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Because they present the food offerings to the LORD, the food of their God, they are to be holy. <a href="/nlt/leviticus/21.htm">New Living Translation</a> They must be set apart as holy to their God and must never bring shame on the name of God. They must be holy, for they are the ones who present the special gifts to the LORD, gifts of food for their God. <a href="/esv/leviticus/21.htm">English Standard Version</a> They shall be holy to their God and not profane the name of their God. For they offer the LORD’s food offerings, the bread of their God; therefore they shall be holy. <a href="/bsb/leviticus/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> They must be holy to their God and not profane the name of their God. Because they present to the LORD the food offerings, the food of their God, they must be holy. <a href="/kjv/leviticus/21.htm">King James Bible</a> They shall be holy unto their God, and not profane the name of their God: for the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and the bread of their God, they do offer: therefore they shall be holy. <a href="/nkjv/leviticus/21.htm">New King James Version</a> They shall be holy to their God and not profane the name of their God, for they offer the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and the bread of their God; therefore they shall be holy. <a href="/nasb_/leviticus/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> They shall be holy to their God and not profane the name of their God, because they present the offerings by fire to the LORD, the food of their God; so they shall be holy. <a href="/nasb/leviticus/21.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8216They shall be holy to their God and not profane the name of their God, for they present the offerings by fire to the LORD, the food of their God; so they shall be holy. <a href="/nasb77/leviticus/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a> ‘They shall be holy to their God and not profane the name of their God, for they present the offerings by fire to the LORD, the bread of their God; so they shall be holy. <a href="/lsb/leviticus/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> They shall be holy to their God and not profane the name of their God, for they bring near the offerings to Yahweh by fire, the food of their God; so they shall be holy. <a href="/amp/leviticus/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a> They shall be holy to their God and not profane the name of their God; for they present the offerings by fire to the LORD, the food of their God; so they shall be holy. <a href="/csb/leviticus/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> They are to be holy to their God and not profane the name of their God. For they present the food offerings to the LORD, the food of their God, and they must be holy. <a href="/hcsb/leviticus/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> They are to be holy to their God and not profane the name of their God. For they present the fire offerings to Yahweh, the food of their God, and they must be holy. <a href="/asv/leviticus/21.htm">American Standard Version</a> They shall be holy unto their God, and not profane the name of their God; for the offerings of Jehovah made by fire, the bread of their God, they do offer: therefore they shall be holy. <a href="/cev/leviticus/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> I am the LORD your God, and I have chosen you alone to offer sacrifices of food to me on the altar. That's why you must keep yourselves holy. <a href="/erv/leviticus/21.htm">English Revised Version</a> They shall be holy unto their God, and not profane the name of their God: for the offerings of the LORD made by fire, the bread of their God, they do offer: therefore they shall be holy. <a href="/gwt/leviticus/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "Be God's holy men, and don't dishonor the name of your God. Be holy because you bring sacrifices by fire to the LORD. It is the food of your God. <a href="/gnt/leviticus/21.htm">Good News Translation</a> He must be holy and must not disgrace my name. He offers food offerings to me, and he must be holy. <a href="/isv/leviticus/21.htm">International Standard Version</a> They are to be holy to their God. They are not to defile the name of their God, because they're the ones who bring the offerings of the LORD made by fire—the food of their God—so they are to be holy. <a href="/msb/leviticus/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> They must be holy to their God and not profane the name of their God. Because they present to the LORD the food offerings, the food of their God, they must be holy. <a href="/net/leviticus/21.htm">NET Bible</a> "'They must be holy to their God, and they must not profane the name of their God, because they are the ones who present the LORD's gifts, the food of their God. Therefore they must be holy. <a href="/nheb/leviticus/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> They shall be holy to their God, and not profane the name of their God; for they offer the offerings of the LORD made by fire, the bread of their God; therefore they shall be holy. <a href="/wbt/leviticus/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> They shall be holy to their God, and not profane the name of their God: for the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and the bread of their God they do offer: therefore they shall be holy. <a href="/web/leviticus/21.htm">World English Bible</a> They shall be holy to their God, and not profane the name of their God, for they offer the offerings of Yahweh made by fire, the bread of their God. Therefore they shall be holy. