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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Leviticus 21:3 or his unmarried sister who is near to him, since she has no husband.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/leviticus/21-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/03_Lev_21_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Leviticus 21:3 - Holiness Required of Priests" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="or his unmarried sister who is near to him, since she has no husband." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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for her he may make himself unclean).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/leviticus/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />or his unmarried sister who is near to him, since she has no husband.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/leviticus/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And for his sister a virgin, that is nigh unto him, which hath had no husband; for her may he be defiled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/leviticus/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />also his virgin sister who is near to him, who has had no husband, for her he may defile himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/leviticus/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />also for his virgin sister who is near to him because she has not had a husband; for her, he may defile himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/leviticus/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />also for his virgin sister, who is near to him because she has had no husband; for her he may defile himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/leviticus/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />also for his virgin sister, who is near to him because she has had no husband; for her he may defile himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/leviticus/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />also for his virgin sister, who is near to him because she has had no husband; for her he may defile himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/leviticus/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />also his virgin sister, who is near to him because she has had no husband; for her he may become unclean.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/leviticus/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He may make himself unclean for his unmarried virgin sister in his immediate family.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/leviticus/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He may make himself unclean for his young unmarried sister in his immediate family. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/leviticus/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />and for his sister a virgin, that is near unto him, that hath had no husband; for her may he defile himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/leviticus/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />or an unmarried sister, who has no husband to take care of her. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/leviticus/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />and for his sister a virgin, that is near unto him, which hath had no husband, for her may he defile himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/leviticus/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />and especially an unmarried virgin sister who is still close to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/leviticus/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />or unmarried sister living in his house. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/leviticus/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />virgin sister (who is a near relative of him and did not have a husband— he may defile himself for her). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/leviticus/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />or his unmarried sister who is near to him, since she has no husband.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/leviticus/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />and his virgin sister who is near to him, who has no husband; he may defile himself for her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/leviticus/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />and for his virgin sister who is near to him, who has had no husband; for her he may defile himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/leviticus/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And for his sister a virgin, that is nigh to him, who hath had no husband: for her he may be defiled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/leviticus/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />and for his virgin sister who is near to him, who has had no husband; for her he may defile himself. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/leviticus/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and for his sister, the virgin, who is near to him, who has not been to a man; he is defiled for her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/leviticus/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and for his sister, the virgin, who is near unto him, who hath not been to a man; for her he is defiled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/leviticus/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And for his sister, a virgin, coming near to him, who was not for a husband for her, he shall be defiled.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/leviticus/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And for a maiden sister, who hath had no husband: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/leviticus/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />or a virgin sister, who is not married to a husband.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/leviticus/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />or his unmarried sister, who is of his own family while she remains single; for these he may make himself unclean.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/leviticus/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />likewise, for a virgin sister, close to him because she has had no husband, he may defile himself for her.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/leviticus/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And for his virgin sister, who is near to him, who had no husband; for her he may defile himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/leviticus/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Or he may be defiled for his sister, a virgin who was near to him, who was not with a man,<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/leviticus/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />and for his sister a virgin, that is near unto him, that hath had no husband, for her may he defile himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/leviticus/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />and for a virgin sister that is near to one, that is not espoused to a man; for these one shall defile himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/leviticus/21-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NWs_V1RyMFo?start=5559" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/leviticus/21.htm">Holiness Required of Priests</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>except for his immediate family—his mother, father, son, daughter, or brother, <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1330.htm" title="1330: hab·bə·ṯū·lāh (Art:: N-fs) -- Feminine passive participle of an unused root meaning to separate; a virgin; sometimes a bride; also a city or state.">or his unmarried</a> <a href="/hebrew/269.htm" title="269: wə·la·’ă·ḥō·ṯōw (Conj-w, Prep-l:: N-fsc:: 3ms) -- Sister. Irregular feminine of 'ach; a sister (like 'Ezrachiy), literally and figuratively).">sister</a> <a href="/hebrew/7138.htm" title="7138: haq·qə·rō·w·ḇāh (Art:: Adj-fs) -- Near. Or qarob; from qarab; near.">who is near</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- To, into, towards. ">to him,</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">since</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hā·yə·ṯāh (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">she has</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">no</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: lə·’îš (Prep-l:: N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">husband.