Leviticus 21:21
New International Version
No descendant of Aaron the priest who has any defect is to come near to present the food offerings to the LORD. He has a defect; he must not come near to offer the food of his God.

New Living Translation
No descendant of Aaron who has a defect may approach the altar to present special gifts to the LORD. Since he has a defect, he may not approach the altar to offer food to his God.

English Standard Version
No man of the offspring of Aaron the priest who has a blemish shall come near to offer the LORD’s food offerings; since he has a blemish, he shall not come near to offer the bread of his God.

Berean Standard Bible
No descendant of Aaron the priest who has a defect shall approach to present the offerings made by fire to the LORD. Since he has a defect, he is not to come near to offer the food of his God.

King James Bible
No 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.

New King James Version
No man of the descendants of Aaron the priest, who has a defect, shall come near to offer the offerings made by fire to the LORD. He has a defect; he shall not come near to offer the bread of his God.

New American Standard Bible
No man among the descendants of Aaron the priest who has an impairment is to come forward to offer the LORD’S offerings by fire; since he has an impairment, he shall not come forward to offer the food of his God.

NASB 1995
No man among the descendants of Aaron the priest who has a defect is to come near to offer the LORD’S offerings by fire; since he has a defect, he shall not come near to offer the food of his God.

NASB 1977
‘No man among the descendants of Aaron the priest, who has a defect, is to come near to offer the LORD’S offerings by fire; since he has a defect, he shall not come near to offer the bread of his God.

Legacy Standard Bible
No man among the seed of Aaron the priest who has a defect shall approach to bring near the offerings to Yahweh by fire; since he has a defect, he shall not approach to bring near the food of his God.

Amplified Bible
No man among the descendants of Aaron the priest who has a [physical] defect and is disfigured or deformed is to approach [the altar] to present the offerings of the LORD by fire. He has a defect; he shall not approach [the altar] to present the food of his God.

Christian Standard Bible
No descendant of the priest Aaron who has a defect is to come near to present the food offerings to the LORD. He has a defect and is not to come near to present the food of his God.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
No descendant of Aaron the priest who has a defect is to come near to present the fire offerings to the LORD. He has a defect and is not to come near to present the food of his God.

American Standard Version
no man of the seed of Aaron the priest, that hath a blemish, shall come nigh to offer the offerings of Jehovah made by fire: he hath a blemish; he shall not come nigh to offer the bread of his God.

Contemporary English Version
These men may not serve as my priests and burn sacrifices to me.

English Revised Version
no 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If a descendant of the priest Aaron has a physical defect, he must never bring sacrifices by fire to the LORD. He has a defect. He must never bring food to offer to God.

Good News Translation
No descendant of Aaron the priest who has any physical defects may present the food offering to me.

International Standard Version
None of the descendants of Aaron the priest who has a defect is to approach to bring offerings of the LORD made by fire, since he has a defect. He is not to approach to offer the food of his God.

Majority Standard Bible
No descendant of Aaron the priest who has a defect shall approach to present the offerings made by fire to the LORD. Since he has a defect, he is not to come near to offer the food of his God.

NET Bible
No man from the descendants of Aaron the priest who has a physical flaw may step forward to present the LORD's gifts; he has a physical flaw, so he must not step forward to present the food of his God.

New Heart English Bible
no man of the descendants of Aaron the priest, who has a blemish, shall come near to present offerings to your God made by fire. Since he has a blemish, he shall not come near to offer the bread of his God.

Webster's Bible Translation
No 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.

World English Bible
No man of the offspring of Aaron the priest who has a defect shall come near to offer the offerings of Yahweh made by fire. Since he has a defect, he shall not come near to offer the bread of his God.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
No man in whom is blemish (of the seed of Aaron the priest) comes near to bring the fire-offerings of YHWH near; blemish [is] in him; he does not come near to bring the bread of his God near.

Young's Literal Translation
No man in whom is blemish (of the seed of Aaron the priest) doth come nigh to bring near the fire-offerings of Jehovah; blemish is in him; the bread of his God he doth not come nigh to bring near.

