Lévitique - Caput 21

Lévitique 21.1 dixit quoque Dominus ad Mosen loquere ad sacerdotes filios Aaron et dices eis ne contaminetur sacerdos in mortibus civium suorum Lévitique 21.2 nisi tantum in consanguineis ac propinquis id est super matre et patre et filio ac filia fratre quoque Lévitique 21.3 et sorore virgine quae non est nupta viro Lévitique 21.4 sed nec in principe populi sui contaminabitur Lévitique 21.5 non radent caput nec barbam neque in carnibus suis facient incisuras Lévitique 21.6 sancti erunt Deo suo et non polluent nomen eius incensum enim Domini et panes Dei sui offerunt et ideo sancti erunt Lévitique 21.7 scortum et vile prostibulum non ducet uxorem nec eam quae repudiata est a marito quia consecratus est Deo suo Lévitique 21.8 et panes propositionis offert sit ergo sanctus quia et ego sanctus sum Dominus qui sanctifico vos Lévitique 21.9 sacerdotis filia si deprehensa fuerit in stupro et violaverit nomen patris sui flammis exuretur Lévitique 21.10 pontifex id est sacerdos maximus inter fratres suos super cuius caput fusum est unctionis oleum et cuius manus in sacerdotio consecratae sunt vestitusque est sanctis vestibus caput suum non discoperiet vestimenta non scindet Lévitique 21.11 et ad omnem mortuum non ingredietur omnino super patre quoque suo et matre non contaminabitur Lévitique 21.12 nec egredietur de sanctis ne polluat sanctuarium Domini quia oleum sanctae unctionis Dei sui super eum est ego Dominus Lévitique 21.13 virginem ducet uxorem Lévitique 21.14 viduam et repudiatam et sordidam atque meretricem non accipiet sed puellam de populo suo Lévitique 21.15 ne commisceat stirpem generis sui vulgo gentis suae quia ego Dominus qui sanctifico eum Lévitique 21.16 locutusque est Dominus ad Mosen dicens Lévitique 21.17 loquere ad Aaron homo de semine tuo per familias qui habuerit maculam non offeret panes Deo suo Lévitique 21.18 nec accedet ad ministerium eius si caecus fuerit si claudus si vel parvo vel grandi et torto naso Lévitique 21.19 si fracto pede si manu Lévitique 21.20 si gibbus si lippus si albuginem habens in oculo si iugem scabiem si inpetiginem in corpore vel hirniosus Lévitique 21.21 omnis qui habuerit maculam de semine Aaron sacerdotis non accedet offerre hostias Domino nec panes Deo suo Lévitique 21.22 vescetur tamen panibus qui offeruntur in sanctuario Lévitique 21.23 ita dumtaxat ut intra velum non ingrediatur nec accedat ad altare quia maculam habet et contaminare non debet sanctuarium meum ego Dominus qui sanctifico eos Lévitique 21.24 locutus est ergo Moses ad Aaron et filios eius et ad omnem Israhel cuncta quae sibi fuerant imperata

Lévitique : Caput 21

The Sanctity of the Priesthood: A Call to Purity

Chapter 21 of the book of Leviticus presents precise and sacred regulations reserved for priests, highlighting the high standards God demands of His ministers. This text addresses essential themes such as personal purity, marital restrictions, and the physical qualifications necessary for priestly service. Emphasis is placed on the holiness required of those who draw near to God for the people.

These laws not only reflect the honor of the priestly office, but they also underscore the perfect priesthood of Christ, our High Priest. We invite you to explore five biblical passages that illustrate the relevance of these principles for spiritual leaders today.

Ezekiel 44:22

"They shall not marry widows or divorced women, but only virgin daughters from the descendants of the nation of Israel, or widows of priests." This verse highlights the marriage laws for priests, established in Leviticus 21, and shows their continuity in Ezekiel's vision for the future temple.

1 Peter 2:9

"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, the people of God, to declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." The Apostle Peter here applies the language of priestly holiness in Leviticus 21 to all believers, thus expanding the concept of priesthood to the entire Christian community.

Malachi 2:7

"For the lips of a priest should keep knowledge, and everyone should wait for instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts." This verse recalls the priests' responsibility to maintain holiness and teach the law, as set forth in Leviticus 21.

Hebrews 7:26

"For we need a high priest like this: holy, blameless, pure, separate from sinners, exalted above the heavens." The author of Hebrews uses the language of priestly holiness from Leviticus 21 to describe Jesus as our perfect high priest, thus embodying all the required qualities.

Titus 1:7-9

"The bishop must be blameless, as God's steward; neither arrogant, nor quarrelsome, nor a wine-lover, nor violent, nor greedy for dishonest gain. Rather, he must be hospitable, a lover of goodness, sensible, just, holy, self-controlled, and hold fast to the faithful message, in accordance with the teaching, so that he may be able to encourage others with sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it." The Apostle Paul adapts principles similar to those in Leviticus 21 to church leaders, thus reinforcing the concept of holiness in the Christian context.

As we examine these texts, we are invited to reflect on our own call to holiness and our responsibility as members of the royal priesthood. May God guide us in our pursuit of purity and devotion in service to our community and our faith.