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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 />No man who has any defect may come near: no man who is blind or lame, disfigured or deformed;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/leviticus/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />No one who has a defect qualifies, whether he is blind, lame, disfigured, deformed,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/leviticus/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For no one who has a blemish shall draw near, a man blind or lame, or one who has a mutilated face or a limb too long,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/leviticus/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />No man who has any defect may approach—no man who is blind, lame, disfigured, or deformed;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/leviticus/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For whatsoever man <i>he be</i> that hath a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man, or a lame, or he that hath a flat nose, or any thing superfluous,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/leviticus/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For any man who has a defect shall not approach: a man blind or lame, who has a marred <i>face</i> or any <i>limb</i> too long,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/leviticus/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For no one who has an impairment shall approach: a man who is blind, or one who limps, or one who has a slit nose, or one with <i>any</i> conspicuous feature,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/leviticus/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />For no one who has a defect shall approach: a blind man, or a lame man, or he who has a disfigured face, or any deformed limb,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/leviticus/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />‘For no one who has a defect shall approach: a blind man, or a lame man, or he who has a disfigured <i>face</i>, or any deformed <i>limb</i>,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/leviticus/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For no one who has a defect shall come near: a blind man or a lame man or he who has a disfigured <i>face</i> or any deformed <i>limb</i>,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/leviticus/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For no man who has a defect shall approach [God’s altar as a priest]: no man who is blind or lame, or who has a disfigured face, or any deformed <i>limb,</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/leviticus/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />No man who has any defect is to come near: no man who is blind, lame, facially disfigured, or deformed;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/leviticus/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />No man who has any defect is to come near: no man who is blind, lame, facially disfigured, or deformed; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/leviticus/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For whatsoever man he be that hath a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man, or a lame, or he that hath a flat nose, or anything superfluous,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/leviticus/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For whatsoever man he be that hath a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man, or a lame, or he that hath a flat nose, or any thing superfluous,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/leviticus/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Indeed, no one who has a physical defect may ever come near [the altar]. That means anyone who is blind or lame, who has a disfigured face, a deformity,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/leviticus/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />No man with any physical defects may make the offering: no one who is blind, lame, disfigured, or deformed; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/leviticus/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Indeed, any person who has a defect is not to approach the Tent of Meeting— the blind, the lame, one who is mutilated in the face or who has a very long limb, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/leviticus/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />No man who has any defect may approach?no man who is blind, lame, disfigured, or deformed;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/leviticus/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Certainly no man who has a physical flaw is to approach: a blind man, or one who is lame, or one with a slit nose, or a limb too long,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/leviticus/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For whatever man he is that has a blemish, he shall not draw near: a blind man, or a lame, or he who has a flat nose, or any deformity,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/leviticus/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For whatever man he may be that hath a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man, or a lame, or he that hath a flat nose, or any thing superfluous,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/leviticus/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For whatever man he is that has a defect, he shall not draw near: a blind man, or a lame, or he who has a flat nose, or any deformity, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/leviticus/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />for no man in whom [is] a blemish draws near: a man blind, or lame, or disfigured, or deformed,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/leviticus/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> for no man in whom