Topical Bible: Virgin: A Priest Could Marry Only A

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In the context of ancient Israelite society, the concept of virginity held significant religious and cultural importance, particularly concerning the marital requirements for priests. According to the Mosaic Law, priests were held to stringent standards regarding whom they could marry, reflecting their sacred role in the community and their service to God.

Biblical Mandate for Priestly Marriage:

The primary biblical reference concerning the marital requirements for priests is found in the book of Leviticus. Leviticus 21:13-14 states: "The woman he marries must be a virgin. He must not marry a widow, a divorced woman, or one defiled by prostitution, but only a virgin from his own people." This directive underscores the expectation that a priest's wife should be a virgin, emphasizing purity and the sanctity of the priestly office.

Symbolism and Significance:

The requirement for priests to marry virgins is deeply symbolic, reflecting the holiness and purity expected of those who serve in the temple. The priesthood was a sacred office, and the personal lives of priests were to mirror the sanctity of their duties. By marrying a virgin, a priest maintained the ritual purity necessary for his role, ensuring that his family life did not compromise his ability to perform sacred rites.

Cultural Context:

In ancient Israel, virginity was highly valued and often associated with honor and integrity. The expectation that a priest marry a virgin was consistent with broader societal norms that prized virginity as a virtue. This cultural context reinforced the religious mandate, as the priest's family was to be exemplary in both conduct and status.

Implications for the Priesthood:

The stipulation that a priest marry only a virgin had practical implications for the priesthood. It ensured that the priest's household remained free from associations that could be deemed impure or inappropriate. This requirement also served to protect the priestly lineage, as the purity of the family line was considered essential for maintaining the sanctity of the priestly office.

New Testament Perspective:

While the New Testament does not explicitly address the marital requirements for priests, the emphasis on purity and holiness continues. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, often speaks to the importance of moral integrity and the sanctity of marriage for all believers, reflecting the enduring value placed on these principles within the Christian tradition.

In summary, the requirement for priests to marry virgins in the Old Testament underscores the importance of purity and holiness in the service of God. This mandate reflects the broader cultural and religious values of ancient Israel, emphasizing the sanctity of the priestly office and the integrity of the family unit.

Nave's Topical Index

Leviticus 21:14
A widow, or a divorced woman, or profane, or an harlot, these shall he not take: but he shall take a virgin of his own people to wife.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

High Priest
... or that had been a harlot, but a virgin Israelitess. ... of the high priest, yet the
reader could easily imagine ... in the ceremonial dress of the high priest, and to ...
/.../conversion of a high priest into a christian worker/chapter iv high priest.htm

Mothers, Daughters, and Wives in Israel
... that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ ... The high-priest's bride was to
be a maid not older ... The fatal ease with which divorce could be obtained, and ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 9 mothers daughters and.htm

Excursus on the Marriage of the Clergy.
... the times, as sufficient other suitable men could not be ... marriage, shall remain under
anathema, and a virgin who had ... time it was permitted to a priest to lead ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/excursus on the marriage of.htm

Ancestors of the Blessed virgin
... extended to their descendants, to Anna and the Blessed Virgin. ... The priest then laid
something on the altar ... This was not, I could see, separate grains of incense ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/i ancestors of the blessed.htm

Canons and Monks
... obvious interests of the monks could allow no ... all dedicated to the Blessed Virgin
Mary, were ... definitely episcopal authority by instituting the parish priest. ...
/.../medley/the church and the empire/chapter v canons and monks.htm

From the Law Tertullian Comes to the Gospel He Begins with ...
... preaching Christ: one proclaiming a perfect priest; one exhibiting ... of a mother who
was both virgin, and wife ... in the sequel, where the apostle could better have ...
/.../tertullian/on monogamy/chapter viii from the law tertullian.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, "When Jesus had Finished These Sayings ...
... or being withdrawn from his senses; for how could he have ... because Thou art the Sacrifice;
the High Priest, because Thou ... but He is born of a Virgin, and this is ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxxvii on the words.htm

The Purification of Mary
... is not there, since He is with me', nor could I say ... Then I saw the Blessed Virgin
rise before the altar with ... And I saw a great angel in priest's vestments, with ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xvi the purification of mary.htm

Letter xii. Leo, Bishop of the City of Rome, to all the Bishops of ...
... any bishops have consecrated such an one priest as ought ... yet, if they persevere in
the virgin life, and ... was an adult layman before taking orders could not ipso ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/letter xii leo bishop of.htm

On the Sacrament of Penance
... Jesus Christ, the merits of the Blessed Virgin Mary and ... We must accept the penance
which the priest gives us ... account of poverty or something they could not help ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 17 on the sacrament.htm