7 ' They shall not take a woman who is profaned by harlotry , nor shall they take a woman divorced from her husband ; for he is holy to his God . 8 'You shall consecrate him, therefore, for he offers the food of your God ; he shall be holy to you; for I the Lord , who sanctifies you, am holy . 9 ' Also the daughter of any priest , if she profanes herself by harlotry , she profanes her father ; she shall be burned with fire .
10 'The priest who is the highest among his brothers , on whose head the anointing oil has been poured and who has been consecrated e to wear the garments , shall not uncover his head nor tear his clothes ; 11 nor shall he approach any dead person , nor defile himself even for his father or his mother ; 12 nor shall he go out of the sanctuary nor profane the sanctuary of his God , for the consecration of the anointing oil of his God is on him; I am the Lord . 13 'He shall take a wife in her virginity . 14 ' A widow , or a divorced woman, or one who is profaned by harlotry , these he may not take ; but rather e he is to marry a virgin of his own people ,
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Leviticus 21:7-14
Chapter Contents
Laws concerning the priests.
As these priests were types of Christ, so all ministers must be followers of him, that their example may teach others to imitate the Saviour. Without blemish, and separate from sinners, He executed his priestly office on earth. What manner of persons then should his ministers be! But all are, if Christians, spiritual priests; the minister especially is called to set a good example, that the people may follow it. Our bodily infirmities, blessed be God, cannot now shut us out from his service, from these privileges, or from his heavenly glory. Many a healthful, beautiful soul is lodged in a feeble, deformed body. And those who may not be suited for the work of the ministry, may serve God with comfort in other duties in his church.