Restrictions for the Priests

Leviticus 21

The Lord gives rules for the priests concerning mourning for the dead and marriage, sets stricter conduct for the high priest, and specifies that no descendant of Aaron with a physical blemish may serve at the altar, though he may still eat of the holy things.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonAGAIN the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and thou shalt say unto them, They must not defile themselves for the dead in their family,

BrentonAnd the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, Speak to the priests the sons of Aaron, and thou shalt tell them that they shall not defile themselves in their nation for the dead,

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν, λέγων, εἶπον τοῖς ἱερεύσι τοῖς υἱοῖς Ἀαρὼν, καὶ ἐρεῖς πρὸς αὐτούς, ἐν ταῖς ψυχαῖς οὐ μιανθήσονται ἐν τῷ ἔθνει αὐτῶν,

KJVAnd the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto the priests the sons of Aaron, and say unto them, There shall none be defiled for the dead among his people:

JPSAnd the LORD said unto Moses: Speak unto the priests the sons of Aaron, and say unto them: There shall none defile himself for the dead among his people;

Thomsonexcept only for their nearest of kin. For a father, or a mother, or for sons, or daughters, or for a brother,

Brentonbut they may mourn for a relative who is very near to them, for a father and mother, and sons and daughters, for a brother,

Greekἀλλʼ ἢ ἐν τῷ οἰκείῳ τῷ ἔγγιστα αὐτῶν, ἐπὶ πατρὶ καὶ μητρὶ, καὶ υἱοῖς, καὶ θυγατράσιν, ἐπʼ ἀδελφῷ,

KJVBut for his kin, that is near unto him, that is, for his mother, and for his father, and for his son, and for his daughter, and for his brother,

JPSexcept for his kin, that is near unto him, for his mother, and for his father, and for his son, and for his daughter, and for his brother;

Thomsonand for a virgin sister who dwelleth with him, and who hath not been betrothed to a husband; for these he may defile himself.

Brentonand for a virgin sister that is near to one, that is not espoused to a man; for these one shall defile himself.

Greekκαὶ ἐπʼ ἀδελφῇ παρθένῳ τῇ ἐγγιζούσῃ αὐτῷ, τῇ μὴ ἐκδεδομένῃ ἀνδρί, ἐπὶ τούτοις μιανθήσεται.

KJV—

JPSand for his sister a virgin, that is near unto him, that hath had no husband, for her may he defile himself.

ThomsonHe must not defile himself unexpectedly among his people, to occasion their defilement.

BrentonHe shall not defile himself suddenly among his people to profane himself.

GreekΟὐ μιανθήσεται ἐξάπινα ἐν τῷ λαῷ αὐτοῦ εἰς βεβήλωσιν αὐτοῦ.

KJVBut he shall not defile himself, being a chief man among his people, to profane himself.

JPSHe shall not defile himself, being a chief man among his people, to profane himself.

ThomsonYou shall not shave the head to make it bald, for the dead. Nor shall they shave their beard, nor make gashes in their flesh.

BrentonAnd ye shall not shave your head for the dead with a baldness on the top; and they shall not shave their beard, neither shall they make gashes on their flesh.

GreekΚαὶ φαλάκρωμα οὐ ξυρηθήσεσθε τὴν κεφαλὴν ἐπὶ νεκρῷ· καὶ τὴν ὄψιν τοῦ πώγωνος οὐ ξυρήσονται· καὶ ἐπὶ τὰς σάρκας αὐτῶν οὐ κατατεμοῦσιν ἐντομίδας.

KJVThey shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard, nor make any cuttings in their flesh.

JPSThey shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the corners of their beard, nor make any cuttings in their flesh.

ThomsonThey shall be consecrated to their God, and shall not profane the name of their God, for they are to offer up the sacrifices of the Lord—the gifts to their God; therefore they shall be holy.

BrentonThey shall be holy to their God, and they shall not profane the name of their God; for they offer the sacrifices of the Lord as the gifts of their God, and they shall be holy.

GreekἍγιοι ἔσονται τῷ Θεῷ αὐτῶν, καὶ οὐ βεβηλώσουσι τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ Θεοῦ αὐτῶν· τὰς γὰρ θυσίας Κυρίου δῶρα τοῦ Θεοῦ αὐτῶν αὐτοὶ προσφέρουσι, καὶ ἔσονται ἅγιοι.

KJVThey shall be holy unto their God, and not profane the name of their God: for the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and the bread of their God, they do offer: therefore they shall be holy.

