Leviticus 21:13
Leviticus 21:13 in Multiple Translations
The woman he marries must be a virgin.
And he shall take a wife in her virginity.
And he shall take a wife in her virginity.
And let him take as his wife one who has not had relations with a man.
He can only marry a virgin.
Also he shall take a maide vnto his wife:
'And he taketh a wife in her virginity;
“‘He shall take a wife in her virginity.
And he shall take a wife in her virginity.
He shall take a virgin unto his wife:
Women whom you priests marry must be virgins.
Berean Amplified Bible — Leviticus 21:13
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Leviticus 21:13 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/ה֕וּא
אִשָּׁ֥ה
בִ/בְתוּלֶ֖י/הָ
יִקָּֽח
וְ/ה֕וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Conj | Pron
אִשָּׁ֥ה
ʼishshâh
H802
woman
N-fs
בִ/בְתוּלֶ֖י/הָ
bᵉthûwlîym
H1331
virginity
Prep | N-cp | Suff
יִקָּֽח
lâqach
H3947
to take
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Leviticus 21:13
וְ/ה֕וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Conj | Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
אִשָּׁ֥ה
ʼishshâh
H802
"woman"
N-fs
The Hebrew word for woman, used to describe a female person, wife, or animal, appears in many biblical passages, including Genesis and Exodus, and is often translated as woman, wife, or female.
Definition: : woman 1) woman, wife, female 1a) woman (opposite of man) 1b) wife (woman married to a man) 1c) female (of animals) 1d) each, every (pronoun)
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. See also: Genesis 2:22; Genesis 34:4; Numbers 5:12.
בִ/בְתוּלֶ֖י/הָ
bᵉthûwlîym
H1331
"virginity"
Prep | N-cp | Suff
Virginity refers to the state of being a virgin, and the tokens that prove it, as discussed in biblical laws and customs.
Definition: virginity
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] maid, virginity. See also: Leviticus 21:13; Deuteronomy 22:20; Ezekiel 23:8.
יִקָּֽח
lâqach
H3947
"to take"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to take or get something, and it is used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to take a wife, to take possession of something, or to receive a gift. For example, in Genesis 2:22, God takes a rib from Adam to create Eve.
Definition: : take 1) to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take, take in the hand 1a2) to take and carry along 1a3) to take from, take out of, take, carry away, take away 1a4) to take to or for a person, procure, get, take possession of, select, choose, take in marriage, receive, accept 1a5) to take up or upon, put upon 1a6) to fetch 1a7) to take, lead, conduct 1a8) to take, capture, seize 1a9) to take, carry off 1a10) to take (vengeance) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be captured 1b2) to be taken away, be removed 1b3) to be taken, brought unto 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be taken from or out of 1c2) to be stolen from 1c3) to be taken captive 1c4) to be taken away, be removed 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be taken unto, be brought unto 1d2) to be taken out of 1d3) to be taken away 1e) (Hithpael) 1e1) to take hold of oneself 1e2) to flash about (of lightning)
Usage: Occurs in 909 OT verses. KJV: accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. See also: Genesis 2:15; Genesis 34:17; Exodus 30:23.
Study Notes — Leviticus 21:13
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Leviticus 21:13 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 21:13
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 21:13
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Leviticus 21:13
- Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 21:13
- Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 21:13
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Leviticus 21:13
- Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 21:13
- Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 21:13
- Sermons on Leviticus 21:13
Context — Holiness Required of Priests
11He must not go near any dead body; he must not defile himself, even for his father or mother.
12He must not leave or desecrate the sanctuary of his God, for the consecration of the anointing oil of his God is on him. I am the LORD.
13The woman he marries must be a virgin.
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
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leviticus 21:7 | A priest must not marry a woman defiled by prostitution or divorced by her husband, for the priest is holy to his God. |
| 2 | 2 Corinthians 11:2 | I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. For I promised you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. |
| 3 | Revelation 14:4 | These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they are virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever He goes. They have been redeemed from among men as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. |
| 4 | Ezekiel 44:22 | 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. |
Leviticus 21:13 Summary
This verse means that the high priest had to marry someone who had never been married before and was pure. This was important because the high priest had to be a good example of following God's rules and being separate from sin, as seen in Leviticus 21:13. Just like the high priest, we are called to live holy lives and be separate from sin, according to 1 Peter 1:16. By following God's commands and living with integrity, we can honor Him and be a good example to others, as taught in Matthew 5:16.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Bible require the high priest to marry a virgin?
The Bible requires the high priest to marry a virgin to emphasize the importance of purity and holiness in his role as a spiritual leader, as seen in Leviticus 21:13 and supported by Exodus 19:22, which highlights the need for separation from sin.
