Bible Commentaries
Leviticus 21

Verses 1-24

Leviticus 21:1 to Leviticus 22:33 Priestly Codes Leviticus 21:1 to Leviticus 22:33 gives priestly codes that deal with the issue of avoiding defilement. In order to carry out the duties of a priest, he must live a life of separation from activities that defile him. Such defilement would eliminate him from priestly duties.

Leviticus 21:1 And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto the priests the sons of Aaron, and say unto them, There shall none be defiled for the dead among his people:

Leviticus 21:1 “There shall none be defiled for the dead among his people” - Comments - Contact with a dead body, and even going into the presence of a dead body, caused defilement for the Jews (Numbers 19:11; Numbers 19:14).

Numbers 19:11, “He that toucheth the dead body of any man shall be unclean seven days.”

Numbers 19:14, “This is the law, when a man dieth in a tent: all that come into the tent, and all that is in the tent, shall be unclean seven days.”

Leviticus 21:5 They shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard, nor make any cuttings in their flesh.

Leviticus 21:5 Comments - The priests were not to mourn as others mourn, by shaving the head and beards, and cutting the flesh (Leviticus 19:28). These were common practices among the heathen. He was to have control over his emotions. By faith in the blessed resurrection, he was not to mourn as the world, which has not hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13).

Leviticus 19:28, “Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.”

1 Thessalonians 4:13, “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.”