Leviticus 21:15

KJV

Neither shall he profane his seed among his people: for I the LORD do sanctify him.

KJV (with Strong's)

Neither shall he profane {H2490} his seed {H2233} among his people {H5971}: for I the LORD {H3068} do sanctify {H6942} him.

Complete Jewish Bible

and not disqualify his descendants among his people; because I am ADONAI, who makes him holy.'"

Berean Standard Bible

so that he does not defile his offspring among his people, for I am the LORD who sanctifies him.”

American Standard Version

And he shall not profane his seed among his people: for I am Jehovah who sanctifieth him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 21:15 is a crucial injunction within the priestly code, specifically addressing the high priest's responsibility to preserve the sanctity of his lineage. It mandates that he must not "profane his seed" through forbidden marriages, thereby ensuring that his descendants remain eligible for sacred service. This strict requirement underscores the divine origin of the priesthood's holiness, emphasizing that God Himself consecrates the priest, demanding a corresponding purity in all aspects of his life, including his family, to maintain the integrity of Israel's worship and covenant relationship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Leviticus 21, a chapter dedicated to the specific laws governing the holiness of the Aaronic priesthood. The preceding verses (Leviticus 21:1-9) establish general purity standards for all priests, including prohibitions against defilement by contact with the dead and restrictions on marriage for common priests. However, the immediate context of Leviticus 21:10-15 focuses exclusively on the even more stringent requirements for the high priest. He is forbidden from mourning rituals that would defile him (Leviticus 21:10-12) and, critically, is commanded to marry only a virgin from his own people, explicitly excluding a widow, divorcee, or harlot (Leviticus 21:13-14). Verse 15 serves as a summary and reinforcement of these marital stipulations, stating that the high priest must not "profane his seed" by violating these rules, lest his offspring be rendered unfit for priestly service. The concluding phrase, "for I the LORD do sanctify him," provides the theological foundation for these exacting demands, rooting the priest's holiness not in human merit but in divine consecration.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the priesthood played an indispensable role as mediators between God and His people, facilitating atonement and maintaining the covenant. The tabernacle, and later the temple, served as the focal point of Israel's worship, and the priests were the designated officiants. Their physical and moral purity was paramount, as they represented a holy God to a people called to be holy. Lineage was critically important for identity and function, especially within the priestly tribe of Levi and the specific line of Aaron. To "profane his seed" meant to render his offspring illegitimate or ritually impure for priestly duties, often through a forbidden marriage that would introduce a defiled element into the sacred lineage. This was not merely a social taboo but a theological breach, as it directly undermined the divine order for worship. The emphasis on the high priest's unique status reflects his singular role as the one who entered the Most Holy Place on the Day of Atonement, bearing the sins of the nation before God, as described in [Leviticus 16](/leviticus/16 "Leviticus 16 - The Day of Atonement"). Therefore, the integrity of his person and family was essential for the efficacy of the sacrificial system and the maintenance of God's presence among His people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Profane (Hebrew, _chalal'_):** This verb (חָלַל) means to defile, pollute, desecrate, or make common. It is the antonym of "holy" (קָדַשׁ, _qadash_). In this context, it refers to the act of rendering something sacred or set apart as ordinary or ritually impure. For the high priest, profaning his seed meant compromising the sacred status of his descendants, primarily through a marriage that violated God's specific commands, thereby making them ineligible for the holy office and defiling the priestly lineage.
* **Seed (Hebrew, _zera'_):** This noun (זֶרַע) literally refers to "seed" or "sperm," but in a broader sense, it denotes offspring, descendants, or progeny. Here, it specifically refers to the high priest's male children who would inherit the priestly office. The command is to protect the purity and legitimacy of this sacred line, ensuring that future generations of priests are unblemished and fit for divine service.
* **Sanctify (Hebrew, _qadash'_):** This verb (קָדַשׁ) means to set apart, consecrate, or make holy. It implies a separation from the common for a sacred purpose. The concluding phrase, "for I the LORD do sanctify him," highlights that the priest's holiness is not self-achieved but is a divine act of consecration. This divine setting-apart is the ultimate basis for the strict requirements placed upon the priest, underscoring God's ownership and purpose for His chosen servants.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Neither shall he profane his seed among his people:"** This clause directly prohibits the high priest from taking any action that would render his offspring unfit for the priesthood. The primary means of profaning his seed, as indicated by the preceding verses, was through marrying a woman forbidden by God's law (e.g., a widow, divorcee, or harlot). Such a union would introduce ritual impurity or illegitimacy into the priestly lineage, compromising the sacred status of his descendants and potentially disqualifying them from serving in the tabernacle/temple. The phrase "among his people" emphasizes that this purity must be maintained publicly and in accordance with the community's understanding of holiness.
* **"for I the LORD do sanctify him."** This concluding clause provides the theological rationale and divine imperative for the command. It asserts God's sovereign act of consecration upon the high priest. Because God Himself has set apart the priest for holy service, the priest is obligated to live in a manner consistent with that divine appointment. His personal holiness, and by extension the holiness of his family and lineage, is a direct reflection and consequence of God's sanctifying work. This phrase underscores that the demands are not arbitrary but flow from the very nature of God and His relationship with His chosen servant.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Divine Declaration** is prominent in the concluding phrase, "for I the LORD do sanctify him." This is a direct statement from God, emphasizing His authority and the divine origin of the priestly office and its accompanying demands. This declaration serves as the ultimate justification for the strict rules, highlighting that the priest's holiness is not self-derived but divinely bestowed and maintained. There is also an element of **Covenantal Language**, as the entire priestly code is embedded within the broader Mosaic Covenant, defining the terms of Israel's relationship with Yahweh. The strictures on the high priest's marriage and lineage are part of the conditions for maintaining the covenant's integrity and God's holy presence among His people. Furthermore, a clear **Contrast** is drawn between "profaning" and "sanctifying." The priest is warned against profaning his seed, which stands in stark opposition to God's act of sanctifying him. This antithesis underscores the gravity of disobedience and the high value God places on purity and separation for His service.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 21:15 profoundly articulates the principle that divine election and consecration demand a corresponding human responsibility to live in holiness. The high priest's unique calling by God necessitates an elevated standard of purity, not only in his personal actions but also in the integrity of his family and future lineage. This reflects the theological truth that those whom God sets apart for sacred service must embody the holiness of the God they represent. The purity of the priestly line was essential for maintaining the integrity of the sacrificial system and ensuring that the mediators between God and Israel were unblemished, thereby preserving the sanctity of the divine-human encounter. This principle of a holy God requiring holiness from His representatives resonates throughout Scripture, culminating in the New Testament's call for all believers, as a "royal priesthood," to live consecrated lives.

