Leviticus 21:5-6

5 “ ‘Priests must not shave their heads or shave off the edges of their beards or cut their bodies.
6 They must be holy to their God and must not profane the name of their God. Because they present the food offerings to the LORD, the food of their God, they are to be holy.

Leviticus 21:5-6 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO LEVITICUS 21

This chapter respects the priests, the sons of Aaron, and forbids their mourning for the dead, unless in some cases, Le 21:1-6; or their marriage with an whore or a divorced woman, Le 21:7,8; and the daughters of any of them to commit fornication, which is made punishable with death, Le 21:9; and it contains particular laws for the high priest to observe, who was not to mourn for any, even for his parents, Le 21:10,11; nor to go out of the sanctuary, Le 21:12; nor to marry any woman but a virgin, Le 21:13-15; and it also directs, that none of the priests having any blemish in them should be employed in divine service, though they might eat of the holy things, Le 21:16-24.

Cross References 8

  • 1. S Leviticus 13:40; Jeremiah 7:29; Jeremiah 16:6
  • 2. Ezekiel 5:1; Ezekiel 44:20
  • 3. S Leviticus 19:28; Deuteronomy 14:1
  • 4. ver 8; Ezra 8:28
  • 5. Leviticus 18:21
  • 6. S Leviticus 3:11
  • 7. ver 17,22; Leviticus 22:25
  • 8. S Exodus 19:22; S Leviticus 10:3
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