Leviticus 21:17
New International Version
“Say to Aaron: ‘For the generations to come none of your descendants who has a defect may come near to offer the food of his God.

New Living Translation
“Give the following instructions to Aaron: In all future generations, none of your descendants who has any defect will qualify to offer food to his God.

English Standard Version
“Speak to Aaron, saying, None of your offspring throughout their generations who has a blemish may approach to offer the bread of his God.

Berean Standard Bible
“Say to Aaron, ‘For the generations to come, none of your descendants who has a physical defect may approach to offer the food of his God.

King James Bible
Speak unto Aaron, saying, Whosoever he be of thy seed in their generations that hath any blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God.

New King James Version
“Speak to Aaron, saying: ‘No man of your descendants in succeeding generations, who has any defect, may approach to offer the bread of his God.

New American Standard Bible
“Speak to Aaron, saying, ‘None of your descendants throughout their generations who has an impairment shall approach to offer the food of his God.

NASB 1995
“Speak to Aaron, saying, ‘No man of your offspring throughout their generations who has a defect shall approach to offer the food of his God.

NASB 1977
“Speak to Aaron, saying, ‘No man of your offspring throughout their generations who has a defect shall approach to offer the bread of his God.

Legacy Standard Bible
“Speak to Aaron, saying, ‘No man of your seed throughout their generations who has a defect shall come near to offer the food of his God.

Amplified Bible
“Say to Aaron, ‘Throughout their generations none of your descendants who has any [physical] defect shall approach [the altar] to present the food of his God.

Christian Standard Bible
“Tell Aaron: None of your descendants throughout your generations who has a physical defect is to come near to present the food of his God.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Tell Aaron: None of your descendants throughout your generations who has a physical defect is to come near to present the food of his God.

American Standard Version
Speak unto Aaron, saying, Whosoever he be of thy seed throughout their generations that hath a blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God.

English Revised Version
Speak unto Aaron, saying, Whosoever he be of thy seed throughout their generations that hath a blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Tell Aaron: If any of your descendants (now or in future generations) has a physical defect, he must never bring food to offer to God.

Good News Translation
to tell Aaron, "None of your descendants who has any physical defects may present the food offering to me. This applies for all time to come.

International Standard Version
"Tell Aaron that whoever of your descendants throughout their generations has a bodily defect is not to approach to offer the food of his God.

Majority Standard Bible
?Say to Aaron, ?For the generations to come, none of your descendants who has a physical defect may approach to offer the food of his God.

NET Bible
"Tell Aaron, 'No man from your descendants throughout their generations who has a physical flaw is to approach to present the food of his God.

New Heart English Bible
"Say to Aaron, 'None of your descendants throughout their generations who has a blemish, may approach to offer the bread of his God.

Webster's Bible Translation
Speak to Aaron, saying, whoever he may be of thy seed in their generations that hath any blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God:

World English Bible
“Say to Aaron, ‘None of your offspring throughout their generations who has a defect may approach to offer the bread of his God.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“Speak to Aaron, saying, No man of your seed throughout their generations in whom there is blemish draws near to bring the bread of his God near,

Young's Literal Translation
'Speak unto Aaron, saying, No man of thy seed to their generations in whom there is blemish doth draw near to bring near the bread of his God,

Smith's Literal Translation
Speak to Aaron saying, A man from thy seed according to their generations, to whom shall be in him a blemish, shall not come near to bring the bread of his God.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Say to Aaron: Whosoever of thy seed throughout their families, hath a blemish, he shall not offer bread to his God.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Say to Aaron: A man from your offspring, throughout their families, who has a blemish, shall not offer the bread to his God.

New American Bible
Say to Aaron: None of your descendants, throughout their generations, who has any blemish shall come forward to offer the food of his God.

