Leviticus 22:7 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 22:7 mean?

Leviticus 22:7 says that after sunset, a priest who was made unclean can once again be considered clean and is allowed to eat the sacred food, since this food is his rightful portion. The verse sets a specific time—when the sun goes down—for when the priest’s ritual impurity ends and he can return to his duties.

In this verse, God is giving instructions to Moses for the priests about ritual cleanliness. If a priest becomes unclean, he must wait until evening before he can eat the holy offerings. The “holy things” are portions of sacrifices reserved for priests as their food, and the timing emphasizes the importance of following God’s procedures for purity in temple service.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 22:7

• “sun” (שֶׁמֶשׁ, shemesh): This word refers to the literal sun, marking the end of the day. The setting of the sun is the signal for when the priest’s period of uncleanness is over.
• “down” (בּוֹא, bo): This word means “to go in” or “to come,” and here it describes the sun’s “going in” or setting. The verse is specific about the timing—purity is restored not immediately, but only after sunset.
• “clean” (טָהֵר, taher): This word means to be ritually pure. The verse uses it to show the priest’s status changes from unclean to clean at a set time, not by his own action but by waiting.
• “things” (קֹדֶשׁ, qodesh): This word means “holy things” or “sacred things,” referring to the food offerings set apart for priests. The verse clarifies that these are not ordinary meals, but special portions with strict rules.

Why Leviticus 22:7 matters

• The verse clarifies that ritual impurity for priests is temporary and ends at sunset, not at any random time, which helps prevent confusion about when a priest can resume his duties.
• It highlights the importance of following God’s instructions for holiness, especially for those handling sacred offerings.
• The verse connects to the broader passage by showing how God’s laws protect both the holiness of the offerings and the well-being of the priests, ensuring that sacred things are treated with respect.