Leviticus 22:15,16 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

And they shall not profane the holy things of the children of Israel, which they offer unto the LORD;

They shall not profane. There is some difficulty felt in determining to whom "they" refers. The subject of the preceding context being occupied about the priests, it is supposed by some that this relates to them also; and the meaning is, that the whole people would incur guilt through the fault of the priests, if they should defile the sacred offerings, which they would have done, had they presented them while under any defilement (Calvin). According to others, "the children of Israel" is the nominative in the sentence; which thus signifies-The children of Israel shall not profane or defile their offerings, by touching them or reserving any part of them, lest they incur the guilt of eating what is divinely appointed to the priests alone (Calmet).

Leviticus 22:15-16

15 And they shall not profane the holy things of the children of Israel, which they offer unto the LORD;

16 Or suffer them to bear the iniquity of trespass, when they eat their holy things: for I the LORD do sanctify them.