7 '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; 8 and thou hast sanctified him, for the bread of thy God he is bringing near; he is holy to thee; for holy 'am' I, Jehovah, sanctifying you. 9 'And a daughter of any priest when she polluteth herself by going a-whoring—her father she is polluting; with fire she is burnt.
10 'And the high priest of his brethren, on whose head is poured the anointing oil, and hath consecrated his hand to put on the garments, his head doth not uncover, nor rend his garments, 11 nor beside any dead person doth he come; for his father and for his mother he doth not defile himself; 12 nor from the sanctuary doth he go out, nor doth he pollute the sanctuary of his God, for the separation of the anointing oil of his God 'is' on him; I 'am' Jehovah. 13 'And he taketh a wife in her virginity; 14 widow, or cast out, or polluted one—a harlot—these he doth not take, but a virgin of his own people he doth take 'for' a wife,
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.