Lev 21:5-6 | TNotes | STEP | 21:5 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 ), a defect similarly precluded a priest from officiating (see 21:17-23 ). For example, a eunuch could not serve as a priest (Deut 23:1 ) 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 ). 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 ).

b22:19-25►

c21:17-23►

dDeut 23:1►

eLev 21:22►

f22:2-8►

‏ Leviticus 21:5-6

21:5 ^a 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 ^b), a defect similarly precluded a priest from officiating (see 21:17-23 ^c). For example, a eunuch could not serve as a priest (Deut 23:1 ^d) 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 ^e). 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 ^f).
21:6 ^g A priest should never bring shame by profaning God’s name.