Leviticus 21:10

Translations

Modern

The priest who is highest among his brothers, who has had the anointing oil poured on his head and has been ordained to wear the priestly garments, must not let his hair hang loose or tear his garments.

Traditional

And he that is the high priest among his brethren, upon whose head the anointing oil was poured, and that is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not uncover his head, nor rend his clothes;

Literal

And the high priest among his brothers, on whose head is poured the anointing oil and who has consecrated his hand to put on the garments, shall not uncover his head and not tear his clothes.

Latin

Pontifex, id est, sacerdos maximus inter fratres suos, super cujus caput fusum est unctionis oleum, et cujus manus in sacerdotio consecratæ sunt, vestitusque est sanctis vestibus, caput suum non discooperiet, vestimenta non scindet:

Original

Hebrew

English

The priest who is highest among his brothers, who has had the anointing oil poured on his head and has been ordained to wear the priestly garments, must not let his hair hang loose or tear his garments.

Notes

Leviticus 21:10–15

The rules for common priests were more strict than for the high priest, who represented all of Israel, including other priests (Leviticus 21:1–4).
The priest must always keep his hair neat and not tear his clothing in mourning. This ensured he was always ready to serve. While a common priest could marry a widow, the high priest could only marry a virgin. This ensured that future high priests and common priests from that union would have a clear lineage (Leviticus 21:15).

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

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 16:32
The priest who is anointed and ordained to succeed his father as high priest shall make atonement. He will put on the sacred linen garments
Matthew 26:65
At this, the high priest tore his clothes and declared, “He has blasphemed! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy.
Numbers 35:25
The assembly is to protect the manslayer from the hand of the avenger of blood. Then the assembly will return him to the city of refuge to which he fled, and he must live there until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the holy oil.
Leviticus 8:12
He also poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him to consecrate him.
Exodus 29:29–30
The holy garments that belong to Aaron will belong to his sons after him, so they can be anointed and ordained in them.
Exodus 28:2–4
Make holy garments for your brother Aaron, to give him glory and splendor.
2 Samuel 15:30
But David continued up the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went up. His head was covered, and he was walking barefoot. And all the people with him covered their heads and went up, weeping as they went.
Esther 6:12
Then Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief.
Psalm 133:2
It is like fine oil on the head, running down on the beard, running down Aaron’s beard over the collar of his robes.
Genesis 37:34
Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth around his waist, and mourned for his son many days.
Leviticus 13:45
A diseased person must wear torn clothes and let his hair hang loose, and he must cover his mouth and cry out, ‘Unclean, unclean!’

Glossary

Aaron Biblical Concept of Law Burial, Burial Customs Cleanness and Uncleanness, Regulations Concerning Deformity Deuteronomy, Book of History of Israel Leviticus, Book of Mourning Virgin

Topics

Christian Minister: Marriage of Head: Priests Forbidden to Shave Mourning for the Dead: Head Uncovered Mourning: Priests Prohibited, Except for the Nearest of Kin Priest: The Time of Moses: Marriage of Priest: The Title Appears After the Institution of the office Sanctification: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To The Dead: High Priest in No Case to Mourn For The High Priest: Forbidden to Mourn for Any Uncleanness: (Ceremonially Speaking)

Leviticus 21:10

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