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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 21:1 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Speak to Aaron's sons, the priests, and tell them that a priest is not to defile himself for a dead person among his people,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/leviticus/21-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/03_Lev_21_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Leviticus 21:1 - Holiness Required of Priests" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then the LORD said to Moses, Speak to Aaron's sons, the priests, and tell them that a priest is not to defile 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frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/leviticus/20-27.htm" title="Leviticus 20:27">◄</a> Leviticus 21:1 <a href="/leviticus/21-2.htm" title="Leviticus 21:2">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/leviticus/21.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/leviticus/21.htm">New International Version</a> The LORD said to Moses, &#8220Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them: &#8216A priest must not make himself ceremonially unclean for any of his people who die, <a href="/nlt/leviticus/21.htm">New Living Translation</a> The LORD said to Moses, “Give the following instructions to the priests, the descendants of Aaron. “A priest must not make himself ceremonially unclean by touching the dead body of a relative. <a href="/esv/leviticus/21.htm">English Standard Version</a> And the LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them, No one shall make himself unclean for the dead among his people, <a href="/bsb/leviticus/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Then the LORD said to Moses, “Speak to Aaron’s sons, the priests, and tell them that a priest is not to defile himself for a dead person among his people, <a href="/kjv/leviticus/21.htm">King James Bible</a> And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto the priests the sons of Aaron, and say unto them, There shall none be defiled for the dead among his people: <a href="/nkjv/leviticus/21.htm">New King James Version</a> And the LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them: ‘None shall defile himself for the dead among his people, <a href="/nasb_/leviticus/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then the LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them: ‘No one shall defile himself for a dead person among his people, <a href="/nasb/leviticus/21.htm">NASB 1995</a> Then the LORD said to Moses, &#8220Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them: &#8216No one shall defile himself for a dead person among his people, <a href="/nasb77/leviticus/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Then the LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them, ‘No one shall defile himself for a dead person among his people, <a href="/lsb/leviticus/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then Yahweh said to Moses, “Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them: ‘No one shall defile himself for a dead person among his people, <a href="/amp/leviticus/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Then the LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them: ‘No one shall defile himself [that is, become ceremonially unclean] for the dead among his people [by touching a corpse or assisting in preparing it for burial], <a href="/csb/leviticus/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> The LORD said to Moses, “Speak to Aaron’s sons, the priests, and tell them: A priest is not to make himself ceremonially unclean for a dead person among his relatives, <a href="/hcsb/leviticus/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> The LORD said to Moses: &#8220Speak to Aaron&#8217s sons, the priests, and tell them: A priest is not to make himself ceremonially unclean for a dead person among his relatives, <a href="/asv/leviticus/21.htm">American Standard Version</a> And Jehovah said unto Moses, Speak unto the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say unto them, There shall none defile himself for the dead among his people; <a href="/cev/leviticus/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> The LORD gave Moses these instructions for Aaron's sons, the priests: Touching a dead body will make you unclean. So don't go near a dead relative, <a href="/erv/leviticus/21.htm">English Revised Version</a> And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto the priests the sons of Aaron, and say unto them, There shall none defile himself for the dead among his people; <a href="/gwt/leviticus/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> The LORD spoke to Moses, "Tell the priests, Aaron's sons: None of you should become unclean by touching one of your relatives who has died. <a href="/gnt/leviticus/21.htm">Good News Translation</a> The LORD commanded Moses to tell the Aaronite priests, "No priest is to make himself ritually unclean by taking part in the funeral ceremonies when a relative dies, <a href="/isv/leviticus/21.htm">International Standard Version</a> The LORD told Moses, "Speak to the priests, Aaron's sons, and tell them that no priest is to defile himself on account of the dead among his people, <a href="/msb/leviticus/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Then the LORD said to Moses, ?Speak to Aaron?s sons, the priests, and tell them that a priest is not to defile himself for a dead person among his people, <a href="/net/leviticus/21.htm">NET Bible</a> The LORD said to Moses: "Say to the priests, the sons of Aaron--say to them, 'For a dead person no priest is to defile himself among his people, <a href="/nheb/leviticus/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> The LORD said to Moses, "Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them, 'A priest shall not defile himself for the dead among his people; <a href="/wbt/leviticus/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And the LORD said to