But the soul that eateth of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offerings, that pertain unto the LORD, having his uncleanness upon him, even that soul shall be cut off from his people.

LEVITICUS 7:20KJV
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Leviticus 7:20 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 7:20 mean?

Leviticus 7:20 warns that anyone who eats the meat from the peace offerings to the LORD while still being ritually unclean will be separated from their community. This rule stresses that only those who are ceremonially clean may participate in eating these special sacrifices.

In Leviticus, God is giving instructions to Moses for the Israelites about proper worship and sacrifices. The peace offerings were a way for people to celebrate fellowship with God, but there were strict rules about who could take part. Being "cut off" meant exclusion from the community, showing how seriously purity was taken in these rituals.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 7:20

  • The word "soul" (נֶפֶשׁ, nephesh) here refers to a person or individual, not just a spiritual part, emphasizing personal responsibility for ritual purity.
  • "Uncleanness" (טֻמְאָה, tum'ah) means a state of ritual impurity, which could come from various sources like contact with certain animals or bodily conditions. This word highlights that the concern is not physical dirt but a specific religious status.
  • "Cut off" (כָּרַת, karath) often means to be excluded or separated from the people, which could involve banishment or loss of community standing, not necessarily death. This shows the seriousness of breaking these worship rules.

Why Leviticus 7:20 matters

  • This verse clarifies that ritual purity was not just a private matter but affected the whole community’s relationship with God.
  • The rule connects to the broader theme in Leviticus about holiness and the need for careful boundaries around sacred things.
  • Understanding the specific terms helps modern readers see that "uncleanness" was about ritual status, not moral failure, and "cut off" was a severe but communal consequence.

Where else these words appear

“uncleanness” Hebrew H2932 · used in 31 verses

  • Leviticus 5:3 Or if he touch the uncleanness of man, whatsoever uncleanness it be that a man shall be defiled withal, and it be hid from him; when he knoweth of it, then he shall be guilty.
  • Leviticus 18:19 Also thou shalt not approach unto a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is put apart for her uncleanness.
  • Ezra 9:11 Which thou hast commanded by thy servants the prophets, saying, The land, unto which ye go to possess it, is an unclean land with the filthiness of the people of the lands, with their abominations, which have filled it from one end to another with their uncleanness.

“offerings” Hebrew H8002 · used in 84 verses

  • Exodus 20:24 An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.
  • Leviticus 10:14 And the wave breast and heave shoulder shall ye eat in a clean place; thou, and thy sons, and thy daughters with thee: for they be thy due, and thy sons' due, which are given out of the sacrifices of peace offerings of the children of Israel.
  • Judges 20:26 Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came unto the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the LORD, and fasted that day until even, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.