Lexical Summary piggul: Unclean, foul, abominable Original Word: פִגּוּל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance abomination, Or piggul {pig-gool'}; from an unused root meaning to stink; properly, fetid, i.e. (figuratively) unclean (ceremonially) -- abominable(-tion, thing). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition foul thing, refuse NASB Translation offense (1), offensive thing (1), unclean (1), unclean meat (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [מִּגּוּל] noun masculineLeviticus 7:18 foul thing, refuse, but only as technical term of unclean sacrificial flesh; — it is ׳פ if eaten on third day Leviticus 7:18 (P), Leviticus 19:7 (H); compare ׳בְּשַׂר פ Ezekiel 4:14 (undefined); plural מְרַק מִּגֻּלִים Isaiah 65:4 broth of refuse things (Kt פרק), RSSem i. 325, 2nd ed. 343 thinks of flesh with the blood; Duon the passage of mice and other unclean animals. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Scopeپִגּוּל designates sacrificial flesh or food that has become abhorrent to the LORD because it is handled contrary to His stated prescriptions. The word therefore moves beyond mere ritual uncleanness and signals an offense that renders the offering wholly unacceptable, exposing the offender to guilt rather than favor. In every occurrence the context is worship, emphasizing the boundary between what God receives and what He repudiates. Cultic Setting in Leviticus Leviticus 7:18 and Leviticus 19:7 legislate the peace offering. The meat was to be eaten on the first or second day; if kept until the third, “it is impure, and the person who eats of it shall bear his iniquity” (Leviticus 7:18). YHWH insists that the fellowship meal remain fresh, highlighting His holiness and the immediacy of covenant fellowship. Perversely extending the time limit cheapened the sacrifice and treated divine worship as common. The offender “shall bear his iniquity,” a judicial phrase that shifts covenant blessing to liability, demonstrating that careless worship incurs real guilt. Prophetic Usage Isaiah 65:4 indicts a nation that “eat the flesh of pigs, and the broth of impure meat is in their bowls”. Here פִגּוּל paints a vivid picture of idolatrous Israel delighting in what God calls repulsive. The term moves from cultic regulation to moral indictment, exposing the heart that prefers defilement to covenant loyalty. Ezekiel 4:14 records the prophet’s plea: “I have never defiled myself… nor has tainted meat ever entered my mouth”. Ezekiel appeals to a lifelong avoidance of פִגּוּל to underscore his personal integrity while symbolically bearing Judah’s iniquity. The word thus becomes a measuring rod for prophetic faithfulness. Theological Themes 1. Holiness and Timeliness: Acceptable worship is not only about the right object and method; it is also about the right moment. Delayed obedience becomes disobedience. 2. Accountability: In Leviticus, eating פִגּוּל shifts the sinner from worshipper to transgressor. Holiness laws safeguard the people by exposing hidden presumption. 3. Separation from Pagan Practices: Isaiah links פִגּוּל with pagan graves and secret rituals, showing that despised worship moves participants toward the culture of death rather than life with God. 4. Integrity of the Servant: Ezekiel’s refusal reveals that guarding one’s table is part of guarding one’s prophetic ministry. Personal holiness undergirds public calling. Historical Significance In the Ancient Near East, meat left to decompose was often used in magical rites or idol feasts. Israel’s prohibition set the nation apart, teaching that YHWH’s presence could not be manipulated. The law also protected community health, but its chief aim was theological: to portray the LORD as the living God who demands fresh, wholehearted devotion. Ministry Implications • Worship leaders must ensure that offerings—whether prayers, songs, or acts of service—are offered promptly and sincerely, not as leftover duty. • Pastoral care should confront casual attitudes toward the Lord’s Table; what is holy cannot be treated as common without consequence (1 Corinthians 11:27-30). • Discipleship involves helping believers discern and discard practices that Scripture labels abominable, however culturally accepted they may be. Fulfillment in Christ Every sacrifice hinted at the perfect offering of Jesus Christ, “who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God” (Hebrews 9:14). His body did not see corruption (Acts 2:31), answering the shadow of פִגּוּל with incorruptible life. Union with Him calls the Church to present itself as “a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God” (Romans 12:1), free from the staleness of formalism and the pollution of sin. Key References Leviticus 7:18; Leviticus 19:7; Isaiah 65:4; Ezekiel 4:14 Forms and Transliterations פִּגֻּלִ֖ים פִּגּ֣וּל פִּגּ֥וּל פִּגּֽוּל׃ פגול פגול׃ פגלים pig·gu·lîm pig·gūl pigGul piggūl pigguLim piggulîmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Leviticus 7:18 HEB: יֵחָשֵׁ֛ב ל֖וֹ פִּגּ֣וּל יִהְיֶ֑ה וְהַנֶּ֛פֶשׁ NAS: [and] it will not be reckoned to his [benefit]. It shall be an offensive thing, and the person KJV: unto him that offereth it: it shall be an abomination, and the soul INT: it will not be reckoned shall be an offensive become and the person Leviticus 19:7 Isaiah 65:4 Ezekiel 4:14 4 Occurrences |
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