God expects His people to keep worship holy by honoring His commands about purity.
In Leviticus 7:20 we read: But the person who eats the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offerings which belong to the LORD, in his uncleanness, that person shall be cut off from his people. (v.20) These instructions come as part of the law concerning peace offerings. In ancient Israel, a worshiper would bring a peace offering (or fellowship offering) out of gratitude or in fulfillment of a vow, then share the roasted meat with family and others, while the priest burned certain parts on the altar. This ceremony celebrated harmony and wholeness between the people and God. But the LORD required that no one could partake of sacred food while ceremonially unclean, because doing so would dishonor His holiness and pollute the worship setting.
The gravity of this command is seen in the result: that person shall be cut off from his people. Ancient Jewish tradition interprets being “cut off” (Hebrew “kareth”) as a separation or death that the LORD Himself could enforce, rather than a punishment enacted by human courts. It might involve the person dying an early death within their lifetime, or being barred from participation in the coming age (including loss of blessings and fellowship). Such a severe consequence emphasizes the seriousness with which God regards holiness. Coming before Him in a state of uncleanness or willful disregard of His commands is a violation of the covenant and merited strong discipline.
The principle behind this regulation echoes forward into the New Testament, where approaching sacred observances hypocritically or irreverently is sternly warned against (1 Corinthians 11:27). Just as eating the peace offerings in an unclean state profaned the LORD’s holiness, so likewise, mishandling acts of worship or fellowship can bring negative spiritual consequences. All of it underscores God’s desire that His people approach Him in humility, sincerity, and genuine faith, respecting the sacredness of His presence.
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Leviticus 7:20 meaning
In Leviticus 7:20 we read: But the person who eats the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offerings which belong to the LORD, in his uncleanness, that person shall be cut off from his people. (v.20) These instructions come as part of the law concerning peace offerings. In ancient Israel, a worshiper would bring a peace offering (or fellowship offering) out of gratitude or in fulfillment of a vow, then share the roasted meat with family and others, while the priest burned certain parts on the altar. This ceremony celebrated harmony and wholeness between the people and God. But the LORD required that no one could partake of sacred food while ceremonially unclean, because doing so would dishonor His holiness and pollute the worship setting.
The gravity of this command is seen in the result: that person shall be cut off from his people. Ancient Jewish tradition interprets being “cut off” (Hebrew “kareth”) as a separation or death that the LORD Himself could enforce, rather than a punishment enacted by human courts. It might involve the person dying an early death within their lifetime, or being barred from participation in the coming age (including loss of blessings and fellowship). Such a severe consequence emphasizes the seriousness with which God regards holiness. Coming before Him in a state of uncleanness or willful disregard of His commands is a violation of the covenant and merited strong discipline.
The principle behind this regulation echoes forward into the New Testament, where approaching sacred observances hypocritically or irreverently is sternly warned against (1 Corinthians 11:27). Just as eating the peace offerings in an unclean state profaned the LORD’s holiness, so likewise, mishandling acts of worship or fellowship can bring negative spiritual consequences. All of it underscores God’s desire that His people approach Him in humility, sincerity, and genuine faith, respecting the sacredness of His presence.