Leviticus 21:23 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

In unto the veil i.e. to the second veil, which was between the holy and the most holy place, Exodus 26:13,36, to burn incense, to order the shew-bread, and to dress the lamps, which were nigh unto that veil, though without. Nor come nigh unto the altar, i.e. the altar of burnt-offering, which was without the sanctuary. The sense is, He shall not execute the priest's office, which was to be done in those two places. My sanctuary, Heb. my sanctuaries, in the plural number, as it is also Leviticus 26:31 Jeremiah 51:51 Ezekiel 28:18; for though the sanctuary was but one, yet there were divers parts, to wit, the court, the holy place, and the most holy, each of which was in a large sense a sanctuary, or a holy place set apart for God's worship. I the Lord do sanctify them, i.e. do set them apart for high and holy uses, to manifest my presence and grace, and to receive my worship and service in them. And therefore I will not have them polluted or disparaged by the admission of defiled or deformed priests to minister therein.