Leviticus 21:1-7

1 The LORD said to Moshe, Speak to the Kohanim, the sons of Aharon, and say to them, There shall none defile himself for the dead among his people;

2 except for his relatives, that is near to him, 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, that is near to him, that has had no husband; for her may he defile himself.

4 He shall not defile himself, [being] a chief man among his people, to profane himself.

5 They shall not make baldness on their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard, nor make any cuttings in their flesh.

6 They shall be holy to their God, and not profane the name of their God; for the offerings of the LORD made by fire, the bread of their God, they do offer: therefore they shall be holy.

7 They shall not take a woman that is a prostitute, or profane; neither shall they take a woman put away from her husband: for he is holy to his God.

Leviticus 21:1-7 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.