is blemish doth draw near -- a man blind, or lame or dwarfed, or enlarged,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/leviticus/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For every man to whom in him a blemish shall not come near: a man blind, or lame, or flat-nosed, or stretched out,<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/leviticus/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Neither shall he approach to minister to him: If he be blind, if he be lame, if he have a little, or a great, or a crooked nose, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/leviticus/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Neither shall he approach to minister to him: if he is blind, if he is lame, if he is small, or large, or has a crooked nose,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/leviticus/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Anyone who has any of the following blemishes may not come forward: he who is blind, or lame, or who has a split lip, or a limb too long,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/leviticus/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />For no one who has a blemish shall draw near, one who is blind or lame, or one who has a mutilated face or a limb too long,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/leviticus/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For any man who has a blemish, he shall not approach: a lame man or a blind man or one whose nose is cut off or one who is deprived of ears<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/leviticus/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Because no man who has a defect in him shall come near: a man who is lame, or blind, or flat nosed, or whose ear is deformed.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/leviticus/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />For whatsoever man he be that hath a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man, or a lame, or he that hath any thing maimed, or anything too long,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/leviticus/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />No man who has a blemish on him shall draw nigh; a man blind, lame, with his nose disfigured, or his ears cut,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/leviticus/21-18.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=5680" 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">Restrictions Against Those with Blemishes</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">17</span>“Say to Aaron, ‘For the generations to come, none of your descendants who has a physical defect may approach to offer the food of his God. <span class="reftext">18</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: ḵāl (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">No</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> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">man</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer- (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">who</a> <a href="/hebrew/bōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3971.htm" title="3971: mūm (N-ms) -- Blemish, defect. Usually muwm; as if passive participle from an unused root probably meaning to stain; a blemish.">has any defect</a> <a href="/hebrew/7126.htm" title="7126: yiq·rāḇ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To come near, approach. A primitive root; to approach for whatever purpose.">may approach—</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">no man</a> <a href="/hebrew/5787.htm" title="5787: ‘iw·wêr (Adj-ms) -- Blind. Intensive from avar; blind.">who is blind,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6455.htm" title="6455: p̄is·sê·aḥ (Adj-ms) -- Lame. From pacach; lame.">lame,</a> <a href="/hebrew/176.htm" title="176: ’ōw (Conj) -- Or. Presumed to be the constructive or genitival form of -av; short for 'avvah; desire; hence or, also if."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2763.htm" title="2763: ḥā·rum (V-Qal-QalPassPrtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; to seclude; specifically to devote to religious uses; physical and reflexive, to be blunt as to the nose.">disfigured,</a> <a href="/hebrew/176.htm" title="176: ’ōw (Conj) -- Or. Presumed to be the constructive or genitival form of -av; short for 'avvah; desire; hence or, also if."></a> <a href="/hebrew/176.htm" title="176: ’ōw (Conj) -- Or. Presumed to be the constructive or genitival form of -av; short for 'avvah; desire; hence or, also if.">or</a> <a href="/hebrew/8311.htm" title="8311: śā·rū·a‘ (V-Qal-QalPassPrtcpl-ms) -- To extend. A primitive root; to prolong, i.e. be deformed by excess of members.">deformed;</a> </span><span class="reftext">19</span>no man who has a broken foot or hand,…<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="/deuteronomy/15-21.htm">Deuteronomy 15:21</a></span><br />But if an animal has a defect, is lame or blind, or has any serious flaw, you must not sacrifice it to the LORD your God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/1-8.htm">Malachi 1:8</a></span><br />When you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is it not wrong? And when you present the lame and sick ones, is it not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you or show you favor?” asks the LORD of Hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/5-8.htm">2 Samuel 5:8</a></span><br />On that day he said, “Whoever attacks the Jebusites must use the water shaft to reach the lame and blind who are despised by David.” That is why it is said, “The blind and the lame will never enter the palace.