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/leviticus/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> they are holy to their God, and they do not defile the Name of their God, for the fire-offerings of YHWH, bread of their God, they are bringing near, and have been holy. <a href="/ylt/leviticus/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> they are holy to their God, and they pollute not the name of their God, for the fire-offerings of Jehovah, bread of their God, they are bringing near, and have been holy. <a href="/slt/leviticus/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> They shall be holy to their God, and profane not the name of their God: for the sacrifices of Jehovah, and the bread of their God they bring: and they were holy.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/leviticus/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> They shall be holy to their God, and shall not profane his name: for they offer the burnt offering of the Lord, and the bread of their God, and therefore they shall be holy. <a href="/cpdv/leviticus/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> They shall be holy to their God, and they shall not pollute his name. For they offer the incense of the Lord and the bread of their God, and because of this they shall be holy. <a href="/nabre/leviticus/21.htm">New American Bible</a> They shall be holy to their God, and shall not profane their God’s name, since they offer the oblations of the LORD, the food of their God; so they must be holy. <a href="/nrsvce/leviticus/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> They shall be holy to their God, and not profane the name of their God; for they offer the LORD’s offerings by fire, the food of their God; therefore they shall be holy.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/leviticus/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> But they shall be holy to their God, and not profane the name of their God; for the offerings of the LORD made by fire and the bread of their God they do offer; therefore they shall be holy. <a href="/hpbt/leviticus/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> But they shall be Holy Ones to their God and they shall not pollute the Name of their God, because they receive the offering of LORD JEHOVAH, the bread of their God, and they shall be Holy Ones.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/leviticus/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> They shall be holy unto their God, and not profane the name of their God; for the offerings of the LORD made by fire, the bread of their God, they do offer; therefore they shall be holy. <a href="/sep/leviticus/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> They shall be holy to their God, and they shall not profane the name of their God; for they offer the sacrifices of the Lord as the gifts of their God, and they shall be holy. <a href="/parallel/leviticus/21-6.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=5579" 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> …5Priests must not make bald spots on their heads, shave off the edges of their beards, or make cuts in their bodies. 6<a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: yih·yū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">They must be</a> <a href="/hebrew/6918.htm" title="6918: qə·ḏō·šîm (Adj-mp) -- Sacred, holy. Or qadosh; from qadash; sacred; God, an angel, a saint, a sanctuary.">holy</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: lê·lō·hê·hem (Prep-l:: N-mpc:: 3mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">to their God</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">and not</a> <a href="/hebrew/2490.htm" title="2490: yə·ḥal·lə·lū (V-Piel-Imperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; properly, to bore, i.e. to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane, to break, to begin; denom. to play.">profane</a> <a href="/hebrew/8034.htm" title="8034: šêm (N-msc) -- A primitive word; an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character.">the name</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hê·hem (N-mpc:: 3mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">of their God.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">Because</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: hêm (Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they.">they</a> <a href="/hebrew/7126.htm" title="7126: maq·rî·ḇim (V-Hifil-Prtcpl-mp) -- To come near, approach. A primitive root; to approach for whatever purpose.">present</a> <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.">to the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/801.htm" title="801: ’iš·šê (N-mpc) -- The same as 'eshshah, but used in a liturgical sense; properly, a burnt-offering; but occasionally of any sacrifice.">the offerings made by fire,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3899.htm" title="3899: le·ḥem (N-msc) -- Bread, food. From lacham; food, especially bread, or grain.">the food</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hê·hem (N-mpc:: 3mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">of their God,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: wə·hā·yū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3cp) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">they must be</a> <a href="/hebrew/6944.htm" title="6944: qō·ḏeš (N-ms) -- Apartness, sacredness. From qadash; a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity.">holy.