Moses, Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them, There shall none be defiled for the dead among his people: <a href="/web/leviticus/21.htm">World English Bible</a> Yahweh said to Moses, “Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them, ‘A priest shall not defile himself for the dead among his people, <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/leviticus/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And YHWH says to Moses, “Speak to the priests, sons of Aaron, and you have said to them: No one defiles himself for a [dead] person among his people, <a href="/ylt/leviticus/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And Jehovah saith unto Moses, 'Speak unto the priests, sons of Aaron, and thou hast said unto them, For any person a priest is not defiled among his people, <a href="/slt/leviticus/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And Jehovah will say to Moses, Say to the priests the sons of Aaron, and say to them, for the soul he shall not be defiled among his peoples.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/leviticus/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> The Lord said also to Moses: Speak to the priests the sons of Aaron, and thou shalt say to them: Let not a priest incur an uncleanness at the death of his citizens: <a href="/cpdv/leviticus/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> The Lord also said to Moses: Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and you shall say to them: Do not allow a priest to be contaminated by the death of his citizens, <a href="/nabre/leviticus/21.htm">New American Bible</a> The LORD said to Moses: Speak to the priests, Aaron’s sons, and tell them: None of you shall make himself unclean for any dead person among his kindred, <a href="/nrsvce/leviticus/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> The LORD said to Moses: Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them: No one shall defile himself for a dead person among his relatives,<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/leviticus/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> THE LORD said to Moses, Speak to the priests the sons of Aaron and say to them, There shall none of you defile himself by mourning for the dead among his people, <a href="/hpbt/leviticus/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And LORD JEHOVAH said to Moshe, “Say to the Priests, the children of Ahron, that they shall not be defiled for the soul of the dead among their people:<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/leviticus/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And the LORD said unto Moses: Speak unto the priests the sons of Aaron, and say unto them: There shall none defile himself for the dead among his people; <a href="/sep/leviticus/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, Speak to the priests the sons of Aaron, and thou shalt tell them that they shall not defile themselves in their nation for the dead, <a href="/parallel/leviticus/21-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NWs_V1RyMFo?start=5544" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/leviticus/21.htm">Holiness Required of Priests</a> 1<a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">Then the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">said</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/4872.htm" title="4872: mō·šeh (N-proper-ms) -- A great Isr. leader, prophet and lawgiver. From mashah; drawing out, i.e. Rescued; Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver.">Moses,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ĕ·mōr (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">“Speak</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/175.htm" title="175: ’a·hă·rōn (N-proper-ms) -- An elder brother of Moses. Of uncertain derivation; Aharon, the brother of Moses.">Aaron’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">sons,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3548.htm" title="3548: hak·kō·hă·nîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Priest. Active participle of kahan; literally, one officiating, a priest; also an acting priest.">the priests,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: wə·’ā·mar·tā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-2ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">and tell</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ă·lê·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- To, into, towards. ">them that</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.">a priest is not</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.">to defile himself</a> <a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: lə·ne·p̄eš (Prep-l:: N-fs) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">for a dead person</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: bə·‘am·māw (Prep-b:: N-mpc:: 3ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">among his people,</a> 2except for his immediate family—his mother, father, son, daughter, or brother,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/numbers/19-11.htm">Numbers 19:11-16</a> 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. ... <a href="/ezekiel/44-25.htm">Ezekiel 44:25-27</a> 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. <a href="/matthew/8-21.htm">Matthew 8:21-22</a> 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.” <a href="/luke/9-59.htm">Luke 9:59-60</a> 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.” <a href="/numbers/6-6.htm">Numbers 6:6-7</a> Throughout the days of his separation to the LORD, he must not go near a dead body. / Even if his father or mother or brother or sister should die, he is not to defile himself, because the symbol of consecration to his God is upon his head. <a href="/1_thessalonians/4-13.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:13-14</a> Brothers, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who are without hope. / For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we also believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him. <a href="/deuteronomy/33-8.htm">Deuteronomy 33:8-10</a> Concerning Levi he said: “Give Your Thummim to Levi and Your Urim to Your godly one, whom You tested at Massah and contested at the waters of Meribah. / He said of his father and mother, ‘I do not consider them.’ He disregarded his brothers and did not know his own sons, for he kept Your word and maintained Your covenant. / He will teach Your ordinances to Jacob and Your law to Israel; he will set incense before You and whole burnt offerings on Your altar. <a href="/john/11-25.htm">John 11:25-26</a> Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. / And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” <a href="/1_peter/2-9.htm">1 Peter 2:9</a> But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. <a href="/hebrews/7-26.htm">Hebrews 7:26</a> Such a high priest truly befits us—One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. <a href="/1_corinthians/15-50.htm">1 Corinthians 15:50-54</a> Now I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. / Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— / in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. ... <a href="/2_corinthians/6-17.htm">2 Corinthians 6:17</a> “Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” <a href="/revelation/1-6.htm">Revelation 1:6</a> who has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and power forever and ever! Amen. <a href="/isaiah/52-11.htm">Isaiah 52:11</a> Depart, depart, go out from there! Touch no unclean thing; come out from it, purify yourselves, you who carry the vessels of the LORD. <a href="/1_timothy/5-22.htm">1 Timothy 5:22</a> Do not be too quick in the laying on of hands and thereby share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And the LORD said to Moses, Speak to the priests the sons of Aaron, and say to them, There shall none be defiled for the dead among his people:speak<a href="/hosea/5-1.htm">Hosea 5:1</a> Hear ye this, O priests; and hearken, ye house of Israel; and give ye ear, O house of the king; for judgment is toward you, because ye have been a snare on Mizpah, and a net spread upon Tabor.<a href="/malachi/2-1.htm">Malachi 2:1,4</a> And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you… There<a href="/leviticus/21-11.htm">Leviticus 21:11</a> Neither shall he go in to any dead body, nor defile himself for his father, or for his mother;<a href="/leviticus/10-6.htm">Leviticus 10:6,7</a> And Moses said unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons, Uncover not your heads, neither rend your clothes; lest ye die, and lest wrath come upon all the people: but let your brethren, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which the LORD hath kindled… <a href="/numbers/19-14.htm">Numbers 19:14,16</a> This is the law, when a man dieth in a tent: all that come into the tent, and all that is in the tent, shall be unclean seven days… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/leviticus/17-2.htm">Aaron</a> <a href="/leviticus/15-33.htm">Ceremonially</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-28.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-3.htm">Defile</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-3.htm">Defiled</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-20.htm">Die</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-1.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/leviticus/17-5.htm">Priest</a> <a href="/leviticus/16-33.htm">Priests</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-2.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-25.htm">Unclean</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/leviticus/21-17.htm">Aaron</a> <a href="/leviticus/27-11.htm">Ceremonially</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-5.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-3.htm">Defile</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-3.htm">Defiled</a> <a href="/leviticus/22-9.htm">Die</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-16.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-4.htm">Priest</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-5.htm">Priests</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-17.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-3.htm">Unclean</a><div class="vheading2">Leviticus 21</div>1. <a href="/leviticus/21-1.htm">Of the priests' mourning</a> 6. <a href="/leviticus/21-6.htm">Of their holiness</a> 7. <a href="/leviticus/21-7.htm">Of their marriages</a> 8. <a href="/leviticus/21-8.htm">Of their estimation</a> 9. <a href="/leviticus/21-9.htm">Of the high priest's holiness</a> 10. <a href="/leviticus/21-10.htm">Of his marriage</a> 13. <a href="/leviticus/21-13.htm">The priests that have blemishes must not minister in the sanctuary</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>Then the LORD said to Moses This phrase indicates direct divine communication, emphasizing the authority and sacredness of the instructions. Moses, as the mediator between God and Israel, receives commands that are foundational for the priestly code. This reflects the covenant relationship established at Sinai, where God speaks to Moses as the leader and lawgiver.Speak to Aaron’s sons, the priests Aaron's sons are designated as priests, highlighting their unique role in Israelite worship and service. The priesthood is a hereditary office, beginning with Aaron, the first high priest. This lineage underscores the importance of maintaining purity and holiness, as priests serve as intermediaries between God and the people. The priestly duties include offering sacrifices, maintaining the sanctuary, and teaching the law.and tell them that a priest is not to defile himself The concept of defilement is central to Levitical law, particularly concerning ritual purity. Priests are held to higher standards of holiness due to their proximity to sacred duties. Defilement, often associated with contact with death or impurity, would disqualify a priest from performing his duties. This requirement underscores the separation between life and death, purity and impurity, in the religious life of Israel.for a dead person among his people Contact with the dead is a primary source of ritual impurity in the Old Testament. This prohibition reflects the broader biblical theme of life and death, where death is seen as a consequence of sin and a state of impurity. Priests, as representatives of life and holiness, must avoid defilement to maintain their ability to serve in the sanctuary. This regulation also points to the future hope of resurrection and eternal life, themes fulfilled in the New Testament through Jesus Christ, who conquers death and impurity.