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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 21:14 He is not to marry a widow, a divorced woman, or one defiled by prostitution. He is to marry a virgin from his own people,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/leviticus/21-14.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/03_Lev_21_14.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Leviticus 21:14 - Holiness Required of Priests" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="He is not to marry a widow, a divorced woman, or one defiled by prostitution. He is to marry a virgin from his own people," /><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'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/leviticus/21-14.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/leviticus/21-14.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/leviticus/">Leviticus</a> > <a href="/leviticus/21.htm">Chapter 21</a> > Verse 14</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" 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="/ad14.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/21-13.htm" title="Leviticus 21:13">◄</a> Leviticus 21:14 <a href="/leviticus/21-15.htm" title="Leviticus 21:15">►</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"><b>Verse</b><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"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/leviticus/21.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />He must not marry a widow, a divorced woman, or a woman defiled by prostitution, but only a virgin from his own people,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/leviticus/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />He may not marry a widow, a woman who is divorced, or a woman who has defiled herself by prostitution. She must be a virgin from his own clan,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/leviticus/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />A widow, or a divorced woman, or a woman who has been defiled, or a prostitute, these he shall not marry. But he shall take as his wife a virgin of his own people,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/leviticus/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />He is not to marry a widow, a divorced woman, or one defiled by prostitution. He is to marry a virgin from his own people,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/leviticus/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />A widow, or a divorced woman, or profane, <i>or</i> an harlot, these shall he not take: but he shall take a virgin of his own people to wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/leviticus/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />A widow or a divorced woman or a defiled woman <i>or</i> a harlot—these he shall not marry; but he shall take a virgin of his own people as wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/leviticus/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />A widow, or a divorced woman, or one who is profaned by prostitution, these he shall not take; but rather he is to marry a virgin of his own people,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/leviticus/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8216A widow, or a divorced woman, or one who is profaned by harlotry, these he may not take; but rather he is to marry a virgin of his own people,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/leviticus/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />‘A widow, or a divorced woman, or one who is profaned by harlotry, these he may not take; but rather he is to marry a virgin of his own people;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/leviticus/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />A widow or a divorced woman or one who is profaned by harlotry, these he may not take; but rather he shall take a virgin of his own people as a wife,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/leviticus/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />He may not marry a widow or a divorced woman or one who is profaned by prostitution, but he is to marry a virgin from his own people,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/leviticus/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He is not to marry a widow, a divorced woman, or one defiled by prostitution. He is to marry a virgin from his own people,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/leviticus/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He is not to marry a widow, a divorced woman, or one defiled by prostitution. He is to marry a virgin from his own people, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/leviticus/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />A widow, or one divorced, or a profane woman, a harlot, these shall he not take: but a virgin of his own people shall he take to wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/leviticus/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />from your own tribe. Don't marry a divorced woman or any other woman who has already had sex, including a temple prostitute. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/leviticus/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />A widow, or one divorced, or a profane woman, an harlot, these shall he not take: but a virgin of his own people shall he take to wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/leviticus/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />He must never marry a widow, a divorced woman, a woman who has lost her virginity, or a prostitute. He may only marry a virgin from his own people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/leviticus/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />not a widow or a divorced woman or a woman who has been a prostitute. He shall marry only a virgin from his own clan. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/leviticus/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />He is not to marry a widow or one who has been divorced, has been defiled, or has been a prostitute. Instead, he is to take a virgin from among his people as his wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/leviticus/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />He is not to marry a widow, a divorced woman, or one defiled by prostitution. He is to marry a virgin from his own people,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/leviticus/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />He must not marry a widow, a divorced woman, or one profaned by prostitution; he may only take a virgin from his people as a wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/leviticus/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />A widow, or one divorced, or a woman who has been defiled, or a prostitute, these he shall not marry: but a virgin of his own people shall he take as a wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/leviticus/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />A widow, or a divorced woman, or profane, or a harlot, these shall he not take: but he shall take a virgin of his own people for a wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/leviticus/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He shall not marry a widow, or one divorced, or a woman who has been defiled, or a prostitute. He shall take a virgin of his own people as a wife. