Log inSign up

Leviticus 21 · a question people ask

Couldn't the high priest even mourn his own father?

In the text

The verses name what he must not do. He "shall not let the hair of his head hang loose, or tear his clothes" (21:10), and "He must not go in to any dead body, or defile himself for his father or for his mother" (21:11). Moses had said the same to Aaron and his sons when Nadab and Abihu died: "Don’t let the hair of your heads go loose, and don’t tear your clothes", and "let your brothers, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning" (Leviticus 10:6). Both times the anointing is the reason given for staying at the sanctuary. Then: "You shall not go out from the door of the Tent of Meeting, lest you die; for the anointing oil of the LORD is on you" (Leviticus 10:7). Here: "He shall not go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God; for the crown of the anointing oil of his God is upon him" (21:12). The verses don't speak of what he felt. The other priests could defile themselves for their nearest relatives (21:2-3).

The verses

“except for his relatives that are near to him: for his mother, for his father, for his son, for his daughter, for his brother, and for his virgin sister who is near to him, who has had no husband; for her he may defile himself.”
Leviticus 21:2-3 · World English Bible
““‘He who is the high priest among his brothers, upon whose head the anointing oil is poured, and who is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not let the hair of his head hang loose, or tear his clothes. He must not go in to any dead body, or defile himself for his father or for his mother. He shall not go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God; for the crown of the anointing oil of his God is upon him. I am the LORD.”
Leviticus 21:10-12 · World English Bible
“Moses said to Aaron, and to Eleazar and to Ithamar, his sons, “Don’t let the hair of your heads go loose, and don’t tear your clothes, so that you don’t die, and so that he will not be angry with all the congregation; but let your brothers, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which the LORD has kindled. You shall not go out from the door of the Tent of Meeting, lest you die; for the anointing oil of the LORD is on you.” They did according to the word of Moses.”
Leviticus 10:6-7 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Leviticus 21

Leviticus 21: Holy to their God

Leviticus 21 calls the offerings "the bread of their God" (21:6), and gives the priests who offer them rules of holiness, strictest for the anointed high priest, who could not defile himself even for his father (21:10-11). A son of Aaron with a defect could not offer, yet "He shall eat the bread of his God, both of the most holy, and of the holy" (21:22).

In Favor, questions like this come up right where they arise as you read, with the Hebrew and Greek behind the words and how the chapter leads to Jesus.

Start your free weekLeviticus 21 Bible study

First week free, then $10 a month per person

More questions about Leviticus 21

All questions about Leviticus →

The best way to learn the Bible

Favor opens up every chapter as you read.

Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.

  • Every chapter explains itself

    As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.

  • The Hebrew and Greek behind it

    Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.

  • Every page leads to Jesus

    Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.

  • Better together

    Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.

  1. 1

    Start your free week

    Sign up in a minute with your email.

  2. 2

    Read a few minutes a day

    Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.

  3. 3

    Bring your people, if you like

    Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person

Questions like this, in every chapter

The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.

There's a seat for you at the table.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions