Leviticus 21:20 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 21:20 mean?

Leviticus 21:20 lists physical conditions that would prevent a descendant of Aaron from serving as a priest in the sanctuary, including being "crookbackt," a dwarf, having a blemish in the eye, being scurvy or scabbed, or having damaged testicles. The verse sets specific physical requirements for those allowed to perform priestly duties.

In this part of Leviticus, God is giving Moses instructions for the priests, who are from Aaron’s family. The focus is on maintaining a certain standard of physical wholeness for those who serve at the altar, reflecting the idea of holiness and completeness in worship. These rules were not about personal worth but about ritual fitness for a specific sacred role.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 21:20

• "Crookbackt" (גִּבֵּן, gibben) refers to someone with a hunched back or severe spinal curvature. This word highlights a visible physical deformity that would have been easily recognized in the ancient world.
• "Dwarf" (דַּק, daq) means someone of unusually small stature or possibly someone with a shriveled body. The term points to a condition that would have set a person apart physically.
• "Blemish" (תְּבֶלֶת, tebelet) in the eye refers to a noticeable defect or impairment in vision, not just minor issues but something that would be obvious.
• "Scurvy" (גָּרָב, garav) and "scabbed" (יַלֶּפֶת, yallefet) refer to skin diseases or conditions, likely chronic and visible, which would have been considered ritually unclean.
• "Stones" (אֶשֶׁךְ, eshek) and "broken" (מָרוֹחַ, maroach) together refer to damaged testicles, a condition that would have been seen as a serious physical defect in this context.

Why Leviticus 21:20 matters

• Leviticus 21:20 helps clarify that the priesthood in ancient Israel had strict physical requirements, which were about ritual purity and the symbolism of wholeness, not about a person's value to God or the community.
• This verse connects to the broader passage, which lists various physical conditions, showing that the priestly role was set apart in a very visible and concrete way.
• Understanding the original Hebrew words gives insight into the specific types of conditions being described, which helps modern readers avoid projecting later ideas or misunderstandings onto the text.