Leviticus 21:14 - A widow, or one divorced, or a woman who has been defiled, or a prostitute, these he shall not marry: but a virgin of his own people shall he take as a wife.
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What does "Leviticus 21:14" mean?
Leviticus 21:14 is part of a larger section (Leviticus 21:1-15) outlining the specific rules of purity and marriage for priests in ancient Israel, particularly the high priest. To understand the verse, it's important to consider the context:
Context: Purity and Holiness of the Priesthood: The entire chapter focuses on maintaining the holiness and ritual purity of the priests. Priests acted as intermediaries between God and the people, so their lives were subject to stricter regulations to ensure they were ritually clean and set apart for sacred service.
Specific Restrictions on Marriage: Verse 14 further elaborates on the type of woman a priest, and especially the high priest, could marry. It prohibits marriage to a:
Widow: A woman whose husband has died.
Divorced Woman: A woman who has legally ended her marriage.
Defiled Woman: A woman who has been sexually violated (likely referring to non-consensual acts).
Prostitute: A woman who engages in sexual acts for payment.
Affirmative Requirement: Instead, the priest must marry a:
Virgin of His Own People: A woman who has never had sexual relations and who is from the same Israelite community.
Interpretation and Meaning:
Maintaining Purity of Lineage: The primary purpose is to ensure the purity of the priestly line. By marrying a virgin of Israelite descent, the priest preserves the integrity and holiness of his family and the priestly line.
Avoiding Association with Previous Relationships: Marrying a woman who had previous sexual relationships or who was previously married was seen as potentially compromising the priest's own purity and holiness. It might also introduce questions of inheritance and lineage.
Symbolic Significance: Some scholars believe that this restriction carries symbolic weight. The virgin bride may represent the purity and devotion that the priest himself should embody in his service to God.
Social Context: It's also important to consider the social context of the time. Women in ancient Israel often held a lower social status, and their purity and reputation were closely tied to their marriage prospects and the perceived honor of their families. These regulations reflect the prevailing social norms regarding women's roles and status.
In essence, Leviticus 21:14 is a specific instruction intended to safeguard the purity and integrity of the priesthood by restricting the types of women a priest could marry, emphasizing the importance of marrying a virgin of Israelite descent.
Leviticus 21:14 - A widow, or one divorced, or a woman who has been defiled, or a prostitute, these he shall not marry: but a virgin of his own people shall he take as a wife.
What does "Leviticus 21:14" mean?
Leviticus 21:14 is part of a larger section (Leviticus 21:1-15) outlining the specific rules of purity and marriage for priests in ancient Israel, particularly the high priest. To understand the verse, it's important to consider the context:
Context: Purity and Holiness of the Priesthood: The entire chapter focuses on maintaining the holiness and ritual purity of the priests. Priests acted as intermediaries between God and the people, so their lives were subject to stricter regulations to ensure they were ritually clean and set apart for sacred service.
Specific Restrictions on Marriage: Verse 14 further elaborates on the type of woman a priest, and especially the high priest, could marry. It prohibits marriage to a:
Widow: A woman whose husband has died.
Divorced Woman: A woman who has legally ended her marriage.
Defiled Woman: A woman who has been sexually violated (likely referring to non-consensual acts).
Prostitute: A woman who engages in sexual acts for payment.
Affirmative Requirement: Instead, the priest must marry a:
Virgin of His Own People: A woman who has never had sexual relations and who is from the same Israelite community.
Interpretation and Meaning:
Maintaining Purity of Lineage: The primary purpose is to ensure the purity of the priestly line. By marrying a virgin of Israelite descent, the priest preserves the integrity and holiness of his family and the priestly line.
Avoiding Association with Previous Relationships: Marrying a woman who had previous sexual relationships or who was previously married was seen as potentially compromising the priest's own purity and holiness. It might also introduce questions of inheritance and lineage.
Symbolic Significance: Some scholars believe that this restriction carries symbolic weight. The virgin bride may represent the purity and devotion that the priest himself should embody in his service to God.
Social Context: It's also important to consider the social context of the time. Women in ancient Israel often held a lower social status, and their purity and reputation were closely tied to their marriage prospects and the perceived honor of their families. These regulations reflect the prevailing social norms regarding women's roles and status.
In essence, Leviticus 21:14 is a specific instruction intended to safeguard the purity and integrity of the priesthood by restricting the types of women a priest could marry, emphasizing the importance of marrying a virgin of Israelite descent.