New Revised Standard Version
Speak to Aaron and say: No one of your offspring throughout their generations who has a blemish may approach to offer the food of his God.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Speak to Aaron and say to him, Whosoever he be of your descendants throughout their generations who has any blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
“Speak with Ahron and say to him: ‘A man of your seed for their generations who will have a defect in him shall not come to bring the bread of his God.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Speak unto Aaron, saying: Whosoever he be of thy seed throughout their generations that hath a blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Say to Aaron, A man of thy tribe throughout your generations, who shall have a blemish on him, shall not draw nigh to offer the gifts of his God.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Restrictions Against Those with Blemishes
16Then the LORD said to Moses, 17“Say to Aaron, ‘For the generations to come, none of your descendants who has a physical defect may approach to offer the food of his God. 18No man who has any defect may approach—no man who is blind, lame, disfigured, or deformed;…

Cross References
Numbers 18:19-22
All the holy offerings that the Israelites present to the LORD I give to you and to your sons and daughters as a permanent statute. It is a permanent covenant of salt before the LORD for you and your offspring.” / Then the LORD said to Aaron, “You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the Israelites. / Behold, I have given to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work they do, the service of the Tent of Meeting. ...

Deuteronomy 15:21
But if an animal has a defect, is lame or blind, or has any serious flaw, you must not sacrifice it to the LORD your God.

Malachi 1:8
When you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is it not wrong? And when you present the lame and sick ones, is it not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you or show you favor?” asks the LORD of Hosts.

Malachi 1:14
“But cursed is the deceiver who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but sacrifices a defective animal to the Lord. For I am a great King,” says the LORD of Hosts, “and My name is to be feared among the nations.

Leviticus 22:20-25
You must not present anything with a defect, because it will not be accepted on your behalf. / When a man presents a peace offering to the LORD from the herd or flock to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering, it must be without blemish or defect to be acceptable. / You are not to present to the LORD any animal that is blind, injured, or maimed, or anything with a running sore, a festering rash, or a scab; you must not put any of these on the altar as a food offering to the LORD. ...

Deuteronomy 17:1
You shall not sacrifice to the LORD your God an ox or a sheep with any defect or serious flaw, for that is detestable to the LORD your God.

Isaiah 56:3-5
Let no foreigner who has joined himself to the LORD say, “The LORD will utterly exclude me from His people.” And let the eunuch not say, “I am but a dry tree.” / For this is what the LORD says: “To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths, who choose what pleases Me and hold fast to My covenant— / I will give them, in My house and within My walls, a memorial and a name better than that of sons and daughters. I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off.

2 Samuel 5:8
On that day he said, “Whoever attacks the Jebusites must use the water shaft to reach the lame and blind who are despised by David.” That is why it is said, “The blind and the lame will never enter the palace.”

Ezekiel 44:10-13
Surely the Levites who wandered away from Me when Israel went astray, and who wandered away from Me after their idols, will bear the consequences of their iniquity. / Yet they shall be ministers in My sanctuary, having charge of the gates of the temple and ministering there. They shall slaughter the burnt offerings and other sacrifices for the people and stand before them to minister to them. / Because they ministered before their idols and became a stumbling block of iniquity to the house of Israel, therefore I swore with an uplifted hand concerning them that they would bear the consequences of their iniquity, declares the Lord GOD. ...

Hebrews 7:26-28
Such a high priest truly befits us—One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. / Unlike the other high priests, He does not need to offer daily sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people; He sacrificed for sin once for all when He offered up Himself. / For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.

Hebrews 5:1-4
Every high priest is appointed from among men to represent them in matters relating to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. / He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and misguided, since he himself is subject to weakness. / That is why he is obligated to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. ...

1 Peter 2:5
you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Matthew 5:48
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Matthew 21:14
The blind and the lame came to Him at the temple, and He healed them.


Treasury of Scripture

Speak to Aaron, saying, Whoever he be of your seed in their generations that has any blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God.

blemish

Leviticus 22:20-25
But whatsoever hath a blemish, that shall ye not offer: for it shall not be acceptable for you…

1 Thessalonians 2:10
Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:

1 Timothy 3:2
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

let him

Leviticus 21:21
No man that hath a blemish of the seed of Aaron the priest shall come nigh to offer the offerings of the LORD made by fire: he hath a blemish; he shall not come nigh to offer the bread of his God.

Leviticus 10:3
Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.

Numbers 16:5
And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the LORD will shew who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him.

bread.

