Leviticus 21 3

Leviticus 21:3 kjv

And for his sister a virgin, that is nigh unto him, which hath had no husband; for her may he be defiled.

Leviticus 21:3 nkjv

also his virgin sister who is near to him, who has had no husband, for her he may defile himself.

Leviticus 21:3 niv

or an unmarried sister who is dependent on him since she has no husband?for her he may make himself unclean.

Leviticus 21:3 esv

or his virgin sister (who is near to him because she has had no husband; for her he may make himself unclean).

Leviticus 21:3 nlt

or his virgin sister who depends on him because she has no husband.

Leviticus 21 verses

Leviticus 21 3 Meaning

Leviticus 21:3 specifies an explicit exception to the general prohibition against a priest becoming ritually defiled by contact with a deceased person. A priest is permitted to become temporarily unclean to mourn for and attend to the burial of his sister, provided she is a virgin, unmarried, and has never had sexual relations. This allowance underscores a strong familial obligation and a deep societal compassion for a particularly vulnerable and dependent female relative whose life potential (like bearing children for a family) was cut short.

Leviticus 21 3 Context

Leviticus chapter 21 lays out specific and stricter holiness codes for the Levitical priesthood, sons of Aaron, distinct from those for common Israelites. These regulations underscore their unique role as intermediaries between a holy God and His people, requiring them to be ritually and morally pure in their personal lives and in their priestly duties. The overarching principle is that priests "shall be holy to their God and not profane the name of their God" (Lev 21:6). While priests were generally forbidden from coming into contact with dead bodies, which imparted ritual impurity according to Numbers 19, verse 3 carves out a rare and precise exception. This demonstrates that God's law, though strict in its demands for holiness, also acknowledged the powerful bonds of family and societal responsibility, especially concerning the most vulnerable.

Leviticus 21 3 Word analysis

• and for his virgin: The Hebrew u-levtulto (וְלִבְתוּלָתוֹ).
  • "virgin" (b'tulah בְּתוּלָה): This word explicitly denotes a woman who is sexually untouched. In ancient Israelite society, a virgin represented purity, family honor, and the potential for future generations. Her premature death signified a significant loss of these elements.
• sister: The Hebrew 'achot (אֲחוֹת).
  • "sister": Refers to a direct blood sibling. The very close familial relationship is key to understanding this unique allowance.
• who is near to him: The Hebrew ha'kerova elav (הַקְּרֹובָה אֵלָיו).
  • "near to him": This phrase denotes more than mere physical proximity. It signifies a profound familial connection, implying direct dependency and a duty of care, often indicating a sister living within his household or under his immediate guardianship, thus lacking other male protectors like a father or husband.
• who has had no husband: The Hebrew lo hayeta le'ish (לֹא הָיְתָה לְאִישׁ).
  • "no husband": This clearly indicates her unmarried status. If she were married, her husband would be the primary responsible party for her burial and mourning rites, and the priest would not be expected to incur defilement. This emphasizes her singular dependence on her immediate male family.
• and no relations with a man: The Hebrew v'lo yada'ah ish (וְלֹא יְדָעָה אִישׁ).
  • "no relations with a man": This is a powerful, polite biblical idiom unequivocally confirming her absolute sexual innocence and unblemished virginity. It reinforces and clarifies the meaning of b'tulah, eliminating any ambiguity and highlighting her pure and unsullied status, which is central to the priest's permitted act of mourning and defilement.

Leviticus 21 3 Bonus section

The rigorous conditions laid out in this verse—specifically a virgin, unmarried sister who is near to him and has no prior sexual relations—serve to limit the scope of the exception, preventing its abuse and underscoring the solemnity of such a permission. This prevents the allowance from extending to cases where a sister might be considered "unclean" or less pure in the eyes of the law, further affirming the sacredness attached to untouched virginity within the Mosaic framework. This provision, allowing temporary impurity for compassionate reasons, also acts as a profound counter-example to any perception of the Levitical Law as impersonal or devoid of human warmth. Instead, it subtly teaches that genuine holiness does not extinguish the natural human capacity for love and sorrow but rather channels and sanctifies it within divine parameters.

Leviticus 21 3 Commentary

Leviticus 21:3 is a remarkable provision within the stringent priestly codes, demonstrating that God’s holy standards are always infused with profound compassion and an understanding of essential human and familial bonds. The general prohibition against a priest defiling himself for the dead highlights his consecration and constant readiness for holy service. However, the precise exception for a "virgin sister who is near to him, who has had no husband and no relations with a man" reveals a unique vulnerability. This specific sister would have been without a husband’s protection or her father’s care (as the brother would be assuming responsibility). Her untouched, pure status meant her passing before marriage represented not only the loss of a life but also the loss of potential descendants for the family line in that culture. The permission for a priest to incur ritual impurity in such a specific and grievous circumstance indicates that the divine law balances the high demand for holiness with a divine sensitivity to deep sorrow and responsibility for dependent kin. It highlights that familial piety, particularly towards the most defenseless, is upheld even within the context of strict ritual observance, reflecting a God who cares both for spiritual purity and human dignity.