Leviticus 21:17

Leviticus 21:17 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

“Say to Aaron, ‘For the generations to come, none of your descendants who has a physical defect may approach to offer the food of his God.

King James Version KJV

Speak unto Aaron, saying, Whosoever he be of thy seed in their generations that hath any blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God.

American Standard Version ASV

Speak unto Aaron, saying, Whosoever he be of thy seed throughout their generations that hath a blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God.

Bible in Basic English BBE

Say to Aaron, If a man of your family, in any generation, is damaged in body, let him not come near to make the offering of the bread of his God.

Free Bible Version FBV

“Tell Aaron: These rules apply for all future generations. If any of your descendants has a physical defect, he is not allowed to come and present the food offerings of his God.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Speake vnto Aaron, and say, Whosoeuer of thy seede in their generations hath any blemishes, shall not prease to offer the bread of his God:

Young's Literal Translation YLT

'Speak unto Aaron, saying, No man of thy seed to their generations in whom there is blemish doth draw near to bring near the bread of his God,

World English Bible WEB

“Say to Aaron, ‘None of your offspring throughout their generations who has a defect may approach to offer the bread of his God.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Speak to Aaron, saying, whoever he may be of thy seed in their generations that hath any blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God:

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Say to Aaron: Whosoever of thy seed throughout their families, hath a blemish, he shall not offer bread to his God.

Translation for Translators T4T

“Say this to Aaron: 'For all future time, none of your descendants who has any defects on his body will be allowed to come near the altar to offer sacrifices to me which will be like [MET] my food:

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Leviticus 21:17

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Leviticus 21:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB דַּבֵּ֥ר אֶֽל אַהֲרֹ֖ן לֵ/אמֹ֑ר אִ֣ישׁ מִֽ/זַּרְעֲ/ךָ֞ לְ/דֹרֹתָ֗/ם אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִהְיֶ֥ה ב/וֹ֙ מ֔וּם לֹ֣א יִקְרַ֔ב לְ/הַקְרִ֖יב לֶ֥חֶם אֱלֹהָֽי/ו

דַּבֵּ֥ר dâbar H1696 to speak V-Piel-Impv-2ms

אֶֽל ʼêl H413 to(wards) Prep

אַהֲרֹ֖ן ʼAhărôwn H175 Aaron N-proper

לֵ/אמֹ֑ר ʼâmar H559 to say Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a

אִ֣ישׁ ʼîysh H376 man N-ms

מִֽ/זַּרְעֲ/ךָ֞ zeraʻ H2233 seed Prep | N-ms | Suff

לְ/דֹרֹתָ֗/ם dôwr H1755 generation Prep | N-mp | Suff

אֲשֶׁ֨ר ʼăsher H834 which Rel

יִהְיֶ֥ה hâyâh H1961 to be V-Qal-Imperf-3ms

ב/וֹ֙ Prep | Suff

מ֔וּם mʼûwm H3971 blemish N-ms

לֹ֣א lôʼ H3808 not Part

יִקְרַ֔ב qârab H7126 to present V-Qal-Imperf-3ms

לְ/הַקְרִ֖יב qârab H7126 to present Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a

לֶ֥חֶם lechem H3899 food N-cs

אֱלֹהָֽי/ו ʼĕlôhîym H430 God N-mp | Suff

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Leviticus 21:17

דַּבֵּ֥ר dâbar H1696 "to speak" V-Piel-Impv-2ms

To speak or communicate, like God speaking to Moses in Exodus or a king commanding his people. It can also mean to promise or warn someone.

Definition: : speak/tell/command 1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing 1a) (Qal) to speak 1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to speak 1c2) to promise 1d) (Pual) to be spoken 1e) (Hithpael) to speak 1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight

Usage: Occurs in 1049 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work. See also: Genesis 8:15; Exodus 12:25; Leviticus 23:9.

אֶֽל ʼêl H413 "to(wards)" Prep

This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.

Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)

Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.

אַהֲרֹ֖ן ʼAhărôwn H175 "Aaron" N-proper

Aaron was the brother of Moses and the first high priest of the Israelites. He was a leader in the Exodus from Egypt and played a key role in the early history of the Israelites. His story is told in Exodus and Leviticus.

Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Exo.4.14; son of: Amram (H6019) and Jochebed (H3115); brother of: Moses (H4872) and Miriam (H4813); married to Elisheba (H0472); father of: Nadab (H5070), Abihu (H0030), Eleazar (H0499) and Ithamar (H0385) Also named: Aarōn (Ἀαρών "Aaron" G0002) § Aaron = "light bringer" brother of Moses, a Levite and the first high priest

Usage: Occurs in 328 OT verses. KJV: Aaron. See also: Exodus 4:14; Exodus 34:31; Numbers 3:39.

