Leviticus 21:4
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.
He is not to defile himself for those related to him by marriage, and so profane himself.
5 Priests must not make bald spots on their heads, shave off the edges of their beards, or make cuts in their bodies.
6 They must be holy to their God and not profane the name of their God. Because they present to the LORD the offerings made by fire, the food of their God, they must be holy.
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
- He is not to defile himself for those related to him by marriage, and so profane himself.
- KJV
- But he shall not defile himself, being a chief man among his people, to profane himself.
- WEB
- He shall not defile himself, being a chief man among his people, to profane himself.
- ASV
- He shall not defile himself, [being] a chief man among his people, to profane himself.
- DARBY
- He shall not make himself unclean [who is] a chief among his peoples, to profane himself.
- BLB
- As a chief man he shall not defile himself among his people, to profane himself.
- ÅB
- Han skal ikke gjøre seg uren som ektemann, så han vanhelliger seg blant sitt folk.
- OTB
- Han må ikke gjøre seg uren for dem som er beslektet ved ekteskap, og dermed vanhellige seg selv.
- B1930
- Han skal ikke gjøre sig uren som ektemann, så han vanhelliger sig blandt sitt folk.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Ezekiel 24:16–17
“Son of man, behold, I am about to take away the desire of your eyes with a fatal blow. But you must not mourn or weep or let your tears flow.
Read in context