Leviticus 21:14 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 21:14 mean?

Leviticus 21:14 says that a priest must not marry a widow, a divorced woman, a woman considered "profane," or a prostitute; instead, he is only allowed to marry a virgin from his own people. This rule sets a high standard for whom priests could marry, emphasizing ritual purity and community boundaries.

In this verse, God is giving instructions to Moses for the priests of Israel, specifically the high priest. The focus is on maintaining the priesthood’s special status and separating them from situations or relationships that might be seen as ritually impure or outside the community’s norms. These marriage restrictions are part of a larger section about the holiness required of those who serve in the sanctuary.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 21:14

• "Profane" (חָלָל, ḥalal): This word often means "defiled" or "not set apart as holy." It highlights that the priest could not marry someone who had lost a certain ritual or social status, not just someone with a bad reputation.
• "Virgin" (בְּתוּלָה, b’tulah): This word refers specifically to a young woman who has not had sexual relations. The requirement for the priest to marry a בְּתוּלָה (b’tulah) stresses ritual and social purity.
• "People" (עַם, am): The priest must marry someone from his own community, not an outsider, reinforcing the importance of keeping the priesthood within the Israelite people.
• "Take" (לָקַח, laqach): This verb means "to take" or "to marry" in this context, underscoring the formal act of marriage rather than a casual relationship.

Why Leviticus 21:14 matters

• This verse clarifies that the priesthood had stricter marriage rules than ordinary Israelites, showing the seriousness of their role.
• The emphasis on marrying a virgin from the priest’s own people underlines the importance of both ritual purity and community identity for those serving in the sanctuary.
• Understanding these restrictions helps explain the broader biblical theme of holiness and separation for those in special service to God, and it connects to the surrounding laws about priestly conduct in Leviticus 21.