Leviticus 21:4
Leviticus 21:4 in Multiple Translations
He is not to defile himself for those related to him by marriage, and so profane himself.
But he shall not defile himself, being a chief man among his people, to profane himself.
He shall not defile himself, being a chief man among his people, to profane himself.
But let him, being a chief among his people, not make himself unclean in such a way as to put shame on himself.
He must not make himself unclean for those only related to him by marriage—he is not to make himself ceremonially impure.
He shall not lament for the Prince among his people, to pollute him selfe.
'A master [priest] doth not defile himself among his people — to pollute himself;
He shall not defile himself, being a chief man among his people, to profane himself.
But he shall not defile himself, being a chief man among his people, to profane himself.
But not even for the prince of his people shall he do any thing that may make him unclean.
Priests must not cause themselves to become unfit to do my work [DOU] by touching corpses of people who were married to one of their close relatives.
Berean Amplified Bible — Leviticus 21:4
BAB
Word Study
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Leviticus 21:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
לֹ֥א
יִטַּמָּ֖א
בַּ֣עַל
בְּ/עַמָּ֑י/ו
לְ/הֵ֖חַלּֽ/וֹ
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
יִטַּמָּ֖א
ṭâmêʼ
H2930
to defile
V-Hithpael-Imperf-3ms
בַּ֣עַל
baʻal
H1167
master
N-ms
בְּ/עַמָּ֑י/ו
ʻam
H5971
Amaw
Prep | N-mp | Suff
לְ/הֵ֖חַלּֽ/וֹ
châlal
H2490
to bore
Prep | V-Niphal-Inf-a | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Leviticus 21:4
לֹ֥א
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.
יִטַּמָּ֖א
ṭâmêʼ
H2930
"to defile"
V-Hithpael-Imperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to be foul or contaminated, often in a moral or ceremonial sense. It is used in the Bible to describe something that is unclean or polluted. In the book of Leviticus, it talks about being unclean and how to become clean again.
Definition: 1) to be unclean, become unclean, become impure 1a) (Qal) to be or become unclean 1a1) sexually 1a2) religiously 1a3) ceremonially 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to defile oneself, be defiled 1b1a) sexually 1b1b) by idolatry 1b1c) ceremonially 1b2) to be regarded as unclean 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to defile 1c1a) sexually 1c1b) religiously 1c1c) ceremonially 1c2) to pronounce unclean, declare unclean (ceremonially) 1c3) to profane (God's name) 1d) (Pual) to be defiled 1e) (Hithpael) to be unclean 1f) (Hothpael) to be defiled
Usage: Occurs in 142 OT verses. KJV: defile (self), pollute (self), be (make, make self, pronounce) unclean, [idiom] utterly. See also: Genesis 34:5; Leviticus 22:5; Psalms 79:1.
בַּ֣עַל
baʻal
H1167
"master"
N-ms
Means master or owner, often referring to a husband or leader, as seen in the book of Genesis and Exodus.
Definition: : master/leader 1) owner, husband, lord 1a) owner 1b) a husband 1c) citizens, inhabitants 1d) rulers, lords 1e) (noun of relationship used to characterise-ie, master of dreams)
Usage: Occurs in 79 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] archer, [phrase] babbler, [phrase] bird, captain, chief man, [phrase] confederate, [phrase] have to do, [phrase] dreamer, those to whom it is due, [phrase] furious, those that are given to it, great, [phrase] hairy, he that hath it, have, [phrase] horseman, husband, lord, man, [phrase] married, master, person, [phrase] sworn, they of. See also: Genesis 14:13; 1 Samuel 23:11; Proverbs 1:17.
בְּ/עַמָּ֑י/ו
ʻam
H5971
"Amaw"
Prep | N-mp | Suff
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.
לְ/הֵ֖חַלּֽ/וֹ
châlal
H2490
"to bore"
Prep | V-Niphal-Inf-a | Suff
This Hebrew word means to profane or begin, like starting something new or breaking a rule. It appears in the Bible when someone disrespects God or a person, like in Ezekiel 22:26. It can also mean to play music or start a project.