לֵ/אמֹ֑ר ʼâmar H559 "to say" Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a

This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.

Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)

Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.

אִ֣ישׁ ʼîysh H376 "man" N-ms

The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.

Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)

Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.

מִֽ/זַּרְעֲ/ךָ֞ zeraʻ H2233 "seed" Prep | N-ms | Suff

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means seed or offspring, like in Genesis where God promises Abraham many descendants. It can also mean a plant or sowing time, as in Isaiah 55:10. This concept is central to God's plan for humanity.

Definition: : seed/sowing 1) seed, sowing, offspring 1a) a sowing 1b) seed 1c) semen virile 1d) offspring, descendants, posterity, children 1e) of moral quality 1e1) a practitioner of righteousness (fig.) 1f) sowing time (by meton)

Usage: Occurs in 205 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] carnally, child, fruitful, seed(-time), sowing-time. See also: Genesis 1:11; 1 Samuel 1:11; Psalms 18:51.

לְ/דֹרֹתָ֗/ם dôwr H1755 "generation" Prep | N-mp | Suff

This word refers to a period of time or a generation of people. It is used in the Bible to describe a group of people living at the same time. In the book of Psalms, it describes a generation of people who follow God.

Definition: 1) period, generation, habitation, dwelling 1a) period, age, generation (period of time) 1b) generation (those living during a period) 1c) generation (characterised by quality, condition, class of men) 1d) dwelling-place, habitation Aramaic equivalent: dar (דָּר "generation" H1859)

Usage: Occurs in 127 OT verses. KJV: age, [idiom] evermore, generation, (n-) ever, posterity. See also: Genesis 6:9; Esther 9:28; Psalms 10:6.

אֲשֶׁ֨ר ʼăsher H834 "which" Rel

This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.

Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when

Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.

יִהְיֶ֥ה hâyâh H1961 "to be" V-Qal-Imperf-3ms

The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.

Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone

Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.

ב/וֹ֙ "" Prep | Suff

מ֔וּם mʼûwm H3971 "blemish" N-ms

In the Bible, this word means a flaw or imperfection, either physical or moral, like a stain on someone's character. It appears in books like Leviticus and Deuteronomy. The KJV translates it as 'blemish' or 'spot'.

Definition: 1) blemish, spot, defect 1a) of physical defect 1b) of moral stain

Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: blemish, blot, spot. See also: Leviticus 21:17; Numbers 19:2; Proverbs 9:7.

לֹ֣א lôʼ H3808 "not" Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.

יִקְרַ֔ב qârab H7126 "to present" V-Qal-Imperf-3ms

To approach or come near someone or something, often with a sense of purpose or intention, like Moses approaching the burning bush in Exodus 3:5. This word can also mean to bring someone or something near, as in presenting an offering to God.

Definition: : come/approach 1) to come near, approach, enter into, draw near 1a) (Qal) to approach, draw near 1b) (Niphal) to be brought near 1c) (Piel) to cause to approach, bring near, cause to draw near 1d) (Hiphil) to bring near, bring, present

Usage: Occurs in 263 OT verses. KJV: (cause to) approach, (cause to) bring (forth, near), (cause to) come (near, nigh), (cause to) draw near (nigh), go (near), be at hand, join, be near, offer, present, produce, make ready, stand, take. See also: Genesis 12:11; Leviticus 22:22; 1 Samuel 10:21.

לְ/הַקְרִ֖יב qârab H7126 "to present" Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a

לֶ֥חֶם lechem H3899 "food" N-cs

This Hebrew word refers to food, especially bread or grain. It's used throughout the Bible to describe meals, sacrifices, and daily life, highlighting the importance of food in ancient Israelite culture.

Definition: : food(eating) 1) bread, food, grain 1a) bread 1a1) bread 1a2) bread-corn 1b) food (in general)

Usage: Occurs in 277 OT verses. KJV: (shew-) bread, [idiom] eat, food, fruit, loaf, meat, victuals. See also: Genesis 3:19; 1 Samuel 20:34; Psalms 14:4.

אֱלֹהָֽי/ו ʼĕlôhîym H430 "God" N-mp | Suff

The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.

Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)

Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.

Study Notes — Leviticus 21:17

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Leviticus 21:17 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 21:17
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 21:17
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Leviticus 21:17
Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 21:17
Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 21:17
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Leviticus 21:17
Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 21:17
Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 21:17
Sermons on Leviticus 21:17

Context — Restrictions against Those with Blemishes

15so that he does not defile his offspring among his people, for I am the LORD who sanctifies him.” 16Then the LORD said to Moses,

17“Say to Aaron, ‘For the generations to come, none of your descendants who has a physical defect may approach to offer the food of his God.

