Leviticus 21:4
2 But for his kin, that is near unto him, that is, for his mother, and for his father, and for his son, and for his daughter, and for his brother,
3 And for his sister a virgin, that is nigh unto him, which hath had no husband; for her may he be defiled.
But he shall not defile himself, being a chief man among his people, to profane himself.
5 They shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard, nor make any cuttings in their flesh.
6 They shall be holy unto their God, and not profane the name of their God: for the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and the bread of their God, they do offer: therefore they shall 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 take away from thee the desire of thine eyes with a stroke: yet neither shalt thou mourn nor weep, neither shall thy tears run down.
Read in context