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Leviticus 21

BSB·24 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Then the LORDיְהוָה֙Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → saidוַיֹּ֤אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → Mosesמֹשֶׁ֔הmō·šeh — Drawn outH4872 — Full Word Study →, “Speakאֱמֹ֥ר’ĕ·mōr — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → Aaron’sאַהֲרֹ֑ן’a·hă·rōn — Exalted FatherH175 — Full Word Study → sonsבְּנֵ֣יbə·nê — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study →, the priestsהַכֹּהֲנִ֖יםhak·kō·hă·nîm — priest; one who serves in God's sanctuaryH3548 — Full Word Study →, and tellוְאָמַרְתָּ֣wə·’ā·mar·tā — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → them that a priest is not to defile himselfיִטַּמָּ֖אyiṭ·ṭam·mā — to be unclean, to defile or contaminateH2930 — Full Word Study → for a dead personלְנֶ֥פֶשׁlə·ne·p̄eš — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study → among his peopleבְּעַמָּֽיו׃bə·‘am·māw — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study →, 2exceptכִּ֚יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → for his immediateהַקָּרֹ֖בhaq·qā·rōḇ — Near; close in space, time, or relationshipH7138 — Full Word Study → familyלִשְׁאֵר֔וֹliš·’ê·rōw — Flesh; kinship; blood relativeH7607 — Full Word Study →his motherלְאִמּ֣וֹlə·’im·mōw — mother; female parentH517 — Full Word Study →, fatherוּלְאָבִ֔יוū·lə·’ā·ḇîw — H1 — Full Word Study →, sonוְלִבְנ֥וֹwə·liḇ·nōw — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study →, daughterוּלְבִתּ֖וֹū·lə·ḇit·tōw — daughter; female child or descendantH1323 — Full Word Study →, or brotherוּלְאָחִֽיו׃ū·lə·’ā·ḥîw — Male sibling; brother; kinsmanH251 — Full Word Study →, 3or his unmarriedהַבְּתוּלָה֙hab·bə·ṯū·lāh — A young woman or virgin; an unmarried girlH1330 — Full Word Study → sisterוְלַאֲחֹת֤וֹwə·la·’ă·ḥō·ṯōw — Sister; female sibling or kinswomanH269 — Full Word Study → who is nearהַקְּרוֹבָ֣הhaq·qə·rō·w·ḇāh — Near; close in space, time, or relationshipH7138 — Full Word Study → to himאֵלָ֔יו’ê·lāw — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study →, sinceאֲשֶׁ֥ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → she hasהָיְתָ֖הhā·yə·ṯāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → noלֹֽא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → husbandלְאִ֑ישׁlə·’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study →. 4He is notלֹ֥אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → to defile himselfיִטַּמָּ֖אyiṭ·ṭam·mā — to be unclean, to defile or contaminateH2930 — Full Word Study → for those related to him by marriageבַּ֣עַלba·‘al — Master, owner, lord, husbandH1167 — Full Word Study →, and so profane himselfלְהֵ֖חַלּֽוֹ׃lə·hê·ḥal·lōw — to profane, defile, or beginH2490 — Full Word Study →. 5Priests must notלֹֽא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → make baldיִקְרְחָהyiq·rə·ḥå̄h — to make bald; to shave the headH7139 — Full Word Study → spots on their headsבְּרֹאשָׁ֔םbə·rō·šām — Head; chief; beginning; topH7218 — Full Word Study →, shave off the edgesוּפְאַ֥תū·p̄ə·’aṯ — corner, edge, side, or extremity of somethingH6285 — Full Word Study → of their beardsזְקָנָ֖םzə·qā·nām — Beard; facial hair on the chin and lower faceH2206 — Full Word Study →, or makeיִשְׂרְט֖וּyiś·rə·ṭū — to cut, make incisions or gashesH8295 — Full Word Study → cutsשָׂרָֽטֶת׃śā·rā·ṭeṯ — An incision, cutting mark, or woundH8296 — Full Word Study → in their bodiesוּבִ֨בְשָׂרָ֔םū·ḇiḇ·śā·rām — Flesh; body; meat; human natureH1320 — Full Word Study →. 