Leviticus 21 - Introduction
_CONCERNING THE PRIESTS' MOURNING: THEIR HOLINESS: THEIR MARRIAGES. THE PRIESTS WHO HAVE BLEMISHES, MUST NOT MINISTER IN THE SANCTUARY._ _Before Christ 1490._... [ Continue Reading ]
_CONCERNING THE PRIESTS' MOURNING: THEIR HOLINESS: THEIR MARRIAGES. THE PRIESTS WHO HAVE BLEMISHES, MUST NOT MINISTER IN THE SANCTUARY._ _Before Christ 1490._... [ Continue Reading ]
SPEAK UNTO THE PRIESTS, THE SONS OF AARON— Respecting the general notion of defilement from dead bodies, we refer to Numbers 19:11; Numbers 19:22.—The priests, on account of their function, are ordered to have no concern with dead bodies; i.e. not to touch them, prepare them for burial, be present a... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT HE SHALL NOT DEFILE HIMSELF, BEING A CHIEF MAN AMONG HIS PEOPLE— Very different versions are given of this passage: several ancient versions render it, _neither shall he be defiled for the prince of his people:_ a rendering which Houbigant follows, and strongly approves. It seems, however, most... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY SHALL NOT MAKE BALDNESS UPON THEIR HEAD, &C.— See the notes on ch. Leviticus 19:27. What was forbidden to the people in general, is here forbidden to the priests. It is justly required, of the ministers of religion, that they be not only more holy themselves, but patterns of holiness to others.... [ Continue Reading ]
IF SHE PROFANE HERSELF— That is, make herself unholy, and bring not only disgrace and infamy upon herself, but also upon her father: _she shall be burnt;_ suffering a punishment more severe than other women guilty of the same offence, (Exodus 22:16. Deuteronomy 22:28.) as her education and circumsta... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT IS THE HIGH-PRIEST— The former laws related to the priests in general; the high-priest, as being more peculiarly holy, is restrained by laws more peculiarly exact: he is not permitted to defile himself for any dead, nor to leave his attendance upon the sanctuary, (Leviticus 21:12.) even on t... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SHALL TAKE A WIFE IN HER VIRGINITY— The inferior priests might marry a widow; see Ezekiel 44:22. But this command is enjoined upon the high-priest, as being a more eminent type of Christ, whose spouse, the church, is frequently represented as _a chaste virgin,_ 2 Corinthians 11:2.Revelation 14:4.... [ Continue Reading ]
SPEAK UNTO AARON, SAYING, &C.— Still further to provide for the dignity of the priesthood, and especially to guard it from that contempt which bodily defects and blemishes are too apt to raise in the mind; it is here enjoined, that none of the family of Aaron should be admitted to this sacred office... [ Continue Reading ]