JPSThey shall be holy unto their God, and not profane the name of their God; for the offerings of the LORD made by fire, the bread of their God, they do offer; therefore they shall be holy.

ThomsonThey shall not take to wife a harlot, nor a woman who hath been defiled, nor a woman divorced from her husband.

BrentonThey shall not take a woman who is a harlot and profaned, or a woman put away from her husband; for he is holy to the Lord his God.

GreekΓυναῖκα πόρνην καὶ βεβηλωμένην οὐ λήψονται, καὶ γυναῖκα ἐκβεβλημένην ἀπὸ ἀνδρὸς αὐτῆς, ὅτι ἅγιός ἐστι Κυρίῳ τῷ Θεῷ αὐτοῦ.

KJVThey shall not take a wife that is a whore, or profane; neither shall they take a woman put away from her husband: for he is holy unto his God.

JPSThey shall not take a woman that is a harlot, or profaned; neither shall they take a woman put away from her husband; for he is holy unto his God.

ThomsonBecause he [i.e. the priest] is consecrated to the Lord his God, therefore thou shalt hallow him. He offereth up the gifts of the Lord your God, he shall be hallowed. Because I the Lord am the holy one Who halloweth them,

BrentonAnd thou shalt hallow him; he offers the gifts of the Lord your God: he shall be holy, for I the Lord that sanctify them am holy.

GreekΚαὶ ἁγιάσεις αὐτόν· τὰ δῶρα Κυρίου τοῦ Θεοῦ ὑμῶν οὗτος προσφέρει, ἅγιος ἔσται· ὅτι ἅγιος ἐγὼ Κύριος ὁ ἁγιάζων αὐτούς.

KJVThou shalt sanctify him therefore; for he offereth the bread of thy God: he shall be holy unto thee: for I the LORD, which sanctify you, am holy.

JPSThou shalt sanctify him therefore; for he offereth the bread of thy God; he shall be holy unto thee; for I the LORD, who sanctify you, am holy.

Thomsontherefore if the daughter of a priest profane herself by whoredom, she profaneth the name of her father, she shall be burned with fire.

BrentonAnd if the daughter of a priest should be profaned to go a whoring, she profanes the name of her father: she shall be burnt with fire.

GreekΚαὶ θυγάτηρ ἀνθρώπου ἱερέως ἐὰν βεβηλωθῇ τοῦ ἐκπορνεύσαι, τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτῆς αὐτὴ βεβηλοῖ· ἐπὶ πυρὸς κατακαυθήσεται.

KJVAnd the daughter of any priest, if she profane herself by playing the whore, she profaneth her father: she shall be burnt with fire.

JPSAnd the daughter of any priest, if she profane herself by playing the harlot, she profaneth her father: she shall be burnt with fire.

ThomsonAnd with regard to the priest, who is great above his brethren, the oil of the anointed one having been poured on his head, and he having been consecrated to put on the garments, he must not take the tiara from his head, nor rend his garments,

BrentonAnd the priest that is chief among his brethren, the oil having been poured upon the head of the anointed one, and he having been consecrated to put on the garments, shall not take the mitre off his head, and shall not rend his garments:

GreekΚαὶ ὁ ἱερεὺς ὁ μέγας ἀπὸ τῶν ἀδελφῶν αὐτοῦ, τοῦ ἐπικεχυμένου ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν τοῦ ἐλαίου τοῦ χριστοῦ, καὶ τετελειωμένου ἐνδύσασθαι τὰ ἱμάτια, τὴν κεφαλὴν οὐκ ἀποκιδαρώσει, καὶ τὰ ἱμάτια οὐ διαῤῥήξει,

KJVAnd he that is the high priest among his brethren, upon whose head the anointing oil was poured, and that is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not uncover his head, nor rend his clothes;

JPSAnd the priest that is highest among his brethren, upon whose head the anointing oil is poured, and that is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not let the hair of his head go loose, nor rend his clothes;

Thomsonnor go near any dead person, nor defile himself for his father, nor for his mother, nor go out of the holy places,

Brentonneither shall he go in to any dead body, neither shall he defile himself for his father or his mother.

Greekκαὶ ἐπὶ πάσῃ ψυχῇ τετελευτηκυίᾳ οὐκ εἰσελεύσεται, ἐπὶ πατρὶ αὐτοῦ οὐδὲ ἐπὶ μητρὶ αὐτοῦ οὐ μιανθήσεται.

