Speak unto 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 unto me: I am the LORD.

LEVITICUS 22:2KJV
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Leviticus 22:2 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 22:2 mean?

Leviticus 22:2 instructs Aaron and his sons, the priests, to keep themselves separate from the holy offerings brought by the Israelites, so they do not disrespect or misuse what is set apart for God, and so they do not dishonor God’s holy name. The verse stresses that these offerings are made holy by the people for God, and God alone is the LORD.

God is speaking to Moses, telling him to relay this command to Aaron and his sons, who are responsible for handling the sacred things in the tabernacle. The situation is about maintaining the holiness of the offerings and God’s name by making sure the priests treat these things with the utmost respect and care. This verse sets the tone for the rules that follow, which explain how priests must act to avoid making the holy things common or unclean.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 22:2

  • "Separate" (נָזַר, nâzar) means to keep apart or hold back from something. Here, it emphasizes that the priests must not treat the holy offerings like ordinary things; they must maintain a clear boundary between what is sacred and what is not.
  • "Profane" (חָלַל, ḥâlal) carries the idea of making something common or treating it as ordinary. In this verse, it warns the priests not to treat God’s name or the holy offerings in a way that would strip them of their special, set-apart status.
  • "Holy things" (קֹדֶשׁ, qôdesh) refers to items or offerings that have been dedicated to God. The word highlights that these are not just regular gifts, but things set apart specifically for worship and service to God.
  • "Hallow" (קָדַשׁ, qâdash) means to make or treat as holy. The verse notes that the Israelites are the ones who dedicate these things to God, so the priests must respect that dedication.

Why Leviticus 22:2 matters

  • Leviticus 22:2 clarifies that not even priests can approach holy things carelessly; their special role comes with strict boundaries and responsibilities.
  • The verse highlights the seriousness of honoring God’s name, showing that disrespecting what is set apart for God is the same as dishonoring God Himself.
  • This instruction connects to the larger section in Leviticus about purity and holiness, reminding readers that God’s presence among His people requires careful respect for what is holy.

Where else these words appear

“separate” Hebrew H5144 · used in 10 verses

  • Leviticus 15:31 Thus shall ye separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness; that they die not in their uncleanness, when they defile my tabernacle that is among them.
  • Numbers 6:5 All the days of the vow of his separation there shall no razor come upon his head: until the days be fulfilled, in the which he separateth himself unto the LORD, he shall be holy, and shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow.
  • Ezekiel 14:7 For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me, and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a prophet to enquire of him concerning me; I the LORD will answer him by myself:

“profane” Hebrew H2490 · used in 131 verses

  • Genesis 4:26 And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.
  • Judges 20:39 And when the men of Israel retired in the battle, Benjamin began to smite and kill of the men of Israel about thirty persons: for they said, Surely they are smitten down before us, as in the first battle.
  • Jeremiah 16:18 And first I will recompense their iniquity and their sin double; because they have defiled my land, they have filled mine inheritance with the carcases of their detestable and abominable things.