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Read the Bible
JPS Old Testament
Leviticus 21:4
He shall not defile himself, being a chief man among his people, to profane himself.
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Bible Study Resources
Concordances:
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- CondensedParallel Translations
Hebrew Names Version
He shall not defile himself, [being] a chief man among his people, to profane himself.
He shall not defile himself, [being] a chief man among his people, to profane himself.
King James Version
But he shall not defile himself, being a chief man among his people, to profane himself.
But he shall not defile himself, being a chief man among his people, to profane himself.
Lexham English Bible
He must not make himself unclean as a kinsman by marriage, defiling himself.
He must not make himself unclean as a kinsman by marriage, defiling himself.
New Century Version
But a priest must not make himself unclean if the dead person was only related to him by marriage.
But a priest must not make himself unclean if the dead person was only related to him by marriage.
New English Translation
He must not defile himself as a husband among his people so as to profane himself.
He must not defile himself as a husband among his people so as to profane himself.
Amplified Bible
'He shall not become unclean as a relative by marriage among his people, and so profane himself.
'He shall not become unclean as a relative by marriage among his people, and so profane himself.
New American Standard Bible
'He shall not defile himself as a relative by marriage among his people, so as to profane himself.
'He shall not defile himself as a relative by marriage among his people, so as to profane himself.
Geneva Bible (1587)
He shall not lament for the Prince among his people, to pollute him selfe.
He shall not lament for the Prince among his people, to pollute him selfe.
Legacy Standard Bible
He shall not defile himself as a relative by marriage among his people, and so profane himself.
He shall not defile himself as a relative by marriage among his people, and so profane himself.
Contemporary English Version
Don't make yourself unclean by attending the funeral of someone related to you by marriage.
Don't make yourself unclean by attending the funeral of someone related to you by marriage.
Complete Jewish Bible
He may not make himself unclean, because he is a leader among his people; doing so would profane him.
He may not make himself unclean, because he is a leader among his people; doing so would profane him.
Darby Translation
He shall not make himself unclean [who is] a chief among his peoples, to profane himself.
He shall not make himself unclean [who is] a chief among his peoples, to profane himself.
Easy-to-Read Version
But a priest must not make himself unclean if the dead person was only one of his slaves.
But a priest must not make himself unclean if the dead person was only one of his slaves.
English Standard Version
He shall not make himself unclean as a husband among his people and so profane himself.
He shall not make himself unclean as a husband among his people and so profane himself.
George Lamsa Translation
But he shall not defile himself for the prince of his people, lest he profane himself.
But he shall not defile himself for the prince of his people, lest he profane himself.
Good News Translation
He shall not make himself unclean at the death of those related to him by marriage.
He shall not make himself unclean at the death of those related to him by marriage.
Christian Standard Bible®
He is not to make himself unclean for those related to him by marriage and so defile himself.
He is not to make himself unclean for those related to him by marriage and so defile himself.
Literal Translation
A leader shall not defile himself among his people, to pollute himself;
A leader shall not defile himself among his people, to pollute himself;
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Morouer he shal not defyle him self vpo eny ruler in his people, to vnhalowe him self.
Morouer he shal not defyle him self vpo eny ruler in his people, to vnhalowe him self.
American Standard Version
He shall not defile himself, being a chief man among his people, to profane himself.
He shall not defile himself, being a chief man among his people, to profane himself.
Bible in Basic English
But let him, being a chief among his people, not make himself unclean in such a way as to put shame on himself.
But let him, being a chief among his people, not make himself unclean in such a way as to put shame on himself.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
But he shall not be defiled vpon hym that hath aucthoritie among his people, to pollute him selfe.
But he shall not be defiled vpon hym that hath aucthoritie among his people, to pollute him selfe.
King James Version (1611)
But hee shall not defile himselfe being a chiefe man among his people, to prophane himselfe.
But hee shall not defile himselfe being a chiefe man among his people, to prophane himselfe.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
He shall not defile himself suddenly among his people to profane himself.
He shall not defile himself suddenly among his people to profane himself.
English Revised Version
He shall not defile himself, being a chief man among his people, to profane himself.
He shall not defile himself, being a chief man among his people, to profane himself.
Berean Standard Bible
He is not to defile himself for those related to him by marriage, and so profane himself.
He is not to defile himself for those related to him by marriage, and so profane himself.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
but nether he schal be defoulid in the prince of his puple.
but nether he schal be defoulid in the prince of his puple.
Young's Literal Translation
`A master [priest] doth not defile himself among his people -- to pollute himself;
`A master [priest] doth not defile himself among his people -- to pollute himself;
Update Bible Version
He shall not defile himself suddenly among his relatives, to profane himself.