KJVNeither shall he go in to any dead body, nor defile himself for his father, or for his mother;

JPSneither shall he go in to any dead body, nor defile himself for his father, or for his mother;

Thomsonnor defile the sanctuary of his God; because the holy oil, the anointing of his God, is upon him. I am the Lord.

BrentonAnd he shall not go forth out of the sanctuary, and he shall not profane the sanctuary of his God, because the holy anointing oil of God is upon him: I am the Lord.

GreekΚαὶ ἐκ τῶν ἁγίων οὐκ ἐξελεύσεται, καὶ οὐ βεβηλώσει τὸ ἡγιασμένον τοῦ Θεοῦ αὐτοῦ, ὅτι τὸ ἅγιον ἔλαιον τὸ χριστὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐπʼ αὐτῷ· ἐγὼ Κύριος.

KJVNeither shall he 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.

JPSneither shall he go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God; for the consecration of the anointing oil of his God is upon him: I am the LORD.

ThomsonHe shall take to wife a virgin of his own family.

BrentonHe shall take for a wife a virgin of his own tribe.

GreekΟὗτος γυναῖκα παρθένον ἐκ τοῦ γένους αὐτοῦ λήψεται.

KJVAnd he shall take a wife in her virginity.

JPSAnd he shall take a wife in her virginity.

ThomsonA widow, or a woman divorced or defiled, or a harlot, these he shall not take. He shall take none to wife, but a virgin of his own tribe;

BrentonBut a widow, or one that is put away, or profaned, or a harlot, these he shall not take; but he shall take for a wife a virgin of his own people.

GreekΧήραν δὲ καὶ ἐκβεβλημένην καὶ βεβηλωμένην καὶ πόρνην, ταύτας οὐ λήψεται, ἀλλʼ ἢ παρθένον ἐκ τοῦ λαοῦ αὐτοῦ λήψεται γυναῖκα.

KJVA widow, or a divorced woman, or profane, or an harlot, these shall he not take: but he shall take a virgin of his own people to wife.

JPSA widow, or one divorced, or a profaned woman, or a harlot, these shall he not take; but a virgin of his own people shall he take to wife.

Thomsonand he shall not profane his seed among his people. It is I the Lord who hallow him.

BrentonAnd he shall not profane his seed among his people: I am the Lord that sanctifies him.

GreekΚαὶ οὐ βεβηλώσει τὸ σπέρμα αὐτοῦ ἐν τῷ λαῷ αὐτοῦ· ἐγὼ Κύριος ὁ ἁγιάζων αὐτόν.

KJVNeither shall he profane his seed among his people: for I the LORD do sanctify him.

JPSAnd he shall not profane his seed among his people; for I am the LORD who sanctify him.

ThomsonMoreover the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,

BrentonAnd the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,

GreekΚαὶ ἐλάλησε Κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν, λέγων,

KJVAnd the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

JPSAnd the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying:

ThomsonSay to Aaron, be the man who he may of thy family, throughout your generations, who hath any blemish about him, he shall not come near to present the gifts of his God.

BrentonSay to Aaron, A man of thy tribe throughout your generations, who shall have a blemish on him, shall not draw nigh to offer the gifts of his God.

Greekεἶπον Ἀαρὼν, ἄνθρωπος ἐκ τοῦ γένους σου εἰς τὰς γενεὰς ὑμῶν, τινὶ ἐὰν ᾖ ἐν αὐτῷ μῶμος, οὐ προσελεύσεται προσφέρειν τὰ δῶρα τοῦ Θεοῦ αὐτοῦ.

KJVSpeak unto Aaron, saying, Whosoever he be of thy seed in their generations that hath any blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God.

JPSSpeak unto Aaron, saying: Whosoever he be of thy seed throughout their generations that hath a blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God.

ThomsonNo man who hath any blemish, who is blind, or lame, or hath a hare lip, or a slit ear; nor any man who hath a contortion in the hand,

BrentonNo man who has a blemish on him shall draw nigh; a man lame, blind, with his nose disfigured, or his ears cut,

Greekπᾶς ἄνθρωπος ᾧ ἐστιν ἐν αὐτῷ μῶμος, οὐ προσελεύσεται· ἄνθρωπος τυφλὸς.

