Lev 21 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Lev 21:1-22:33: 21:1–22:33 This section, which covers priestly regulations, is punctuated six times with the phrase I am the Lord who makes ... holy (21:15 , 23 ; 22:9 , 16 , 32 ; cp. 21:8 ). The words reaffirm the necessary connection between the holiness of God and the holiness expected of the priesthood, and by extension, of all Israel (see 8:10 ; 11:44-45 ; 19:2 ). Priests are specifically addressed in 21:1–22:16 , while both clergy and laity are included in 22:17-33 . Summary for Lev 21:1-4: 21:1-4 Touching a dead body rendered a person unclean for seven days. Because a priest had to be prepared to deal with holy things at all times, he was not allowed to handle a dead body, even of a relative, or else he could be unfit to minister when needed. The only exceptions were his closest relatives because there might not be anyone else who could bury the bodies.

Summary for Lev 21:1-22:33: 21:1–22:33 ^a This section, which covers priestly regulations, is punctuated six times with the phrase I am the Lord who makes ... holy (21:15 ^b, 23 ^c; 22:9 ^d, 16 ^e, 32 ^f; cp. 21:8 ^g). The words reaffirm the necessary connection between the holiness of God and the holiness expected of the priesthood, and by extension, of all Israel (see 8:10 ^h; 11:44-45 ⁱ; 19:2 ^j). Priests are specifically addressed in 21:1–22:16 ^k, while both clergy and laity are included in 22:17-33 ^l.
Summary for Lev 21:1-4: 21:1-4 ^m Touching a dead body rendered a person unclean for seven days. Because a priest had to be prepared to deal with holy things at all times, he was not allowed to handle a dead body, even of a relative, or else he could be unfit to minister when needed. The only exceptions were his closest relatives because there might not be anyone else who could bury the bodies.
21:5 ⁿ shave ... trim: See study notes on 10:6; 19:27.

• cut their bodies: See study note on 19:28. Self-mutilation was a pagan custom. Just as defects of any kind precluded most animals as offerings (22:19-25 ^o), a defect similarly precluded a priest from officiating (see 21:17-23 ^p). For example, a eunuch could not serve as a priest (Deut 23:1 ^q) because he was not an adequate representative of the people. However, his priestly lineage was recognized as qualifying him to eat his priestly share (see Lev 21:22 ^r). On the other hand, uncleanness disqualified any priest from ministry and from eating the priest’s share as long as the condition persisted (22:2-8 ^s).
21:6 ^t A priest should never bring shame by profaning God’s name.
21:7 ^u The priest, to lead Israel in worship, had to model the highest standard of conduct for the people both in his personal life and in leadership of his family. He could have no ties to pagan culture (prostitution, 21:9 ^v), nor could the legitimacy of his family be questioned (divorce). Similar standards applied to leaders of the early church (1 Tim 3:1-13 ^w).
Summary for Lev 21:10-15: 21:10-15 ^x The restrictions made on the common priests (21:1-4 ^y) applied even more stringently to the high priest because he had to represent all Israel, including the other priests.

• The priest must never leave his hair uncombed or tear his clothing in mourning, so that he would always be fit to minister. Although the common priest was permitted to marry a widow, the high priest was allowed to marry only a virgin. This made certain that the future high priest and the common priests descended from that union would have an unquestioned lineage (21:15 ^z).
21:22 ^aa he may eat: Although a mutilation or defect (see 21:18-20 ^ab) disqualified a descendant of Aaron from representing the people, it did not compromise his priestly lineage. He was eligible to eat the priest’s share of the offerings (see 2:3 ^ac, 10 ^ad; 6:17-18 ^ae).