Keraia
Leviticus 21

Leviticus 21:5

Holiness Required of Priests · Leviticus 21:1–15
Read Leviticus 21

Translations

Modern
Priests must not make bald spots on their heads, shave off the edges of their beards, or make cuts in their bodies.
Traditional
They shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard, nor make any cuttings in their flesh.
Literal
They shall not make baldness on their heads, and they shall not shave the edges of their beards, and they shall not make a cutting in their flesh.
Latin
Non radent caput, nec barbam, neque in carnibus suis facient incisuras.

Interlinear

Hebrew
English
Priests must not make bald spots on their heads, shave off the edges of their beards, or make cuts in their bodies.

Notes

Leviticus 21:5

  • make bald spots … shave off: The laws warned priests not to shave or trim their hair in certain ways (see study notes on Leviticus 10:6; 19:27).

  • make cuts in their bodies: They were also not to cut their bodies (see study note on Leviticus 19:28). Cutting the body was a practice of pagan peoples. Defects disqualified most animals as offerings (Leviticus 22:19–25). A defect also disqualified a priest from serving (see 21:17–23).

    For example, a eunuch (a man unable to reproduce) could not serve as a priest because he was not a suitable representative of the people (Deuteronomy 23:1). But his priestly family line allowed him to eat his priestly share (see Leviticus 21:22). On the other hand, if a priest became unclean, he could not serve in ministry or eat the priest’s share until he was clean again (22:2–8).

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.

Glossary

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

Topics

Baldness: Artificial, As an Idolatrous Practice, Forbidden Beard: Idolatrous Practice of Marring, Forbidden Cutting: (The Flesh for the Dead): Forbidden Defilement: Priests: Specially Required to Avoid Dreadlocks Head: Priests Forbidden to Shave Men and Long Hair Mourning for the Dead: Cutting the Flesh 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 Beard: Corners of, not to be Marred for the Dead The High Priest: Forbidden to Mourn for Any Uncleanness: (Ceremonially Speaking)