Leviticus 21:16-24

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: “Speak to Aaron and say:

'No one of your offspring throughout their generations who has a blemish may approach to offer the food of his God.¹ For no one who has a blemish shall draw near, one who is blind or lame, or one who has a mutilated face or a limb too long, or one who has a broken foot or a broken hand,or a hunchback, or a dwarf, or a man with a blemish in his eyes or an itching disease or scabs or crushed testicles.² No descendant of Aaron the priest who has a blemish³ shall come near to offer the Lord’s offerings by fire; since he has a blemish, he shall not come near to offer the food of his God. He may eat the food of his God,⁴ of the most holy as well as of the holy. But he shall not come near the curtain or approach the altar, because he has a blemish,⁵ that he may not profane⁶ my sanctuaries; for I am the Lord; I sanctify them.'”

Thus Moses spoke to Aaron and to his sons and to all the people of Israel.

1 Like the sacrifice which must be perfect and unblemished, the priest much be unblemished as well.

2 Creates the terrible impression that disability/disease is a personal defect, or that those with such things are unworthy of God.

3 Blemish is being repeated over and over, strengthening the connection to Leviticus 1:3, 1:10, 3:1, etc.

4 Interesting that this is still allowed, ensuring that they are provided for.

5 6^th repetition of “blemish”

6 To be disabled/diseased and to approach the sanctuary is to “profane” it.

Take-home: The need to offer up the most perfect offering to God is emphasized, as now the priest as well as the sacrifice must be without blemish.