1 And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto the priests the sons of Aaron, and say unto them, There shall none be defiled for the dead among his people:
2 But for his kin, that is near unto him, [that is], for his mother, and for his father, and for his son, and for his daughter, and for his brother,
3 And for his sister a virgin, that is nigh unto him, which hath had no husband; for her may he be defiled.
4 [But] he shall not defile himself, [being] a chief man among his people, to profane himself.
5 They shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard, nor make any cuttings in their flesh.
6 They shall be holy unto their God, and not profane the name of their God: for the offerings of the LORD made by fire, [and] the bread of their God, they do offer: therefore they shall be holy.
7 They shall not take a wife [that is] a whore, or profane; neither shall they take a woman put away from her husband: for he [is] holy unto his God.
8 Thou shalt sanctify him therefore; for he offereth the bread of thy God: he shall be holy unto thee: for I the LORD, which sanctify you, [am] holy.
9 And the daughter of any priest, if she profane herself by playing the whore, she profaneth her father: she shall be burnt with fire.
10 And [he that is] the high priest among his brethren, upon whose head the anointing oil was poured, and that is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not uncover his head, nor rend his clothes;
11 Neither shall he go in to any dead body, nor defile himself for his father, or for his mother;
12 Neither shall he go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God; for the crown of the anointing oil of his God [is] upon him: I [am] the LORD.
13 And he shall take a wife in her virginity.
14 A widow, or a divorced woman, or profane, [or] an harlot, these shall he not take: but he shall take a virgin of his own people to wife.
15 Neither shall he profane his seed among his people: for I the LORD do sanctify him.
16 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
17 Speak unto Aaron, saying, Whosoever [he be] of thy seed in their generations that hath [any] blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God.
18 For whatsoever man [he be] that hath a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man, or a lame, or he that hath a flat nose, or any thing superfluous,
19 Or a man that is brokenfooted, or brokenhanded,
20 Or crookbackt, or a dwarf, or that hath a blemish in his eye, or be scurvy, or scabbed, or hath his stones broken;
21 No man that hath a blemish of the seed of Aaron the priest shall come nigh to offer the offerings of the LORD made by fire: he hath a blemish; he shall not come nigh to offer the bread of his God.
22 He shall eat the bread of his God, [both] of the most holy, and of the holy.
23 Only he shall not go in unto the vail, nor come nigh unto the altar, because he hath a blemish; that he profane not my sanctuaries: for I the LORD do sanctify them.
24 And Moses told [it] unto Aaron, and to his sons, and unto all the children of Israel.
Overview of Leviticus Chapter 21
Leviticus Chapter 21 outlines the regulations concerning the conduct and purity of the priests in Israel. This chapter emphasizes the importance of holiness and the standards expected of those who serve in sacred roles. The chapter is a continuation of the themes established in previous chapters, focusing on the distinction between the holy and the common, and the need for the priests to maintain their purity to effectively perform their duties.
Key Themes
- Holiness of the Priesthood: The chapter underscores the expectation that priests must uphold a higher standard of holiness compared to the general population.
- Restrictions on Mourning: Specific guidelines are provided regarding how priests should conduct themselves during times of mourning.
- Physical Imperfections: The chapter outlines restrictions related to physical blemishes that may disqualify a priest from serving.
- Marital Guidelines: There are stipulations regarding whom priests may marry, emphasizing the importance of lineage and purity.
Detailed Analysis
Verses 1-6: Mourning Practices
In these verses, God instructs Moses to convey to the priests that they should not make themselves unclean by mourning for the dead, except for close relatives. This section highlights:
- The importance of maintaining a distinction between the sacred and the secular.
- The expectation that priests should not allow personal grief to interfere with their holy responsibilities.
- The specific mention of close relatives (mother, father, son, daughter, brother, and unmarried sister) indicates a balance between personal loss and public duty.
Verses 7-9: Marital Restrictions
These verses outline that priests must not marry women who are considered promiscuous or divorced. Key points include:
- The emphasis on purity and integrity in the priest’s family life.
- The connection between a priest’s marital choices and their public representation of holiness.
- The broader implications of these restrictions, which serve to maintain the sanctity of the priestly line.
Verses 10-15: Qualifications for the High Priest
In this section, the chapter specifically addresses the high priest, stating that he must not uncover his head or tear his clothes during mourning. Important aspects include:
- The high priest’s unique position requires adherence to stricter standards than regular priests.
- The prohibition against mourning practices signifies the high priest’s role as a mediator between God and the people.
- Marital guidelines are reiterated, emphasizing that the high priest must marry a virgin from his own people.
Verses 16-24: Physical Imperfections
These verses list various physical blemishes that disqualify a priest from serving in the sanctuary. Key points include:
- The focus on physical wholeness symbolizes spiritual integrity.
- Specific imperfections mentioned (blindness, lameness, etc.) serve as a metaphor for spiritual deficiencies.
- Even though these restrictions may seem harsh, they underline the seriousness of the priestly role and the need for representation of perfection in service to God.
Conclusion
Leviticus Chapter 21 serves as a critical reminder of the high standards set for those who serve in religious capacities. The chapter reinforces the concept of holiness, emphasizing that the priests must embody the principles of purity and integrity, both in their personal lives and their public roles. The guidelines provided are not merely rules but are intended to cultivate a deeper understanding of the sacred responsibilities entrusted to the priesthood.