6They must beיִהְיוּ֙yih·yū — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → holyקְדֹשִׁ֤יםqə·ḏō·šîm — Set apart, consecrated, sacredH6918 — Full Word Study → to their Godלֵאלֹ֣הֵיהֶ֔םlê·lō·hê·hem — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → and notוְלֹ֣אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → profaneיְחַלְּל֔וּyə·ḥal·lə·lū — to profane, defile, or beginH2490 — Full Word Study → the nameשֵׁ֖םšêm — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study → of their Godאֱלֹהֵיהֶ֑ם’ĕ·lō·hê·hem — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →. Becauseכִּי֩kî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → theyהֵ֥םhêm — They, them (masculine plural pronoun)H1992 — Full Word Study → presentמַקְרִיבִ֖םmaq·rî·ḇim — to approach, draw near, come forwardH7126 — Full Word Study → to the LORDיְהוָ֜הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → the offerings made by fire, the foodלֶ֧חֶםle·ḥem — Bread; food; sustenanceH3899 — Full Word Study → of their Godאֱלֹהֵיהֶ֛ם’ĕ·lō·hê·hem — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →, they must beוְהָ֥יוּwə·hā·yū — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → holyקֹֽדֶשׁ׃qō·ḏeš — Holiness, sacred, consecrated, set apartH6944 — Full Word Study →. 7A priest must not marryיִקָּ֔חוּyiq·qā·ḥū — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → a womanאִשָּׁ֨ה’iš·šāh — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study → defiledוַחֲלָלָה֙wa·ḥă·lā·lāh — to pierce through; to kill or slayH2491 — Full Word Study → by prostitutionזֹנָ֤הzō·nāh — to commit sexual immorality; to act as a harlot or prostituteH2181 — Full Word Study → orלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → divorcedגְּרוּשָׁ֥הgə·rū·šāh — to drive out, expel, thrust awayH1644 — Full Word Study → by her husbandמֵאִישָׁ֖הּmê·’î·šāh — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study →, forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the priest is holyקָדֹ֥שׁqā·ḏōš — Set apart, consecrated, sacredH6918 — Full Word Study → to his Godלֵאלֹהָֽיו׃lê·lō·hāw — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →. 8You are to regard him as holyוְקִדַּשְׁתּ֔וֹwə·qid·daš·tōw — to set apart as holy; to consecrate or sanctifyH6942 — Full Word Study →, sinceכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → heה֣וּאhū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → presentsמַקְרִ֑יבmaq·rîḇ — to approach, draw near, come forwardH7126 — Full Word Study → the foodלֶ֥חֶםle·ḥem — Bread; food; sustenanceH3899 — Full Word Study → of your Godאֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →. He shall beיִֽהְיֶה־yih·yeh- — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → holyקָדֹשׁ֙qā·ḏōš — Set apart, consecrated, sacredH6918 — Full Word Study → to you, becauseכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → Iאֲנִ֥י’ă·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → am holyקָד֔וֹשׁqā·ḏō·wōš — Set apart, consecrated, sacredH6918 — Full Word Study →I who set you apartמְקַדִּשְׁכֶֽם׃mə·qad·diš·ḵem — to set apart as holy; to consecrate or sanctifyH6942 — Full Word Study →. 9Ifכִּ֥יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → a priest’sכֹּהֵ֔ןkō·hên — priest; one who serves in God's sanctuaryH3548 — Full Word Study → daughterוּבַת֙ū·ḇaṯ — daughter; female child or descendantH1323 — Full Word Study → defiles herselfתֵחֵ֖לṯê·ḥêl — to profane, defile, or beginH2490 — Full Word Study → by prostituting herselfלִזְנ֑וֹתliz·nō·wṯ — to commit sexual immorality; to act as a harlot or prostituteH2181 — Full Word Study →, sheהִ֣יאhî — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → profanesמְחַלֶּ֔לֶתmə·ḥal·le·leṯ — to profane, defile, or beginH2490 — Full Word Study → her fatherאָבִ֙יהָ֙’ā·ḇî·hā — H1 — Full Word Study →; she must be burnedתִּשָּׂרֵֽף׃סtiś·śā·rêp̄ — to burn, kindle, consume by fireH8313 — Full Word Study → in the fireבָּאֵ֖שׁbā·’êš — Fire; flame; burningH784 — Full Word Study →. 