Moreover the soul that shall touch any unclean thing, as the uncleanness of man, or any unclean beast, or any abominable unclean thing, and eat of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which pertain unto the LORD, even that soul shall be cut off from his people.

LEVITICUS 7:21KJV
Know the Bible

Leviticus 7:21 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 7:21 mean?

Leviticus 7:21 warns that anyone who touches something considered unclean—whether it is a person, an animal, or any other unclean thing—and then eats meat from the peace offerings given to the LORD, will be separated from the community. This verse sets a strict boundary: only those who are ritually clean may eat from these special sacrifices.

In this part of Leviticus, God is giving Moses detailed instructions for the Israelites about how to handle offerings and maintain ritual purity. The focus here is on the seriousness of approaching holy things with respect and care. The command to be "cut off" shows how important purity was in Israel’s worship and community life.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 7:21

  • The word "soul" (נֶפֶשׁ, nefesh) refers to a person or individual, emphasizing that this rule applies to anyone, not just priests or leaders.
  • "Touch" (נָגַע, naga‘) means more than a light contact; it often implies a meaningful or intentional contact that could transfer impurity.
  • "Unclean" (טָמֵא, tame’) and "uncleanness" (טֻמְאָה, tum’ah) both refer to ritual impurity, not just physical dirtiness, and cover a range of conditions that made someone or something unfit for worship.
  • "Cut off" (כָּרַת, karat) is a strong phrase that often means being excluded from the people, which could be social, spiritual, or even physical removal.

Why Leviticus 7:21 matters

  • This verse clarifies that ritual purity was not just for priests but for anyone who wanted to participate in eating the peace offerings.
  • It highlights that holiness and respect for God’s instructions were central to Israel’s worship, with real consequences for ignoring these boundaries.
  • The rule connects to the larger theme in Leviticus about the need for separation between the holy and the common, and between clean and unclean, as a way to honor God’s presence among the people.

Where else these words appear

“abominable” Hebrew H8263 · used in 11 verses

  • Leviticus 11:10 And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you:
  • Leviticus 11:13 And these are they which ye shall have in abomination among the fowls; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray,
  • Leviticus 11:41 And every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth shall be an abomination; it shall not be eaten.

“unclean” 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.

“unclean” Hebrew H2931 · used in 78 verses

  • Leviticus 5:2 Or if a soul touch any unclean thing, whether it be a carcase of an unclean beast, or a carcase of unclean cattle, or the carcase of unclean creeping things, and if it be hidden from him; he also shall be unclean, and guilty.
  • Leviticus 14:41 And he shall cause the house to be scraped within round about, and they shall pour out the dust that they scrape off without the city into an unclean place:
  • Deuteronomy 14:8 And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you: ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcase.

“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.