He shall not defile himself suddenly among his relatives, to profane himself.
Webster's Bible Translation
[But] he shall not defile himself, [being] a chief man among his people, to profane himself.
[But] he shall not defile himself, [being] a chief man among his people, to profane himself.
World English Bible
He shall not defile himself, [being] a chief man among his people, to profane himself.
He shall not defile himself, [being] a chief man among his people, to profane himself.
New King James Version
Otherwise he shall not defile himself, being a chief man among his people, to profane himself.
Otherwise he shall not defile himself, being a chief man among his people, to profane himself.
New Living Translation
But a priest must not defile himself and make himself unclean for someone who is related to him only by marriage.
But a priest must not defile himself and make himself unclean for someone who is related to him only by marriage.
New Life Bible
He should not make himself unclean as a husband among his people, and so make himself sinful.
He should not make himself unclean as a husband among his people, and so make himself sinful.
New Revised Standard
But he shall not defile himself as a husband among his people and so profane himself.
But he shall not defile himself as a husband among his people and so profane himself.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
He shall not make himself unclean being a chief among his people, - by profaning himself:
He shall not make himself unclean being a chief among his people, - by profaning himself:
Douay-Rheims Bible
But not even for the prince of his people shall he do any thing that may make him unclean.
But not even for the prince of his people shall he do any thing that may make him unclean.
Revised Standard Version
He shall not defile himself as a husband among his people and so profane himself.
He shall not defile himself as a husband among his people and so profane himself.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
'He shall not defile himself as a relative by marriage among his people, and so profane himself.
'He shall not defile himself as a relative by marriage among his people, and so profane himself.
Contextual Overview
1 And the LORD said unto Moses: Speak unto the priests the sons of Aaron, and say unto them: There shall none defile himself for the dead among his people; 2 except for his kin, that is near unto him, for his mother, and for his father, and for his son, and for his daughter, and for his brother; 3 and for his sister a virgin, that is near unto him, that hath had no husband, for her may he defile himself. 4 He shall not defile himself, being a chief man among his people, to profane himself. 5 They shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the corners of their beard, nor make any cuttings in their flesh. 6 They shall be holy unto their God, and not profane the name of their God; for the offerings of the LORD made by fire, the bread of their God, they do offer; therefore they shall be holy. 7 They shall not take a woman that is a harlot, or profaned; neither shall they take a woman put away from her husband; for he is holy unto his God. 8 Thou shalt sanctify him therefore; for he offereth the bread of thy God; he shall be holy unto thee; for I the LORD, who sanctify you, am holy. 9 And the daughter of any priest, if she profane herself by playing the harlot, she profaneth her father: she shall be burnt with fire.
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
Or, the verse may be read, being an husband among his people, he shall not defile himself for his wife, etc. Ezekiel 24:16, Ezekiel 24:17
Cross-References
Genesis 21:10
Wherefore she said unto Abraham: 'Cast out this bondwoman and her son; for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac.'
Wherefore she said unto Abraham: 'Cast out this bondwoman and her son; for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac.'
Genesis 21:12
And God said unto Abraham: 'Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah saith unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall seed be called to thee.
And God said unto Abraham: 'Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah saith unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall seed be called to thee.
Genesis 21:22
And it came to pass at that time, that Abimelech and Phicol the captain of his host spoke unto Abraham, saying: 'God is with thee in all that thou doest.
And it came to pass at that time, that Abimelech and Phicol the captain of his host spoke unto Abraham, saying: 'God is with thee in all that thou doest.
Genesis 21:23
Now therefore swear unto me here by God that thou wilt not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son's son; but according to the kindness that I have done unto thee, thou shalt do unto me, and to the land wherein thou hast sojourned.'
Now therefore swear unto me here by God that thou wilt not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son's son; but according to the kindness that I have done unto thee, thou shalt do unto me, and to the land wherein thou hast sojourned.'
Exodus 12:48
And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land; but no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof.
And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land; but no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof.
Leviticus 12:3
And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.
And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.
