Brokenhanded
Culture & SocietyWhat 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
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Brokenhanded." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/brokenhanded/