* [Exodus 29:44](/exodus/29-44 "Exodus 29:44 - God's Consecration of Priests")
* [1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - Believers as a Royal Priesthood")
* [Hebrews 7:26-28](/hebrews/7-26 "Hebrews 7:26-28 - Christ's Perfect Priesthood")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific regulations for the Aaronic priesthood are not directly applicable to New Testament believers in their literal form, the underlying principles of Leviticus 21:15 remain profoundly relevant. As followers of Christ, we are called a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9), consecrated by God through the blood of Jesus to offer spiritual sacrifices and proclaim His excellencies. This verse reminds us that our divine calling to holiness extends beyond individual actions to encompass the integrity of our lives and, where applicable, our families. For those in spiritual leadership, the call to maintain personal and familial purity is particularly acute, as their lives serve as examples to the flock and reflect upon the name of Christ. Our choices, including those related to marriage and family, have implications for our witness and the integrity of our service. We are to live in a manner that honors the God who has sanctified us, ensuring that our lives do not "profane" the sacred trust He has placed in us but rather exemplify the beauty of His holiness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways does my life, including my family relationships, reflect the holiness of the God who has sanctified me?**
* **How does the concept of "profaning my seed" (spiritually or relationally) challenge me to consider the long-term impact of my choices on my witness and those I influence?**
* **What practical steps can I take to live more consistently with my identity as part of God's "royal priesthood," set apart for His purposes?**

