Leviticus 21 - Priesthood: Price and Priviledge

 

v1-9: Rules For Priests

Moses was asked to tell the priests, the sons of Aaron, that they shall always keep ceremonially clean. These includes:

a) They should not come into contact with a dead body or even be in the same room as the dead body or even walking over a grave. Except in the case of immediate family members, such as a priest’s mother, father, son, daughter, brother, or unmarried sister. For these close relatives, a priest could make himself unclean by participating in burial rites. Symbolically, death was seen as a result of sin, and thus, contact with the dead was considered defiling.  (v1-3)

In ESV, Leviticus 21:4 states, “He shall not make himself unclean as a husband among his people and so profane himself." However this does not mean he cannot marry as further verses indicate. In NIV, it says: "He must not make himself unclean for people related to him by marriage, and so defile himself," meaning that he should not be in the same room for people related to him by marriage to his family, including the brother or sister in-law. 

b) They should not shave their heads, shave off the edges or their beards and cut their bodies. These practices were linked to pagan customs and idolatry. For example, they would sometimes cut their bodies as a sign of mourning or to honor the dead. (v5)

c) They must not marry women who had committed prostitution or who are divorced. (v7) I suppose this includes women who had been convicted of fortification and adultery. 

d) If a priest's daughter defiles herself by becoming a prostitute, she disgrace her father, and must be burned in the fire.  This is so that priests should be honored by everyone, especially his own relatives. (v9)

God said they must be holy to their God, and not profane the name of their God, for they present the food offerings to the Lord (v6). And in v8, God ask them to consider priests as holy, because He is holy. Furthermore, it is God who had made them holy. All the rules prevent them from being defiled and unclean.

This seems to be related to when Jesus comes and died for us, to make us holy from God's point of view. 1 Peter 2:9 states: "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light"

v10-13: Rules for High Priest

v10-11 "The priest who is chief among his brothers, on whose head the anointing oil is poured and who has been consecrated to wear the garments, shall not let the hair of his head hang loose nor tear his clothes. 11He shall not go in to any dead bodies nor make himself unclean, even for his father or for his mother. "

a) He must not let his hair become "unkempt" (NIV) or "uncover his head" (NKJ) or tear his clothes. (v10)

Unlike the other priests who wear their sacred vestments only when they are in charge of specific rituals and duties in the sanctuary,  the High Priests always wear his priestly garments in public. He must keep his appearance dignified, as he is serving the Lord.  

This also speaks to Christians today who wear shorts, t-shirts and slippers to worship God. It is clear that God wants us to approach him in a dignified way. 

The High Priest only takes out his priestly garments only on Day of Atonement. On this solemn occasion, the High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies to sprinkle blood on the mercy seat. He would remove his outer garments and wear only the white linen breeches and coat. This emphasized purity and symbolized Christ’s sinless life.

As for tearing his clothes, Moses told Aaron the same thing when God took the lives of his 2 sons. In Lev 10:6 - “…Do not let the hair of your heads hang loose, and do not tear your clothes, lest you die, and wrath come upon all the congregation; …”.  

If the High Priests were to let his hair loose, he would have to take off his mitre on his head. The mitre is a distinctive headpiece made of fine linen and adorned with a gold plate inscribed with the words “Holy to the Lord” (Exodus 28:36). It symbolizes his consecration and sacred role in the worship of God.

"In fact, the very design of these garments takes into consideration a concern that they not tear. When God gives Moses the initial instruction about how the robes should be made He says the following:

“You shall make the robe of the ephod all of blue. It shall have an opening for the head in the middle of it, with a woven binding around the opening, like the opening in a garment, so that it may not tear. (Exodus 28:31-32 ESV)"   

(from: https://mathaytes.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-robes-of-caiaphas-matthew-2665.html)

There is no other time recorded in the Bible that the High Priest tore his clothing except when Caiaphas tore his garments in anger and hardness for the God who created him that was standing before him. (Matthew 26:60‭-‬65; Mark 14:55‭-‬64)  (Note: Ezra, who tore his clothes, as recorded in Ezra 9:3, was a priest and scribe, but he was not the high priest. Joshua, son of Jehozadak, was the High Priest at the time.)