Smith's Literal Translation
Any man to whom in him a blemish from the seed of Aaron the priest, shall not come near to bring the sacrifices of Jehovah: a blemish is in him, the bread of his God he shall not come near to bring.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Whosoever of the seed of Aaron the priest hath a blemish, he shall not approach to offer sacrifices to the Lord, nor bread to his God.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Anyone from the offspring of Aaron, the priest, who has a blemish, shall not approach to offer sacrifices to the Lord, nor the bread to his God.

New American Bible
No descendant of Aaron the priest who has any such blemish may draw near to offer the oblations of the LORD; on account of his blemish he may not draw near to offer the food of his God.

New Revised Standard Version
No descendant of Aaron the priest who has a blemish shall come near to offer the LORD’s offerings by fire; since he has a blemish, he shall not come near to offer the food of his God.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
No man of the descendants of Aaron the priest who has a blemish shall come near to offer the offerings of the LORD made by fire; for he has a blemish; he shall not come near to offer the bread of his God.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
No man who has a defect in him of the seed of Ahron the Priest shall come near to offer the offering of LORD JEHOVAH, because of that blemish in him; he shall not come to offer the bread of his God.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
no 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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Whoever 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.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Restrictions Against Those with Blemishes
20or who is a hunchback or dwarf, or who has an eye defect, a festering rash, scabs, or a crushed testicle. 21No descendant of Aaron the priest who has a defect shall approach to present the offerings made by fire to the LORD. Since he has a defect, he is not to come near to offer the food of his God. 22He may eat the most holy food of his God as well as the holy food,…

Cross References
Leviticus 22:20-25
You must not present anything with a defect, because it will not be accepted on your behalf. / When a man presents a peace offering to the LORD from the herd or flock to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering, it must be without blemish or defect to be acceptable. / You are not to present to the LORD any animal that is blind, injured, or maimed, or anything with a running sore, a festering rash, or a scab; you must not put any of these on the altar as a food offering to the LORD. ...

Deuteronomy 15:21
But if an animal has a defect, is lame or blind, or has any serious flaw, you must not sacrifice it to the LORD your God.

Malachi 1:8
When you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is it not wrong? And when you present the lame and sick ones, is it not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you or show you favor?” asks the LORD of Hosts.

Malachi 1:14
“But cursed is the deceiver who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but sacrifices a defective animal to the Lord. For I am a great King,” says the LORD of Hosts, “and My name is to be feared among the nations.

Hebrews 7:26-28
Such a high priest truly befits us—One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. / Unlike the other high priests, He does not need to offer daily sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people; He sacrificed for sin once for all when He offered up Himself. / For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.

1 Peter 1:19
but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.

Numbers 18:19
All the holy offerings that the Israelites present to the LORD I give to you and to your sons and daughters as a permanent statute. It is a permanent covenant of salt before the LORD for you and your offspring.”

Deuteronomy 17:1
You shall not sacrifice to the LORD your God an ox or a sheep with any defect or serious flaw, for that is detestable to the LORD your God.

Isaiah 56:7
I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations.”

Ezekiel 44:22-23
And they shall not marry a widow or a divorced woman, but must marry a virgin of the descendants of the house of Israel, or a widow of a priest. / They are to teach My people the difference between the holy and the common and show them how to discern between the clean and the unclean.

Matthew 5:48
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

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 3:8-10
Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued or given to much wine or greedy for money. / They must hold to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. / Additionally, they must first be tested. Then, if they are above reproach, let them serve as deacons.

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.

Titus 1:6-7
An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, having children who are believers and who are not open to accusation of indiscretion or insubordination. / As God’s steward, an overseer must be above reproach—not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money.


Treasury of Scripture

No man that has a blemish of the seed of Aaron the priest shall come near to offer the offerings of the LORD made by fire: he has a blemish; he shall not come near to offer the bread of his God.

to offer

Leviticus 21:6,8,17
They 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…

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Aaron Blemish Body Bread Damaged Defect Descendant Fire Food Nigh Offer Offerings Offspring Present Priest Seed Way
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Aaron Blemish Body Bread Damaged Defect Descendant Fire Food Nigh Offer Offerings Offspring Present Priest Seed Way
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














No descendant of Aaron the priest
This phrase establishes the lineage and the sacred duty of the Aaronic priesthood. Aaron, the brother of Moses, was chosen by God to be the first high priest, and his descendants were set apart for priestly duties. The Hebrew word for "descendant" is "zera," meaning seed or offspring, emphasizing the continuity of the priestly line. This lineage was crucial for maintaining the sanctity and order of worship in Israel, as the priests were mediators between God and the people.

