Definition: Thou shalt sanctify him therefore; for he offereth the bread of thy God: he shall be holy unto thee: for I the LORD, which sanctify you, [am] holy.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Leviticus 21:8. It’s a pretty important and slightly intense passage about how to treat people – specifically, those who are considered “offended” or “unclean.” Here's a breakdown in simpler terms: What it says: “Thou shalt sanctify him therefore; for he offereth the bread of thy God: he shall be holy unto thee: for I the LORD, which sanctify you, [am] holy.” Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Thou shalt sanctify him…” – This means we need to treat this person with respect and reverence. It's about elevating them, making them worthy of our attention and care. “…therefore;” – This is a little bit of a word play - it means “because of that.” “he offereth the bread of thy God…” – This is the key part! "Bread" here refers to food, specifically the nourishment and sustenance that God provides. He’s offering this food to them, as a gift. It's a reminder that they are dependent on God for their well-being. “he shall be holy unto thee…” – This is saying that by treating them with respect and care, we are making them holy - worthy of God’s favor and attention. “for I the LORD, which sanctify you, [am] holy.” – This is where it gets really powerful! "I the Lord" means you are the one who has made us holy. The word “sanctify” is a key word here - it means to make something pure and special, free from impurity or evil. And “am holy” means that I , the Lord, am also holy – completely devoted to God. So, what's the overall message? This verse emphasizes the importance of reverence and respect for everyone, especially those who are considered "unclean" (often due to sin or wrongdoing). It’s a call to treat others with dignity and to recognize that we are all created in God’s image – that we are inherently holy. It's about recognizing that we have made us holy through our relationship with God. Why is it important? This verse is fundamental to the idea of holiness in Judaism. It sets a standard for how we should interact with each other and acknowledges our shared connection to something greater than ourselves – God. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Connect it to another Bible passage? Discuss the historical context of this verse?