Leviticus 7:6
Every male among the priests may eat of it. It shall be eaten in a holy place. It is most holy.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The detail that the priests' portion of these offerings must be eaten in a "holy place" emphasizes that even within the priests' meal, this food was consecrated to God. It wasn't just a salary; it was sacred sustenance, eaten in God's presence as a constant reminder that their service and sustenance came directly from Him.
This verse details the specific instructions for consuming portions of certain offerings, following the laws laid out for guilt and sin offerings. Unlike peace offerings, where the offerer shared in the meal, these particular sacrifices were designated solely for the priests and their male descendants to eat within the sacred confines of the tabernacle. The emphasis on "most holy" underscores their exclusive and consecrated status.
Why did only the priests get to eat from certain sacrifices? And why did it have to be in a specific place?
Leviticus 7:6 lays out specific rules for who could eat parts of certain offerings and where. 'Every male among the priests may eat of it. It shall be eaten in a holy place.' This wasn't just about dividing up the food; it was deeply symbolic.
The Priest's Portion
The priests were God's representatives on earth, dedicated to serving Him. The portions of these offerings allotted to them were a way for God to provide for their sustenance. They were literally eating from 'the table of the Lord.' This shared meal wasn't just a reward; it was a constant reminder of their unique role and their dependence on God's provision for their sacred duties.
A Holy Place for Holy Food
The requirement to eat these portions 'in a holy place'—like the courtyard of the Tabernacle—underscores the sacredness of the food and the act of eating it. It wasn't meant to be taken home and consumed casually. This boundary ensured that the sacred meal remained set apart, reinforcing the holiness of the priests' service and the offerings themselves. It kept the focus on God and His requirements.
The phrase 'most holy' appears often in Leviticus. What does it really signify about these sacrifices and the people who handled them?
Leviticus 7:6 concludes with a powerful statement: 'It is most holy.' This designation wasn't a casual label; it carried immense theological weight.
Set Apart for God's Use
'Most holy' signifies that these portions of the offerings were exclusively designated for God's service and for those directly involved in that service—the priests. They were not common food; they were consecrated items, separated from everyday use and reserved for sacred purposes. This marked them as belonging entirely to God.
A Reflection of Christ
In a broader sense, these 'most holy' offerings foreshadowed Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate sacrifice, perfectly holy and set apart for God's redemptive plan. Just as the priests ate from these holy sacrifices, believers now partake in the spiritual reality of Christ's sacrifice through faith. His sacrifice is the true 'most holy' offering, and through Him, we are brought into communion with God.
Understand the original words
zakar kohen · Hebrew Noun phrase
A male descendant of the priestly line of Aaron, set apart for service in the tabernacle or temple. Priests served as mediators between God and the people by performing sacrifices and maintaining the sanctuary.
qodesh · Hebrew Adjective
A state of being set apart for God's use, separated from common or profane use, and consecrated to His service. It carries the idea of moral purity and dedication to the divine presence.
qodesh qodashim · Hebrew Noun phrase
A technical designation for the most sacred category of offerings, which were restricted to the priests and required strict adherence to purity laws. Violation of the regulations surrounding these items was considered a grave offense against the sanctity of the Lord.
This passage directly connects the concept of eating from the altar in the Old Testament to spiritual nourishment from Christ in the New Testament, mirroring the idea of priests eating the most holy offerings.
1 Corinthians 9:13Paul highlights the principle that those who serve at the altar should be supported by the altar, echoing the ancient law that priests were sustained by the offerings they served.
Matthew 10:41Jesus speaks of the reward for welcoming a prophet or a righteous person, which relates to the principle of supporting those who serve God, similar to how the priests were provided for.
Exodus 29:33This passage details the consecration of priests and their right to eat the offerings, reinforcing the idea that the priests' participation in these sacred meals was a key part of their holy service.
gillLeviticus 7:6: "Every male among the priests shall eat thereof: it shall be eaten in the holy place: it is most holy."
Every male among the priests shall eat thereof,.... Of the flesh of it, after the fat was taken off and burnt, the rest belonged to the priests and their sons, and to them only, not to their wives and daughters: it shall be eaten in the holy place; in the court of the tabernacle, in some apartment in it, for that purpose, as afterwards in the temple; it was not to be carried ho…
expositorsLeviticus 7:6: "Every male among the priests shall eat thereof: it shall be eaten in the holy place: it is most holy."
8 THE PRIESTS’ PORTIONS Leviticus 6:16-18 ; Leviticus 7:6-10 ; Leviticus 7:14 ; Leviticus 7:31-36 AFTER the law of the guilt offering follows a section {Lev 6:8-30; Lev 7:1-38} with regard to the offerings previously treated, but addressed especially to the priests, as the foregoing were specially directed to the people. Much of the contents of this section has already passed b…
The detail that the priests' portion of these offerings must be eaten in a "holy place" emphasizes that even within the priests' meal, this food was consecrated to God. It wasn't just a salary; it was sacred sustenance, eaten in God's presence as a constant reminder that their service and sustenance came directly from Him.
This verse details the specific instructions for consuming portions of certain offerings, following the laws laid out for guilt and sin offerings. Unlike peace offerings, where the offerer shared in the meal, these particular sacrifices were designated solely for the priests and their male descendants to eat within the sacred confines of the tabernacle. The emphasis on "most holy" underscores their exclusive and consecrated status.
This verse details the specific instructions for consuming portions of certain offerings, following the laws laid out for guilt and sin offerings. Unlike peace offerings, where the offerer shared in the meal, these particular sacrifices were designated solely for the priests and their male descendants to eat within the sacred confines of the tabernacle. The emphasis on "most holy" underscores their exclusive and consecrated status.
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"Every male among the priests may eat of it. It shall be eaten in a holy place. It is most holy." — The detail that the priests' portion of these offerings must be eaten in a "holy place" emphasizes that even within the priests' meal, this food was consecrated to God. It wasn't just a salary; it wa…
