Leviticus 21:20 Meaning and Explanation
“Or crookbackt, or a dwarf, or that hath a blemish in his eye, or be scurvy, or scabbed, or hath his stones broken;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Spinal deformity, short stature, eye defects, and various skin or reproductive conditions disqualify a priest.
The Context of Leviticus 21:20
More physical disqualifications are enumerated.
What Does Leviticus 21:20 Mean?
This verse continues listing specific conditions: a crooked back indicated curvature of the spine; a dwarf was a person of notably short stature; blemishes in the eye included cataracts or other visible eye defects; scurvy and scabs represented skin diseases or discoloration; broken stones referred to damage or defect in the testicles (relevant to reproduction and visible condition). Each condition was visibly distinguishable and affected the priest's appearance or function.
The comprehensiveness of the list—covering the back, the torso, the face, the skin, and the reproductive organs—left no doubt: any visible defect, whether affecting function or not, disqualified. This was not cruelty but clarity. The community needed to know that at the altar stood someone whole, unmarred, and fitting to represent the holy people before a holy God.
Frequently Asked Questions About Leviticus 21:20
What does Leviticus 21:20 mean?
Spinal deformity, short stature, eye defects, and various skin or reproductive conditions disqualify a priest.
What is the context of Leviticus 21:20?
More physical disqualifications are enumerated.