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/leviticus/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />a widow, or cast out, or defiled, [or] a harlot—these he does not take, but he takes a virgin of his own people [for] a wife,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/leviticus/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> widow, or cast out, or polluted one -- a harlot -- these he doth not take, but a virgin of his own people he doth take for a wife,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/leviticus/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />A widow, and the driven away, and profane, and an harlot, those he shall not take: but a virgin of his people shall he take a wife.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/leviticus/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But a widow or one that is divorced, or defiled, or a harlot, he shall not take, but a maid of his own people : <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/leviticus/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But a widow, or one who has been repudiated or defiled, or also a mistress, he shall not accept, but only a maiden from among his own people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/leviticus/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />He shall not marry a widow or a woman who has been divorced or one who has been debased by prostitution, but only a virgin, taken from his kindred, he shall marry,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/leviticus/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />A widow, or a divorced woman, or a woman who has been defiled, a prostitute, these he shall not marry. He shall marry a virgin of his own kin,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/leviticus/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />A widow or a woman who is put away or one who is defiled by whoredom, these he shall not take; but he shall take a virgin of his own people to wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/leviticus/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he shall not take one of these: a widow, or a divorced woman, or a woman defiled with prostitution, but he shall take a virgin woman of his people.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/leviticus/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />A widow, or one divorced, or a profaned woman, or a harlot, these shall he not take; but a virgin of his own people shall he take to wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/leviticus/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />But a widow, or one that is put away, or profaned, or a harlot, these he shall not take; but he shall take for a wife a virgin of his own people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/leviticus/21-14.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=5654" 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">13</span>The woman he marries must be a virgin. <span class="reftext">14</span><span class="highl"><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.">He is not</a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: yiq·qāḥ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">to marry</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!"></a> <a href="/hebrew/490.htm" title="490: ’al·mā·nāh (N-fs) -- A widow. Fem of 'alman; a widow; also a desolate place.">a widow,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1644.htm" title="1644: ū·ḡə·rū·šāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-QalPassPrtcpl-fs) -- To drive out, cast out. A primitive root; to drive out from a possession; especially to expatriate or divorce.">a divorced woman,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2491.htm" title="2491: wa·ḥă·lā·lāh (Conj-w:: Adj-fs) -- Pierced, polluted. From chalal; pierced; figuratively, polluted.">or one defiled</a> <a href="/hebrew/2181.htm" title="2181: zō·nāh (N-fs) -- To commit fornication, be a harlot. A primitive root; to commit adultery; figuratively, to commit idolatry.">by prostitution.</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/428.htm" title="428: ’êl·leh (Pro-cp) -- These. Prolonged from 'el; these or those."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: yiq·qaḥ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">He is to marry</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: ’iš·šāh (N-fs) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1330.htm" title="1330: bə·ṯū·lāh (N-fs) -- Feminine passive participle of an unused root meaning to separate; a virgin; sometimes a bride; also a city or state.">a virgin</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: mê·‘am·māw (Prep-m:: N-mpc:: 3ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">from his own people,</a> </span><span class="reftext">15</span>so that he does not defile his offspring among his people, for I am the LORD who sanctifies him.”…<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="/ezekiel/44-22.htm">Ezekiel 44:22</a></span><br />And they shall not marry a widow or a divorced woman, but must marry a virgin of the descendants of the house of Israel, or a widow of a priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/3-2.htm">1 Timothy 3:2</a></span><br />An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/3-12.htm">1 Timothy 3:12</a></span><br />A deacon must be the husband of but one wife, a good manager of his children and of his own household.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/titus/1-6.htm">Titus 1:6</a></span><br />An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, having children who are believers and who are not open to accusation of indiscretion or insubordination.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/21-7.htm">Leviticus 21:7</a></span><br />A priest must not marry a woman defiled by prostitution or divorced by her husband, for the priest is holy to his God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/10-9.htm">Leviticus 10:9-11</a></span><br />“You and your sons are not to drink wine or strong drink when you enter the Tent of Meeting, or else you will die; this is a permanent statute for the generations to come. / You must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the clean and the unclean, / so that you may teach the Israelites all the statutes that the LORD has given them through Moses.