Leviticus21

Leviticus 21 outlines the specific holiness requirements for the priests of Israel, both common priests and the high priest. It details restrictions on defilement for the dead, prohibitions against certain mourning practices, and strict marriage laws. Additionally, the chapter forbids any priest with a physical blemish from serving at the altar, though they may still partake of the holy offerings.

Purity Laws for Regular Priests

1
And the Lord said vnto Moses, Speake vnto the Priestes the sonnes of Aaron, and say vnto them, Let none be defiled by the dead among his people,
2
But by his kinseman that is neere vnto him: to wit, by his mother, or by his father, or by his sonne, or by his daughter, or by his brother,
3
Or by his sister a maid, that is neere vnto him, which hath not had a husband: for her he may lament.
4
He shall not lament for the Prince among his people, to pollute him selfe.
5
They shall not make balde partes vpon their head, nor shaue off the locks of their beard, nor make any cuttings in their flesh.
6
They shalbe holy vnto their God, and not pollute the name of their God: for the sacrifices of the Lord made by fire, and the bread of their God they doe offer: therefore they shalbe holie.
7
They shall not take to wife an whore, or one polluted, neither shall they marrie a woman diuorced from her husband: for such one is holy vnto his God.
8
Thou shalt sanctifie him therefore, for he offereth the bread of thy God: he shall be holy vnto thee: for I the Lord, which sanctifie you, am holy.
9
If a Priestes daughter fall to play the whore, she polluteth her father: therefore shall she be burnt with fire.

Stricter Laws for the High Priest

10
Also ye hie Priest among his brethren, (vpon whose head the anointing oyle was powred, and hath consecrated his hand to put on the garments) shall not vncouer his head, nor rent his clothes,
11
Neither shall he goe to any dead bodie, nor make him selfe vncleane by his father or by his mother,
12
Neither shall he goe out of the Sanctuarie, nor pollute the holy place of his God: for the crowne of the anoynting oyle of his God is vpon him: I am the Lord.
13
Also he shall take a maide vnto his wife:
14
But a widowe, or a diuorced woman, or a polluted, or an harlot, these shall he not marrie, but shall take a maide of his owne people to wife:
15
Neyther shall he defile his seede among his people: for I am the Lord which sanctifie him.

Physical Requirements for Priestly Service

16
And the Lord spake vnto Moses, saying,
17
Speake vnto Aaron, and say, Whosoeuer of thy seede in their generations hath any blemishes, shall not prease to offer the bread of his God:
18
For whosoeuer hath any blemish, shall not come neere: as a man blinde or lame, or that hath a flat nose, or that hath any misshapen member,
19
Or a man that hath a broken foote, or a broken hande,
20
Or is crooke backt, or bleare eyed, or hath a blemish in his eye, or be skiruie, or skabbed, or haue his stones broken.
21
None of the seede of Aaron the Priest that hath a blemish, shall come neere to offer the sacrifices of the Lord made by fire, hauing a blemish: he shall not prease to offer the bread of his God.
22
The bread of his God, euen of the most holie, and of the holy shall he eate:
23
But he shall not goe in vnto the vaile, nor come neere the altar, because hee hath a blemish, least he pollute my Sanctuaries: for I am the Lord that sanctifie them.
24
Thus spake Moses vnto Aaron, and to his sonnes, and to all the children of Israel.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate
Settings

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Reading Width 45 chars

Options