Leviticus 3:11,16
And the priest shall burn it upon the altar: it is the food of the offering made by fire unto the LORD…

Jump to Previous
Aaron Approach Blemish Body Bread Damaged Defect Descendants Family Food Generation Generations Offer Offering Offspring Present Seed Speak Throughout
Jump to Next
Aaron Approach Blemish Body Bread Damaged Defect Descendants Family Food Generation Generations Offer Offering Offspring Present Seed Speak Throughout
Leviticus 21
1. Of the priests' mourning
6. Of their holiness
7. Of their marriages
8. Of their estimation
9. Of the high priest's holiness
10. Of his marriage
13. The priests that have blemishes must not minister in the sanctuary














Say to Aaron
Aaron, the brother of Moses, was the first high priest of Israel. His role was crucial in establishing the priestly lineage and the Levitical priesthood. This command is directed to him as the head of the priestly family, emphasizing the importance of maintaining holiness and purity in those who serve in the sanctuary.

For the generations to come
This phrase indicates that the command is not temporary but is intended to be a lasting ordinance for Aaron's descendants. It underscores the perpetual nature of the priestly duties and the standards required for those who serve in the temple, reflecting God's unchanging holiness.

None of your descendants who has a physical defect
The requirement for physical wholeness in priests symbolizes the perfection and holiness required to approach God. In the ancient Near Eastern context, physical defects were often seen as a sign of imperfection or impurity. This standard foreshadows the ultimate perfection found in Jesus Christ, the sinless High Priest.

May approach to offer the food of his God
The "food of his God" refers to the offerings and sacrifices presented in the temple. Only those who were physically whole could perform these sacred duties, highlighting the sanctity of the offerings and the need for purity in worship. This requirement points to the need for spiritual purity and integrity in those who lead worship and serve God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Aaron
The brother of Moses and the first high priest of Israel. He represents the priestly line through which the Levitical laws were given.

2. Descendants of Aaron
Refers to the future generations of priests who would serve in the tabernacle and later in the temple.

3. Physical Defect
Any physical imperfection or disability that would disqualify a priest from performing certain sacred duties.

4. Offering the Food of God
The act of presenting sacrifices and offerings to God, a central duty of the priesthood.

5. Generations to Come
Indicates the perpetual nature of this commandment for the priestly line.
Teaching Points
Holiness in Service
The requirement for priests to be without physical defect underscores the importance of holiness and purity in those who serve God. While physical perfection is not required of believers today, spiritual integrity and holiness are essential.

Symbolism of Perfection
The physical requirements for priests symbolize the spiritual perfection found in Christ, our ultimate High Priest. Believers are called to strive for spiritual maturity and holiness.

Inclusivity in Christ
While the Old Testament law had specific requirements, the New Testament reveals that in Christ, all are made perfect through His sacrifice, regardless of physical or spiritual imperfections.

Role of the Priesthood
The priesthood in the Old Testament points to the greater priesthood of all believers in the New Testament, who are called to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God.

God's Standards
God's standards for those who serve Him are high, reflecting His holiness. Believers are encouraged to pursue a life that honors God in all aspects.(17) Whosoever he be of thy seed.--Better, any man of thy seed throughout their generations; that is, any of the descendants, to all future times, who have not been disqualified for service in the sanctuary by their parents contracting illegal alliances, are yet to be subject to the following regulations.

To offer the bread of his God.--That is, shall not officiate at the sacrifices. (See Leviticus 21:6 -Leviticus 3:2.)



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Say
דַּבֵּ֥ר (dab·bêr)
Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

to
אֶֽל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Aaron,
אַהֲרֹ֖ן (’a·hă·rōn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 175: Aaron -- an elder brother of Moses

‘For the generations to come,
לְדֹרֹתָ֗ם (lə·ḏō·rō·ṯām)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1755: A revolution of time, an age, generation, a dwelling

none
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

of your descendants
מִֽזַּרְעֲךָ֞ (miz·zar·‘ă·ḵā)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 2233: Seed, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

who
אֲשֶׁ֨ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

has
יִהְיֶ֥ה (yih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

a physical defect
מ֔וּם (mūm)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3971: To stain, a blemish

may approach
יִקְרַ֔ב (yiq·raḇ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7126: To come near, approach

to offer
לְהַקְרִ֖יב (lə·haq·rîḇ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7126: To come near, approach

the food
לֶ֥חֶם (le·ḥem)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3899: Food, bread, grain

of his God.
אֱלֹהָֽיו׃ (’ĕ·lō·hāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative


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OT Law: Leviticus 21:17 Say to Aaron 'None of your seed (Le Lv Lev.)
Leviticus 21:16
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