Deuteronomy 12:32
span data-lang="eng" data-trans="jps" data-ref="deu.12.1" class="versetxt"> These are the statutes and the ordinances, which ye shall observe to do in the land which the LORD, the God of thy fathers, hath given thee to possess it, all the days that ye live upon the earth. Ye shall surely destroy all the places, wherein the nations that ye are to dispossess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every leafy tree. And ye shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and burn their Asherim with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods; and ye shall destroy their name out of that place. Ye shall not do so unto the LORD your God. But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put His name there, even unto His habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come; and thither ye shall bring your burnt-offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and the offering of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill-offerings, and the firstlings of your herd and of your flock; and there ye shall eat before the LORD your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the LORD thy God hath blessed thee. Ye shall not do after all that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes; for ye are not as yet come to the rest and to the inheritance, which the LORD your God giveth thee. But when ye go over the Jordan, and dwell in the land which the LORD your God causeth you to inherit, and He giveth you rest from all your enemies round about, so that ye dwell in safety; then it shall come to pass that the place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause His name to dwell there, thither shall ye bring all that I command you: your burnt-offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the LORD. And ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God, ye, and your sons, and your daughters, and your men-servants, and your maid-servants, and the Levite that is within your gates, forasmuch as he hath no portion nor inheritance with you. Take heed to thyself that thou offer not thy burnt-offerings in every place that thou seest; but in the place which the LORD shall choose in one of thy tribes, there thou shalt offer thy burnt-offerings, and there thou shalt do all that I command thee. Notwithstanding thou mayest kill and eat flesh within all thy gates, after all the desire of thy soul, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which He hath given thee; the unclean and the clean may eat thereof, as of the gazelle, and as of the hart. Only ye shall not eat the blood; thou shalt pour it out upon the earth as water. Thou mayest not eat within thy gates the tithe of thy corn, or of thy wine, or of thine oil, or the firstlings of thy herd or of thy flock, nor any of thy vows which thou vowest, nor thy freewill-offerings, nor the offering of thy hand; but thou shalt eat them before the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy man-servant, and thy maid-servant, and the Levite that is within thy gates; and thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God in all that thou puttest thy hand unto. Take heed to thyself that thou forsake not the Levite as long as thou livest upon thy land. When the LORD thy God shall enlarge thy border, as He hath promised thee, and thou shalt say: 'I will eat flesh', because thy soul desireth to eat flesh; thou mayest eat flesh, after all the desire of thy soul. If the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to put His name there be too far from thee, then thou shalt kill of thy herd and of thy flock, which the LORD hath given thee, as I have commanded thee, and thou shalt eat within thy gates, after all the desire of thy soul. Howbeit as the gazelle and as the hart is eaten, so thou shalt eat thereof; the unclean and the clean may eat thereof alike. Only be stedfast in not eating the blood; for the blood is the life; and thou shalt not eat the life with the flesh. Thou shalt not eat it; thou shalt pour it out upon the earth as water. Thou shalt not eat it; that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, when thou shalt do that which is right in the eyes of the LORD. Only thy holy things which thou hast, and thy vows, thou shalt take, and go unto the place which the LORD shall choose; and thou shalt offer thy burnt-offerings, the flesh and the blood, upon the altar of the LORD thy God; and the blood of thy sacrifices shall be poured out against the altar of the LORD thy God, and thou shalt eat the flesh. Observe and hear all these words which I command thee, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee for ever, when thou doest that which is good and right in the eyes of the LORD thy God. When the LORD thy God shall cut off the nations from before thee, whither thou goest in to dispossess them, and thou dispossessest them, and dwellest in their land; take heed to thyself that thou be not ensnared to follow them, after that they are destroyed from before thee; and that thou inquire not after their gods, saying: 'How used these nations to serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.' Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God; for every abomination to the LORD, which He hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters do they burn in the fire to their gods.
span data-lang="eng" data-trans="jps" data-ref="deu.12.1" class="versetxt"> These are the statutes and the ordinances, which ye shall observe to do in the land which the LORD, the God of thy fathers, hath given thee to possess it, all the days that ye live upon the earth. Ye shall surely destroy all the places, wherein the nations that ye are to dispossess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every leafy tree. And ye shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and burn their Asherim with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods; and ye shall destroy their name out of that place. Ye shall not do so unto the LORD your God. But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put His name there, even unto His habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come; and thither ye shall bring your burnt-offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and the offering of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill-offerings, and the firstlings of your herd and of your flock; and there ye shall eat before the LORD your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the LORD thy God hath blessed thee. Ye shall not do after all that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes; for ye are not as yet come to the rest and to the inheritance, which the LORD your God giveth thee. But when ye go over the Jordan, and dwell in the land which the LORD your God causeth you to