What is the meaning of Leviticus 21:4?

He is not to defile himself

• “Defile” speaks of ritual uncleanness that came from touching a dead body (Leviticus 21:1; Numbers 19:11).

• The priest’s calling was to “distinguish between the holy and the common” (Leviticus 10:10). If he became unclean, he was barred from tabernacle service until purified, disrupting Israel’s worship.

• God presents Himself as holy and requires those who draw near to reflect that holiness (Leviticus 11:44; 1 Peter 1:15-16). So the priest’s personal life directly affected the nation’s ability to approach God.

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for those related to him by marriage

• Verses 2-3 list close blood relatives (mother, father, son, daughter, brother, unmarried sister) for whom the priest may attend a funeral. The phrase in verse 4 widens the circle to relatives by marriage—his wife’s family, married sisters, extended kin.

• The restriction guards the priest from constant ceremonial impurity caused by the larger clan. Israel’s family networks were extensive; without limits, a priest could be excluded from service for long stretches.

• By allowing exceptions only for immediate blood family, God shows compassion yet preserves the priest’s primary duty: representing the people before Him (Hebrews 5:1).

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and so profane himself

• “Profane” contrasts with “holy.” To profane himself was to treat sacred service as common, lowering God’s set-apart standards (Leviticus 21:6; Ezekiel 44:23).

• The priest bore God’s name publicly (Leviticus 22:2). Any careless uncleanness could misrepresent God to the people.

• This points forward to our High Priest, Jesus, “holy, innocent, undefiled” (Hebrews 7:26). His perfect purity fulfills what Levitical priests only illustrated.

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summary

Leviticus 21:4 restricts a priest from funeral contact with relatives gained through marriage to prevent unnecessary ritual defilement. God balances family compassion with the priest’s higher calling to remain holy for tabernacle ministry. The verse underscores God’s holiness, the seriousness of priestly service, and ultimately foreshadows Christ’s flawless, eternal priesthood.