Leviticus 21:5-9
Those who minister before God must reflect His holiness in both life and household.
5 “ ‘They shall not shave their heads or shave off the corners of their beards or make any cuttings in their flesh.
6 They shall be holy to their God, and not profane the name of their God, for they offer the offerings of Yahweh made by fire, the bread of their God. Therefore they shall be holy.
7 “ ‘They shall not marry a woman who is a prostitute, or profane. A priest shall not marry a woman divorced from her husband; for he is holy to his God.
8 Therefore you shall sanctify him, for he offers the bread of your God. He shall be holy to you, for I Yahweh, who sanctify you, am holy.
9 “ ‘The daughter of any priest, if she profanes herself by playing the prostitute, she profanes her father. She shall be burned with fire.
Those who minister before God must reflect His holiness in both life and household.
This passage commands priests to avoid pagan mourning practices and to maintain holiness in personal conduct and household life, especially regarding marriage and the conduct of their daughters.
Leviticus 21 continues the Holiness Code by narrowing the focus from all Israel to the sons of Aaron. Verses 1-4 regulated corpse defilement for ordinary priests. Verses 5-9 move from death-related mourning practices to bodily markings, marriage boundaries, and the priestly household. The chapter then proceeds to stricter requirements for the high priest and to priestly physical qualifications for sanctuary service.
Israel is being formed as a holy covenant people under the Sinai covenant, with the tabernacle at the center of worship and the Aaronic priesthood serving in consecrated mediation. The instructions are spoken through Moses to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and indirectly to Israel, who must recognize the sanctity of priestly service.
Priestly Holiness, Nearness to God, and the Sanctity of Those Who Offer the LORD's Food
Those who draw near to offer the LORD's food must bear heightened holiness, because priestly nearness to God requires purity in death contact, mourning, marriage, household order, bodily wholeness, and sanctuary approach.