Leviticus 21:10-15

Leviticus 21:10-15

[10] And 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;  [11] Neither shall he go in  to any dead  body,  nor defile  himself for his father,  or for his mother;  [12] Neither 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.  [13] And he shall take  a wife  in her virginity.  [14] A widow,  or a divorced woman,  or profane,  or an harlot,  these shall he not take:  a virgin  of his own people  to wife.  [15] Neither shall he profane  his seed  among his people:  do sanctify  him.

What does Leviticus 21:10-15 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

It was inappropriate for the high priest to uncover his head in mourning since the holy oil had anointed it. He was not to tear his clothes either (cf. Matthew 26:65). He could not marry a widow or a foreigner, as the other priests could. He was not to abandon his duties to conduct other business temporarily. He was not to "profane his offspring" ( Leviticus 21:15) by marrying someone unsuitable to his position before God.