Leviticus 22:2

Authorized King James Version

Speak unto Aaron and to his sons, that they separate themselves from the holy things of the children of Israel, and that they profane not my holy name in those things which they hallow unto me: I am the LORD.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
דַּבֵּ֨ר
Speak
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#2
אֶֽל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#3
אַהֲרֹ֜ן
unto Aaron
aharon, the brother of moses
#4
וְאֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#5
בְנֵֽי
and to his sons
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#6
וְיִנָּֽזְרוּ֙
that they separate
to hold aloof, i.e., (intransitivey) abstain (from food and drink, from impurity, and even from divine worship (i.e., apostatize)); specifically, to s
#7
קָדְשִׁ֑י
not my holy
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
#8
בְנֵֽי
and to his sons
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#9
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#10
וְלֹ֥א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#11
יְחַלְּל֖וּ
and that they profane
properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin
#12
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#13
שֵׁ֣ם
name
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
#14
קָדְשִׁ֑י
not my holy
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
#15
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#16
הֵ֧ם
they (only used when emphatic)
#17
מַקְדִּשִׁ֛ים
in those things which they hallow
to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)
#18
לִ֖י
H0
#19
אֲנִ֥י
i
#20
יְהוָֽה׃
unto me I am the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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