Definition: 1) to wound (fatally), bore through, pierce, bore 1a) (Qal) to pierce 1b) (Pual) to be slain 1c) (Poel) to wound, pierce 1d) (Poal) to be wounded
Usage: Occurs in 132 OT verses. KJV: begin ([idiom] men began), defile, [idiom] break, defile, [idiom] eat (as common things), [idiom] first, [idiom] gather the grape thereof, [idiom] take inheritance, pipe, player on instruments, pollute, (cast as) profane (self), prostitute, slay (slain), sorrow, stain, wound. See also: Genesis 4:26; Ezra 3:8; Psalms 55:21.
Study Notes — Leviticus 21:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Leviticus 21:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 21:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 21:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Leviticus 21:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 21:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 21:4
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Leviticus 21:4
- Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 21:4
- Barnes' Notes on Leviticus 21:4
- Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 21:4
Context — Holiness Required of Priests
2except for his immediate family—his mother, father, son, daughter, or brother,
3or his unmarried sister who is near to him, since she has no husband.
4He is not to defile himself for those related to him by marriage, and so profane himself.
5Priests must not make bald spots on their heads, shave off the edges of their beards, or make cuts in their bodies. 6They must be holy to their God and not profane the name of their God. Because they present to the LORD the food offerings, the food of their God, they must be holy.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezekiel 24:16–17 | “Son of man, behold, I am about to take away the desire of your eyes with a fatal blow. But you must not mourn or weep or let your tears flow. Groan quietly; do not mourn for the dead. Put on your turban and strap your sandals on your feet; do not cover your lips or eat the bread of mourners.” |
Leviticus 21:4 Summary
This verse is saying that priests should not make themselves unclean by mourning for people they are related to by marriage. This is because priests were supposed to be holy and set apart for God's service, as it says in Leviticus 21:6. It's like when we try to be good friends to someone, we want to be available to help them and spend time with them - and it's the same with God, He wants us to be available to serve Him and spend time with Him, without being distracted by things that would make us unclean (Romans 12:1). By being holy, we can show our love and respect for God, just like the priests were supposed to do.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for a priest to 'defile himself' in Leviticus 21:4?
To defile oneself means to become ceremonially unclean, which would disqualify a priest from performing his duties, as seen in Leviticus 21:4 and Numbers 19:11-13. This is important because priests had to be holy in order to serve the Lord.
Who are the people related to the priest 'by marriage' in this verse?
The people related to the priest by marriage would include his wife's relatives, as opposed to his immediate family, such as his mother, father, son, daughter, or brother mentioned in Leviticus 21:2-3.
Why is it important for priests to avoid defiling themselves for those related to them by marriage?
It is important because priests were to be holy and set apart for the Lord's service, as stated in Leviticus 21:6, and becoming defiled would profane their holy status and disqualify them from serving the Lord.
How does this verse relate to the broader theme of holiness in the book of Leviticus?
This verse is part of the larger theme of holiness in Leviticus, which emphasizes the importance of separation from sin and uncleanness in order to approach a holy God, as seen in Leviticus 11:44-45 and other passages.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I, as a follower of God, can 'defile' myself and become less effective in my service to Him?
- How can I balance my love and care for my family with my responsibility to remain 'holy' and set apart for God's service?
- In what ways can I 'profane' God's name in my daily life, and how can I avoid doing so?
- What are some practical steps I can take to 'be holy' as God has called me to be, according to Leviticus 21:6?
Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 21:4
[But] he shall not defile himself, [being] a chief man among his people,.... Which is not to be understood of any lord or nobleman or any chief ruler or governor of the people; for the context speaks
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 21:4
But he shall not defile himself, being a chief man among his people, to profane himself. But he shall not defile himself - `for any other,' as the sense may be fully expressed.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Leviticus 21:4
Or, seeing he is a chief man, & c., or ruler, &c., for such not only the high priest, but others also of the inferior priests, were. And therefore though he might defile himself for the persons now named, yet he, above all others, must take heed so to do it that he do not profane himself by doing as follows. Or, for a chief man, &c., the preposition lamed being easily understood from the former verse, where it is oft used, such supplements being not unusual in the Hebrew tongue. So the sense is, he shall not defile himself for any other person whatsoever who is not thus near of kin to him, no, not for a prince or chief ruler among his people, who might seem to challenge this duty from him, to join with all others in their resentment of the public loss; much less shall he defile himself for any other. And so the last word, to profane himself, may be added as a reason why he should not defile himself for the prince or any other except the persons named, because such defilement for the dead did profane him, or make him as a common person and unclean, and consequently unfit to manage his sacred employment, which was an impediment to the service of God, and a public inconvenience to the people, whose concerns with God he negotiated. And it was not meet such great and important affairs should give place to the ceremonies of a funeral for a stranger.
Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 21:4
Leviticus 21:4 [But] he shall not defile himself, [being] a chief man among his people, to profane himself.Ver. 4. Being a chief man.] A vir gregis; all whose actions were exemplary, and have not an impulsive only, but a compulsive power and property. "Why compellest thou the Gentiles?" His example was a compulsion.
Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 21:4
(4) But he shall not defile himself, being a chief man . . . —Better, A husband shall not defile himself among his people when he had profaned himself. As the seven exceptions to the general rule began with his wife, whose funeral rites the priestly husband is allowed to attend, the verse before us restricts this permission to his legally prescribed wife. If he contracted a marriage which profaned him, he could not attend to her funeral ceremonies. The last clause, which is here translated, “when he had profaned him,” literally denotes “to profane himself,” “with respect to his profanation”—i.e., with respect to a marriage by which he profaned himself. This is the interpretation which the administrators of the Law attached to the verse, and which is transmitted in the Chaldee version of Jonathan. It is not only in perfect harmony with the context, but does least violence to this manifestly disordered text. The translations exhibited in the Authorised version, both in the text and in the margin, as well as most of those suggested by modern commentators, leave the clause unexplained, since it manifestly means something else than defiling himself by contracting impurity through contact with the dead, as is evident from the fact that it is not added in the other instances where the priest is forbidden to defile himself by attending to the dead. (See Leviticus 21:1-11.)
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Leviticus 21:4
Verse 4. A chief man among his people] The word בעל baal signifies a master, chief, husband, &c., and is as variously translated here. 1. He being a chief among the people, it would be improper to see him in such a state of humiliation as mourning for the dead necessarily implies. 2. Though a husband he shall not defile himself even for the death of a wife, because the anointing of his God is upon him. But the first sense appears to be the best.
Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 21:4
4. being a chief man] as a husband (R.V. mg.). This rendering limits the cases in which defilement is permissible to those already mentioned, and forbids mourning for a wife. The A.V. follows the Targum. The wording of the v. suggests a corruption in the text. The Sept. substitute (see R.V. mg.) for ‘a chief man’ is apparently obtained by a transposition in Heb. consonants, but fails to convey any clear meaning. It has been suggested, by a somewhat greater modification in the Heb., to read in mourning. Baentsch (HG. 111A) considers that the words ‘defile himself’ and ‘among his people’ shew that the v. forms an intimate part of the prohibition contained in the previous vv. Inasmuch, then, as the word rendered ‘chief man’ is regularly used of a husband, and as mention of a wife is strangely absent from the MT., he proposes either of two alternative readings, which assume a copyist’s accidental omission of a word or words, expressing wife; so that the precept originally ran, a husband shall not be defiled for his wife. It is, however, difficult, as Dillm. says, to suppose, in the face of the opening words of Lev 21:2, that a priest whose wife died was forbidden to approach the body.
Barnes' Notes on Leviticus 21:4
The sense seems to be that, owing to his position in the nation, the priest is not to defile himself in any cases except those named in Leviticus 21:2-3.
Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 21:4
4. Being a chief man — The exegesis of this verse is much disputed.