Leviticus 21:7 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 21:7 mean?

Leviticus 21:7 instructs that priests must not marry women who are prostitutes, considered "profane," or divorced from their husbands, because the priest is set apart as holy to God. The verse sets specific marriage restrictions for priests to maintain their special status and purity in serving God.

In this verse, God is giving Moses instructions for the priests (descendants of Aaron) about whom they can marry. The focus is on preserving the holiness and distinctiveness of the priestly line, since priests had a unique role in Israel's worship and rituals. The verse highlights the importance of both personal and ceremonial purity for those who serve in the sanctuary.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 21:7

• "Whore" (זֹנָה, zonah): This word refers to a woman who has engaged in prostitution. The restriction emphasizes the priest's need to avoid any association with sexual immorality.
• "Profane" (חָלָל, chalal): This term means "defiled" or "polluted," often referring to someone who has lost a state of ritual or moral purity. Here, it broadens the restriction to women whose lives are seen as not fitting the sacred role of a priest's wife.
• "Put away" (גָּרַשׁ, garash): This word means "divorced." The verse specifically prohibits priests from marrying a woman who has been divorced, further underlining the call to a higher standard of holiness for priests.
• "Holy" (קָדוֹשׁ, qadosh): This word means "set apart" or "consecrated." The reason for these restrictions is that the priest is to be distinct and dedicated to God in every aspect, including marriage.

Why Leviticus 21:7 matters

• Leviticus 21:7 clarifies that the priesthood in ancient Israel came with stricter personal requirements than for ordinary Israelites, especially regarding marriage.
• The verse helps explain the broader theme in Leviticus of holiness and separation for those who serve in God's presence, showing that their lives were to reflect the sacredness of their duties.
• Understanding these restrictions sheds light on the seriousness with which ancient Israel viewed the priesthood and the importance of ritual and moral purity in their worship practices.