Leviticus 21:1-8

1 And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto the priests, the sons of Aaron, and tell them to not 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 virgin sister, that is near unto him, who has had no husband; for her he may be defiled.

4 He shall not defile himself for the prince 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 offers the bread of thy God; he shall be holy unto thee; for I the LORD, who sanctify you, am holy.

Leviticus 21:1-8 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.