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD</a> The covenant God of Israel, who provides laws and instructions to His people. 2. <a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a> The prophet and leader of Israel, through whom God communicates His laws. 3. <a href="/topical/p/priests.htm">Priests</a> The sons of Aaron, designated as the spiritual leaders and mediators between God and the people of Israel. 4. <a href="/topical/a/aaron.htm">Aaron</a> The first high priest of Israel and brother of Moses, whose descendants serve as priests. 5. <a href="/topical/c/ceremonial_uncleanness.htm">Ceremonial Uncleanness</a> A state that disqualifies a person from participating in certain religious activities, often related to contact with the dead.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/h/holiness_and_separation.htm">Holiness and Separation</a> The call for priests to remain ceremonially clean underscores the importance of holiness and separation from sin for those who serve God. <a href="/topical/r/role_of_priests.htm">Role of Priests</a> Priests were mediators between God and the people, highlighting the need for purity in those who lead and serve in spiritual capacities. <a href="/topical/r/respect_for_life_and_death.htm">Respect for Life and Death</a> The laws regarding contact with the dead reflect a respect for life and the sanctity of God's presence. <a href="/topical/s/spiritual_leadership.htm">Spiritual Leadership</a> Those in spiritual leadership today are called to a higher standard of conduct and purity, reflecting God's holiness. <a href="/topical/c/christ_as_our_high_priest.htm">Christ as Our High Priest</a> Jesus fulfills the role of the ultimate High Priest, providing a way for all believers to approach God with purity and holiness.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_leviticus_21.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 21</a> <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> <a href="/q/who_was_eleazar_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Eleazar in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/how_reliable_is_the_urim_and_thummim_claim.htm">Exodus 28:30: How reliable is the claim about the Urim and Thummim, given the lack of concrete archeological evidence or consistent references elsewhere?</a> <a href="/q/how_to_confirm_moses_and_aaron's_roles.htm">Psalm 99:6 mentions Moses, Aaron, and Samuel; how can we confirm the historical existence and roles of Moses and Aaron, given limited archaeological evidence?</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>XXI.(1) And the Lord said unto Moses.--The laws about the purity and holiness of the Jewish community, and of every individual lay member, enacted in <a href="/leviticus/11-1.htm" title="And the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying to them,">Leviticus 11:1</a> to <a href="/leviticus/20-27.htm" title="A man also or woman that has a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be on them.">Leviticus 20:27</a>, are now followed by statutes respecting the purity and holiness of the priesthood who minister in holy things in behalf of the people, and who, by virtue of their high office, were to be models of both ceremonial and moral purity.Speak unto the priests the sons of Aaron.--Moses is ordered to communicate these statutes to the priests as the sons of Aaron. The peculiar phrase "the priests the sons of Aaron," which only occurs here--since in all other six passages in the Pentateuch it is the reverse, "the sons of Aaron the priests" (see <a href="/leviticus/1-5.htm" title="And he shall kill the bullock before the LORD: and the priests, Aaron's sons, shall bring the blood, and sprinkle the blood round about on the altar that is by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.">Leviticus 1:5</a>; <a href="/leviticus/1-8.htm" title="And the priests, Aaron's sons, shall lay the parts, the head, and the fat, in order on the wood that is on the fire which is on the altar:">Leviticus 1:8</a>; <a href="/leviticus/1-11.htm" title="And he shall kill it on the side of the altar northward before the LORD: and the priests, Aaron's sons, shall sprinkle his blood round about on the altar.">Leviticus 1:11</a>; <a href="/leviticus/2-2.htm" title="And he shall bring it to Aaron's sons the priests: and he shall take out of there his handful of the flour thereof, and of the oil thereof, with all the frankincense thereof; and the priest shall burn the memorial of it on the altar, to be an offering made by fire, of a sweet smell to the LORD:">Leviticus 2:2</a>; <a href="/leviticus/3-2.htm" title="And he shall lay his hand on the head of his offering, and kill it at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron's sons the priests shall sprinkle the blood on the altar round about.">Leviticus 3:2</a>; <a href="/numbers/10-8.htm" title="And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow with the trumpets; and they shall be to you for an ordinance for ever throughout your generations.">Numbers 10:8</a>; Note on <a href="/leviticus/1-5.htm" title="And he shall kill the bullock before the LORD: and the priests, Aaron's sons, shall bring the blood, and sprinkle the blood round about on the altar that is by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.">Leviticus 1:5</a>), is designed to inculcate upon them the fact that they are priests by virtue of being the sons of Aaron, and not because of any merit of their own, and that they are to impress the same sentiments upon their issue. This fact, moreover, as the authorities during the second Temple remark, imposes upon the priests the duty of bringing up their children in such a manner as to make them morally and intellectually fit to occupy this hereditary office. They also deduce from the emphatic position of the term "priests," that it only applies to those of them who are fit to perform their sacerdotal duties, and not to the disqualified priests (see <a href="/leviticus/21-15.htm" title="Neither shall he profane his seed among his people: for I the LORD do sanctify him.">Leviticus 21:15</a>). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/leviticus/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 1-6. - The first paragraph refers to ceremonial uncleanness derived to the priest from his family relations. The priest may not take part in any funeral rites, the effect of which was legal defilement, except in the case of the death of his father, mother, son, daughter, brother, and unmarried sister. These are all that appear to be mentioned. But what, then, are we to understand regarding his wife? Was the priest allowed to lake part in mourning ceremonies for her or not? It is thought by some that her case is met by verse 4, But he shall not defile himself, being a chief man among his people, to profane himself. The literal translation of this verse is. He shall not be defiled, a lord (haul) among his people. The word baal, or lord, is commonly used in the sense of husband. The clause, therefore, may be understood to forbid the priest to mourn for his wife, being rendered, He shall not defile himself as an husband (i.e., for his wife) among his people. This, however, is something of a forced rendering. The words arc better understood to mean, He shall not defile himself as a master of a house among his people; that is, he may not lake part in the funeral rites of slaves or other members of the household, which ordinarily brought defilement on the master of a house. Then is the priest forbidden to mourn for his wife? This we can hardly believe, when he might mourn for father and mother, son and daughter, brother and sister. Nor is it necessary to take this view. For the case of the wife is covered by the words. For his kin, that is near unto him.... he may be defiled. The wife, being so closely attached to the husband, is not specifically named, because that was not necessary, but is included under the expression, his kin, that is near unto him, just as daughter, grandmother, niece, and wife's sister, are covered by the phrase, "near of kin," without being specifically named in chapter Leviticus 18 (see note on chapter Leviticus 16:18). Even when mourning is permitted, the priest is to use no excessive forms of it, still less any that have been used by idolaters. They shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard (see <a href="/leviticus/19-27.htm">Leviticus 19:27</a>), nor make any cuttings in their flesh (see <a href="/leviticus/19-28.htm">Leviticus 19:28</a>). And the reason why they are to avoid ceremonial uncleanness in some cases, and to act with sobriety and gravity in all, is that they are dedicated to God, to offer the offerings of the Lord made by fire, the bread of their God; that is, the sacrifices which are consumed by the fire of the altar symbolizing the action of God (see note on Leviticus 3:11). <a href="/commentaries/leviticus/21-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Then the LORD יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel said וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to Moses, מֹשֶׁ֔ה (mō·šeh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4872.htm">Strong's 4872: </a> Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver “Speak אֱמֹ֥ר (’ĕ·mōr) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to Aaron’s אַהֲרֹ֑ן (’a·hă·rōn) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_175.htm">Strong's 175: </a> Aaron -- an elder brother of Moses sons, בְּנֵ֣י (bə·nê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son the priests, הַכֹּהֲנִ֖ים (hak·kō·hă·nîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3548.htm">Strong's 3548: </a> Priest and tell וְאָמַרְתָּ֣ (wə·’ā·mar·tā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say them: אֲלֵהֶ֔ם (’ă·lê·hem) Preposition | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to ‘[A priest] is not לֹֽא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no to defile himself יִטַּמָּ֖א (yiṭ·ṭam·mā) Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2930.htm">Strong's 2930: </a> To be or become unclean for a dead person לְנֶ֥פֶשׁ (lə·ne·p̄eš) Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion among his people, בְּעַמָּֽיו׃ (bə·‘am·māw) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/leviticus/21-1.htm">Leviticus 21:1 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/leviticus/21-1.htm">Leviticus 21:1 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/leviticus/21-1.htm">Leviticus 21:1 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/leviticus/21-1.htm">Leviticus 21:1 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/leviticus/21-1.htm">Leviticus 21:1 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/leviticus/21-1.htm">Leviticus 21:1 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/leviticus/21-1.htm">Leviticus 21:1 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/leviticus/21-1.htm">Leviticus 21:1 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/leviticus/21-1.htm">Leviticus 21:1 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/leviticus/21-1.htm">Leviticus 21:1 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-1.htm">OT Law: Leviticus 21:1 Yahweh said to Moses Speak to (Le Lv Lev.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/leviticus/20-27.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Leviticus 20:27"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Leviticus 20:27" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/leviticus/21-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Leviticus 21:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Leviticus 21:2" /></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>