Leviticus 21:13 - “‘He shall take a wife in her virginity.
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What does "Leviticus 21:13" mean?
Leviticus 21:13 is part of a section of the Torah that outlines the rules and restrictions for priests, specifically the High Priest. This verse deals with the type of woman the High Priest is permitted to marry. Let's break it down:
"He": Refers specifically to the High Priest.
"Shall take a wife": Indicates the High Priest is allowed to marry.
"In her virginity": This is the key part. It means the woman he marries must be a virgin; she must never have had sexual relations.
In essence, Leviticus 21:13 mandates that the High Priest must marry a virgin.
Why this restriction?
Scholars and commentators suggest several reasons for this requirement:
Purity and Holiness: The High Priest held the holiest office in Israel, representing the people before God. He was expected to maintain a high degree of purity and holiness in all aspects of his life. Marrying a virgin wife contributed to this perceived state of purity.
Unblemished Lineage: Ensuring the wife's virginity guaranteed the purity of the priestly lineage and prevented any questions about the paternity of his children, who would inherit the priestly duties.
Symbolic Representation: Some interpret the High Priest's marriage to a virgin as a symbolic representation of the relationship between God and Israel. A virgin wife could symbolize the unblemished and faithful relationship God desired with his people.
Maintaining the Prestige of the Priesthood: By setting such high standards for the High Priest, the priesthood's position of honor and respect in the community was maintained.
Important Considerations:
Context: It's crucial to understand this verse within the context of the entire Levitical code and the specific role of the High Priest in ancient Israelite society.
Historical and Cultural Differences: Our modern understanding of marriage and sexuality may differ significantly from the views held in ancient times.
Application Today: How this verse is interpreted and applied today varies among different religious traditions and individuals. Some may see it as a historical guideline relevant to the ancient priesthood but not directly applicable now. Others may find principles of purity and holiness that still resonate today.
Other Restrictions: It's also important to note that the High Priest had further restrictions on whom he could marry. He could not marry a widow, a divorcee, or a woman of questionable reputation.
In summary, Leviticus 21:13 states that the High Priest was required to marry a woman who was a virgin. This requirement was likely related to the desire to maintain the purity and holiness of the High Priest, ensure the unblemished lineage of the priesthood, and symbolize the ideal relationship between God and Israel.
Leviticus 21:13 - “‘He shall take a wife in her virginity.
What does "Leviticus 21:13" mean?
Leviticus 21:13 is part of a section of the Torah that outlines the rules and restrictions for priests, specifically the High Priest. This verse deals with the type of woman the High Priest is permitted to marry. Let's break it down:
"He": Refers specifically to the High Priest.
"Shall take a wife": Indicates the High Priest is allowed to marry.
"In her virginity": This is the key part. It means the woman he marries must be a virgin; she must never have had sexual relations.
In essence, Leviticus 21:13 mandates that the High Priest must marry a virgin.
Why this restriction?
Scholars and commentators suggest several reasons for this requirement:
Purity and Holiness: The High Priest held the holiest office in Israel, representing the people before God. He was expected to maintain a high degree of purity and holiness in all aspects of his life. Marrying a virgin wife contributed to this perceived state of purity.
Unblemished Lineage: Ensuring the wife's virginity guaranteed the purity of the priestly lineage and prevented any questions about the paternity of his children, who would inherit the priestly duties.
Symbolic Representation: Some interpret the High Priest's marriage to a virgin as a symbolic representation of the relationship between God and Israel. A virgin wife could symbolize the unblemished and faithful relationship God desired with his people.
Maintaining the Prestige of the Priesthood: By setting such high standards for the High Priest, the priesthood's position of honor and respect in the community was maintained.
Important Considerations:
Context: It's crucial to understand this verse within the context of the entire Levitical code and the specific role of the High Priest in ancient Israelite society.
Historical and Cultural Differences: Our modern understanding of marriage and sexuality may differ significantly from the views held in ancient times.
Application Today: How this verse is interpreted and applied today varies among different religious traditions and individuals. Some may see it as a historical guideline relevant to the ancient priesthood but not directly applicable now. Others may find principles of purity and holiness that still resonate today.
Other Restrictions: It's also important to note that the High Priest had further restrictions on whom he could marry. He could not marry a widow, a divorcee, or a woman of questionable reputation.
In summary, Leviticus 21:13 states that the High Priest was required to marry a woman who was a virgin. This requirement was likely related to the desire to maintain the purity and holiness of the High Priest, ensure the unblemished lineage of the priesthood, and symbolize the ideal relationship between God and Israel.