Leviticus 21:23 Meaning and Explanation
“Only he shall not go in unto the vail, nor come nigh unto the altar, because he hath a blemish; that he profane not my sanctuaries: for I the LORD do sanctify them.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The blemished priest must avoid the inner sanctuary and the altar to prevent profaning holy space.
The Context of Leviticus 21:23
The specific restrictions on a blemished priest's access to sacred space are stated.
What Does Leviticus 21:23 Mean?
The vail separated the holy place from the most holy place, the innermost sanctuary. The prohibition means a blemished priest could not enter beyond the general priestly areas where daily duties were performed. Coming nigh to the altar—approaching it to offer—was the privilege reserved for unblemished priests. The concern was that the priest's visible defect might profane the sanctuaries by suggesting that imperfection was acceptable before God.
The reasoning—'that he profane not my sanctuaries'—reveals the theology: God's holiness is the foundation of the restriction, not arbitrary rules about appearance. The sanctuaries themselves belonged to God and were set apart for Him. A priest with a blemish drawing near to them might suggest that the boundary between the defective and the holy was less clear than the law required. The blemished priest's exclusion protected not him but the sanctity of the space itself.
Leviticus 21:23 in the Original Language
paroketh (פָּרֹכֶת), 'vail' — the curtain separating the holy place from the most holy place (Holy of Holies).
Frequently Asked Questions About Leviticus 21:23
What does Leviticus 21:23 mean?
The blemished priest must avoid the inner sanctuary and the altar to prevent profaning holy space.
What is the context of Leviticus 21:23?
The specific restrictions on a blemished priest's access to sacred space are stated.