KJVFor whatsoever man he be that hath a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man, or a lame, or he that hath a flat nose, or any thing superfluous,

JPSFor whatsoever man he be that hath a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man, or a lame, or he that hath any thing maimed, or anything too long,

Thomsonor a splay foot,

Brentona man who has a broken hand or a broken foot,

Greekἢ χωλὸς, ἢ κολοβόριν, ἢ ὠτότμητος, ἢ ἄνθρωπος ᾧ ἂν ᾖ ἐν αὐτῳ σύντριμμα χειρὸς, ἢ σύντριμμα ποδὸς,

KJVOr a man that is brokenfooted, or brokenhanded,

JPSor a man that is broken-footed, or broken-handed,

Thomsonor who is humpbacked, or dim-sighted, or blear-eyed, nor any man who hath the scurvy, or the itch, or a rupture—

Brentonor hump-backed, or blear-eyed, or that has lost his eye-lashes, or a man who has a malignant ulcer, or tetter, or one that has lost a testicle.

Greekἢ κυρτὸς, ἢ ἔφηλος, ἢ πτίλλος τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς, ἢ ἄνθρωπος ᾧ ἂν ᾖ ἐν αὐτῷ ψώρα ἀγρία, ἢ λειχὴν, ἢ μονόρχις.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonNo person of the seed of Aaron the priest, who hath any blemish about him, shall come near to offer the sacrifices of thy God. Because he hath a blemish he shall not come near to offer the gifts of God.

BrentonWhoever of the seed of Aaron the priest has a blemish on him, shall not draw nigh to offer sacrifices to thy God, because he has a blemish on him; he shall not draw nigh to offer the gifts of God.

GreekΠᾶς ᾧ ἐστιν ἐν αὐτῷ μῶμος, ἐκ τοῦ σπέρματος Ἀαρὼν τοῦ ἱερέως, οὐκ ἐγγιεῖ τοῦ προσενεγκεῖν τὰς θυσίας τῷ Θεῷ σου, ὅτι μῶμος ἐν αὐτῷ· τὰ δῶρα τοῦ Θεοῦ οὐ προσελεύσεται προσενεγκεῖν.

KJVNo man that hath a blemish of the seed of Aaron the priest shall come nigh to offer the offerings of the LORD made by fire: he hath a blemish; he shall not come nigh to offer the bread of his God.

JPSno man of the seed of Aaron the priest, that hath a blemish, shall come nigh to offer the offerings of the LORD made by fire; he hath a blemish; he shall not come nigh to offer the bread of his God.

ThomsonWith regard to the gifts of God, even the most holy, of these he may eat,

BrentonThe gifts of God are most holy, and he shall eat of the holy things.

GreekΤὰ δῶρα τοῦ Θεοῦ τὰ ἅγια τῶν ἁγίων, καὶ ἀπὸ τῶν ἁγίων φάγεται.

KJVHe shall eat the bread of his God, both of the most holy, and of the holy.

JPSHe may eat the bread of his God, both of the most holy, and of the holy.

Thomsonbut he shall not approach to the veil, nor come near to the altar, because he hath a blemish. And he shall not profane the sanctuary of his God, because I am the Lord who halloweth them.

BrentonOnly he shall not approach the veil, and he shall not draw nigh to the altar, because he has a blemish; and he shall not profane the sanctuary of his God, for I am the Lord that sanctifies them.

GreekΠλὴν πρὸς τὸ καταπέτασμα οὐ προσελεύσεται, καὶ πρὸς τὸ θυσιαστήριον οὐκ ἐγγιεῖ, ὅτι μῶμον ἔχει· καὶ οὐ βεβηλώσει τὸ ἅγιον τοῦ Θεοῦ αὐτοῦ, ὅτι ἐγώ εἰμι Κύριος ὁ ἁγιάζων αὐτούς.

KJVOnly he shall not go in unto the vail, nor come nigh unto the altar, because he hath a blemish; that he profane not my sanctuaries: for I the LORD do sanctify them.

JPSOnly he shall not go in unto the veil, nor come nigh unto the altar, because he hath a blemish; that he profane not My holy places; for I am the LORD who sanctify them.

ThomsonAnd Moses spoke to Aaron and his sons, and to all the children of Israel.

BrentonAnd Moses spoke to Aaron and his sons, and to all the children of Israel.

GreekΚαὶ ἐλάλησε Μωυσῆς πρὸς Ἀαρὼν καὶ τοὺς υἱοὺς αὐτοῦ, καὶ πρὸς πάντας υἱοὺς Ἱσραήλ.

KJVAnd Moses told it unto Aaron, and to his sons, and unto all the children of Israel.

JPSSo Moses spoke unto Aaron, and to his sons, and unto all the children of Israel.