Leviticus 21:4

21:3 And for his sister a virgin, that is nigh unto him, which hath had no husband; for her may he be defiled.

But he shall not defile himself, being a chief man among his people, to profane himself. he: or, being an husband among his people, he shall not defile himself for his wife, etc

KJV

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

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

21:5 They shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard, nor make any cuttings in their flesh.

What does Leviticus 21:4 mean?

Leviticus 21:4 is a verse in the book of Leviticus, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include טָמֵא (ṭâmêʼ), בַּעַל (baʻal), עַם (ʻam).

Hebrew interlinear

But

shall

not

defileטָמֵאṭâmêʼ/taw-may'/H2930to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)

himself,

being

chief

manבַּעַלbaʻal/bah'-al/H1167a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)

among

his

people,עַםʻam/am/H5971a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

profaneחָלַלchâlal/khaw-lal'/H2490properly, to bore, i.e. (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin (as if by an 'opening wedge'); to play (the flute)

himself.

he:

or,

being

husband

among

his

people,

shall

not

defile

himself

for

his

wife,

etc

Topics

Defilement High Priest, the Priests Sanctification Uncleanness

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Leviticus 21:4.

Ezekiel 23:38

Moreover this they have done unto me: they have defiled my sanctuary in the same day, and have profaned my sabbaths.

Frequently asked questions

What does Leviticus 21:4 say?

Leviticus 21:4 (King James Version) reads: "But he shall not defile himself, being a chief man among his people, to profane himself. he: or, being an husband among his people, he shall not defile himself for his wife, etc"

Is Leviticus 21:4 in the Old or New Testament?

Leviticus 21:4 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Leviticus.

Reflect

As you read Leviticus 21:4, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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