10The priestוְהַכֹּהֵן֩wə·hak·kō·hên — priest; one who serves in God's sanctuaryH3548 — Full Word Study → who is highestהַגָּד֨וֹלhag·gā·ḏō·wl — Great, mighty, large in size or significanceH1419 — Full Word Study → among his brothersמֵאֶחָ֜יוmê·’e·ḥāw — Male sibling; brother; kinsmanH251 — Full Word Study →, whoאֲ‍ֽשֶׁר־’ăšer- — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → has had the anointingהַמִּשְׁחָה֙ham·miš·ḥāh — anointing oil; sacred unctionH4888 — Full Word Study → oilשֶׁ֤מֶןše·men — Oil; ointment; fat; luxuryH8081 — Full Word Study → pouredיוּצַ֥קyū·ṣaq — To pour out; to cast; to overflowH3332 — Full Word Study → onעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → his headרֹאשׁ֣וֹ׀rō·šōw — Head; chief; beginning; topH7218 — Full Word Study → and has been ordainedוּמִלֵּ֣אū·mil·lê — to fill, fulfill, completeH4390 — Full Word Study → to wearלִלְבֹּ֖שׁlil·bōš — To clothe, dress, or wear garmentsH3847 — Full Word Study → the priestly garmentsהַבְּגָדִ֑יםhab·bə·ḡā·ḏîm — Clothing; treachery or deceptionH899 — Full Word Study →, must not let his hairרֹאשׁוֹ֙rō·šōw — Head; chief; beginning; topH7218 — Full Word Study → hang looseיִפְרָ֔עyip̄·rā‘ — to let loose; expose; avengeH6544 — Full Word Study → or tearיִפְרֹֽם׃yip̄·rōm — to tear, rend, or split apartH6533 — Full Word Study → his garmentsוּבְגָדָ֖יוū·ḇə·ḡā·ḏāw — Clothing; treachery or deceptionH899 — Full Word Study →. 11He must notלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → goיָבֹ֑אyā·ḇō — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → near anyכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → deadמֵ֖תmêṯ — to die; to put to death; to killH4191 — Full Word Study → bodyנַפְשֹׁ֥תnap̄·šōṯ — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study →; he must notלֹ֥אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → defile himselfיִטַּמָּֽא׃yiṭ·ṭam·mā — to be unclean, to defile or contaminateH2930 — Full Word Study →, even for his fatherלְאָבִ֥יוlə·’ā·ḇîw — H1 — Full Word Study → or motherוּלְאִמּ֖וֹū·lə·’im·mōw — mother; female parentH517 — Full Word Study →. 12He must notלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → leaveיֵצֵ֔אyê·ṣê — To go out, come forth, exitH3318 — Full Word Study → or desecrateיְחַלֵּ֔לyə·ḥal·lêl — to profane, defile, or beginH2490 — Full Word Study → the sanctuaryמִקְדַּ֣שׁmiq·daš — Sanctuary, holy place of worshipH4720 — Full Word Study → of his Godאֱלֹהָ֑יו’ĕ·lō·hāw — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →, forכִּ֡יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the consecrationנֵ֠זֶרnê·zer — Nazirite vow; consecration; separated unto GodH5145 — Full Word Study → of the anointingמִשְׁחַ֧תmiš·ḥaṯ — anointing oil; sacred unctionH4888 — Full Word Study → oilשֶׁ֣מֶןše·men — Oil; ointment; fat; luxuryH8081 — Full Word Study → of his Godאֱלֹהָ֛יו’ĕ·lō·hāw — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → is on himעָלָ֖יו‘ā·lāw — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →. Iאֲנִ֥י’ă·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → am the LORDיְהוָֽה׃Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →. 13The womanאִשָּׁ֥ה’iš·šāh — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study → heוְה֕וּאwə·hū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → marriesיִקָּֽח׃yiq·qāḥ — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → must be a virginבִבְתוּלֶ֖יהָḇiḇ·ṯū·le·hā — virginity; signs of virginityH1331 — Full Word Study →. 14He is notלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → to marryיִקָּ֑חyiq·qāḥ — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → a widowאַלְמָנָ֤ה’al·mā·nāh — A woman whose husband has died; widowH490 — Full Word Study →, a divorced womanוּגְרוּשָׁה֙ū·ḡə·rū·šāh — to drive out, expel, thrust awayH1644 — Full Word Study →, or one defiledוַחֲלָלָ֣הwa·ḥă·lā·lāh — to pierce through; to kill or slayH2491 — Full Word Study → by prostitutionזֹנָ֔הzō·nāh — to commit sexual immorality; to act as a harlot or prostituteH2181 — Full Word Study →. He is to marryיִקַּ֥חyiq·qaḥ — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → a virginבְּתוּלָ֥הbə·ṯū·lāh — A young woman or virgin; an unmarried girlH1330 — Full Word Study → from his own peopleמֵעַמָּ֖יוmê·‘am·māw — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study →, 15so that he does notוְלֹֽא־wə·lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → defileיְחַלֵּ֥לyə·ḥal·lêl — to profane, defile, or beginH2490 — Full Word Study → his offspringזַרְע֖וֹzar·‘ōw — Seed; offspring; descendant; progenyH2233 — Full Word Study → among his peopleבְּעַמָּ֑יוbə·‘am·māw — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study →, forכִּ֛יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → Iאֲנִ֥י’ă·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → am the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → who sanctifies himמְקַדְּשֽׁוֹ׃פmə·qad·də·šōw — to set apart as holy; to consecrate or sanctifyH6942 — Full Word Study →.” 