Leviticus 22:15 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 22:15 mean?

Leviticus 22:15 instructs that the priests must not treat as ordinary or disrespect the sacred offerings that the Israelites bring to God. The verse emphasizes the responsibility of the priests to keep the holy things dedicated to God set apart and handled with care.

In this part of Leviticus, God is speaking to Moses, giving detailed instructions for the priests (the descendants of Aaron) about how to handle offerings. The context is about maintaining the holiness of items given by the people of Israel to God, especially in the tabernacle worship system. The verse highlights the seriousness with which these offerings were to be regarded and the special role of the priests in protecting their sacredness.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 22:15

• "profane" (חָלַל, ḥālal): This word means to make something common or to treat it as ordinary, which in this context is a warning against disrespecting what is set apart for God.
• "things" (קֹדֶשׁ, qōdesh): This refers to the "holy things," meaning objects or offerings dedicated to God. The word stresses their special, set-apart status.
• "children" (בֵּן, ben): This word means "sons" or "children," here referring to the people of Israel as a whole, whose offerings are being discussed.
• "Israel" (יִשְׂרָאֵל, Yisra'el): This is the nation of Israel, the community bringing offerings to God.
• "offer" (רוּם, rūm): This verb means to lift up or present, describing the act of bringing offerings before God.
• "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, indicating that the offerings are dedicated specifically to Him.

Why Leviticus 22:15 matters

• Leviticus 22:15 clarifies that the priests had a unique duty not just to perform rituals, but to actively guard the holiness of what was given to God, showing that carelessness was a serious issue.
• The verse connects to the wider passage by reinforcing the idea that holiness is not just about personal conduct, but also about how sacred objects and offerings are handled within the community.
• This instruction helps explain why later in the Bible, improper handling of holy things is treated so seriously, and it highlights the close link between the people's offerings and the priests' responsibilities.