Leviticus 22:4 Meaning and Explanation
“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;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Priests with leprosy, bodily discharge, or contact with death cannot eat the holy offerings until they are ritually clean.
The Context of Leviticus 22:4
God lists conditions that temporarily bar priests from eating consecrated food.
What Does Leviticus 22:4 Mean?
The list of conditions barring a priest from eating the holy offerings includes leprosy (a serious skin condition), running issue (bodily discharge), and contact with death. These conditions render a person ritually unclean—not because they are morally evil, but because they represent states incompatible with approaching the holy.
Each condition listed has a natural end: leprosy heals, discharge ceases, time passes after contact with death. When these resolve, the priest can resume his role. Ritual purity is not permanent status but requires attention to boundaries and restoration.
Leviticus 22:4 in the Original Language
issue (זוּב, zub) — a discharge or flux of bodily fluid; the term appears often in Leviticus for sources of uncleanness.
Frequently Asked Questions About Leviticus 22:4
What does Leviticus 22:4 mean?
Priests with leprosy, bodily discharge, or contact with death cannot eat the holy offerings until they are ritually clean.
What is the context of Leviticus 22:4?
God lists conditions that temporarily bar priests from eating consecrated food.