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/17-1.htm">Deuteronomy 17:1</a></span><br />You shall not sacrifice to the LORD your God an ox or a sheep with any defect or serious flaw, for that is detestable to the LORD your God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/22-20.htm">Leviticus 22:20-25</a></span><br />You must not present anything with a defect, because it will not be accepted on your behalf. / When a man presents a peace offering to the LORD from the herd or flock to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering, it must be without blemish or defect to be acceptable. / You are not to present to the LORD any animal that is blind, injured, or maimed, or anything with a running sore, a festering rash, or a scab; you must not put any of these on the altar as a food offering to the LORD. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/56-3.htm">Isaiah 56:3-5</a></span><br />Let no foreigner who has joined himself to the LORD say, “The LORD will utterly exclude me from His people.” And let the eunuch not say, “I am but a dry tree.” / For this is what the LORD says: “To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths, who choose what pleases Me and hold fast to My covenant— / I will give them, in My house and within My walls, a memorial and a name better than that of sons and daughters. I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/9-13.htm">2 Samuel 9:13</a></span><br />So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always ate at the king’s table, and he was lame in both feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/19-2.htm">Numbers 19:2</a></span><br />“This is the statute of the law that the LORD has commanded: Instruct the Israelites to bring you an unblemished red heifer that has no defect and has never been placed under a yoke.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/1-19.htm">1 Peter 1:19</a></span><br />but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/21-14.htm">Matthew 21:14</a></span><br />The blind and the lame came to Him at the temple, and He healed them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/7-28.htm">Hebrews 7:28</a></span><br />For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/15-30.htm">Matthew 15:30-31</a></span><br />Large crowds came to Him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute, and many others, and laid them at His feet, and He healed them. / The crowd was amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled restored, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. And they glorified the God of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/14-13.htm">Luke 14:13-14</a></span><br />But when you host a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind, / and you will be blessed. Since they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/9-1.htm">John 9:1-3</a></span><br />Now as Jesus was passing by, He saw a man blind from birth, / and His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” / Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God would be displayed in him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/3-2.htm">Acts 3:2-8</a></span><br />And a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those entering the temple courts. / When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. / Peter looked directly at him, as did John. “Look at us!” said Peter. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For whatever man he be that has a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man, or a lame, or he that has a flat nose, or any thing superfluous,</p><p class="hdg">a blind man</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/56-10.htm">Isaiah 56:10</a></b></br> His watchmen <i>are</i> blind: they are all ignorant, they <i>are</i> all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/23-16.htm">Matthew 23:16,17,19</a></b></br> Woe unto you, <i>ye</i> blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_timothy/3-2.htm">1 Timothy 3:2,3,7</a></b></br> A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; … </p><p class="hdg">superfluous</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/22-23.htm">Leviticus 22:23</a></b></br> Either a bullock or a lamb that hath any thing superfluous or lacking in his parts, that mayest thou offer <i>for</i> a freewill offering; but for a vow it shall not be accepted.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/leviticus/21-17.htm">Approach</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-17.htm">Blemish</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-14.htm">Blind</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-17.htm">Damaged</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-17.htm">Defect</a> <a href="/leviticus/22-25.htm">Deformed</a> <a href="/leviticus/22-23.htm">Deformity</a> <a href="/isaiah/52-14.htm">Disfigured</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-19.htm">Draw</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-6.htm">Face</a> <a href="/leviticus/11-46.htm">Flat</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-13.htm">Lame</a> <a href="/luke/14-21.htm">Maimed</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/23-1.htm">Mutilated</a> <a href="/genesis/24-47.htm">Nose</a> <a href="/exodus/26-12.htm">Superfluous</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-23.htm">Unnatural</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-27.htm">Use</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-9.htm">Whatever</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-9.htm">Whatsoever</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/leviticus/21-23.htm">Approach</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-20.htm">Blemish</a> <a href="/leviticus/22-22.htm">Blind</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-20.htm">Damaged</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-20.htm">Defect</a> <a href="/leviticus/22-23.htm">Deformed</a> <a href="/leviticus/22-23.htm">Deformity</a> <a href="/leviticus/24-20.htm">Disfigured</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-23.htm">Draw</a> <a href="/leviticus/26-9.htm">Face</a> <a href="/leviticus/22-5.htm">Flat</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/15-21.htm">Lame</a> <a