Question 1

What does Leviticus 21:3 mean?

Accepted Answer

Leviticus 21:3 says that a priest may become ritually unclean for the sake of his unmarried, close sister who has not had a husband. This exception allows a priest to mourn and care for a virgin sister who is closely related to him if she dies. In this verse, God is giving instructions to the priests of Israel through Moses about when it is permitted for them to become "defiled" (ritually unclean) by contact with a dead body. Normally, priests had to avoid ritual impurity, but this rule makes an exception for immediate family, including a sister who is a virgin and has no husband. The focus is on protecting the priest’s special status while also honoring close family ties.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 21:3

Accepted Answer

"sister" (אָחוֹת, ʾachot): This word means a biological sister, emphasizing the close blood relationship required for this exception. "virgin" (בְּתוּלָה, b’tulah): This term means a woman who has not had sexual relations, highlighting that the sister must be unmarried and under her brother’s care. "nigh" (קָרוֹב, qarov): This word means "near" or "close," underlining that the exception is only for a sister who is closely related and likely still part of the household. "husband" (אִישׁ, ish): This is the common word for "man" or "husband," clarifying that the sister must not have been married. "defiled" (טָמֵא, tame): This word refers to becoming ritually unclean, which priests were normally forbidden to do except in specific family cases.

Question 3

Why Leviticus 21:3 matters

Accepted Answer

Leviticus 21:3 clarifies that the priestly rules about ritual purity are not meant to override basic family responsibilities, especially for unmarried sisters who would have depended on their brothers. The verse helps explain the balance in the priestly laws between maintaining holiness and showing compassion within the family. This exception fits into a larger section about the special standards for priests, showing that even strict religious rules made room for personal loss and grief.

Leviticus 21:3 (KJV)