Explanation: Leviticus 22 describes how priests are to keep themselves and the tabernacle free from defilement. The LORD's first instruction was for the priests to abstain from eating the sacrificial items which were dedicated exclusively to the LORD, lest they profane the LORD's holy name. This prohibition had been spelled out explicitly, sacrifice by sacrifice, where it applied, in previous chapters. Here, these individual requirements were turned into a general rule (1-2).
     Another general rule was that any priest who had anything to do with the holy things while he was in a state of uncleanness would be cut off from the LORD's presence (3).
     Specifically, this applied to Aaron or any of his descendants who was a leper, or who had a genital discharge, or was defiled by touching someone or something dead, or had a nocturnal emission, or touched a creeping thing, or who touched an unclean person. If the person merely touched something unclean, he was unclean until the evening and must not eat any of the holy things until he bathed. He must not eat of anything which died of itself (4-9).
     No stranger, no sojourner who was staying with a priest, and no hired servant could eat of the holy things. But the slave of a priest could eat of the holy things, as could anyone born in his house. But a priest's daughter who was married to a stranger could not eat of the holy things, unless she was a widow, or divorced having no child; she could then eat of the holy things if she returned to her father's house. If someone ate of the holy thing without knowing it he would pay a twenty percent penalty. The priests are responsible for safeguarding the holy things in accord with these rules (10-16).
     Sacrifices for vows and freewill offerings will be wholly given to the LORD as burnt offerings; it must be offered willing; it must be an unblemished male of the bulls, sheep, or goats. This also applies to peace (or thank) offerings. No animals may be offered which are blind, disabled, or mutilated, or which have a discharge, an itch, or a scab. However, a bull or lamb which has a part which is too long or too short may be given for a freewill offering, but not for a vow. Animals with injured testicles may not be offered. No similarly blemished animals which were purchased from a foreigner may be offered (17-25).
     A newborn ox, sheep, or goat may be offered only after it is at least eight days old; but the Israelites were not allowed to kill an ox or sheep and her young in one day. A sacrifice of thanksgiving must be offered in an acceptable manner and must be eaten on the same day, leaving nothing till the morning (26-30).
     These commandments must be kept lest the person profane the holy name of the LORD who sanctified Israel and brought them out of the land of Egypt to be their God (31-33).
     [ Sermons: J Ligon Duncan III. Various. ]
     [ Illustration: The painting above depicts the three types of sacrificial animals which were suitable for vows and freewill offerings (Leviticus 22:19). ]

     ³¹ Therefore shall ye keep my commandments, and do them: I am the LORD. ³² Neither shall ye profane my holy name; but I will be hallowed among the children of Israel: I am the LORD which hallow you, ³³ That bought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the LORD.

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