Leviticus 21:3-13

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.

9 And the daughter of the man who is a priest, if she begins to fornicate, she profanes her father; she shall be burnt with fire.

10 And he that is the high priest among his brethren, upon whose head the anointing oil was poured and that is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not uncover his head nor rend his clothes;

11 neither shall he go in to any dead body, nor defile himself for his father or for his mother;

12 neither shall he go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God, for the crown of the anointing oil of his God is upon him. I am the LORD.

13 And he shall take a wife in her virginity.

Leviticus 21:3-13 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.