Leviticus 22:9

9 The priests must keep my requirement so that they don't become liable to punishment and die for having made it impure. I am the LORD, who makes them holy.

Leviticus 22:9 Meaning and Commentary

Leviticus 22:9

They shall therefore keep mine ordinance
The observance of my word, as the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan, of his word of command; either respecting the not eating of such creatures that died of themselves, or were torn by beasts; or else the not eating holy things in uncleanness, so Jarchi and Gersom; but Aben Ezra thinks the sanctuary is referred to, which was to be kept by the priests, and which seems to agree with what follows: lest they bear sin for it:
the sanctuary, by neglecting it, and so be charged with the guilt of sin, and be obliged to bear the punishment of it: and die therefore if they profane it;
by going into it in their uncleanness, and eating of the most holy things there when in such circumstances, and die by the hand of God, as Jarchi and Ben Gersom interpret it, as Nadab and Abihu did, and even in like manner, by fire, ( Leviticus 10:1 Leviticus 10:2 ) ; and so the Targum of Jonathan,

``lest they die by flaming fire:''
I the Lord do sanctify them;
the priests, who were separated from others, and devoted to his service, and therefore ought to be holy; or the holy things separated for the use of the priests, but not to be eaten in their uncleanness; the Arabic version renders it, "do sanctify that", the sanctuary, and therefore it should not be profaned, but be kept pure and holy.

Leviticus 22:9 In-Context

7 Once the sun has set and he has become clean again, he may eat of the holy things, for that is his food.
8 He must not eat an animal that has died naturally or that was killed by another animal, becoming unclean by doing so; I am the LORD.
9 The priests must keep my requirement so that they don't become liable to punishment and die for having made it impure. I am the LORD, who makes them holy.
10 No layperson is allowed to eat the holy offerings. No foreign guest or hired laborer of a priest can eat it.
11 But if a priest purchases a servant, that person can eat it, and servants born into the priest's household can also eat his food.

Footnotes 1

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