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/6-2.htm">Numbers 6:2-3</a></span><br />“Speak to the Israelites and tell them that if a man or woman makes a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to the LORD, / he is to abstain from wine and strong drink. He must not drink vinegar made from wine or strong drink, and he must not drink any grape juice or eat fresh grapes or raisins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-39.htm">1 Corinthians 7:39</a></span><br />A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, as long as he belongs to the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/9-5.htm">1 Corinthians 9:5</a></span><br />Have we no right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-7.htm">1 Peter 3:7</a></span><br />Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as a delicate vessel, and with honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/2-15.htm">Malachi 2:15-16</a></span><br />Has not the LORD made them one, having a portion of the Spirit? And why one? Because He seeks godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith with the wife of your youth. / “For I hate divorce,” says the LORD, the God of Israel. “He who divorces his wife covers his garment with violence,” says the LORD of Hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/24-1.htm">Deuteronomy 24:1-4</a></span><br />If a man marries a woman, but she becomes displeasing to him because he finds some indecency in her, he may write her a certificate of divorce, hand it to her, and send her away from his house. / If, after leaving his house, she goes and becomes another man’s wife, / and the second man hates her, writes her a certificate of divorce, hands it to her, and sends her away from his house, or if he dies, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/19-9.htm">Matthew 19:9</a></span><br />Now I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/10-11.htm">Mark 10:11-12</a></span><br />So He told them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. / And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/16-18.htm">Luke 16:18</a></span><br />Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">A widow, or a divorced woman, or profane, or an harlot, these shall he not take: but he shall take a virgin of his own people to wife.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/leviticus/21-9.htm">Behaviour</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-7.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-12.htm">Common</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-7.htm">Defiled</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-7.htm">Divorced</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-9.htm">Harlot</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-9.htm">Harlotry</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-7.htm">Husband</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-10.htm">Loose</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-7.htm">Marry</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-4.htm">Peoples</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-7.htm">Polluted</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-10.htm">Priest</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-12.htm">Profane</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-7.htm">Profaned</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-9.htm">Prostitute</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-7.htm">Prostitution</a> <a href="/exodus/34-13.htm">Rather</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-13.htm">Virgin</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-13.htm">Wife</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/esther/3-4.htm">Behaviour</a> <a href="/leviticus/22-13.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-23.htm">Common</a> <a href="/numbers/5-2.htm">Defiled</a> <a href="/leviticus/22-13.htm">Divorced</a> <a href="/numbers/15-39.htm">Harlot</a> <a href="/numbers/25-1.htm">Harlotry</a> <a href="/leviticus/22-13.htm">Husband</a> <a href="/numbers/5-18.htm">Loose</a> <a href="/numbers/30-6.htm">Marry</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-15.htm">Peoples</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-16.htm">Polluted</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-21.htm">Priest</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-23.htm">Profane</a> <a href="/psalms/55-20.htm">Profaned</a> <a href="/numbers/15-39.htm">Prostitute</a> <a href="/numbers/14-33.htm">Prostitution</a> <a href="/numbers/10-30.htm">Rather</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/22-14.htm">Virgin</a> <a href="/numbers/5-12.htm">Wife</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>He is not to marry a widow, a divorced woman, or one defiled by prostitution.</b><br>This directive is given to the high priest, emphasizing the need for purity and holiness in his personal life, reflecting his sacred duties. The prohibition against marrying a widow or divorced woman underscores the importance of maintaining a lineage that is ceremonially clean and free from any associations that might be seen as defiling. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, marriage was not only a personal union but also a communal and religious matter. The high priest's marriage was to symbolize the purity and sanctity of the priesthood. The mention of a woman "defiled by prostitution" highlights the need for the high priest to avoid any union that could bring reproach or impurity, as prostitution was often associated with pagan worship practices. This requirement for the high priest can be seen as a type of Christ, who is described as the pure and spotless bridegroom in the New Testament (<a href="/ephesians/5-25.htm">Ephesians 5:25-27</a>).<p><b>He is to marry a virgin from his own people,</b><br>The command for the high priest to marry a virgin from his own people ensures that the marriage remains within the covenant community of Israel, preserving the cultural and religious identity of the nation. This requirement also serves to maintain the purity and holiness of the priestly line. The emphasis on marrying a virgin reflects the ideal of purity and the importance of the high priest's family being above reproach. This can be connected to the New Testament portrayal of the Church as the bride of Christ, called to be pure and holy (<a href="/2_corinthians/11-2.htm">2 Corinthians 11:2</a>). The high priest's marriage to a virgin symbolizes the unblemished relationship between Christ and His Church, highlighting the call for believers to live lives of holiness and devotion.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_high_priest.htm">The High Priest</a></b><br>The primary subject of this verse, the high priest held a unique and sacred role in Israelite society, serving as the chief religious leader and mediator between God and the people.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation to whom these laws were given, representing God's chosen people who were to live according to His statutes and commandments.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The prophet and leader through whom God delivered the laws and commandments, including those found in Leviticus.