17 '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, 18 for no man in whom 'is' blemish doth draw near—a man blind, or lame or dwarfed, or enlarged, 19 or a man in whom there is a breach in the foot, or a breach in the hand, 20 or hump-backed, or a dwarf, or with a mixture in his eye, or a scurvy person, or scabbed, or broken-testicled. 21 'No man in whom is blemish (of the seed of Aaron the priest) doth come nigh to bring near the fire-offerings of Jehovah; blemish 'is' in him; the bread of his God he doth not come nigh to bring near. 22 'Bread of his God—of the most holy things, and of the holy things—he doth eat; 23 only, unto the vail he doth not enter, and unto the altar he doth not draw nigh; for blemish 'is' in him; and he doth not pollute My sanctuaries; for I 'am' Jehovah, sanctifying them.'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Leviticus 21:17-23
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.