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Brokenhanded

Culture & Society

âš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)

Leviticus 21:19 identifies a brokenhanded individual as possessing a physical blemish that prohibits service in the priesthood, specifically referring to a hand rendered non-functional by injury.

What is the meaning of Brokenhanded in the Bible?

Leviticus 21:19 identifies a brokenhanded individual as possessing a physical blemish that prohibits service in the priesthood, specifically referring to a hand rendered non-functional by injury.

SIGNIFICANCE

Understanding this restriction clarifies the ancient Israelite emphasis on ritual purity and physical perfection as prerequisites for mediating between the community and the divine.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Brokenhanded. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
  • Why did the biblical author mention Brokenhanded in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Brokenhanded clarify?
Scripture Passages Mentioned: Leviticus 21:19

Source Attribution & Provenance

Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.

How to Cite This Entry

"Brokenhanded." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/brokenhanded/
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