16Then the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → saidוַיְדַבֵּ֥רway·ḏab·bêr — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → Mosesמֹשֶׁ֥הmō·šeh — Drawn outH4872 — Full Word Study →, 17Sayדַּבֵּ֥רdab·bêr — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study → toאֶֽל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → Aaronאַהֲרֹ֖ן’a·hă·rōn — Exalted FatherH175 — Full Word Study →, ‘For the generations to comeלְדֹרֹתָ֗םlə·ḏō·rō·ṯām — generation; age; lifetime; posterityH1755 — Full Word Study →, noneלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → of your descendantsמִֽזַּרְעֲךָ֞miz·zar·‘ă·ḵā — Seed; offspring; descendant; progenyH2233 — Full Word Study → whoאֲשֶׁ֨ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → hasיִהְיֶ֥הyih·yeh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → a physical defectמ֔וּםmūm — A blemish or defect, physical or moralH3971 — Full Word Study → may approachיִקְרַ֔בyiq·raḇ — to approach, draw near, come forwardH7126 — Full Word Study → to offerלְהַקְרִ֖יבlə·haq·rîḇ — to approach, draw near, come forwardH7126 — Full Word Study → the foodלֶ֥חֶםle·ḥem — Bread; food; sustenanceH3899 — Full Word Study → of his Godאֱלֹהָֽיו׃’ĕ·lō·hāw — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →. 18Noכָל־ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → manאִ֛ישׁ’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → whoאֲשֶׁר־’ă·šer- — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → has any defectמ֖וּםmūm — A blemish or defect, physical or moralH3971 — Full Word Study → may approachיִקְרָ֑בyiq·rāḇ — to approach, draw near, come forwardH7126 — Full Word Study →no manאִ֤ישׁ’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → who is blindעִוֵּר֙‘iw·wêr — blind; unable to see physically or spirituallyH5787 — Full Word Study →, lameפִסֵּ֔חַp̄is·sê·aḥ — lame, limping, unable to walk properlyH6455 — Full Word Study →, disfiguredחָרֻ֖םḥā·rum — to devote to destruction; to consecrate by destructionH2763 — Full Word Study →, orא֣וֹ’ōw — or, whether; also expressing desire or preferenceH176 — Full Word Study → deformedשָׂרֽוּעַ׃śā·rū·a‘ — to extend, stretch out, spread abroadH8311 — Full Word Study →; 19no manאִ֔ישׁ’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → whoאֲשֶׁר־’ă·šer- — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → hasיִהְיֶ֥הyih·yeh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → a brokenשֶׁ֣בֶרše·ḇer — Breaking, fracture, or shattering; destruction or ruinH7667 — Full Word Study → footרָ֑גֶלrā·ḡel — Foot; by extension, journey, way, or standingH7272 — Full Word Study → orא֖וֹ’ōw — or, whether; also expressing desire or preferenceH176 — Full Word Study → handיָֽד׃yāḏ — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study →, 20orאֽוֹ־’ōw- — or, whether; also expressing desire or preferenceH176 — Full Word Study → who is a hunchbackגִבֵּ֣ןḡib·bên — humpbacked, crooked in back, physically deformedH1384 — Full Word Study → orאוֹ־’ōw- — or, whether; also expressing desire or preferenceH176 — Full Word Study → dwarfדַ֔קḏaq — thin, small, feeble, or insignificantH1851 — Full Word Study →, orא֖וֹ’ōw — or, whether; also expressing desire or preferenceH176 — Full Word Study → who has an eyeבְּעֵינ֑וֹbə·‘ê·nōw — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study → defectתְּבַלֻּ֣לtə·ḇal·lul — blemish; defect; flawH8400 — Full Word Study →, a festering rashגָרָב֙ḡā·rāḇ — scab or skin disease; leprosy-like conditionH1618 — Full Word Study →, scabsיַלֶּ֔פֶתyal·le·p̄eṯ — Scab or eruption of the skinH3217 — Full Word Study →, orא֤וֹ’ōw — or, whether; also expressing desire or preferenceH176 — Full Word Study → a crushedמְר֥וֹחַmə·rō·w·aḥ — crushed, broken, contrite in spiritH4790 — Full Word Study → testicleאָֽשֶׁךְ׃’ā·šeḵ — Testicle, stone (anatomical term)H810 — Full Word Study →. 21Noכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → descendantמִזֶּ֙רַע֙miz·ze·ra‘ — Seed; offspring; descendant; progenyH2233 — Full Word Study → of Aaronאַהֲרֹ֣ן’a·hă·rōn — Exalted FatherH175 — Full Word Study → the priestהַכֹּהֵ֔ןhak·kō·hên — priest; one who serves in God's sanctuaryH3548 — Full Word Study → whoאֲשֶׁר־’ă·šer- — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → has a defectמ֗וּםmūm — A blemish or defect, physical or moralH3971 — Full Word Study → shall approachיִגַּ֔שׁyig·gaš — to draw near, approach, come closeH5066 — Full Word Study → to presentלְהַקְרִ֖יבlə·haq·rîḇ — to approach, draw near, come forwardH7126 — Full Word Study → the offerings made by fire to the LORDיְהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →. Since he has a defect, he is notלֹ֥אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → to come nearיִגַּ֖שׁyig·gaš — to draw near, approach, come closeH5066 — Full Word Study → to offerלְהַקְרִֽיב׃lə·haq·rîḇ — to approach, draw near, come forwardH7126 — Full Word Study → the foodלֶ֣חֶםle·ḥem — Bread; food; sustenanceH3899 — Full Word Study → of his Godאֱלֹהָ֔יו’ĕ·lō·hāw — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →. 22He may eatיֹאכֵֽל׃yō·ḵêl — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study → the mostמִקָּדְשֵׁ֖יmiq·qā·ḏə·šê — Holiness, sacred, consecrated, set apartH6944 — Full Word Study → holyהַקֳּדָשִׁ֑יםhaq·qo·ḏā·šîm — Holiness, sacred, consecrated, set apartH6944 — Full Word Study → foodלֶ֣חֶםle·ḥem — Bread; food; sustenanceH3899 — Full Word Study → of his Godאֱלֹהָ֔יו’ĕ·lō·hāw — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → as well asוּמִן־ū·min- — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study → the holy food, 23butאַ֣ךְ’aḵ — Surely, certainly, only, neverthelessH389 — Full Word Study → becauseכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → he has a defectמ֣וּםmūm — A blemish or defect, physical or moralH3971 — Full Word Study →, he must notלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → goיָבֹ֗אyā·ḇō — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → nearאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the veilהַפָּרֹ֜כֶתhap·pā·rō·ḵeṯ — curtain, veil, screenH6532 — Full Word Study → or approachיִגַּ֖שׁyig·gaš — to draw near, approach, come closeH5066 — Full Word Study → the altarהַמִּזְבֵּ֛חַham·miz·bê·aḥ — altar; place of sacrifice and worshipH4196 — Full Word Study →, so as not to desecrateיְחַלֵּל֙yə·ḥal·lêl — to profane, defile, or beginH2490 — Full Word Study → My sanctuariesמִקְדָּשַׁ֔יmiq·dā·šay — Sanctuary, holy place of worshipH4720 — Full Word Study →. Forכִּ֛יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → Iאֲנִ֥י’ă·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → am the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → who sanctifies themמְקַדְּשָֽׁם׃mə·qad·də·šām — to set apart as holy; to consecrate or sanctifyH6942 — Full Word Study →.’” 24Mosesמֹשֶׁ֔הmō·šeh — Drawn outH4872 — Full Word Study → toldוַיְדַבֵּ֣רway·ḏab·bêr — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study → this toאֶֽל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → Aaronאַהֲרֹ֖ן’a·hă·rōn — Exalted FatherH175 — Full Word Study → and his sonsבָּנָ֑יוbā·nāw — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → and toוְאֶל־wə·’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the Israelitesבְּנֵ֖יbə·nê — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — Leviticus 21
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Overview

