Leviticus 21:10-15

THE HIGH PRIESTS 21:10-15
TEXT 21:10-15

10

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

11

neither shall he go in to any dead body, nor defile himself for his father, or for his mother;

12

neither shall he go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God; for the crown of the anointing oil of his God is upon him: I am Jehovah.

13

And he shall take a wife in her virginity.

14

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.

15

And he shall not profane his seed among his people: for I am Jehovah who sanctifieth him.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 21:10-15

480.

Is Leviticus 21:10 a general prohibition against all mourning on the part of the high priest?

481.

The high priest was prevented from attending his own father's funeral. Is this the meaning of Leviticus 21:11?

482.

Are we to understand that the high priest lived in the precincts of the tabernacle?

483.

There are four types of women qualified as the wife of the high priest. Who were they?

484.

Explain Leviticus 21:15 in your own words.

PARAPHRASE 21:10-15

The High Priestanointed with the special anointing oil and wearing the special garmentsmust not let his hair hang loose in mourning, nor tear his clothing, nor be in the presence of any dead personnot even his father or mother. He shall not leave the sanctuary (when on duty), nor treat My Tabernacle like an ordinary house, for the consecration of the anointing oil of his God is upon him; I am Jehovah. He must marry a virgin. He may not marry a widow, nor a woman who is divorced, nor a prostitute. She must be a virgin from his own tribe, for he must not be the father of children of mixed bloodhalf priestly and half ordinary.

COMMENT 21:10-15

Leviticus 21:10-12 The ordination or consecration of the high priest is fully described in Leviticus 8:7-11. The profusion of oil used in his anointing is there described.

The title -high priest-' (literally -great priest-') occurs here for the first time. It is given in order to show that the rank of the man is the reason for this law being laid down. Now, Jesus exhibited no sign of mourning for Himselfnever -uncovered His head nor rent his garments-' because of personal bereavements; nor did He touch the dead, except to convey life back again; and even at the cross when His mother felt the sword of sorrow in her heart He still acted as High Priest; and while He exhibited exceeding tenderness, He at the same time did so as one fulfilling public responsibilities; for, in the midst of His anguish as the smitten Shepherd, He took time to recommend her to John, and then, so to speak, resumed His work of suffering. He truly was the Priest who never went -out of the sanctuary,-' and who -never profaned it-' by the introduction of personal concerns. He ever felt the streams of the anointing oil on His head; He -saved-' not, but -hated and lost,-' His own life for us; He stood as entirely a Substitute and Surety. (after Bonar)

We would assume that the reference to leaving the sanctuary would refer to the time of service, i.e. if news of the death of a loved one reached the high priest while he was officiating, even if it were the death of his own father, he was not to stop lest personal concerns might appear to be of greater importance than the service to God.

Leviticus 21:13-15 Too much argument from silence and supposition only produces confusion. Leviticus 21:13 affirms one clear fact: the bride of the high priest should be a virgin. How old, or her status before she became his wife, i.e. other than her virginity is not discussed, it seems presumptuous for us to do it.

The ordinary priest was permitted to marry a widow (i.e. traditionally) but the high priest is specifically denied such a relationship. The other three unqualified women have been discussed under the qualified wife of the ordinary priest.

We inevitably think of the qualifications for the present day elders as being quite similar to those of the priests and high priest. Cf. 1 Timothy 3:2-7; Titus 1:7-9.

The high priest must be circumspect in his conduct for he has children who will be affected for good or evil. He could disqualify his son for service as high priest. If your own conduct is not important to you, consider your influence on your children. Do not profane or dishonor them. A simple willingness to comply with God's directions will prevent all such problems.

FACT QUESTIONS 21:10-15

493.

Why is this man called high priest?

494.

Show how our Lord perfectly met the characteristics of the high priest.

495.

What is meant by the statement that the high priest was not to leave the sanctuary?

496.

What one thing do we know about the bride of the high priest?

497.

What was said about marrying a widow?

498.

Two generations could be dishonored. How?