What is the meaning of Leviticus 21:14? He is not to marry a widow • The command comes in the immediate context of Leviticus 21:10–15, where the high priest is called to the highest level of ceremonial purity. • Unlike ordinary priests (Leviticus 21:7) who could marry a widow, the high priest was barred, underscoring his unique role as mediator between a holy God and His people. • Ezekiel echoes this principle when describing future temple priests: “They shall not marry a widow or a divorced woman” (Ezekiel 44:22). • The standard points forward to the sinless High Priest, Jesus, “holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners” (Hebrews 7:26–27). a divorced woman • Divorce was allowed under certain circumstances in Israel (Deuteronomy 24:1–4), but the high priest’s calling required an unmarred covenant picture. • Malachi 2:14–16 portrays marriage as a covenant before God; a divorced union would cloud that sacred image. • Jesus affirmed the original design of marriage (Matthew 19:4–6). The high priest’s restriction visibly upheld that ideal before the nation. or one defiled by prostitution • Sexual immorality made a woman ceremonially “defiled” (Leviticus 19:29). Union with such a partner would symbolically import impurity into the sanctuary. • Proverbs warns that prostitution “leads down to death” (Proverbs 7:24–27). The high priest’s life, by contrast, was to model holiness and life. • Paul later urges believers, “Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ?” (1 Corinthians 6:15–20). The purity demanded of the high priest foreshadows the moral purity expected of every follower of Christ. He is to marry a virgin from his own people • Positive instruction balances the prohibitions: the high priest must wed “a virgin,” an untainted symbol of purity (Leviticus 21:13). • Limiting the choice to “his own people” preserved tribal inheritances (Numbers 36:6–9) and maintained covenant continuity. • The imagery anticipates Christ and the Church: “I promised you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:2; cf. Revelation 19:7–8). • By marrying a virgin, the high priest visibly affirmed God’s intent that His dwelling place—and His people—remain uncompromised by idolatry or immorality. summary Leviticus 21:14 sets a stricter marital standard for the high priest than for any other Israelite, emphasizing the absolute holiness of the office. Every restriction safeguards the sanctity of God’s dwelling, points forward to the flawless character of our ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ, and calls God’s people to personal purity in their covenant relationship with Him. |
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