Leviticus 7:21 – “Anyone who touches something unclean—whether human uncleanness or an unclean animal or any unclean creature that moves along the ground—and then eats any of the meat of the fellowship offering belonging to the Lord must be cut off from their people.”
Extended Explanation
Leviticus 7:21 emphasizes the seriousness of maintaining purity when participating in the fellowship offering. This verse instructs that if anyone becomes ceremonially unclean by touching something impure—whether it’s a human condition, an unclean animal, or any other unclean creature—they must not eat the meat of the fellowship offering. If they do, they are to be “cut off” from their people, meaning they would be excluded from the community.
The fellowship offering was a significant part of Israelite worship, symbolizing peace and communion with God. The meat from this offering was considered holy, and only those who were ceremonially clean could partake in it. This rule highlights the importance of approaching holy things with reverence and maintaining a state of purity when engaging in acts of worship.
Historical Context
In ancient Israel, the concept of clean and unclean was foundational to their daily life and worship practices. The laws governing cleanliness were extensive and covered many aspects of life, from diet to health to interactions with the environment. These laws were not only about physical cleanliness but also about maintaining a spiritual and moral purity that reflected God’s holiness.
The fellowship offering, also known as the peace offering, was a voluntary act of worship where the worshiper, the priest, and others would share a meal from the sacrifice. This communal meal was a celebration of peace with God and with one another. Because the offering was considered holy, it was crucial that those who participated were in a state of ceremonial cleanliness. Touching something unclean before eating the offering would defile the meal and dishonor the sacredness of the act.
Theological Implications
Theologically, Leviticus 7:21 underscores the principle that God’s holiness demands purity from His people. The requirement to remain clean when participating in holy activities reflects the broader biblical theme that God is holy, and His people must be holy in their approach to Him. This verse teaches that worship is not just a casual activity but a serious engagement with the Holy God, requiring careful preparation and a pure heart.
The consequence of being “cut off” from the community serves as a warning that impurity and irreverence have serious spiritual and communal consequences. It reminds believers that their relationship with God is deeply interconnected with their relationship with the community of faith and that maintaining purity is essential for both.
Literary Analysis
Leviticus 7:21 is part of a detailed set of instructions regarding the sacrificial system and the concept of holiness. The verse is structured to present a clear cause-and-effect relationship: touching something unclean and then eating the meat of the fellowship offering results in being cut off from the community. The use of specific examples—human uncleanness, unclean animals, and unclean creatures—emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the law and the need for vigilance in maintaining purity.
The phrase “must be cut off” adds a strong sense of urgency and consequence to the command, reinforcing the seriousness with which these laws were to be observed.
Biblical Cross-References
A relevant cross-reference is found in Numbers 19:20, where anyone who becomes unclean and does not purify themselves is also to be cut off from the community. This passage echoes the principle seen in Leviticus 7:21, emphasizing the importance of purification in maintaining a relationship with God and the community. Another important reference is 1 Corinthians 11:27-29, where Paul warns that anyone who eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner is guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. This New Testament passage reflects a similar concern for purity and reverence in participating in sacred acts.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For today’s Christian, Leviticus 7:21 serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining spiritual purity in our relationship with God. While the specific laws about ceremonial cleanness do not apply in the same way, the principle of approaching God with a pure heart remains crucial. This verse challenges believers to examine their lives and to ensure that they are not engaging in worship or other sacred activities with unresolved sin or impurity in their lives.
This verse also calls Christians to be mindful of how their actions affect their relationship with the community of faith. Just as impurity could lead to being cut off from the community in ancient Israel, so too can sin and irreverence disrupt the unity and holiness of the church today. Maintaining a pure and reverent approach to worship is essential for fostering a healthy, holy community.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
Leviticus 7:21 reflects God’s love in that He provides clear guidelines for how His people are to maintain purity and approach Him in worship. By establishing these boundaries, God protects the holiness of His worship and ensures that His people understand the seriousness of entering His presence. This verse shows that God’s love includes guiding His people toward a life of holiness that reflects His character and fosters a right relationship with Him and others.
God’s love is also evident in the way He cares for the community as a whole. By enforcing rules that maintain purity in worship, God ensures that the entire community can enjoy a relationship with Him that is untainted by impurity or irreverence. This command reflects God’s desire for His people to live in a way that honors Him and fosters a healthy, holy community.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Leviticus 7:21 connects to Jesus Christ in that Jesus fulfills the requirements of the Law and brings a new understanding of purity. Through His sacrifice, Jesus cleanses believers from sin and makes it possible for them to approach God with confidence, regardless of their past uncleanness. Hebrews 10:22 invites believers to “draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.”
Through Jesus, believers are no longer bound by the ceremonial laws of cleanliness but are called to live in the purity that comes from a heart transformed by His grace. This purity allows believers to engage in worship and fellowship with God in a way that honors His holiness and reflects the cleansing power of Christ.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- How does Leviticus 7:21 challenge you to think about the purity of your heart and life when approaching worship?
- In what ways can you ensure that your actions and attitudes reflect the holiness that God desires from His people?
- How does this verse encourage you to consider the impact of your behavior on your relationship with God and the community of faith?
- What can you learn from the connection between the Old Testament laws of purity and Jesus’ work of cleansing and sanctifying His people?