Leviticus 21:14-24

14 '1A widow, or a divorced woman, or one who is profaned by harlotry, these he may not take; but rather * he is to marry a virgin of his own people,
15 so that he will not profane his offspring among his people; for I am the LORD who sanctifies him.' "
16 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
17 "Speak to Aaron, saying, 'No man of your offspring throughout their generations who has a defect shall approach to offer the 2food of his God.
18 '3For no * one who has a defect shall approach: a blind man, or a lame man, or he who has a 4disfigured face, or any deformed limb,
19 or a man who has a broken foot or broken hand,
20 or a hunchback or a dwarf, or one who has a defect in his eye or eczema or scabs or 5crushed testicles.
21 'No * man among the descendants of Aaron the priest who has a defect is to come near to offer the LORD'S offerings by fire; since he has a defect, he shall not come near to offer 6the food of his God.
22 'He may eat 7the food of his God, both of the most holy and of the holy,
23 only he shall not go in to the veil or come near the altar because he has a defect, so that he will not profane My sanctuaries. For I am the LORD who sanctifies them.' "
24 So Moses spoke to Aaron and to his sons and to all the sons of Israel.

Leviticus 21:14-24 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 7

  • 1. Leviticus 21:7; Ezekiel 44:22
  • 2. Leviticus 21:6
  • 3. Leviticus 22:19-25
  • 4. Leviticus 22:19-25
  • 5. Deuteronomy 23:1; Isaiah 56:3-5
  • 6. Leviticus 21:6
  • 7. 1 Corinthians 9:13

Footnotes 6

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