### FAQ
**Why were the rules for the high priest so much stricter than for other priests or common Israelites?**

Answer: The high priest held a unique and supremely sacred office as the spiritual head of Israel, the one who mediated for the entire nation and entered the Most Holy Place on the Day of Atonement ([Leviticus 16](/leviticus/16 "Leviticus 16 - The Day of Atonement")). His unparalleled proximity to God's presence demanded an equally unparalleled standard of holiness. Every aspect of his life, including his marriage and family, had to be beyond reproach to prevent any defilement that could compromise his sacred duties or bring dishonor upon God's name and the entire covenant community. His purity was essential for the efficacy of the sacrificial system and the maintenance of God's presence among His people.

**Does the command "Neither shall he profane his seed" apply to believers today?**

Answer: The literal command regarding the high priest's physical lineage and specific marriage prohibitions does not directly apply to all believers today, as the Aaronic priesthood has been fulfilled in Christ. However, the underlying principle of maintaining spiritual purity and integrity, especially for those in leadership, remains highly relevant. As New Testament believers are called a "royal priesthood" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - Believers as a Royal Priesthood")), we are all set apart by God for holy purposes. The principle teaches that our lives, including our family relationships, should reflect the holiness of God and not bring discredit to His name or our spiritual calling. For Christian leaders, the integrity of their family life is often a prerequisite for service ([1 Timothy 3:2-5](/1_timothy/3-2 "1 Timothy 3:2-5 - Qualifications for Overseers")).

**What exactly does "profane his seed" mean in this context?**

Answer: "Profane his seed" (חָלַל זֶרַע, _chalal zera_) means to render his offspring common, defiled, or ritually impure, thereby making them unfit for the sacred priestly office. In the immediate context of Leviticus 21, this primarily refers to the high priest marrying a woman forbidden by God's law for him—specifically, a non-virgin, a widow, a divorcee, or a harlot ([Leviticus 21:13-14](/leviticus/21-13 "Leviticus 21:13-14 - High Priest's Marriage Requirements")). Such a marriage would introduce a defiling element into his lineage, compromising the purity and legitimacy required for future generations to serve as priests. It was a violation of the divine order for maintaining the sanctity of the priesthood.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 21:15, with its stringent demands for the high priest's holiness and the purity of his lineage, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The earthly high priest, despite his meticulous adherence to the law, was a sinful man who had to offer sacrifices for his own sins before he could atone for the people's ([Hebrews 7:27](/hebrews/7-27 "Hebrews 7:27 - Christ's Sinless Priesthood")). His lineage, though physically pure according to the law, was still part of a fallen humanity. In stark contrast, Jesus is the [Great High Priest](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest") who is "holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens" ([Hebrews 7:26](/hebrews/7-26 "Hebrews 7:26 - Christ's Perfect Priesthood")). He did not need to "profane his seed" because He had no earthly seed in the sense of a physical lineage requiring purity for priestly succession; His priesthood is "not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent but by the power of an indestructible life" ([Hebrews 7:16](/hebrews/7-16 "Hebrews 7:16 - Christ's Indestructible Priesthood")). His "seed" is spiritual—those who are born again through faith in Him, who become part of His holy, unblemished spiritual family, a "royal priesthood" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - Believers as a Royal Priesthood")). Christ's perfect, once-for-all sacrifice on the cross ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")) sanctified His people eternally, fulfilling the very purpose of the Levitical priesthood and rendering its shadow obsolete. He is the one whom the LORD truly sanctified, perfectly representing God to humanity and humanity to God, without blemish or spot.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.