Leviticus 21:16

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Complete Jewish Bible:

ADONAI said to Moshe,

Berean Standard Bible:

Then the LORD said to Moses,

American Standard Version:

And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And the LORD^{H3068} spake^{H1696} unto Moses^{H4872}, saying^{H559},

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Leviticus 21:16

Leviticus 21:16 is part of a larger section in the book of Leviticus that outlines the rules and expectations for priests, specifically those descended from Aaron, the first high priest of Israel. This verse introduces a set of regulations concerning physical defects that would disqualify a priest from performing certain sacred duties.

**Themes:**
1. **Holiness and Purity:** The overarching theme of Leviticus is holiness, emphasizing that God is holy and expects His people, especially the priests who represent Him, to be holy as well. This includes physical wholeness as a symbol of spiritual and ritual purity.
2. **Priestly Perfection:** The specific requirement that priests be without blemish reflects the idea that those who approach God and represent the people must be whole and unblemished, symbolizing the perfection and sinlessness that God desires.
3. **Separation from the Common:** The priests were set apart from the rest of the community, and these regulations served to maintain that distinction, reinforcing the special role they played in the religious life of Israel.

**Historical Context:**
- **Time Period:** Leviticus is set in the context of the Israelites' wandering in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt, roughly around the 13th century BCE.
- **Cultural Significance:** In the ancient Near Eastern context, physical perfection was often associated with divine favor and fitness for service. These laws would have resonated with the cultural understanding of the time, while also setting Israel apart with its particular theology and practice.
- **Covenantal Relationship:** These laws were part of the covenant between God and Israel, where God provided detailed instructions for worship and community life, and the people were expected to obey these commands as a sign of their commitment to Him.

In summary, Leviticus 21:16 is situated within a section dedicated to the conduct and qualifications of priests. It underscores the importance of holiness and ritual purity in the priesthood, reflecting the broader theme of Leviticus that God's people, and especially His priests, should strive for holiness in every aspect of life. The historical context highlights the importance of these laws in maintaining the unique identity and religious practices of the Israelites during their formative years as a nation under God's guidance.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H3068
   There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהֹוָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
   Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
   
2. Strong's Number: H1696
   There are 1050 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָבַר
   Transliteration: dâbar
   Pronunciation: daw-bar'
   Description: a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue; answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work.
   
3. Strong's Number: H4872
   There are 704 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מֹשֶׁה
   Transliteration: Môsheh
   Pronunciation: mo-sheh'
   Description: from מָשָׁה; drawing out (of the water), i.e. rescued; Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver; Moses.
   
4. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.