He shall eat the bread of his God, both of the most holy, and of the holy.
The verse stands within the instructions laying down bodily fitness for priestly sanctuary service, forming part of the wider direction in Leviticus 21:6-23. A priest barred by bodily defect from coming near to serve at the altar was still permitted to eat the provision of his God, both from what was most holy and from what was holy. Those who performed the sacred work itself were required to be holy and pure and without defect, because that work brought them into close connection with God. To minister while in a defective condition brought warning of destruction from God. That destruction is not pronounced in this verse itself upon the defective priest who eats. Since God remains just as holy and pure and particular, those who minister for Jesus are to be people of experience and deep piety who exert a holy influence.
The verse stands within the instructions laying down bodily fitness for priestly sanctuary service, forming part of the wider direction in Leviticus 21:6-23. A priest barred by bodily defect from coming near to serve at the altar was still permitted to eat the provision of his God, both from what was most holy and from what was holy. Those who performed the sacred work itself were required to be holy and pure and without defect, because that work brought them into close connection with God. To minister while in a defective condition brought warning of destruction from God. That destruction is not pronounced in this verse itself upon the defective priest who eats. Since God remains just as holy and pure and particular, those who minister for Jesus are to be people of experience and deep piety who exert a holy influence.