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_tabernacle.htm">The Tabernacle</a></b><br>The central place of worship for the Israelites, where the high priest performed his duties.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_law_of_moses.htm">The Law of Moses</a></b><br>The body of laws given to the Israelites, which includes the book of Leviticus and outlines the requirements for holiness and worship.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/h/holiness_and_separation.htm">Holiness and Separation</a></b><br>The high priest's marriage restrictions highlight the importance of holiness and separation from worldly influences. As believers, we are called to live lives set apart for God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/purity_in_relationships.htm">Purity in Relationships</a></b><br>This verse underscores the significance of purity in relationships, reminding us to seek partners who share our faith and values.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/leadership_and_example.htm">Leadership and Example</a></b><br>Leaders in the church are held to high standards, much like the high priest. This calls for integrity and a commitment to living out God's commands.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/cultural_context_and_application.htm">Cultural Context and Application</a></b><br>Understanding the cultural and historical context of Leviticus helps us apply its principles to our lives today, recognizing the timeless call to holiness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/christ_as_our_high_priest.htm">Christ as Our High Priest</a></b><br>Jesus fulfills the role of the high priest, offering a perfect example of holiness and intercession. We can look to Him as our model and mediator.<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/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_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><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_must_a_raped_woman_marry_her_rapist.htm">Why does the Bible teach that a raped woman must marry her rapist (Deuteronomy 22:28-29)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_would_god_allow_war_captives_as_brides.htm">Deuteronomy 21:10-14: Why would a just God permit the taking of war captives as brides under these conditions?</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>(14) <span class= "bld">A widow.</span>--By this the high priest was not only forbidden to marry the widow of an ordinary Israelite, or even the widow of a priest, but, according to the Jewish canons, a virgin who had been betrothed to another man, and whom she lost by death before they were married. If he, however, became engaged to a widow before he was elected to the pontificate, he could marry her after his consecration. He was, however, exempt from the obligation to marry the widow of his brother who died without issue. (See <a href="/leviticus/18-16.htm" title="You shall not uncover the nakedness of your brother's wife: it is your brother's nakedness.">Leviticus 18:16</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">Or a divorced woman.</span>--The classes of women which follow are also forbidden to the ordinary priests. (See <a href="/leviticus/21-7.htm" title="They shall not take a wife that is a whore, or profane; neither shall they take a woman put away from her husband: for he is holy to his God.">Leviticus 21:7</a>.)<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/leviticus/21-14.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">He is not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֣א</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">to marry</span><br /><span class="heb">יִקָּ֑ח</span> <span class="translit">(yiq·qāḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a widow,</span><br /><span class="heb">אַלְמָנָ֤ה</span> <span class="translit">(’al·mā·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_490.htm">Strong's 490: </a> </span><span class="str2">A widow, a desolate place</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a divorced woman,</span><br /><span class="heb">וּגְרוּשָׁה֙</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḡə·rū·šāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1644.htm">Strong's 1644: </a> </span><span class="str2">To drive out from a, possession, to expatriate, divorce</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or one defiled</span><br /><span class="heb">וַחֲלָלָ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(wa·ḥă·lā·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adjective - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2491.htm">Strong's 2491: </a> </span><span class="str2">Pierced, polluted</span><br /><br /><span class="word">by prostitution.</span><br /><span class="heb">זֹנָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(zō·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2181.htm">Strong's 2181: </a> </span><span class="str2">To commit adultery, to commit idolatry</span><br /><br /><span class="word">He is to marry</span><br /><span class="heb">יִקַּ֥ח</span> <span class="translit">(yiq·qaḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a virgin</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּתוּלָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ṯū·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">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">from his own people,</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵעַמָּ֖יו</span> <span class="translit">(mê·‘am·māw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/leviticus/21-14.htm">Leviticus 21:14 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/leviticus/21-14.htm">Leviticus 21:14 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/leviticus/21-14.htm">Leviticus 21:14 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/leviticus/21-14.htm">Leviticus 21:14 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/leviticus/21-14.htm">Leviticus 21:14 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/leviticus/21-14.htm">Leviticus 21:14 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/leviticus/21-14.htm">Leviticus 21:14 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/leviticus/21-14.htm">Leviticus 21:14 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/leviticus/21-14.htm">Leviticus 21:14 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/leviticus/21-14.htm">Leviticus 21:14 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/leviticus/21-14.htm">OT Law: Leviticus 21:14 A widow or one divorced (Le Lv Lev.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/leviticus/21-13.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Leviticus 21:13"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Leviticus 21:13" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/leviticus/21-15.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Leviticus 21:15"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Leviticus 21:15" /></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>