Leviticus 17:8 Commentary - Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

(8, 9) Whatsoever man there be.—Better, what man soever there be, as it is in the Authorised Version in Lev. 17:3. Here again we have an instance of the same legislative phrase used four times in one short section (Lev. 17:3; Lev. 17:8; Lev. 17:10; Lev. 17:13), being translated differently in the Authorised Version. The law enacted in these two verses requires that all legitimate sacrifices should henceforth be presented in the appointed sanctuary, which was the centre of national unity, thus abolishing the liberty which, in accordance with patriarchal practice, had hitherto existed, that every head of a family could be his own priest, and offer up sacrifices wherever and whenever he liked. The commonwealth of Israel were now to acknowledge one altar, one high priest, and one sanctuary. This law was binding not only upon the Israelite by race, but upon strangers who took up their abode in and joined the Jewish community. For wilfully violating this law the offender incurred the penalty of excision.