Leviticus 22:3 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Anyone in the priesthood who touches holy things while ritually unclean will be cut off from God's presence.
The Context of Leviticus 22:3
God warns that approaching holy things while unclean brings severe consequence.
What Does Leviticus 22:3 Mean?
This law applies to all descendants of Aaron throughout all generations. The phrase 'cut off from my presence' indicates serious separation—removal from the priestly service and the covenant community. The consequence extends beyond punishment; it reflects the incompatibility of uncleanness with God's holiness.
A person approaching holy things while unclean—whether through bodily discharge, contact with the dead, or other sources of uncleanness—violates the boundary between the sacred and the profane. God establishes this standard not as arbitrary but as the condition for living in covenant relationship.
Leviticus 22:3 in the Original Language
cut off (כָּרַת, karat) — to be cut off, severed, removed from community; the strongest form of separation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Leviticus 22:3
What does Leviticus 22:3 mean?
Anyone in the priesthood who touches holy things while ritually unclean will be cut off from God's presence.
What is the context of Leviticus 22:3?
God warns that approaching holy things while unclean brings severe consequence.