Leviticus 21:17

¹⁵ Neither shall he profane his seed among his people: for I the LORD do sanctify him.

¹⁶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Speak unto Aaron, saying, Whosoever he be of thy seed in their generations that hath any blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God.

¹⁸ For whatsoever man he be that hath a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man, or a lame, or he that hath a flat nose, or any thing superfluous,

¹⁹ Or a man that is brokenfooted, or brokenhanded,

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: “Say to Aaron, ‘For the generations to come, none of your descendants who has a physical defect may approach to offer the food of his God.
KJV: Speak unto Aaron, saying, Whosoever he be of thy seed in their generations that hath any blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God.
WEB: “Say to Aaron, ‘None of your offspring throughout their generations who has a defect may approach to offer the bread of his God.
ASV: Speak unto Aaron, saying, Whosoever he be of thy seed throughout their generations that hath a blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God.
DARBY: Speak unto Aaron, saying, Any of thy seed throughout their generations that hath any defect, shall not approach to present the bread of his God;
BLB: “Speak to Aaron, saying, ‘No man of your seed to their generations who has a blemish in him shall draw near to bring near the bread of his God.

ÅB: Tal til Aron og si: Ingen av din slekt, enten nå eller i kommende tider, som har noe lyte, skal trede nær for å bære fram sin Guds mat.
OTB: «Tal til Aron og si: ‘Ingen av dine etterkommere gjennom deres generasjoner som har en defekt, kan nærme seg for å bære frem sin Guds mat.
B1930: Tal til Aron og si: Ingen av din ætt, enten nu eller i kommende tider, som har noget lyte, skal trede nær for å bære frem sin Guds mat.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Psalms 65:4
Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.
Read in context
Leviticus 10:3
Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.
Read in context
Numbers 16:5
And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the LORD will shew who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him.
Read in context
1 Thessalonians 2:10
Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
Read in context
Hebrews 7:26
For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
Read in context
Leviticus 21:21
No man that hath a blemish of the seed of Aaron the priest shall come nigh to offer the offerings of the LORD made by fire: he hath a blemish; he shall not come nigh to offer the bread of his God.
Read in context
1 Timothy 3:2
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
Read in context
Leviticus 22:20–25
But whatsoever hath a blemish, that shall ye not offer: for it shall not be acceptable for you.
Read in context