exclusion from the community of worship. This underscores the seriousness with which God regarded the sanctity of His worship and the role of the priesthood.

Symbolic and Spiritual Implications

From a theological perspective, the laws concerning defilement and the consumption of holy things can be seen as a foreshadowing of the New Testament's emphasis on spiritual purity and holiness. The physical defilement laws of the Old Testament point to the deeper spiritual truth that those who serve God must do so with a pure heart and clean hands, as echoed in passages like Psalm 24:3-4.

Application for Believers

While the specific Levitical laws are not directly applicable to New Testament believers, the principles of holiness, purity, and reverence for the things of God remain relevant. Christians are called to be a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9), living lives that reflect the holiness of God and approaching Him with reverence and purity of heart.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Leviticus 22:2,4-6
Speak to Aaron and to his sons, that they separate themselves from the holy things of the children of Israel, and that they profane not my holy name in those things which they hallow to me: I am the LORD.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Separation to God.
... Israel might have been "a kingdom of priests;" but through their own ... UNWITTING
DEFILEMENT: verses 9-12 ... do his will, and to give him pleasure, is not the service ...
/.../taylor/separation and service/part i separation to god.htm

Of Preparation.
... that they were pure from all defilement (1 Samuel ... but when Judas and the high-priests
were conspiring ... of the elemental signs; for the truth is not absent from ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bayly/the practice of piety/i of preparation.htm

The Cavils of the Pharisees Concerning Purification, and the ...
... for this decree was, that the priests were wont ... a bath of fire, [3377] after the
defilement of the ... affirmation or negation, [3392] I shall not eat.' [3393] On ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxxi the cavils of.htm

Hebrews ix. 5-Jan
... when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always ... Blood of Christ wipe
away the defilement of the ... is vanity." ( Ecclesiastes 1:2.) It is not I that ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xv hebrews ix 5-jan.htm

Hebrews vii. 14-Nov
... For has He a nature capable of defilement? ... what he says: "For the law maketh men
high priests, which have ... And if we have not the will, even the easiest things ...
/.../homily xiii hebrews vii 14-nov.htm

Jewish views on Trade, Tradesmen, and Trades' Guilds
... expense, would not stoop to the defilement of work. ... justice and judgment; and they
shall not be found ... The high-priests under the Herodian dynasty were of only ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 11 jewish views on.htm

Book ii.
... sacrifices to God, together with those priests that are ... bathe themselves; for there
is a defilement contracted thereby ... contented to eat and drink, not at random ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/against apion/book ii.htm

A Servant of Servants
... Judas had met a second time with the priests and scribes ... Yet all our infirmity and
defilement we must bring to ... I say unto you, The servant is not greater than ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 71 a servant of.htm

Faustus Asserts that Even if the Old Testament could be Shown to ...
... application of it to their kings and priests, were not ... is unable to cleanse it of
the defilement contracted from ... he who neglects to eat it shall not have life ...
/.../faustus asserts that even if.htm

Letter Xli. St. Ambrose in this Letter to his Sister Continues the ...
... Christ, who purifies his conscience from the defilement of sin ... evil spirit stirred
up to persecute the priests of the ... I may now address my words not only about ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/letter xli st ambrose in.htm