King James Version

What Does Leviticus 22:3 Mean?

Leviticus 22:3 in the King James Version says “Say unto them, Whosoever he be of all your seed among your generations, that goeth unto the holy things, which the child...” — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Say unto them, Whosoever he be of all your seed among your generations, that goeth unto the holy things, which the children of Israel hallow unto the LORD, having his uncleanness upon him, that soul shall be cut off from my presence: I am the LORD.”

Leviticus 22:3 · KJV

Context

1

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

2

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.

3

Say unto them, Whosoever he be of all your seed among your generations, that goeth unto the holy things, which the children of Israel hallow unto the LORD, having his uncleanness upon him, that soul shall be cut off from my presence: I am the LORD.

4

What man soever of the seed of Aaron is a leper, or hath a running issue; he shall not eat of the holy things, until he be clean. And whoso toucheth any thing that is unclean by the dead, or a man whose seed goeth from him; running: Heb. running of the reins

5

Or whosoever toucheth any creeping thing, whereby he may be made unclean, or a man of whom he may take uncleanness, whatsoever uncleanness he hath;

Read Leviticus 22 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Say unto them, Whosoever he be of all your seed among your generations, that goeth unto the holy things, which the children of Israel hallow unto the LORD, having his uncleanness upon him, that soul shall be cut off from my presence: I am the LORD.

This verse falls within the section on Acceptable Sacrifices. Requirements for acceptable sacrifices and those who may eat sacred offerings, maintaining sacrifice quality.

The central theme of Leviticus is God's holiness and the call for His people to be holy. The Hebrew word qadosh (קָדוֹשׁ) means 'set apart' or 'sacred,' emphasizing both separation from sin and consecration to God's purposes. Ritual purity laws taught Israel to distinguish between clean and unclean, holy and common, training them in discernment and reverence for God's presence.
The New Testament reveals that Christ's sacrifice accomplishes what the Levitical system could only symbolize—complete forgiveness and restoration of relationship with God.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Requirements for acceptable sacrifices and those who may eat sacred offerings, maintaining sacrifice quality. Chapters 17-27, often called the 'Holiness Code,' expand covenant obligations beyond ritual to encompass all of life—sexuality, economics, justice, and relationships. The repeated refrain 'I am the LORD' grounds these laws in God's character and covenant relationship with Israel. Israel received these laws while encamped at Sinai, before entering Canaan. The laws prepared them for life in the promised land, distinguishing them from Canaanite practices and establishing their identity as God's holy nation. The portable tabernacle, central to Levitical worship, accompanied them through wilderness wanderings and eventually found permanent form in Solomon's temple. Ancient texts like the Code of Hammurabi show that law codes were common in the ancient Near East, but biblical law uniquely grounded ethics in God's character rather than merely social convention.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's holiness, as revealed in this verse, shape your understanding of worship, obedience, and daily living?
  2. How can you develop greater spiritual discernment in distinguishing what honors God from what defiles?
  3. How does this verse help you understand both God's justice and His mercy in salvation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
אֱמֹ֣ר1 of 24

“Say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲלֵהֶ֗ם2 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

לְדֹרֹ֨תֵיכֶ֜ם3 of 24

“among your generations”

H1755

properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling

כָּל4 of 24
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אִ֣ישׁ׀5 of 24

“unto them Whosoever”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֲשֶׁר6 of 24
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יִקְרַ֣ב7 of 24

“that goeth”

H7126

to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose

מִכָּל8 of 24
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

זַרְעֲכֶ֗ם9 of 24

“he be of all your seed”

H2233

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

אֶל10 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַקֳּדָשִׁים֙11 of 24

“unto the holy things”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

אֲשֶׁ֨ר12 of 24
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יַקְדִּ֤ישׁוּ13 of 24

“hallow”

H6942

to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)

בְנֵֽי14 of 24

“which the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙15 of 24

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

יְהוָֽה׃16 of 24

“I am the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וְטֻמְאָת֖וֹ17 of 24

“having his uncleanness”

H2932

religious impurity

עָלָ֑יו18 of 24
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

וְנִכְרְתָ֞ה19 of 24

“shall be cut off”

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

הַנֶּ֧פֶשׁ20 of 24

“upon him that soul”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

הַהִ֛וא21 of 24
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

מִלְּפָנַ֖י22 of 24

“from my presence”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

אֲנִ֥י23 of 24
H589

i

יְהוָֽה׃24 of 24

“I am the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Leviticus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Leviticus 22:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Leviticus 22:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 7:20-21Matthew 25:41Exodus 33:14-152 Thessalonians 1:9Psalms 51:11Psalms 16:11

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