Leviticus 21 sets forth God's holiness standards for the priesthood, distinguishing them from the general population of Israel. This chapter establishes regulations governing priestly conduct regarding death, personal grooming, marriage, and physical qualifications for service. Through these detailed laws, God teaches a fundamental principle: those who draw near to minister in His presence must reflect His holiness in their persons, families, and behavior. The regulations, though culturally specific, reveal timeless truths about worship, consecration, and the seriousness with which God views those called to represent Him.

Verses 1–5: Restrictions on Mourning and Grooming

God forbids ordinary priests from becoming ceremonially defiled by touching the dead, except for their closest relatives (mother, father, son, daughter, and unmarried sister). This restriction underscores the priest's ongoing need for ceremonial purity to function in their holy office. Unlike ordinary Israelites who could observe mourning customs, priests had a higher calling. Verses 4 and 5 reinforce this by prohibiting certain mourning practices—baldness, beard-shaving, and self-inflicted cuts—which were common pagan funerary customs. The reasoning is simple: priests belong to God in a special way and must not conform to worldly patterns of grief. Their visible appearance and conduct must distinguish them as God's set-apart servants, not as slaves to cultural convention.

Verses 6–9: Moral and Marital Holiness

This section emphasizes that priestly holiness extends into the home and marriage. Priests must marry women of unblemished reputation—neither whores nor divorced women. Even a priest's daughter, if she commits sexual sin, brings disgrace upon her father and faces capital judgment (v. 9). This severe penalty reflects God's view that the priest's family honor is inseparable from his office. Verse 8 reminds us that holiness is not self-generated but sanctification flows from God Himself. The priest eats God's sacrificial bread and stands before God's altar; therefore, he and his household must reflect God's moral character. This teaches that our walk at home matters as much as our walk at church.

Verses 10–15: The High Priest's Unique Restrictions

The high priest, bearing "the crown of the anointing oil" (v. 12), faces even stricter standards. He cannot defile himself for anyone—not even parents—because he must remain perpetually ready to enter the holy place and maintain unbroken communion with God. He cannot leave the sanctuary at will. His marriage must be to a virgin of his own people, ensuring the purity of his household and descendants. These heightened requirements reflect the high priest's unique mediatorial role. In the New Testament, this foreshadows Christ, our perfect High Priest who was wholly separated unto God's work and whose purity and perpetual availability make Him the ultimate mediator between God and man.

Verses 16–24: Physical Qualifications for Priestly Service

Priests with physical deformities—blindness, lameness, broken bones, dwarfism, scars, or other defects—are barred from offering sacrifices at the altar. However, they retain full access to the holy bread and may eat the sacrificial portions (v. 22). This is not arbitrary cruelty but theological instruction: the unblemished offerings and the one presenting them should reflect God's perfection and integrity. A blemished priest could still minister in subordinate roles and receive provision, but the most sacred act—approaching the altar—required physical wholeness as a symbol. This Old Testament principle anticipated that Christ, the perfect sacrifice, would be without blemish or defect, fulfilling all that the law's requirements foreshadowed.

Application for Today

While Christians are no longer under Old Testament ceremonial law, Leviticus 21 reminds us that holiness matters. If you serve in Christian ministry—whether as a pastor, worship leader, or teacher—your private life, marriage, and moral choices affect your witness. More broadly, all believers are "a chosen generation, a royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9). That calling invites us to examine our own devotion: Are we set apart for God's purposes? Do our families reflect our faith? Does our conduct honor the God we claim to serve?

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