</a> <a href="/hebrew/lāh (Prep:: 3fs) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/2930.htm" title="2930: yiṭ·ṭam·mā (V-Hitpael-Imperf-3ms) -- To be or become unclean. A primitive root; to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense."></a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>He is not to defile himself for those related to him by marriage, and so profane himself.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/19-11.htm">Numbers 19:11-13</a></span><br />Whoever touches any dead body will be unclean for seven days. / He must purify himself with the water on the third day and on the seventh day; then he will be clean. But if he does not purify himself on the third and seventh days, he will not be clean. / Anyone who touches a human corpse and fails to purify himself defiles the tabernacle of the LORD. That person must be cut off from Israel. He remains unclean, because the water of purification has not been sprinkled on him, and his uncleanness is still on him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/44-25.htm">Ezekiel 44:25-27</a></span><br />A priest must not defile himself by going near a dead person. However, for a father, a mother, a son, a daughter, a brother, or an unmarried sister, he may do so, / and after he is cleansed, he must count off seven days for himself. / And on the day he goes into the sanctuary, into the inner court, to minister in the sanctuary, he must present his sin offering, declares the Lord GOD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/8-21.htm">Matthew 8:21-22</a></span><br />Another of His disciples requested, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” / But Jesus told him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/9-59.htm">Luke 9:59-60</a></span><br />Then He said to another man, “Follow Me.” The man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” / But Jesus told him, “Let the dead bury their own dead. You, however, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/5-4.htm">1 Timothy 5:4</a></span><br />But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to show godliness to their own family and repay their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/5-8.htm">1 Timothy 5:8</a></span><br />If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/5-16.htm">1 Timothy 5:16</a></span><br />If any believing woman has dependent widows, she must assist them and not allow the church to be burdened, so that it can help the widows who are truly in need.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/50-1.htm">Genesis 50:1-3</a></span><br />Then Joseph fell upon his father’s face, wept over him, and kissed him. / And Joseph directed the physicians in his service to embalm his father Israel. So they embalmed him, / taking the forty days required to complete the embalming. And the Egyptians mourned for him seventy days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/50-10.htm">Genesis 50:10-11</a></span><br />When they reached the threshing floor of Atad, which is across the Jordan, they lamented and wailed loudly, and Joseph mourned for his father seven days. / When the Canaanites of the land saw the mourning at the threshing floor of Atad, they said, “This is a solemn ceremony of mourning by the Egyptians.” Thus the place across the Jordan is called Abel-mizraim.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/34-8.htm">Deuteronomy 34:8</a></span><br />The Israelites grieved for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days, until the time of weeping and mourning for Moses came to an end.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/1-11.htm">2 Samuel 1:11-12</a></span><br />Then David took hold of his own clothes and tore them, and all the men who were with him did the same. / They mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the people of the LORD and the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/3-31.htm">2 Samuel 3:31-32</a></span><br />Then David ordered Joab and all the people with him, “Tear your clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourn before Abner.” And King David himself walked behind the funeral bier. / When they buried Abner in Hebron, the king wept aloud at Abner’s tomb, and all the people wept.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/4-32.htm">2 Kings 4:32-35</a></span><br />When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his bed. / So he went in, closed the door behind the two of them, and prayed to the LORD. / Then Elisha got on the bed and lay on the boy, mouth to mouth, eye to eye, and hand to hand. As he stretched himself out over him, the boy’s body became warm. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/11-33.htm">John 11:33-35</a></span><br />When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. / “Where have you put him?” He asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they answered. / Jesus wept.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/19-25.htm">John 19:25-27</a></span><br />Near the cross of Jesus stood His mother and her sister, as well as Mary the wife of Clopas and Mary Magdalene. / When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, here is your son.” / Then He said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” So from that hour, this disciple took her into his home.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And for his sister a virgin, that is near to him, which has had no husband; for her may he be defiled.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/leviticus/21-1.htm">Defile</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-1.htm">Defiled</a> <a href="/1_timothy/5-16.htm">Dependent</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-20.htm">Husband</a> <a href="/leviticus/10-3.htm">Nigh</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-2.htm">Relation</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-19.htm">Sister</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-1.htm">Unclean</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-38.htm">Unmarried</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/leviticus/21-4.htm">Defile</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-7.htm">Defiled</a> <a href="/numbers/21-25.htm">Dependent</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-4.htm">Husband</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-21.htm">Nigh</a> <a href="/leviticus/25-15.htm">Relation</a> <a href="/numbers/6-7.htm">Sister</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-4.htm">Unclean</a> <a href="/ruth/1-13.htm">Unmarried</a><div class="vheading2">Leviticus 21</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/21-1.htm">Of the priests' mourning</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/21-6.htm">Of their holiness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/21-7.htm">Of their marriages</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/21-8.htm">Of their estimation</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/21-9.htm">Of the high priest's holiness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/21-10.htm">Of his marriage</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/21-13.htm">The priests that have blemishes must not minister in the sanctuary</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/leviticus/21.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/leviticus/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/leviticus/21.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>or his unmarried sister</b><br>In the context of <a href="/leviticus/21.htm">Leviticus 21</a>, the focus is on the regulations for priests, particularly concerning their purity and the handling of death. The mention of an "unmarried sister" highlights the familial responsibilities of a priest. In ancient Israel, family ties were crucial, and the priest had a duty to care for his immediate family. The unmarried sister, being without a husband, would rely on her brother for support and protection. This reflects the broader biblical principle of caring for widows and orphans, as seen in <a href="/james/1-27.htm">James 1:27</a>, emphasizing the importance of family and community support.