who has a physical defect
The Hebrew term for "physical defect" is "mum," which refers to any blemish or imperfection. In the ancient Near Eastern context, physical wholeness was often seen as a reflection of spiritual and ritual purity. The requirement for priests to be without defect underscores the holiness and perfection expected in those who serve before God. It also symbolizes the perfection of God Himself and the ultimate perfection found in Christ, the sinless High Priest.

may approach to present the food offerings to the LORD
The phrase "may approach" is derived from the Hebrew "qarab," meaning to come near or draw close. This verb is often used in the context of worship and sacrifice, highlighting the intimate and sacred act of offering gifts to God. The "food offerings" refer to the sacrifices made on the altar, which were a central part of Israelite worship. These offerings were not just physical sustenance but symbolized the people's devotion and obedience to God.

He has a defect
Reiterating the condition of having a "mum," this phrase emphasizes the importance of purity and perfection in the service of God. The repetition serves as a reminder of the high standards set for those who minister in the holy place. It reflects the broader biblical theme that God is holy and those who serve Him must strive for holiness.

he must not approach to offer the food of his God
This prohibition is a direct command, underscoring the seriousness of maintaining the sanctity of the priestly office. The phrase "the food of his God" indicates the offerings that were considered as sustenance for the divine presence, symbolizing God's provision and the covenant relationship between God and Israel. The restriction serves as a reminder of the reverence and respect due to God in worship, pointing to the ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who offers Himself as the perfect sacrifice.

(21) No man that hath a blemish.--The addition of this general remark to the twelve instances adduced in the preceding verses, shows that the cases in question were simply typical, and that it was left to the administrators of the Law, not only to decide the minute details and various stages of these cases, but also to determine whether other bodily infirmities are included or not in this summary statement. Hence, during the second Temple, the authorities registered no less than one hundred and forty-two defects which disqualify the priest for serving at the altar. There was a chamber in the court of the Temple in which the Sanhedrim examined all the priests prior to their being received into the staff of those who officiated in the sanctuary. At the conclusion of this periodical examination, all the priests were divided into two classes. Those who were pronounced physically disqualified "put on black garments, wrapped themselves up in black cloaks, and went away in silence"; whilst those who were declared qualified put on white garments and white cloaks, and forthwith joined their brethren to assist in the sacred office. They celebrated the day by giving a feast to all their friends, which they opened with the following benediction: "Blessed be the Lord! Blessed be He because no blemish hath been found in the seed of Aaron, the priest; and blessed be He because He hath chosen Aaron and his sons to stand and to serve before the Lord in His most holy sanctuary." Those priests who were declared physically unfit, were employed in the chamber for wood at the north-east of the court of the women, to select the proper wood for the altar, since any piece which was worm-eaten could not be burnt on it. (See Leviticus 1:7.)



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
No
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

descendant
מִזֶּ֙רַע֙ (miz·ze·ra‘)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2233: Seed, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

of Aaron
אַהֲרֹ֣ן (’a·hă·rōn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 175: Aaron -- an elder brother of Moses

the priest
הַכֹּהֵ֔ן (hak·kō·hên)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3548: Priest

who
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

has a defect
מ֗וּם (mūm)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3971: To stain, a blemish

shall approach
יִגַּ֔שׁ (yig·gaš)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5066: To draw near, approach

to present
לְהַקְרִ֖יב (lə·haq·rîḇ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7126: To come near, approach

the offerings made by fire
אִשֵּׁ֣י (’iš·šê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 801: A burnt-offering, a sacrifice

to the LORD.
יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

[Since] he has a defect,
מ֣וּם (mūm)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3971: To stain, a blemish

he is not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

to come near
יִגַּ֖שׁ (yig·gaš)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5066: To draw near, approach

to offer
לְהַקְרִֽיב׃ (lə·haq·rîḇ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7126: To come near, approach

the food
לֶ֣חֶם (le·ḥem)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3899: Food, bread, grain

of his God.
אֱלֹהָ֔יו (’ĕ·lō·hāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative


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OT Law: Leviticus 21:21 No man of the seed of Aaron (Le Lv Lev.)
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