href="/leviticus/22-22.htm">Maimed</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/23-1.htm">Mutilated</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/33-10.htm">Nose</a> <a href="/leviticus/22-23.htm">Superfluous</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-17.htm">Unnatural</a> <a href="/leviticus/25-39.htm">Use</a> <a href="/leviticus/22-4.htm">Whatever</a> <a href="/leviticus/22-5.htm">Whatsoever</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>No man who has any defect may approach—</b><br>This phrase establishes a standard for the Levitical priesthood, emphasizing the requirement for physical wholeness in those who serve in the sanctuary. The priesthood in ancient Israel was a sacred office, and those who served were to reflect the holiness and perfection of God. This requirement for physical perfection can be seen as a type of the spiritual perfection required by God, pointing forward to the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ, who was without blemish or defect (<a href="/hebrews/7-26.htm">Hebrews 7:26-28</a>). The emphasis on physical wholeness also underscores the importance of purity and holiness in worship, a theme that runs throughout the book of Leviticus.<p><b>no man who is blind,</b><br>Blindness in the ancient Near East was often seen as a significant disability, limiting one's ability to perform certain tasks. In the context of the priesthood, physical sight was necessary for the performance of duties, such as examining sacrifices and maintaining the temple. The exclusion of the blind from priestly service highlights the importance of spiritual insight and discernment, qualities that are essential for those who lead in worship. This can be connected to the New Testament, where spiritual blindness is often used metaphorically to describe a lack of understanding or faith (<a href="/john/9-39.htm">John 9:39-41</a>).<p><b>lame,</b><br>Lameness, like blindness, was considered a physical imperfection that disqualified a man from serving as a priest. The requirement for physical soundness in the priesthood reflects the broader biblical theme of offering God the best and the whole, as seen in the requirement for unblemished sacrifices (<a href="/leviticus/22-21.htm">Leviticus 22:21</a>). This also points to the future Messianic kingdom, where the lame will be healed and restored (<a href="/isaiah/35-6.htm">Isaiah 35:6</a>), symbolizing the complete restoration and healing that comes through Christ.<p><b>disfigured,</b><br>Disfigurement, which could include any number of physical deformities or injuries, was another condition that disqualified a man from priestly service. This requirement underscores the importance of presenting oneself wholly and without blemish before God. In a broader theological sense, it points to the restoration and perfection found in Christ, who makes believers whole and presents them blameless before God (<a href="/ephesians/5-27.htm">Ephesians 5:27</a>).<p><b>or deformed;</b><br>Deformity, like the other conditions mentioned, was seen as a physical imperfection that prevented a man from serving in the priesthood. This reflects the high standards of holiness and perfection required in the service of God. The emphasis on physical wholeness in the Old Testament priesthood foreshadows the spiritual wholeness and perfection that believers are called to in Christ (<a href="/colossians/1-28.htm">Colossians 1:28</a>). It also highlights the transformative power of Christ, who heals and restores all who come to Him in faith.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/priests.htm">Priests</a></b><br>The primary focus of <a href="/bsb/leviticus/21.htm">Leviticus 21</a> is on the priests of Israel, who were set apart to serve in the tabernacle and later in the temple. They were required to maintain a standard of physical and ceremonial purity.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/tabernacle/temple.htm">Tabernacle/Temple</a></b><br>The place where the priests served, representing the presence of God among His people. It was a holy place requiring those who served there to be without physical defects as a symbol of spiritual purity.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The author of Leviticus, who received the laws from God on Mount Sinai and communicated them to the Israelites.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, who were given the Law to guide their worship and daily living, setting them apart from other nations.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The ultimate authority who established these laws to maintain holiness and order among His people.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/h/holiness_and_purity.htm">Holiness and Purity</a></b><br>The requirement for priests to be without physical defects symbolizes the need for spiritual purity and holiness in approaching God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/symbolism_of_physical_perfection.htm">Symbolism of Physical Perfection</a></b><br>Physical perfection in the Old Testament priesthood points to the ultimate perfection found in Christ, who is our High Priest without blemish.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/inclusivity_in_christ.htm">Inclusivity in Christ</a></b><br>While the Old Testament law excluded those with physical defects from priestly service, the New Testament reveals that all are included in Christ, who heals and redeems our imperfections.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_readiness.htm">Spiritual Readiness</a></b><br>Just as priests needed to be physically whole, believers are called to be spiritually whole, seeking God’s sanctification in their lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_standards.htm">God’s Standards</a></b><br>God’s standards are high, reflecting His holiness. Believers are called to strive for holiness, relying on Christ’s righteousness.