<p><b>who is near to him</b><br>The phrase "near to him" indicates both physical proximity and relational closeness. In the ancient Near Eastern culture, family members often lived in close quarters, and the priest's responsibility extended to those within his immediate household. This nearness also implies a deeper emotional bond, underscoring the priest's obligation to his sister. The concept of being "near" is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to bear one another's burdens (<a href="/galatians/6-2.htm">Galatians 6:2</a>), highlighting the importance of close relationships within the faith community.<p><b>since she has no husband</b><br>The absence of a husband for the sister places her in a vulnerable position, as women in ancient Israelite society typically relied on male relatives for economic and social security. This provision in the law ensures that the priest can fulfill his familial duty without compromising his ritual purity. The protection of vulnerable family members is a recurring theme in Scripture, reflecting God's concern for justice and care for the marginalized. This can be seen in the laws regarding the protection of widows and orphans (<a href="/exodus/22-22.htm">Exodus 22:22-24</a>) and is a type of Christ's care for His church, as He is described as the bridegroom who provides and cares for His bride, the church (<a href="/ephesians/5-25.htm">Ephesians 5:25-27</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/priests.htm">Priests</a></b><br>The primary audience of <a href="/bsb/leviticus/21.htm">Leviticus 21</a>, priests were set apart for service in the Tabernacle and later the Temple. They were held to higher standards of purity and conduct.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/u/unmarried_sister.htm">Unmarried Sister</a></b><br>The specific family member mentioned in this verse, highlighting the familial responsibilities and the cultural context of dependency and protection.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/mourning_practices.htm">Mourning Practices</a></b><br>The context involves the mourning practices of the Israelites, which could include becoming ceremonially unclean by touching a dead body.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/f/family_responsibility.htm">Family Responsibility</a></b><br>The verse underscores the importance of family obligations, especially towards those who are vulnerable or dependent.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/holiness_and_compassion.htm">Holiness and Compassion</a></b><br>While priests were called to maintain holiness, this verse shows that compassion and duty to family are also vital aspects of their service.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/cultural_context.htm">Cultural Context</a></b><br>Understanding the cultural and historical context of ancient Israel helps us appreciate the balance between religious duties and family responsibilities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/m/modern_application.htm">Modern Application</a></b><br>In today's context, this principle can be applied by ensuring we prioritize our family responsibilities, especially towards those who are dependent on us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/b/balancing_duty_and_compassion.htm">Balancing Duty and Compassion</a></b><br>The verse teaches us to balance our spiritual commitments with our earthly responsibilities, ensuring neither is neglected.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_leviticus_21.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 21</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_the_new_anointing.htm">What does 'uncover the nakedness' mean in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_leviticus_21_1-4_historically_accurate.htm">How historically accurate is the claim in Leviticus 21:1-4 that any contact with the dead (apart from immediate family) defiled a priest?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_1_john_4_8_say_'god_is_love'.htm">How can 1 John 4:8 say 'God is love' when the Old Testament shows actions that don't seem loving?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_a_torn_hymen_mean_non-virginity.htm">Does a torn hymen indicate lost virginity?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/leviticus/21.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) <span class= "bld">And for his sister a virgin, that is nigh unto him</span>--That is, his maiden sister who still remains in sole relationship with him. What this is the next clause explains more minutely.<p><span class= "bld">Which hath had no husband.</span>--When she is married she goes to her husband, and ceases to be near her brother. It then devolves upon her husband to attend to the funeral rites.<p><span class= "bld">For her may he be defiled.</span>--According to the administrators of the Law during the second Temple, the priest was not only allowed to contract defilement by attending to the funeral rites of these seven relations, but was obliged to do it.<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/leviticus/21-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">or his unmarried</span><br /><span class="heb">הַבְּתוּלָה֙</span> <span class="translit">(hab·bə·ṯū·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1330.htm">Strong's 1330: </a> </span><span class="str2">A virgin, sometimes, a bride</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sister</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלַאֲחֹת֤וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·la·’ă·ḥō·ṯōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_269.htm">Strong's 269: </a> </span><span class="str2">Sister -- a sister</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who is near</span><br /><span class="heb">הַקְּרוֹבָ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(haq·qə·rō·w·ḇāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Adjective - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7138.htm">Strong's 7138: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to him,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵלָ֔יו</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·lāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">since</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">she has</span><br /><span class="heb">הָיְתָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(hā·yə·ṯāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">no</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹֽא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">husband.</span><br /><span class="heb">לְאִ֑ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(lə·’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/leviticus/21-3.htm">Leviticus 21:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/leviticus/21-3.htm">Leviticus 21:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/leviticus/21-3.htm">Leviticus 21:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/leviticus/21-3.htm">Leviticus 21:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/leviticus/21-3.htm">Leviticus 21:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/leviticus/21-3.htm">Leviticus 21:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/leviticus/21-3.htm">Leviticus 21:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/leviticus/21-3.htm">Leviticus 21:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/leviticus/21-3.htm">Leviticus 21:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/leviticus/21-3.htm">Leviticus 21:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/leviticus/21-3.htm">OT Law: Leviticus 21:3 And for his virgin sister who (Le Lv Lev.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/leviticus/21-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Leviticus 21:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Leviticus 21:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/leviticus/21-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Leviticus 21:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Leviticus 21:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>