Leviticus 21

Leviticus 21 provides instructions for the conduct and holiness of priests, particularly focusing on how they should maintain their ritual purity in the presence of the Lord. These regulations emphasize the distinction between the priests and the people they serve, outlining how their actions, especially regarding death, marriage, and physical perfection, must reflect the sanctity of their role.

Leviticus 21:1-3 (NKJV)
1 And the Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them: ‘None shall defile himself for the dead among his people,
2 except for his relatives who are nearest to him: his mother, his father, his son, his daughter, and his brother;
3 also his virgin sister who is near to him, who has had no husband, for her he may defile himself.’”

Priests were not allowed to defile themselves by coming into contact with a dead body, except in the case of their closest family members. This was important because touching a corpse made a person ritually unclean. However, for immediate family members like parents, siblings (if unmarried), and children, exceptions were made. The distinction underscores the priest's special status before God and their duty to avoid defilement while still allowing them to mourn close relatives.

Leviticus 21:4 (NKJV)
4 Otherwise he shall not defile himself, being a chief man among his people, to profane himself.

The priest, as a representative of holiness among the people, is to avoid situations that would cause defilement. This verse further clarifies that a priest should not engage in practices that would diminish his sanctity or standing. The role of the priest was one of leadership, and they were expected to uphold a higher standard of purity in their conduct.

Leviticus 21:5 (NKJV)
5 They shall not make any bald place on their heads, nor shall they shave the edges of their beards nor make any cuttings in their flesh.

This verse prohibits the priests from engaging in pagan mourning practices, such as shaving parts of their heads or making cuts on their bodies. These rituals were common among the surrounding nations to show grief or devotion to false gods. God’s priests were called to avoid these customs to remain distinct and holy, set apart from the idolatrous practices of other cultures.

Leviticus 21:6 (NKJV)
6 They shall be holy to their God and not profane the name of their God, for they offer the offerings of the Lord made by fire, and the bread of their God; therefore they shall be holy.

This verse reinforces the reason behind the restrictions: the priests serve directly before God, offering sacrifices and performing holy rituals. Because of their sacred responsibilities, they must remain holy and unblemished in their actions and behavior. Any defilement would not only dishonor themselves but also profane the name of God whom they represent.

Leviticus 21:7 (NKJV)
7 They shall not take a wife who is a harlot or a defiled woman, nor shall they take a woman divorced from her husband; for the priest is holy to his God.

The priests were forbidden to marry women with certain backgrounds, such as prostitutes, women considered defiled, or those who were divorced. This command emphasizes the priest’s need to remain pure, even in his marital relationships, as his union reflects his service to a holy God. The priest’s family life was also to be a model of purity for the community.

Leviticus 21:8 (NKJV)
8 Therefore you shall consecrate him, for he offers the bread of your God. He shall be holy to you, for I the Lord, who sanctify you, am holy.

The sanctity of the priest is reaffirmed here. He is to be set apart because of his unique role in offering sacrifices and performing sacred duties. This verse highlights that the holiness of the priest is not merely symbolic but is required by the Lord, who is the source of all holiness. The priest's consecration directly reflects God’s holiness among the people.

Leviticus 21:9 (NKJV)
9 The daughter of any priest, if she profanes herself by playing the harlot, she profanes her father. She shall be burned with fire.

This verse stresses the importance of purity within the priest's family. If a priest's daughter engaged in immoral behavior, her actions would not only bring shame upon her but also profane her father’s sacred role. The punishment of burning reflects the severity with which moral impurity was treated, particularly when it affected those associated with God’s service.

Leviticus 21:10-12 (NKJV)
10 He who is the high priest among his brethren, on whose head the anointing oil was poured and who is consecrated to wear the garments, shall not uncover his head nor tear his clothes;
11 nor shall he go near any dead body, nor defile himself for his father or his mother;
12 nor shall he go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God; for the consecration of the anointing oil of his God is upon him: I am the Lord.

The high priest, due to his special anointing and consecration, was held to an even higher standard than regular priests. He was not allowed to engage in mourning practices such as uncovering his head or tearing his clothes, nor could he approach any dead body, even those of his parents. His role was so sacred that he was to remain in the sanctuary, emphasizing the ongoing, uninterrupted nature of his service to God.

Leviticus 21:13-15 (NKJV)
13 And he shall take a wife in her virginity.
14 A widow or a divorced woman or a defiled woman or a harlot—these he shall not marry; but he shall take a virgin of his own people as wife.
15 Nor shall he profane his posterity among his people, for I the Lord sanctify him.

The high priest was required to marry a virgin from among his people, ensuring that the lineage of the high priest remained pure. He was forbidden to marry a widow, a divorced woman, or anyone considered defiled. These restrictions highlight the importance of purity and holiness not only in the priest himself but also in his descendants, maintaining the sanctity of the priestly line.

Leviticus 21:16-18 (NKJV)
16 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
17 “Speak to Aaron, saying: ‘No man of your descendants in succeeding generations, who has any defect, may approach to offer the bread of his God.
18 For any man who has a defect shall not approach: a man blind or lame, who has a marred face or any limb too long,

Here, physical defects disqualified a priest from serving in the temple. This was not a reflection of the person’s worth but a symbol of the perfection required in those who served before God. God wanted His sanctuary and the service performed there to reflect His holiness, and thus, only physically unblemished priests could serve in certain capacities.

Leviticus 21:19-20 (NKJV)
19 a man who has a broken foot or broken hand,
20 or is a hunchback or a dwarf, or a man who has a defect in his eye, or eczema or scab, or is a eunuch.

These verses continue the list of physical defects that disqualified a priest from offering sacrifices. Again, the focus is on the symbolic perfection required in the priesthood. While these men could still be part of the priestly family, they were restricted from certain roles that involved direct contact with the holy things of God.

Leviticus 21:21-23 (NKJV)
21 No man of the descendants of Aaron the priest, who has a defect, shall come near to offer the offerings made by fire to the Lord. He has a defect; he shall not come near to offer the bread of his God.
22 He may eat the bread of his God, both the most holy and the holy;
23 only he shall not go near the veil or approach the altar, because he has a defect, lest he profane My sanctuaries; for I the Lord sanctify them.’”

Although priests with physical defects were barred from offering sacrifices or entering the sanctuary, they were still allowed to partake in the sacred meals. This distinction highlights God’s grace in allowing them to remain part of the priesthood while maintaining the sanctity of the ritual actions performed in the sanctuary.

Leviticus 21:24 (NKJV)
24 And Moses told it to Aaron and his sons, and to all the children of Israel.

Moses faithfully conveyed God’s commands to Aaron, his sons, and the people of Israel. This communication of God’s laws ensured that everyone understood the importance of the priests' role and the standards of holiness required of them. The entire community needed to be aware of these regulations, as they were part of maintaining the purity of the priesthood and the proper worship of God.