Leviticus 21:15
New International Version
so that he will not defile his offspring among his people. I am the LORD, who makes him holy.’”

New Living Translation
so that he will not dishonor his descendants among his clan, for I am the LORD who makes him holy.”

English Standard Version
that he may not profane his offspring among his people, for I am the LORD who sanctifies him.”

Berean Standard Bible
so that he does not defile his offspring among his people, for I am the LORD who sanctifies him.”

King James Bible
Neither shall he profane his seed among his people: for I the LORD do sanctify him.

New King James Version
Nor shall he profane his posterity among his people, for I the LORD sanctify him.’ ”

New American Standard Bible
so that he will not profane his children among his people; for I am the LORD who sanctifies him.’”

NASB 1995
so that he will not profane his offspring among his people; for I am the LORD who sanctifies him.’”

NASB 1977
that he may not profane his offspring among his people: for I am the LORD who sanctifies him.’”

Legacy Standard Bible
so that he will not profane his seed among his people; for I am Yahweh who makes him holy.’”

Amplified Bible
so that he will not profane or dishonor his children among his people; for I am the LORD who sanctifies the high priest.’”

Christian Standard Bible
so that he does not corrupt his bloodline among his people, for I am the LORD who sets him apart.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
so that he does not corrupt his bloodline among his people, for I am Yahweh who sets him apart.”

American Standard Version
And he shall not profane his seed among his people: for I am Jehovah who sanctifieth him.

Contemporary English Version
In this way, your descendants will be qualified to serve me. Remember--I am the LORD, and I have chosen you.

English Revised Version
And he shall not profane his seed among his people: for I am the LORD which sanctify him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He must not dishonor his children among his people because I, the LORD, set him apart as holy."

Good News Translation
Otherwise, his children, who ought to be holy, will be ritually unclean. I am the LORD and I have set him apart as the High Priest."

International Standard Version
"He is not to defile his children among his people, because I am the LORD, who sets him apart."

Majority Standard Bible
so that he does not defile his offspring among his people, for I am the LORD who sanctifies him.?

NET Bible
He must not profane his children among his people, for I am the LORD who sanctifies him.'"

New Heart English Bible
He shall not profane his offspring among his people: for I am the LORD who sanctifies him.'"

Webster's Bible Translation
Neither shall he profane his seed among his people: for I the LORD do sanctify him.

World English Bible
He shall not profane his offspring among his people, for I am Yahweh who sanctifies him.’”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he does not defile his seed among his people; for I [am] YHWH, sanctifying him.”

Young's Literal Translation
and he doth not pollute his seed among his people; for I am Jehovah, sanctifying him.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And he shall not profane his seed among his people; for I Jehovah consecrating him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
He shall not mingle the stock of his kindred with the common people of his nation: for I am the Lord who sanctify him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
He shall not mingle the stock of his family with the common people of his nation. For I am the Lord, who sanctifies him.

New American Bible
so that he not profane his offspring among his kindred. I, the LORD, make him holy.

New Revised Standard Version
that he may not profane his offspring among his kin; for I am the LORD; I sanctify him.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Neither shall he profane his descendants among his people; for I am the LORD who sanctifies him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he shall not defile his seed with his people, because I AM LORD JEHOVAH Who hallows him."
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he shall not profane his seed among his people; for I am the LORD who sanctify him.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he shall not profane his seed among his people: I am the Lord that sanctifies him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Holiness Required of Priests
14He is not to marry a widow, a divorced woman, or one defiled by prostitution. He is to marry a virgin from his own people, 15so that he does not defile his offspring among his people, for I am the LORD who sanctifies him.”

Cross References
Exodus 19:6
And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to speak to the Israelites.”

1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Deuteronomy 7:6
For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession out of all peoples on the face of the earth.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; / you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.

1 Thessalonians 4:7
For God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness.

Hebrews 12:14
Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.

1 Timothy 3:2
An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

1 Timothy 3:12
A deacon must be the husband of but one wife, a good manager of his children and of his own household.

2 Corinthians 6:17
“Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”

Ephesians 5:27
and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless.

Numbers 6:2-8
“Speak to the Israelites and tell them that if a man or woman makes a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to the LORD, / he is to abstain from wine and strong drink. He must not drink vinegar made from wine or strong drink, and he must not drink any grape juice or eat fresh grapes or raisins. / All the days of his separation, he is not to eat anything that comes from the grapevine, not even the seeds or skins. ...