inherit, and He giveth you rest from all your enemies round about, so that ye dwell in safety; then it shall come to pass that the place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause His name to dwell there, thither shall ye bring all that I command you: your burnt-offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the LORD. And ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God, ye, and your sons, and your daughters, and your men-servants, and your maid-servants, and the Levite that is within your gates, forasmuch as he hath no portion nor inheritance with you. Take heed to thyself that thou offer not thy burnt-offerings in every place that thou seest; but in the place which the LORD shall choose in one of thy tribes, there thou shalt offer thy burnt-offerings, and there thou shalt do all that I command thee. Notwithstanding thou mayest kill and eat flesh within all thy gates, after all the desire of thy soul, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which He hath given thee; the unclean and the clean may eat thereof, as of the gazelle, and as of the hart. Only ye shall not eat the blood; thou shalt pour it out upon the earth as water. Thou mayest not eat within thy gates the tithe of thy corn, or of thy wine, or of thine oil, or the firstlings of thy herd or of thy flock, nor any of thy vows which thou vowest, nor thy freewill-offerings, nor the offering of thy hand; but thou shalt eat them before the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy man-servant, and thy maid-servant, and the Levite that is within thy gates; and thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God in all that thou puttest thy hand unto. Take heed to thyself that thou forsake not the Levite as long as thou livest upon thy land. When the LORD thy God shall enlarge thy border, as He hath promised thee, and thou shalt say: 'I will eat flesh', because thy soul desireth to eat flesh; thou mayest eat flesh, after all the desire of thy soul. If the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to put His name there be too far from thee, then thou shalt kill of thy herd and of thy flock, which the LORD hath given thee, as I have commanded thee, and thou shalt eat within thy gates, after all the desire of thy soul. Howbeit as the gazelle and as the hart is eaten, so thou shalt eat thereof; the unclean and the clean may eat thereof alike. Only be stedfast in not eating the blood; for the blood is the life; and thou shalt not eat the life with the flesh. Thou shalt not eat it; thou shalt pour it out upon the earth as water. Thou shalt not eat it; that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, when thou shalt do that which is right in the eyes of the LORD. Only thy holy things which thou hast, and thy vows, thou shalt take, and go unto the place which the LORD shall choose; and thou shalt offer thy burnt-offerings, the flesh and the blood, upon the altar of the LORD thy God; and the blood of thy sacrifices shall be poured out against the altar of the LORD thy God, and thou shalt eat the flesh. Observe and hear all these words which I command thee, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee for ever, when thou doest that which is good and right in the eyes of the LORD thy God. When the LORD thy God shall cut off the nations from before thee, whither thou goest in to dispossess them, and thou dispossessest them, and dwellest in their land; take heed to thyself that thou be not ensnared to follow them, after that they are destroyed from before thee; and that thou inquire not after their gods, saying: 'How used these nations to serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.' Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God; for every abomination to the LORD, which He hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters do they burn in the fire to their gods.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
[But] he shall not defile himself, [being] a chief man among his people,.... Which is not to be understood of any lord or nobleman or any chief ruler or governor of the people; for the context speaks only of priests, and not of other personages; besides, such might defile themselves, or mourn for their dead, as Abraham did for Sarah; nor of any husband for his wife, for even a priest, as has been observed, might do this for his wife, and much more a private person; nor is there any need to restrain it, as some Jewish writers do, to an adulterous wife, which a husband might not mourn for, though he might for his right and lawful wife; but there is nothing in the text, neither of an husband, nor a wife: the words are to be interpreted of a priest, and either of him as considered as a person of eminence, consequence, and importance, and sons giving a reason why he should not defile himself for the dead, because he was a principal person among his people to officiate for them in sacred things; wherefore if he did not take care that he was not defiled for the dead, which might often happen, he would be frequently hindered from doing his office for the people, which would be attended with ill consequence to them; and therefore the above cases are only excepted, as being such that rarely happened: or rather the words are to be considered as a prohibition of defiling himself "for [any] chief" s, or principal man, lord, ruler, or governor, among his people; even for such an one he was not to defile himself, being no relation of his:
to profane himself; make himself unfit for sacred service, or make himself a common person; put himself upon a level with a common private man, and be no more capable of serving at the altar, or doing any part of the work off priest, than such an one.
s בעל בעמיו "in principe populi sui", V. L. so Pesicta & Ben Melech in loc. & Kimchi Sepher Shorash. rad. בעל
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
The sense seems to be that, owing to his position in the nation, the priest is not to defile himself in any cases except those named in Leviticus 21:2-3. The Septuagint appear to have followed a different reading of the text which would mean, “he shall not defile himself for a moment.” The explanation in the margin of our version is hardly in keeping with the prohibition to Ezekiel on a special occasion. See Ezekiel 24:16.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse Leviticus 21:4. A chief man among his people — The word בעל baal signifies a master, chief, husband, &c., and is as variously translated here.
1. He being a chief among the people, it would be improper to see him in such a state of humiliation as mourning for the dead necessarily implies.
2. Though a husband he shall not defile himself even for the death of a wife, because the anointing of his God is upon him. But the first sense appears to be the best.
