Leviticus 21:1

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Speak to Aaron’s sons, the priests, and tell them that a priest is not to defile himself for a dead person among his people,

2 except for his immediate family—his mother, father, son, daughter, or brother,

3 or his unmarried sister who is near to him, since she has no husband.

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Speak to Aaron’s sons, the priests, and tell them that a priest is not to defile himself for a dead person among his people,
KJV
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:
WEB
The LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them, ‘A priest shall not defile himself for the dead among his people,
ASV
And Jehovah said unto Moses, Speak unto the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say unto them, There shall none defile himself for the dead among his people;
DARBY
And Jehovah said to Moses, Speak unto the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say unto them, There shall none make himself unclean for a dead person among his peoples,
BLB
And YHWH said to Moses, “Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them: No one shall defile himself for the dead among his people,
ÅB
Og Herren sa til Moses: Tal til prestene, Arons sønner, og si til dem: En prest skal ikke gjøre seg uren blant sitt folk ved å røre et lik,
OTB
Herren talte til Moses og sa: «Tal til prestene, Arons sønner, og si til dem: ‘En prest må ikke gjøre seg uren for noen avdød blant sitt folk,
B1930
Og Herren sa til Moses: Tal til prestene, Arons sønner, og si til dem: En prest skal ikke gjøre sig uren blandt sitt folk ved å røre et lik,

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Ezekiel 44:25

    A priest must not defile himself by going near a dead person. However, for a father, a mother, a son, a daughter, a brother, or an unmarried sister, he may do so,

    Read in context
  • Leviticus 21:11

    He must not go near any dead body; he must not defile himself, even for his father or mother.

    Read in context
  • Leviticus 10:6–7

    Then Moses said to Aaron and his sons Eleazar and Ithamar, “Do not let your hair become disheveled and do not tear your garments, or else you will die, and the LORD will be angry with the whole congregation. But your brothers, the whole house of Israel, may mourn on account of the fire that the LORD has ignited.

    Read in context
  • Leviticus 19:28

    You must not make any cuts in your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD.

    Read in context
  • Numbers 19:14

    This is the law when a person dies in a tent: Everyone who enters the tent and everyone already in the tent will be unclean for seven days,

    Read in context
  • Numbers 19:16

    Anyone in the open field who touches someone who has been killed by the sword or has died of natural causes, or anyone who touches a human bone or a grave, will be unclean for seven days.

    Read in context
  • Hosea 5:1

    “Hear this, O priests! Take heed, O house of Israel! Give ear, O royal house! For this judgment is against you because you have been a snare at Mizpah, a net spread out on Tabor.

    Read in context
  • Malachi 2:4

    Then you will know that I have sent you this commandment so that My covenant with Levi may continue,” says the LORD of Hosts.

    Read in context