Now what makes it really interesting is the fact that the robe of Jesus, the true high priest, is not torn. As John records regarding the soldiers who crucified Jesus, “They said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” This was to fulfill the Scripture (Psalm 22:18) which says, “They divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.”” (John 19:24 ESV)

(from: https://annointing.wordpress.com/2018/03/06/rent-in-two-to-knocking/)

b) He shall not go near any dead body, including of his father or mother. (v11)  The High Priest dedication to God far outweighs his dedication to his family. (Lev 10:6)

c) He shall not go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God. The consecration of the anointing oil of his God is upon him. The following words "I am the Lord" seems to indicate that God has chosen the high priest. (v12)  The prohibition against leaving the sanctuary is specifically during his sacred duties. It emphasizes his focus on sacred duties and his devotion to God's service.

d) He shall take a virgin as his wife. He cannot take widows, divorced woman, or defiled woman or harlot as his wife, "so that he will not defile his offspring among his people" (NIV, v14=15)

He is not to profane (dishonor or degrade) his offspring (children), which is why he should not marry  individuals who would bring disgrace to his children.

The reason behind this command is that God has set apart the high priest for His service, and His holiness should extend to the priest’s family.

e) Aaron's descendants who has defect cannot be a priest. No man who are blind or lame, disfigured or deformed, or crippled foot or hand, a hunchback or a dwarf, with eye defect, who has festering or running sores or damaged testicles. They cannot present the food offerings to the Lord as the will desecrate His sanctuary; however, they can eat the most holy food of his God. 

Conclusion

1 Peter 2:4,5,9 states: "As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ..... But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light"

A priest is an intermediary between God and the people. As God's priest we bridge pre-believers to Him, and we represent him as an ambassador to the world. 

Most of us are unable to represent him well; However, God doesn't need our abilities but our availabilities. Verses 8, 15 and 23 say that God elects us, entrusts the mission to us, and empowers us as His priests. 

If God did not sanctify the mission, then it is mission impossible 

Heb 4:14-16 - "So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most."

Heb 7: 23-28 - There were many priests under the old system, for death prevented them from remaining in office. 24But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. 25Therefore he is able, once and forever, to sav those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.

26He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven. 27Unlike those other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices every day. They did this for their own sins first and then for the sins of the people. But Jesus did this once for all when he offered himself as the sacrifice for the people’s sins. 

28The law appointed high priests who were limited by human weakness. But after the law was given, God appointed his Son with an oath, and his Son has been made the perfect High Priest forever.

Inevitably, we are failed priests, but we have a perfect High Priest, who is Jesus. He saved us from our sins, and is also our intermediary with God for our failures. We just need to follow what Jesus have done for the people - to humble ourselves and to love and serve the people, and to be the intermediary to Jesus.

Postscripts

In Hebrews chapters 4 to 7, several reasons are given for why Jesus’ priesthood surpasses that of the Aaronic priests:

1. Perfection and Completeness (Hebrews 7:11–12):

• The Levitical priesthood couldn’t bring people to perfection or completeness.
• Jesus, as a priest after the order of Melchizedek, provides a superior way.
• The Law was transitory, but Christ’s priesthood is permanent.

2. Different Tribe and Likeness of Melchizedek (Hebrews 7:13–15):

• Jesus is not from the tribe of Levi (like Aaronic priests) but from Judah.
• Moses never mentioned priesthood from Judah.
• Christ’s priesthood is in the likeness of Melchizedek.

3. Not Based on Fleshly Commandment (Hebrews 7:16):

• The Aaronic priesthood was based on the Mosaic Law.
• Christ’s priesthood transcends legal requirements.

4. Superior Sacrifice and Oath (Hebrews 7:18–22):

• Jesus offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice.
• His priesthood is confirmed by God’s oath.

5. Uninterrupted and Unchangeable (Hebrews 7:23–24):

• Aaronic priests died and were replaced.
• Jesus’ priesthood continues forever and is unchangeable.

In summary, Jesus’ priesthood is perfect, permanent, and superior to the Aaronic priesthood.

1. Melchizedek in Genesis (Genesis 14:18-20):

• Melchizedek was the king of Salem (later identified with Jerusalem) and a priest of God Most High.
• When Abraham returned from defeating kings, Melchizedek brought out bread and wine and blessed him.
• Abraham gave him a tenth of everything, signifying Melchizedek’s superiority.
• Melchizedek’s priesthood typified Christ’s High Priesthood, especially seen in the Eucharist (bread and wine).

2. Melchizedek in Psalm 110:

• Psalm 110 prophesies about the Melchizedek Priesthood of Jesus Christ.
• The Lord (the Father) invites Christ (both Man and Lord) to sit at His right hand.
• Christ’s priesthood is based on endless life, not genealogy.
• Melchizedek serves as a type of Christ, emphasizing His eternal priesthood.

In summary, Melchizedek represents the superior priesthood of Christ, based on righteousness and eternal life. His mysterious role points to Jesus as our ultimate High Priest.