Leviticus 21:7
Leviticus 21:7 in Multiple Translations
A priest must not marry a woman defiled by prostitution or divorced by her husband, for the priest is holy to his God.
They shall not take a wife that is a whore, or profane; neither shall they take a woman put away from her husband: for he is holy unto his God.
They shall not take a woman that is a harlot, or profane; neither shall they take a woman put away from her husband: for he is holy unto his God.
They may not take as wife a loose or common woman, or one who has been put away by her husband: for the priest is holy to his God.
A priest is not to marry a woman made unclean through prostitution or who is divorced by her husband, for the priest must be holy to his God.
They shall not take to wife an whore, or one polluted, neither shall they marrie a woman diuorced from her husband: for such one is holy vnto his God.
'A woman, a harlot, or polluted, they do not take, and a woman cast out from her husband they do not take, for he [is] holy to his God;
“‘They shall not marry a woman who is a prostitute, or profane. A priest shall not marry a woman divorced from her husband; for he is holy to his God.
They shall not take a wife that is a lewd woman, or profane; neither shall they take a woman put away from her husband: for he is holy to his God.
They shall not take to wife a harlot or a vile prostitute, nor one that has been put away from her husband: because they are consecrated to their God,
You priests must not marry women who have been prostitutes or who have been divorced from their husbands, because you priests are ◄set apart for me/holy►.
Berean Amplified Bible — Leviticus 21:7
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Leviticus 21:7 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — Leviticus 21:7
Study Notes — Leviticus 21:7
- Context
- Cross References
- Leviticus 21:7 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 21:7
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 21:7
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Leviticus 21:7
- Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 21:7
- Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 21:7
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Leviticus 21:7
- Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 21:7
- Barnes' Notes on Leviticus 21:7
- Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 21:7
- Sermons on Leviticus 21:7
Context — Holiness Required of Priests
7A priest must not marry a woman defiled by prostitution or divorced by her husband, for the priest is holy to his God.
8You are to regard him as holy, since he presents the food of your God. He shall be holy to you, because I the LORD am holy—I who set you apart. 9If a priest’s daughter defiles herself by prostituting herself, she profanes her father; she must be burned in the fire.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leviticus 21:13–14 | The woman he marries must be a virgin. He is not to marry a widow, a divorced woman, or one defiled by prostitution. He is to marry a virgin from his own people, |
| 2 | Ezekiel 44:22 | And they shall not marry a widow or a divorced woman, but must marry a virgin of the descendants of the house of Israel, or a widow of a priest. |
| 3 | Leviticus 21:8 | You are to regard him as holy, since he presents the food of your God. He shall be holy to you, because I the LORD am holy—I who set you apart. |
| 4 | 1 Timothy 3:11 | In the same way, the women must be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in all things. |
| 5 | Deuteronomy 24:1–4 | If a man marries a woman, but she becomes displeasing to him because he finds some indecency in her, he may write her a certificate of divorce, hand it to her, and send her away from his house. If, after leaving his house, she goes and becomes another man’s wife, and the second man hates her, writes her a certificate of divorce, hands it to her, and sends her away from his house, or if he dies, then the husband who divorced her first may not remarry her after she has been defiled, for that is an abomination to the LORD. You must not bring sin upon the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance. |
| 6 | Isaiah 50:1 | This is what the LORD says: “Where is your mother’s certificate of divorce with which I sent her away? Or to which of My creditors did I sell you? Look, you were sold for your iniquities, and for your transgressions your mother was sent away. |
Leviticus 21:7 Summary
[This verse is saying that priests, who are special leaders in the church, should only marry women who are pure and have not been involved in sinful activities. This is because priests are supposed to be holy, or set apart, for God, as seen in Leviticus 21:6. It's like how God says in Leviticus 19:2 that He is holy, and we should be holy too. By being careful about who they marry, priests can show that they are committed to following God's rules and being good examples for others, just like it says in Matthew 5:48 that we should strive to be perfect like God is perfect.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are priests in the Bible not allowed to marry certain women?
According to Leviticus 21:7, priests are not allowed to marry women defiled by prostitution or divorced by their husband because they are considered holy to God, as seen in Leviticus 21:6, and are to be set apart from the world.
What does it mean for a priest to be 'holy to his God'?
Being holy to God means being set apart and dedicated to serving Him, as seen in Leviticus 21:8, and living a life that reflects God's character and standards, as seen in Leviticus 19:2.
How does this verse relate to the concept of marriage and divorce in the Bible?
This verse highlights the importance of marital fidelity and the sacredness of marriage, as seen in Genesis 2:24 and Matthew 19:4-6, and shows that God has high standards for those in leadership positions, such as priests.
What is the significance of the priest's role in presenting offerings to God?
The priest's role in presenting offerings to God, as seen in Leviticus 21:6, emphasizes the importance of their holiness and set-apartness, as they are handling the 'food of their God', and this is a reminder of the high standards God has for those who serve Him, as seen in Exodus 28:2-5.
Reflection Questions
- What does it mean for me to be 'holy to God' in my daily life, and how can I reflect God's character in my relationships and actions?
- How can I, like the priests in the Bible, be set apart and dedicated to serving God, even in the midst of a world that often contradicts God's standards?
- What are some ways that I can protect and preserve the sacredness of marriage, as seen in this verse and other parts of the Bible?
- In what ways can I, as a follower of God, be a 'priest' in my own sphere of influence, presenting offerings of praise and service to God, and being a reflection of His holiness to those around me?
Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 21:7
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 21:7
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Leviticus 21:7
Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 21:7
Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 21:7
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Leviticus 21:7
Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 21:7
Barnes' Notes on Leviticus 21:7
Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 21:7
Sermons on Leviticus 21:7
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Through the Bible) Jeremiah 3-5 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the need for people to turn away from worldly distractions and dedicate themselves fully to God and spiritual matters. He quotes from the bo |
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Jesus Teaches About Divorce and Remarriage Matthew 19:1-9 by David Servant | David Servant delves into the topic of divorce and remarriage, exploring the differing views among religious teachers during Jesus' time and Jesus' teachings on the matter. He emph |
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Day 75, Mark 10 by David Servant | David Servant addresses the contentious topic of divorce and remarriage, urging listeners to carefully consider all that Scripture teaches on the subject and to avoid interpretatio |
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The Cross in God's Heart by Alan Redpath | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the weariness and heartache that is prevalent in the world today. He emphasizes that God sent His Son to speak a word of comfort and encourage |
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Studies in Isaiah - Part 4 by Harry Ironside | In this sermon, Dr. McCabe talks about the importance of awakening and rising up in the Lord. He refers to three calls to awake: one to the arm of the Lord, one to Jerusalem in its |
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(Through the Bible) Isaiah 48-50 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the fifty-third chapter of Isaiah and the purposes of God in his being smitten. The preacher mentions how Jesus was smitten and buffeted, wit |
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Studies in Isaiah - Part 10 by Harry Ironside | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the last three verses of Isaiah chapter 52. He begins by discussing the image of beautiful feet upon a mountain, representing the remnant co |