18No man who has any defect may approach—no man who is blind, lame, disfigured, or deformed; 19no man who has a broken foot or hand,

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Psalms 65:4	Blessed is the one You choose and bring near to dwell in Your courts! We are filled with the goodness of Your house, the holiness of Your temple.
2	Numbers 16:5	Then he said to Korah and all his followers, “Tomorrow morning the LORD will reveal who belongs to Him and who is holy, and He will bring that person near to Himself. The one He chooses, He will bring near to Himself.
3	Leviticus 10:3	Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD meant when He said: ‘To those who come near Me I will show My holiness, and in the sight of all the people I will reveal My glory.’” But Aaron remained silent.
4	Leviticus 21:6	They must be holy to their God and not profane the name of their God. Because they present to the LORD the offerings made by fire, the food of their God, they must be holy.
5	Leviticus 3:16	Then the priest is to burn the food on the altar as an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma. All the fat is the LORD’s.
6	Leviticus 3:11	Then the priest is to burn them on the altar as food, an offering made by fire to the LORD.
7	Leviticus 22:20–25	You must not present anything with a defect, because it will not be accepted on your behalf. When a man presents a peace offering to the LORD from the herd or flock to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering, it must be without blemish or defect to be acceptable. You are not to present to the LORD any animal that is blind, injured, or maimed, or anything with a running sore, a festering rash, or a scab; you must not put any of these on the altar as an offering made by fire to the LORD. You may present as a freewill offering an ox or sheep that has a deformed or stunted limb, but it is not acceptable in fulfillment of a vow. You are not to present to the LORD an animal whose testicles are bruised, crushed, torn, or cut; you are not to sacrifice them in your land. Neither you nor a foreigner shall present food to your God from any such animal. They will not be accepted on your behalf, because they are deformed and flawed.’”
8	Hebrews 7:26	Such a high priest truly befits us—One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.
9	1 Timothy 3:2	An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
10	Leviticus 21:21	No descendant of Aaron the priest who has a defect shall approach to present the offerings made by fire to the LORD. Since he has a defect, he is not to come near to offer the food of his God.

Leviticus 21:17 Summary

This verse is saying that the priests, who were supposed to offer sacrifices to God, had to be perfect and whole in their bodies. This was a way of showing respect and honor to God, who is perfect and holy (Leviticus 11:44-45). It's not that people with defects are less loved by God, but rather that the priests had a special role and had to be set apart in a special way (Exodus 28:2-5). We can learn from this verse that God values wholeness and perfection, and we should strive to honor Him with our bodies and our lives (1 Corinthians 6:20).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the physical defect restriction in Leviticus 21:17?

The purpose is to emphasize the importance of perfection and wholeness when approaching God, as seen in Leviticus 21:17, which is a reflection of God's own perfection and holiness (Deuteronomy 32:4, Psalm 92:15).

Does this verse imply that people with physical defects are less worthy or less loved by God?

No, this verse is specifically addressing the role of priests in offering sacrifices, and it does not imply that people with physical defects are less worthy or less loved by God (Psalm 139:13-14, John 9:1-3).

How does this verse relate to Jesus Christ and the New Testament?

This verse points to the perfect high priest, Jesus Christ, who offered Himself as a perfect sacrifice without defect (Hebrews 7:26-28, 1 Peter 1:18-19), emphasizing the importance of perfection and wholeness in our relationship with God.

What can we learn from the emphasis on physical perfection in the Old Testament?

We can learn that God values wholeness and perfection, and that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), and we should strive to honor God with our bodies, even though we are not under the same physical requirements as the Old Testament priests (Romans 12:1-2).

Reflection Questions

What does this verse reveal about God's character and His desire for perfection and wholeness?
How can I apply the principle of striving for wholeness and perfection in my own life, even if I have physical limitations or defects?
What does this verse teach me about the importance of humility and recognition of my own limitations and weaknesses?
How can I balance the emphasis on physical perfection in the Old Testament with the New Testament emphasis on inner transformation and spiritual perfection (2 Corinthians 7:1, Matthew 5:48)?

Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 21:17

Speak unto Aaron, saying,.... Who being the high priest, it was incumbent on him, at least at this time, to see that the laws and rules relating to the priesthood were observed; and particularly to

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 21:17

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Any blemish. Since visible things exert a strong influence on the minds of men, any physical infirmity or malformation of body in the ministers of religion,

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Leviticus 21:17

Whosoever he be of thy seed, whether the high priest or the inferior ones. In their generations; in all successive ages, as long as your priesthood and policy endures. Any blemish, i.e. any defect or excess of parts, any notorious deformity, or imperfection in his body. The reason hereof is partly typical, that he might more fully represent Christ, the great High Priest, who was typified both by the priest and sacrifice, and therefore both were to be without blemish; partly moral, to teach all Christians, and especially ministers of holy things, what purity and perfection of heart and life they should labour after, and that notorious blemishes in the mind or conversation render a man unfit for the ministry of the gospel; and partly prudential, because such blemishes were apt to breed contempt of the person, and consequently of his function, and of the holy things wherein he ministered. For which reason, some conceive, that still such persons as have notorious defects or deformities, which render them contemptible, are not fit for the ministry; which may be true in the general, except where there are eminent gifts and graces, which are sufficient to vindicate a man from the contemptibleness of his bodily presence. The particular defects here mentioned I shall not enlarge upon, because some of the Hebrew words are diversely interpreted, and because the use of these things being abolished, the knowledge of them is not very necessary. The bread; either the shew-bread, one eminent part being named for the whole; or, the food, i.e. all the oblations. See Poole "".

Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 21:17

Leviticus 21:17 Speak unto Aaron, saying, Whosoever [he be] of thy seed in their generations that hath [any] blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God.Ver. 17. That hath any blemish.] Christ was without blemish: so should all the saints be, but especially ministers, of whom it should be said as of Absalom, that from top to toe there was no blemish in him.

Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 21:17

(17) Whosoever he be of thy seed.—Better, any man of thy seed throughout their generations; that is, any of the descendants, to all future times, who have not been disqualified for service in the sanctuary by their parents contracting illegal alliances, are yet to be subject to the following regulations. To offer the bread of his God.—That is, shall not officiate at the sacrifices. (See Leviticus 21:6 -Leviticus 3:2.)

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Leviticus 21:17

Verse 17. Whosoever - hath any blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God.] Never was a wiser, a more rational, and a more expedient law enacted relative to sacred matters. The man who ministers in holy things, who professes to be the interpreter of the will of God, should have nothing in his person nor in his manner which cannot contribute to render him respectable in the eyes of those to whom he ministers. If, on the contrary, he has any personal defect, any thing that may render him contemptible or despicable, his usefulness will be greatly injured, if not entirely prevented. If however a man have received any damage in the work of God, by persecution or otherwise, his scars are honourable, and will add to his respectability. But if he be received into the ministry with any of the blemishes specified here, he never will and never can have that respect which is essentially necessary to secure his usefulness. Let no man say this is a part of the Mosaic law, and we are not bound by it. It is an eternal law, founded on reason, propriety, common sense, and absolute necessity. The priest, the prophet, the Christian minister, is the representative of Jesus Christ; let nothing in his person, carriage, or doctrine, be unworthy of the personage he represents. A deformed person, though consummate in diplomatic wisdom, would never be employed as an ambassador by any enlightened court, if any fit person, unblemished, could possibly be procured.

Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 21:17

17. throughout their generations] See end of introd. note to ch. the bread of his God] See on Leviticus 21:6.

Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 21:17

IN THE PRIESTS, Leviticus 21:1 to Leviticus 22:16.Jehovah, having given general statutes to conserve the purity of Israel, now proceeds to legislate for the priests, whose character and conduct are

Sermons on Leviticus 21:17

	Sermon	Description
	An Holy Priesthood by Andrew Murray	Andrew Murray emphasizes the profound calling of believers as a holy priesthood, highlighting that every redeemed individual shares in the anointing of Christ as High Priest. He ex
	Thirtieth Lesson. ‘An Holy Priesthood;’ Or, the Ministry of Intercession by Andrew Murray	Andrew Murray emphasizes the profound calling of every believer to be a priest, highlighting that through Jesus Christ, all redeemed individuals are granted the privilege of interc
	A Touch From God (Full) by David Wilkerson	This sermon emphasizes the importance of seeking God's presence and being willing to fully surrender to Him, leaving behind defilement and busyness. It highlights the need for a de
	A Touch From God - Part 1 by David Wilkerson	This sermon emphasizes the importance of seeking God wholeheartedly, especially in times of turmoil and fear. It highlights the need for individuals to hunger for more of God's pre
	A Thankful People in a Reprobate Age by Rolfe Barnard	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of being a thankful people in a reprobate day. He reads from the 65th Psalm and emphasizes the blessing of being chosen by God
	Thankful People in a Reprobate Day by Rolfe Barnard	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that the current generation is in a state of reprobation because they are not seeking after the Lord. He highlights the importance of people
	God's Last Call by Rolfe Barnard	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the state of the world and the lack of people seeking after God. He emphasizes that throughout history, there have always been small movement

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