This verse underscores the significance of the high priest’s sacred calling and separation for God’s service.
In “nor shall he go out of the sanctuary nor profane the sanctuary of his God, for the consecration of the anointing oil of his God is on him; I am the LORD” (v.12), the LORD is giving a strict command to Israel’s high priest, emphasizing the sacredness of his calling. Historically, Leviticus was written by Moses (around 1446-1406 BC) when the Israelites were in the wilderness near Mount Sinai. The phrase nor shall he go out of the sanctuary underscores that the high priest was bound to remain fully dedicated to his duties, avoiding contact with anything that could render him unclean. This highlights a critical principle that the holiness of the priesthood, entrusted with the responsibility of serving in God’s dwelling place, must be diligently preserved.
When the verse states “nor profane the sanctuary of his God, for the consecration of the anointing oil of his God is on him” (v.12), it is referring to the special anointing oil first described in Exodus and used to set the high priest apart for lifelong service (Exodus 30:22-33). Once the high priest received this sacred anointing, he was no longer permitted to entwine himself with ordinary affairs that would compromise his purity. The word profane indicates anything that treated the holy things of God as common, and thus the high priest’s obligation was to keep the sanctuary undefiled by consistently guarding his own spiritual and ceremonial fitness.
Finally, the verse concludes with God’s affirmation, “I am the LORD” (v.12), reminding the priest that his consecration rested on divine authority. This phrase appears often in Leviticus to underscore who set the boundaries of worship and who sanctified the priest’s ministry. Believers in the New Testament see a reflection of this concept in Jesus as our High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16), who walked in perfect holiness and remained undefiled to offer the final sacrifice on our behalf.
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Leviticus 21:12 meaning
In “nor shall he go out of the sanctuary nor profane the sanctuary of his God, for the consecration of the anointing oil of his God is on him; I am the LORD” (v.12), the LORD is giving a strict command to Israel’s high priest, emphasizing the sacredness of his calling. Historically, Leviticus was written by Moses (around 1446-1406 BC) when the Israelites were in the wilderness near Mount Sinai. The phrase nor shall he go out of the sanctuary underscores that the high priest was bound to remain fully dedicated to his duties, avoiding contact with anything that could render him unclean. This highlights a critical principle that the holiness of the priesthood, entrusted with the responsibility of serving in God’s dwelling place, must be diligently preserved.
When the verse states “nor profane the sanctuary of his God, for the consecration of the anointing oil of his God is on him” (v.12), it is referring to the special anointing oil first described in Exodus and used to set the high priest apart for lifelong service (Exodus 30:22-33). Once the high priest received this sacred anointing, he was no longer permitted to entwine himself with ordinary affairs that would compromise his purity. The word profane indicates anything that treated the holy things of God as common, and thus the high priest’s obligation was to keep the sanctuary undefiled by consistently guarding his own spiritual and ceremonial fitness.
Finally, the verse concludes with God’s affirmation, “I am the LORD” (v.12), reminding the priest that his consecration rested on divine authority. This phrase appears often in Leviticus to underscore who set the boundaries of worship and who sanctified the priest’s ministry. Believers in the New Testament see a reflection of this concept in Jesus as our High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16), who walked in perfect holiness and remained undefiled to offer the final sacrifice on our behalf.