Leviticus 21:1-6

1 And the LORD said unto Moses, "Speak unto the priests the sons of Aaron, and say unto them: `There shall none be defiled for the dead among his people,
2 except for his kin who 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 sister, a virgin who is nigh unto him, who hath had no husband; for her may he be defiled.
4 But he shall not defile himself, being a chief man 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.

Leviticus 21:1-6 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.

Third Millennium Bible (TMB), New Authorized Version, Copyright 1998 by Deuel Enterprises, Inc., Gary, SD 57237. All rights reserved.