Leviticus 21:17

Any blemish. As the sacrifices offered were to be perfect and without blemish, so also must be the priests who officiated at the altar. Those who had blemishes might serve in minor capacities, but must never ascend the altar (v. 21). They might be caretakers of the priests’ wardrobe. They might gather and examine the wood to be used, but not build the fire or remove the ashes. They might inspect lepers, be doorkeepers, and keep the court in order. But they could not perform any strictly priestly function (v. 23). They were not deprived of their regular priestly income, and might eat of the offerings given to the priests, both of the holy and the most holy (v. 22). The sin, trespass, and meat offerings were “most holy,” as was also the shewbread (ch. 2:3, 10; 6:17, 25, 29; 7:1, 6; 10:12, 17). The heave offering and the wave offering, the first fruits, the firstlings, and things devoted were holy.