</a> 7A priest must not marry a woman defiled by prostitution or divorced by her husband, for the priest is holy to his God.…<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="/exodus/19-6.htm">Exodus 19:6</a> And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to speak to the Israelites.” <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="/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="/revelation/5-10.htm">Revelation 5:10</a> You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign upon the earth.” <a href="/malachi/2-7.htm">Malachi 2:7</a> For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, because he is the messenger of the LORD of Hosts. <a href="/isaiah/61-6.htm">Isaiah 61:6</a> But you will be called the priests of the LORD; they will speak of you as ministers of our God; you will feed on the wealth of nations, and you will boast in their riches. <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/3-17.htm">1 Corinthians 3:17</a> If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple. <a href="/1_thessalonians/4-7.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:7</a> For God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness. <a href="/1_peter/1-15.htm">1 Peter 1:15-16</a> But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, / for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” <a href="/numbers/6-8.htm">Numbers 6:8</a> Throughout the time of his separation, he is holy to the LORD. <a href="/deuteronomy/7-6.htm">Deuteronomy 7:6</a> For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession out of all peoples on the face of the earth. <a href="/deuteronomy/14-2.htm">Deuteronomy 14:2</a> for you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession out of all the peoples on the face of the earth. <a href="/deuteronomy/26-19.htm">Deuteronomy 26:19</a> that He will set you high in praise and name and honor above all the nations He has made, and that you will be a holy people to the LORD your God, as He has promised. <a href="/psalms/99-9.htm">Psalm 99:9</a> Exalt the LORD our God and worship at His holy mountain, for the LORD our God is holy.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>They shall be holy to their God, and not profane the name of their God: for the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and the bread of their God, they do offer: therefore they shall be holy.holy<a href="/leviticus/21-8.htm">Leviticus 21:8</a> Thou shalt sanctify him therefore; for he offereth the bread of thy God: he shall be holy unto thee: for I the LORD, which sanctify you, am holy.<a href="/leviticus/10-3.htm">Leviticus 10:3</a> Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.<a href="/exodus/28-36.htm">Exodus 28:36</a> And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.profane<a href="/leviticus/18-21.htm">Leviticus 18:21</a> And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.<a href="/leviticus/19-12.htm">Leviticus 19:12</a> And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.<a href="/malachi/1-6.htm">Malachi 1:6,11,12</a> A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? … bread<a href="/leviticus/3-11.htm">Leviticus 3:11</a> And the priest shall burn it upon the altar: it is the food of the offering made by fire unto the LORD.<a href="/ezekiel/44-7.htm">Ezekiel 44:7</a> In that ye have brought into my sanctuary strangers, uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary, to pollute it, even my house, when ye offer my bread, the fat and the blood, and they have broken my covenant because of all your abominations.<a href="/malachi/1-7.htm">Malachi 1:7</a> Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible.therefore<a href="/isaiah/52-11.htm">Isaiah 52:11</a> Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/leviticus/8-32.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-3.htm">Common</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-14.htm">Fire</a> <a href="/leviticus/10-13.htm">Fire-Offerings</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-26.htm">Food</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-6.htm">Offer</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-22.htm">Offered</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-5.htm">Offerings</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-4.htm">Pollute</a> <a href="/leviticus/17-4.htm">Present</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-4.htm">Profane</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/leviticus/21-8.