Topical Bible: Defilement: Priests: Specially Required to Avoid

◄ Defilement: Priests: Specially Required to Avoid ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the Old Testament, the concept of defilement is closely associated with the purity laws given to the Israelites, particularly concerning the Levitical priesthood. Priests, as mediators between God and the people, were held to stringent standards of holiness and purity. The laws regarding defilement were designed to maintain the sanctity of the priesthood and the tabernacle, where God's presence dwelled.

Biblical Basis

The primary source for understanding the requirements for priests to avoid defilement is found in the book of Leviticus. Leviticus 21 outlines specific prohibitions and instructions for priests to maintain their ceremonial purity. The chapter begins with a direct command from the LORD to Moses: "Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and tell them: A priest must not make himself ceremonially unclean for a dead person among his people" (Leviticus 21:1). This prohibition underscores the importance of avoiding contact with corpses, which was considered a primary source of defilement.

Restrictions on Mourning Practices

Priests were also restricted in their mourning practices to prevent defilement. They were not to shave their heads, trim the edges of their beards, or make cuts on their bodies (Leviticus 21:5). These practices were common among pagan nations and were associated with mourning rituals that the Israelites were to avoid. The priests' distinct appearance and behavior were to reflect their consecration to God.

Marriage Regulations

The marital choices of priests were also regulated to prevent defilement. They were forbidden to marry women who were prostitutes, divorced, or defiled by harlotry (Leviticus 21:7). The high priest, in particular, was required to marry a virgin from his own people to ensure the purity of his lineage (Leviticus 21:13-14).

Physical Perfection

Physical perfection was another requirement for priests, as any physical defect was considered a form of defilement that disqualified a priest from offering sacrifices. Leviticus 21:17-23 lists various physical imperfections that would prevent a descendant of Aaron from serving at the altar, emphasizing the need for wholeness and purity in those who approached God on behalf of the people.

Contact with the Dead

The prohibition against contact with the dead was particularly stringent for the high priest, who was not allowed to defile himself even for his father or mother (Leviticus 21:11). This restriction highlights the high priest's unique role and the necessity of maintaining his ceremonial purity at all times.

Symbolic Significance

The requirements for priests to avoid defilement were not merely ritualistic but carried deep symbolic significance. They underscored the holiness of God and the need for those who served Him to reflect His purity. The priests' adherence to these laws served as a constant reminder to the Israelites of the sanctity required to approach a holy God.

New Testament Perspective

While the New Testament does not impose the same ceremonial laws on believers, the principles of holiness and purity remain. The priesthood of all believers, as described in 1 Peter 2:9, calls Christians to live lives that reflect God's holiness, avoiding spiritual defilement through sin and maintaining purity in their walk with Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Leviticus 21:1-6,11,12
And the LORD said to Moses, Speak to the priests the sons of Aaron, and say to them, There shall none be defiled for the dead among his people:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Cleansing of the Temple - the Sign,' which is not a Sign.
... prescribed purification in any case of Levitical defilement. ... Christ anything to make
it specially obnoxious and ... even the remonstrances of the priests were not ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter v the cleansing of.htm

Treatise on the Priesthood. Book vi.
... to be able to tear his soul away from every defilement, and to ... Priests are the salt
of the earth ... Nor art thou unaware of this who art specially wont to extol me ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/treatise on the priesthood book 6.htm

Of the Five Sacraments, Falsely So Called. Their Spuriousness ...
... the word of God, they honour them specially with the ... to call it uncleanness, and
pollution, and carnal defilement? How absurd is it to debar priests from a ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 19 of the five.htm

In the Fifteenth Year of Tiberius C??sar and under the Pontificate ...
... of the times three must be specially mentioned: the ... as designating the sons of the
High-Priests, and even ... those who had contracted Levitical defilement were to ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xi in the fifteenth.htm

A Treatise to Prove that no one Can Harm the Man who Does not ...
... the rich there is discomfort, and disgust and defilement? ... the very reason why wealth
ought specially to be ... their kindred, and removal from priests and prophets ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/a treatise to prove that.htm

The First Epistle of St. Peter
... It is not enough to avoid or discard what ... Domestic slaves, such as Peter is specially
addressing, were ... who judges justly (whatever the Jewish priests and the ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/the first epistle of st.htm

Against Jovinianus.
... works, since even faith, which is specially characteristic of ... itself is not desirable,
so to avoid this same ... represented by the trumpets of the priests, we may ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/against jovinianus.htm

Life and Works of Rufinus with Jerome's Apology Against Rufinus.
... Son in one nature never to be set apart; and this is specially confirmed by ... perhaps
were somewhat incautiously used, and which I thought it well to avoid using ...
/.../various/life and works of rufinus with jeromes apology against rufinus /

Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon:
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/mr bunyans last sermon .htm