Is this requirement only for the high priest or for all believers?
This specific requirement is for the high priest, but the principle of purity and holiness applies to all believers, as taught in 1 Peter 1:16 and 1 Thessalonians 4:7, emphasizing the call to live a holy life.
How does this verse relate to the concept of marriage in the Bible?
This verse underscores the biblical view of marriage as a sacred institution that should be entered into with purity and commitment, as seen in Ephesians 5:25-33, which compares the relationship between husband and wife to the relationship between Christ and the church.
What is the significance of the high priest's marriage in the context of Old Testament worship?
The high priest's marriage was significant because it reflected the spiritual purity and integrity required for his role in mediating between God and the people, as emphasized in Hebrews 7:26, which describes the high priest as holy, innocent, and undefiled.
Reflection Questions
- What does this verse reveal about God's expectations for those in spiritual leadership, and how can we apply these principles to our own lives?
- In what ways can we, as believers, strive for purity and holiness in our relationships and daily lives, as exemplified in 2 Corinthians 7:1?
- How does the requirement for the high priest to marry a virgin relate to the broader theme of purity and separation in the Bible, as seen in passages like Leviticus 20:26 and 1 Peter 2:9?
- What can we learn from this verse about the importance of integrity and moral character in our personal and public lives, as taught in Proverbs 10:9 and Matthew 5:48?
Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 21:13
And he shall take a wife in her virginity. One, and not two, or more, as Ben Gersom observes; and so Maimonides says (q), an high priest might never take two women together; for it is said, "a wife",
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 21:13
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; He that is the high priest.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Leviticus 21:13
Or, a virgin, partly for the decency of the type, because as he was a type of Christ, so his wife was a type of the church, which is compared to a virgin, ; and partly for greater caution and assurance that his wife was not a defiled or defloured person. This and the following rule belong not to all the priests, for then this were a gross tautology, these same things, or most of them, being expressly forbidden to them, , but only to the high priest, to show that he also, and he especially, is obliged to the same cautions.
Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 21:13
Leviticus 21:13 And he shall take a wife in her virginity.Ver. 13. In her virginity.] Such is Christ’ s wife, not giving her love, or his worship to any other.
Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 21:13
(13) A wife in her virginity.—From this verse the administrators of the Law during the second Temple concluded that (1) the high priest must be the husband of one wife, though the ordinary priests might have several; (2) that she must be a virgin, under the age of thirteen; (3) that she must not even have been betrothed to another person; and that (4) she must be the daughter of Jewish parents by race, as it is stated in the next verse, though the ordinary priest was allowed to marry the daughter of proselytes. The first of these enactments is also enjoined by St. Paul on Christian bishops (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:16); whilst the fourth is actually expressed in the Greek version (LXX.), which has at the end of the verse, “of his own race.”
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Leviticus 21:13
Verse 13. He shall take a wife in her virginity.] בתוליה bethuleyha. This is a full proof that בתולה bethulah is the proper Hebrew term for a virgin; from the emphatic root בתל bathal, to separate; because such a person was in her separate state, and had never been in any way united to man.
Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 21:13
10–15. Corresponding regulations, but of a somewhat stricter character, for the high priest
Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 21:13
IN THE PRIESTS, Leviticus 21:1 to Leviticus 22:16.Jehovah, having given general statutes to conserve the purity of Israel, now proceeds to legislate for the priests, whose character and conduct are
Sermons on Leviticus 21:13
| Sermon | Description | |
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The Parable of the Sower by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the parable of the sower and how people respond to the word of God. He describes four classes of hearers, including four types of churches an |
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God's Hatchet by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher addresses the issue of idolatry and the deception that has taken hold of the church. He emphasizes the importance of seeking God and warns against the |
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(Demonology) Lucifer the Leader by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of angels and their rebellion against God. He mentions that some angels were cast down to hell and reserved for judgment because |
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Don't Break God's Heart by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker shares his personal testimony of studying the Bible for 45 years and how he recently acquired a device that allows him to listen to the Bible wherever h |
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The Marriage Supper of the Lamb by F.J. Huegel | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the symbolism of the union between the heavenly bridegroom (Jesus) and the bride (the church). The miracle of turning water into wine at the |
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(Revelation) the Church at Ephesus by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of remembering and returning to one's first love for God. He emphasizes that it is possible to have many good qualities and be |
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Marriage - Marriage Supper of the Lamb by Martin Geehan | In this sermon, the preacher uses the story of Abraham and Isaac from Genesis 24 to illustrate the relationship between God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the churc |