And the daughter of any priest, if she profane herself by playing the whore, she profaneth her father: she shall be burnt with fire.

LEVITICUS 21:9KJV
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Leviticus 21:9 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 21:9 mean?

Leviticus 21:9 says that if a priest’s daughter commits sexual immorality, she brings shame not only on herself but also on her father, and the punishment described is that she must be burned with fire. This verse highlights a particularly severe consequence for the daughter of a priest who violates certain moral expectations.

In context, God is giving Moses specific rules for the priests of Israel, who were expected to live by higher standards because of their special role. The verse singles out the priest’s daughter, showing that her actions could dishonor her father’s sacred position, and the punishment reflects how seriously this was viewed in ancient Israelite society.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 21:9

  • חָלַל (chalal, "profane"): This word means to make something common or to treat it as not sacred. Here, it describes how the daughter’s actions would damage the special status of her father as a priest.
  • זָנָה (zanah, "whore"): This word refers to engaging in sexual immorality or prostitution. It is used to describe the specific kind of behavior that brings about the consequence in this verse.
  • שָׂרַף (saraph, "burnt"): This word literally means to burn or destroy with fire. The use of this term shows the severity of the punishment, which was intended to be both a penalty and a deterrent.
  • אֵשׁ (esh, "fire"): This is the common word for fire, emphasizing the literal and serious nature of the punishment described.

Why Leviticus 21:9 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the priestly family was held to a higher standard, and even the actions of a priest’s daughter could affect the priest’s standing and honor.
  • The harsh punishment shows how seriously ancient Israel viewed the connection between personal behavior and the holiness required of those serving in sacred roles.
  • Understanding this verse helps explain the strict boundaries set for priests in Leviticus 21, highlighting the importance of holiness and reputation in Israel’s religious community.

Where else these words appear

“whore” Hebrew H2181 · used in 82 verses

  • Genesis 34:31 And they said, Should he deal with our sister as with an harlot?
  • 1 Chronicles 5:25 And they transgressed against the God of their fathers, and went a whoring after the gods of the people of the land, whom God destroyed before them.
  • Ezekiel 16:31 In that thou buildest thine eminent place in the head of every way, and makest thine high place in every street; and hast not been as an harlot, in that thou scornest hire;

“burnt” Hebrew H8313 · used in 107 verses

  • Genesis 11:3 And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.
  • Joshua 7:25 And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the LORD shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones.
  • Psalms 46:9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.

“profane” Hebrew H2490 · used in 131 verses

  • Genesis 4:26 And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.
  • Judges 20:39 And when the men of Israel retired in the battle, Benjamin began to smite and kill of the men of Israel about thirty persons: for they said, Surely they are smitten down before us, as in the first battle.
  • Jeremiah 16:18 And first I will recompense their iniquity and their sin double; because they have defiled my land, they have filled mine inheritance with the carcases of their detestable and abominable things.