Leviticus 22:5 Meaning and Explanation
“Or whosoever toucheth any creeping thing, whereby he may be made unclean, or a man of whom he may take uncleanness, whatsoever uncleanness he hath;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Contact with crawling animals or another unclean person also bars priests from eating the holy offerings.
The Context of Leviticus 22:5
Uncleanness from animals or other people also requires purification.
What Does Leviticus 22:5 Mean?
Creeping things—small animals that move along the ground—are listed as sources of uncleanness in Leviticus 11. A priest who touches such a creature becomes unclean. Similarly, contact with another person who is unclean (due to any of the conditions mentioned) transfers that uncleanness.
The principle is straightforward: uncleanness is transmissible through contact. A priest's holiness is not so great that touching unclean things leaves him unchanged. Instead, the priestly role requires intentional maintenance of boundaries.
Frequently Asked Questions About Leviticus 22:5
What does Leviticus 22:5 mean?
Contact with crawling animals or another unclean person also bars priests from eating the holy offerings.
What is the context of Leviticus 22:5?
Uncleanness from animals or other people also requires purification.