<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/how_do_malachi_1_6-8_and_ot_laws_align.htm">How do Malachi 1:6-8's denunciations of flawed sacrifices align with other Old Testament laws on offerings?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_there_evidence_of_molek_sacrifices.htm">Leviticus 18:21 forbids child sacrifice to Molek; is there historical or archaeological evidence confirming this practice at that time?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_lev._22_19-24's_rules_fit_modern_views.htm">How do Leviticus 22:19-24's strict requirements for unblemished animal sacrifices align with modern views on fairness and the value of imperfection?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_stance_on_hermaphrodites.htm">What is the Bible's view on hermaphrodites?</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>(18) <span class= "bld">For whatsoever man . . . --</span>This part of the verse is simply an emphatic repetition of the same declaration at the end of the last verse to introduce the examples of the bodily blemishes which disqualified the priests for the service at the altar. A similar law obtained among the Greeks and Romans, that a priest should be perfect in all his parts; and according to the Hindoo law, Brahmins born with a bodily defect, or who received one before their sixteenth year, are excluded from the rites of consecration.<p><span class= "bld">A blind man.</span>--During the second Temple, this was not only interpreted to be partial blindness on both eyes, or on one eye, but was taken to include any blemish in the eye or in the eyelid, of which the administrators of the Law enumerate twenty-six cases, nineteen in the eye and seven in the eyelid.<p><span class= "bld">Or a lame.</span>--This was understood during the second Temple to refer to any imperfection in the gait of the priest, which might show itself in twenty different ways.<p><span class= "bld">Or he that hath a flat nose.</span>--Of the nasal deformity no less than nine different illustrations are given.<p><span class= "bld">Or any thing superfluous.</span>--That is, one member of the body more stretched out or longer than the others, or out of proportion, as an eye, shoulder, thigh, leg, &c.<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/leviticus/21-18.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">No</span><br /><span class="heb">כָל־</span> <span class="translit">(ḵāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">man</span><br /><span class="heb">אִ֛ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁר־</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">has any defect</span><br /><span class="heb">מ֖וּם</span> <span class="translit">(mūm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3971.htm">Strong's 3971: </a> </span><span class="str2">To stain, a blemish</span><br /><br /><span class="word">may approach—</span><br /><span class="heb">יִקְרָ֑ב</span> <span class="translit">(yiq·rāḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7126.htm">Strong's 7126: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come near, approach</span><br /><br /><span class="word">no man</span><br /><span class="heb">אִ֤ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who is blind,</span><br /><span class="heb">עִוֵּר֙</span> <span class="translit">(‘iw·wêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5787.htm">Strong's 5787: </a> </span><span class="str2">Blind</span><br /><br /><span class="word">lame,</span><br /><span class="heb">פִסֵּ֔חַ</span> <span class="translit">(p̄is·sê·aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6455.htm">Strong's 6455: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lame</span><br /><br /><span class="word">disfigured,</span><br /><span class="heb">חָרֻ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(ḥā·rum)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2763.htm">Strong's 2763: </a> </span><span class="str2">To seclude, to devote to religious uses, to be blunt as to the nose</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or</span><br /><span class="heb">א֣וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(’ōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_176.htm">Strong's 176: </a> </span><span class="str2">Desire, if</span><br /><br /><span class="word">deformed;</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׂרֽוּעַ׃</span> <span class="translit">(śā·rū·a‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8311.htm">Strong's 8311: </a> </span><span class="str2">To prolong, be deformed by excess of members</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/leviticus/21-18.htm">Leviticus 21:18 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/leviticus/21-18.htm">Leviticus 21:18 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/leviticus/21-18.htm">Leviticus 21:18 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/leviticus/21-18.htm">Leviticus 21:18 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/leviticus/21-18.htm">Leviticus 21:18 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/leviticus/21-18.htm">Leviticus 21:18 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/leviticus/21-18.htm">Leviticus 21:18 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/leviticus/21-18.htm">Leviticus 21:18 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/leviticus/21-18.htm">Leviticus 21:18 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/leviticus/21-18.htm">Leviticus 21:18 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/leviticus/21-18.htm">OT Law: Leviticus 21:18 For whatever man he is that has (Le Lv Lev.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/leviticus/21-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Leviticus 21:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Leviticus 21:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/leviticus/21-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Leviticus 21:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Leviticus 21:19" /></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>