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-7.htm">Common</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-9.htm">Fire</a> <a href="/leviticus/24-9.htm">Fire-Offerings</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-8.htm">Food</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-8.htm">Offer</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-8.htm">Offered</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-21.htm">Offerings</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-12.htm">Pollute</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-17.htm">Present</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-7.htm">Profane</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>They must be holy to their God The call to holiness is a central theme in Leviticus, emphasizing the distinctiveness of the priesthood. Holiness here implies being set apart for divine service, reflecting God's own holiness (<a href="/leviticus/11-44.htm">Leviticus 11:44-45</a>). The priests, as mediators between God and the people, were to embody this holiness in their conduct and service. This requirement underscores the importance of purity and dedication in those who serve God, a principle echoed in the New Testament for all believers (<a href="/1_peter/1-15.htm">1 Peter 1:15-16</a>).and not profane the name of their God. To profane means to treat something sacred with irreverence or disrespect. The priests were warned against actions that would dishonor God's name, as they represented Him to the people. This reflects the Third Commandment (<a href="/exodus/20-7.htm">Exodus 20:7</a>) and highlights the seriousness of maintaining God's reputation. The concept of God's name being profaned is also addressed by the prophets, such as in <a href="/ezekiel/36-20.htm">Ezekiel 36:20-23</a>, where Israel's actions among the nations brought dishonor to God's name.Because they present to the LORD the food offerings, The priests were responsible for offering sacrifices, which were central to Israel's worship and covenant relationship with God. These offerings, described in Leviticus chapters 1-7, included burnt offerings, grain offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings. Each had specific purposes and regulations, symbolizing atonement, thanksgiving, and fellowship with God. The priests' role in these offerings required them to be ritually pure and spiritually prepared.the food of their God, The term "food of their God" refers to the offerings made by fire, which were considered God's portion. While God does not need physical sustenance, these offerings symbolized the people's devotion and reliance on Him. The imagery of food highlights the relational aspect of the covenant, where God "consumes" the offerings as a sign of acceptance and favor. This concept is fulfilled in Christ, who is the ultimate offering and sustenance for believers (<a href="/john/6-51.htm">John 6:51</a>).they must be holy. The repetition of the call to holiness emphasizes its critical importance. The priests' holiness was not only for their own sake but for the sake of the entire community, as they facilitated the people's access to God. This anticipates the New Testament teaching that all believers are a "royal priesthood" (<a href="/1_peter/2-9.htm">1 Peter 2:9</a>), called to live holy lives as representatives of Christ in the world. The ultimate fulfillment of holiness is found in Jesus, the perfect High Priest, who sanctifies His people (<a href="/hebrews/7-26.htm">Hebrews 7:26-28</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/priests.htm">Priests</a> The primary focus of this verse is on the priests, who are called to maintain a standard of holiness due to their role in presenting offerings to God. 2. <a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God (Yahweh)</a> The verse emphasizes the relationship between the priests and God, highlighting the need for holiness in service to Him. 3. <a href="/topical/o/offerings_made_by_fire.htm">Offerings Made by Fire</a> These are the sacrifices that the priests present to God, which are considered sacred and require the priests to be holy. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_tabernacle.htm">The Tabernacle</a> While not mentioned directly in this verse, the Tabernacle is the place where these offerings are made, representing God's dwelling among His people. 5. <a href="/topical/h/holiness.htm">Holiness</a> A central theme in this verse, holiness is the state of being set apart for God, which the priests must embody.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_holiness.htm">The Call to Holiness</a> Just as the priests were called to be holy, all believers are called to live lives set apart for God. Holiness is not optional but a requirement for those who serve God. <a href="/topical/r/representing_god.htm">Representing God</a> The priests were representatives of God to the people. Similarly, Christians are called to represent Christ to the world, which requires living in a way that honors Him. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_purity.htm">The Importance of Purity</a> The priests had to maintain purity to offer sacrifices. Believers today are called to spiritual purity, ensuring that their lives are a pleasing offering to God. <a href="/topical/g/guarding_god's_name.htm">Guarding God's Name</a> The verse warns against profaning God's name. Believers must be mindful of their actions and words, ensuring they reflect God's holiness. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_sacrifice.htm">The Role of Sacrifice</a> The offerings made by fire were central to the priests' duties. Today, believers are called to offer spiritual sacrifices, such as praise, service, and obedience.<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/do_leviticus_22's_rules_seem_outdated_now.htm">Could Leviticus 22’s detailed purity regulations reflect historical or cultural practices now seen as scientifically or ethically questionable? </a> <a href="/q/why_restrict_priests'_marriages_evidence.htm">Why does Leviticus 21:7–14 restrict whom priests can marry, and does archaeology support such specialized priestly conduct? </a> <a href="/q/does_a_'holy'_offering_burned_outside_contradict.htm">(Leviticus 6:24-30) How can a 'most holy' offering simultaneously require burning outside the camp, and does this present a logical or theological contradiction?</a> <a href="/q/how_do_leviticus_1_and_hosea_6_6_align.htm">How does the emphasis on burnt offerings in Leviticus 1 align with later scripture stressing mercy over sacrifice (Hosea 6:6)?</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>(6) They shall be holy unto their God.--This is the reason why the priests are not to disfigure themselves by maiming their outward appearance. Being sacred to the Lord, they are not to indulge in those outward manifestations of grief which would interfere with the discharge of their sacred duties, and thus cause the name of God to be profaned.The offerings of the Lord made by fire, and the bread of their God.--Better, the offerings of the Lord made by fire, being the food of God. As the altar was the table, the sacrifice burnt on it was called His food. (See <a href="/leviticus/3-11.htm" title="And the priest shall burn it on the altar: it is the food of the offering made by fire to the LORD.">Leviticus 3:11</a>.) <a href="/commentaries/leviticus/21-6.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>They must be יִהְיוּ֙ (yih·yū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be holy קְדֹשִׁ֤ים (qə·ḏō·šîm) Adjective - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6918.htm">Strong's 6918: </a> Sacred, God, an angel, a saint, a sanctuary to their God לֵאלֹ֣הֵיהֶ֔ם (lê·lō·hê·hem) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative and not וְלֹ֣א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no profane יְחַלְּל֔וּ (yə·ḥal·lə·lū) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2490.htm">Strong's 2490: </a> To bore, to wound, to dissolve, to profane, to break, to begin, to play the name שֵׁ֖ם (šêm) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8034.htm">Strong's 8034: </a> A name of their God. אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֑ם (’ĕ·lō·hê·hem) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative For כִּי֩ (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction they הֵ֥ם (hêm) Pronoun - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1992.htm">Strong's 1992: </a> They present מַקְרִיבִ֖ם (maq·rî·ḇim) Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7126.htm">Strong's 7126: </a> To come near, approach the offerings made by fire אִשֵּׁ֨י (’iš·šê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_801.htm">Strong's 801: </a> A burnt-offering, a sacrifice to the LORD, יְהוָ֜ה (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 the food לֶ֧חֶם (le·ḥem) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3899.htm">Strong's 3899: </a> Food, bread, grain of their God. אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֛ם (’ĕ·lō·hê·hem) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative So they must be וְהָ֥יוּ (wə·hā·yū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be holy. קֹֽדֶשׁ׃ (qō·ḏeš) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6944.htm">Strong's 6944: </a> A sacred place, thing, sanctity <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/leviticus/21-6.htm">Leviticus 21:6 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/leviticus/21-6.htm">Leviticus 21:6 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/leviticus/21-6.htm">Leviticus 21:6 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/leviticus/21-6.htm">Leviticus 21:6 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/leviticus/21-6.htm">Leviticus 21:6 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/leviticus/21-6.htm">Leviticus 21:6 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/leviticus/21-6.htm">Leviticus 21:6 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/leviticus/21-6.htm">Leviticus 21:6 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/leviticus/21-6.htm">Leviticus 21:6 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/leviticus/21-6.htm">Leviticus 21:6 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-6.htm">OT Law: Leviticus 21:6 They shall be holy to their God (Le Lv Lev.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/leviticus/21-5.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Leviticus 21:5"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Leviticus 21:5" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/leviticus/21-7.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Leviticus 21:7"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Leviticus 21:7" /></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>