Leviticus 21:1

Translations

Modern

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Speak to Aaron’s sons, the priests, and tell them that a priest is not to defile himself for a dead person among his people,

Traditional

And the Lord said unto Moses, Speak unto the priests the sons of Aaron, and say unto them, There shall none be defiled for the dead among his people:

Literal

And YHWH said to Moses, “Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them: No one shall defile himself for the dead among his people,

Latin

Dixit quoque Dominus ad Moysen: Loquere ad sacerdotes filios Aaron, et dices ad eos: Ne contaminetur sacerdos in mortibus civium suorum,

Interlinear

Hebrew

English

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Speak to Aaron’s sons, the priests, and tell them that a priest is not to defile himself for a dead person among his people,

Notes

Leviticus 21:1–4

Touching a dead body made a person ceremonially unclean for seven days. A priest needed to be ready to handle holy things at all times. So, he could not touch a dead body, even if it was a relative's. Otherwise, he might be unable to serve when needed. The only exceptions were his closest relatives, as there might be no one else to bury them.

Leviticus 21:1–22:33

This section, which discusses priestly rules, six times repeats the phrase I am the Lord who sanctifies (Leviticus 21:15, 23; 22:9, 16, 32; see also 21:8). These words emphasize the link between God's holiness and the holiness expected of priests. This extended to all of Israel (see 8:10; 11:44–45; 19:2). The text specifically addresses priests in 21:1–22:16, while including both clergy and common people in 22:17–33.

Theme notes and profiles

Ancient Law Codes Clean, Unclean, and Holy

Related verses

Ezekiel 44:25
A priest must not defile himself by going near a dead person. However, for a father, a mother, a son, a daughter, a brother, or an unmarried sister, he may do so,
Numbers 19:14
This is the law when a person dies in a tent: Everyone who enters the tent and everyone already in the tent will be unclean for seven days,
Leviticus 10:6–7
Then Moses said to Aaron and his sons Eleazar and Ithamar, “Do not let your hair become disheveled and do not tear your garments, or else you will die, and the LORD will be angry with the whole congregation. But your brothers, the whole house of Israel, may mourn on account of the fire that the LORD has ignited.
Leviticus 21:11
He must not go near any dead body; he must not defile himself, even for his father or mother.
Leviticus 19:28
You must not make any cuts in your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD.
Numbers 19:16
Anyone in the open field who touches someone who has been killed by the sword or has died of natural causes, or anyone who touches a human bone or a grave, will be unclean for seven days.
Hosea 5:1
“Hear this, O priests! Take heed, O house of Israel! Give ear, O royal house! For this judgment is against you because you have been a snare at Mizpah, a net spread out on Tabor.
Malachi 2:1
“And now this decree is for you, O priests:
Malachi 2:4
Then you will know that I have sent you this commandment so that My covenant with Levi may continue,” says the LORD of Hosts.

People

Aaron: Moses' brother, first high priest of Israel Moses: Prophet who led Israel out of Egypt

Glossary

Biblical Concept of Law Deformity Deuteronomy, Book of History of Israel Leviticus, Book of Mourning

Topics

Defilement: Ceremonial Caused by Mourning for the Dead Defilement: Priests: Specially Required to Avoid Marriage: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Mourning for the Dead: Cutting the Flesh Mourning: Caused Ceremonial Defilement Mourning: Priests Prohibited, Except for the Nearest of Kin Priests: Special Laws Respecting: Not to Defile Themselves for the Dead Except the Nearest of Sanctification: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To The Dead: A Priest not to Mourn For, Except when Near of Kin The High Priest: Forbidden to Mourn for Any Uncleanness: (Ceremonially Speaking)

Leviticus 21:1

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