Malachi 2:15
Has not the LORD made them one, having a portion of the Spirit? And why one? Because He seeks godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith with the wife of your youth.

1 Corinthians 7:14
For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his believing wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy.

1 Corinthians 9:13
Do you not know that those who work in the temple eat of its food, and those who serve at the altar partake of its offerings?

1 Peter 1:15-16
But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, / for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”


Treasury of Scripture

Neither shall he profane his seed among his people: for I the LORD do sanctify him.

profane

Genesis 18:19
For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

Ezra 2:62
These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.

Ezra 9:2
For they have taken of their daughters for themselves, and for their sons: so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the people of those lands: yea, the hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in this trespass.

for I the

Leviticus 21:8
Thou 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.

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Children Defile Hallow Holy Makes Offspring Peoples Pollute Sanctifies Sanctifieth Sanctify Sanctifying Seed Unclean
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Children Defile Hallow Holy Makes Offspring Peoples Pollute Sanctifies Sanctifieth Sanctify Sanctifying Seed Unclean
Leviticus 21
1. Of the priests' mourning
6. Of their holiness
7. Of their marriages
8. Of their estimation
9. Of the high priest's holiness
10. Of his marriage
13. The priests that have blemishes must not minister in the sanctuary














so that he does not defile his offspring among his people
This phrase emphasizes the importance of maintaining purity and holiness within the priestly lineage. In the context of Leviticus, the priests were set apart to serve God and were required to adhere to strict standards of conduct and purity. The defilement of offspring could refer to marrying someone who was not considered pure according to the Levitical laws, which could lead to a compromised priestly line. This reflects the broader biblical theme of holiness and separation from sin, as seen in passages like 1 Peter 1:16, "Be holy, because I am holy." The concern for purity among the people of Israel is a recurring theme, highlighting the need for a community that reflects God's holiness.

for I am the LORD who sanctifies him.
This phrase underscores the divine authority and role of God in the sanctification process. The sanctification of the priests was not merely a result of their adherence to the law but was ultimately an act of God. This reflects the broader biblical principle that holiness and sanctification are gifts from God, as seen in passages like Hebrews 10:10, "And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." The phrase also points to the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where God sets apart His people for His purposes. The sanctification of the priests serves as a type of Christ, who is the ultimate High Priest, sanctifying believers through His sacrifice.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Priests
The primary focus of Leviticus 21 is on the priests, specifically the high priest, who is held to a higher standard of holiness due to his role in mediating between God and the people.

2. The Offspring
The verse refers to the offspring of the priests, emphasizing the importance of maintaining purity and holiness within the priestly lineage.

3. The LORD
God Himself is the one who sanctifies the priests, setting them apart for His service and requiring them to adhere to His standards of holiness.

4. The Israelites
The broader community among whom the priests serve and whose spiritual well-being is impacted by the priests' adherence to God's commands.

5. The Tabernacle
The central place of worship where the priests perform their duties, symbolizing God's presence among His people.
Teaching Points
Holiness in Leadership
Leaders in the church are called to a higher standard of holiness, reflecting God's character to those they lead.

Generational Impact
The spiritual integrity of leaders affects not only their immediate ministry but also future generations.

God's Sanctification
It is God who sanctifies and sets apart His people for His purposes. Our role is to respond in obedience to His call.

Community Responsibility
The holiness of leaders impacts the entire community, underscoring the importance of accountability and support within the body of Christ.

Christ as Our High Priest
Jesus fulfills the role of the perfect high priest, and through Him, we are called to live lives of holiness and service.(15) Neither shall he profane his seed.--Better, And he shall not profane; that is, he is not to contract any of these forbidden marriages, lest he should thereby degrade his offspring, since the children of such an issue, as well as their mother, were debarred the privileges of the priesthood, and were not permitted to partake of those portions of the sacrifices which formed the perquisites of the officiating priests.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
so that he does not
וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

defile
יְחַלֵּ֥ל (yə·ḥal·lêl)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2490: To bore, to wound, to dissolve, to profane, to break, to begin, to play

his offspring
זַרְע֖וֹ (zar·‘ōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2233: Seed, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

among his people,
בְּעַמָּ֑יו (bə·‘am·māw)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

for
כִּ֛י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I
אֲנִ֥י (’ă·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

am the LORD
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH

who sanctifies him.’”
מְקַדְּשֽׁוֹ׃ (mə·qad·də·šōw)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6942: To be set apart or consecrated


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OT Law: Leviticus 21:15 He shall not profane his seed among (Le Lv Lev.)
Leviticus 21:14
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