Leviticus 21:9
Leviticus 21:9 in Multiple Translations
If a priest’s daughter defiles herself by prostituting herself, she profanes her father; she must be burned in the fire.
¶ And the daughter of any priest, if she profane herself by playing the whore, she profaneth her father: she shall be burnt with fire.
And the daughter of any priest, if she profane herself by playing the harlot, she profaneth her father: she shall be burnt with fire.
And if the daughter of a priest makes herself common and by her loose behaviour puts shame on her father, let her be burned with fire.
A priest's daughter who makes herself unclean through prostitution makes her father unclean. She must be executed by burning.
If a Priestes daughter fall to play the whore, she polluteth her father: therefore shall she be burnt with fire.
'And a daughter of any priest when she polluteth herself by going a-whoring — her father she is polluting; with fire she is burnt.
“‘The daughter of any priest, if she profanes herself by playing the prostitute, she profanes her father. She shall be burned with fire.
And the daughter of any priest, if she shall profane herself by lewdness, she profaneth her father: she shall be burnt with fire.
If the daughter of a priest be taken in whoredom, and dishonour the name of her father, she shall be burnt with fire.
If a priest’s daughter disgraces herself by becoming a prostitute, she disgraces her father; and she must be killed by being burned in a fire.
Berean Amplified Bible — Leviticus 21:9
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 21:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וּ/בַת֙
אִ֣ישׁ
כֹּהֵ֔ן
כִּ֥י
תֵחֵ֖ל
לִ/זְנ֑וֹת
אֶת
אָבִ֨י/הָ֙
הִ֣יא
מְחַלֶּ֔לֶת
בָּ/אֵ֖שׁ
תִּשָּׂרֵֽף
וּ/בַת֙
bath
H1323
Bath (Shua)
Conj | N-fs
אִ֣ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
man
N-ms
כֹּהֵ֔ן
kôhên
H3548
priest
N-ms
כִּ֥י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
תֵחֵ֖ל
châlal
H2490
to bore
V-Niphal-Imperf-3fs
לִ/זְנ֑וֹת
zânâh
H2181
to fornicate
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
אָבִ֨י/הָ֙
ʼâb
H1
father
N-ms | Suff
הִ֣יא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Pron
מְחַלֶּ֔לֶת
châlal
H2490
to bore
V-Piel
בָּ/אֵ֖שׁ
ʼêsh
H784
fire
Prep | N-cs
תִּשָּׂרֵֽף
sâraph
H8313
to burn
V-Niphal-Imperf-3fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Leviticus 21:9
וּ/בַת֙
bath
H1323
"Bath (Shua)"
Conj | N-fs
The Hebrew word for daughter is used to describe a female child or a woman, and can also be used figuratively. In the Bible, it is used to describe women like Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah and later of King David.
Definition: A woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.38.2; daughter of: Shua (H7770); married to Judah (H3063); mother of: Er (H6147), Onan (H0209) and Shelah (H7956) the wife of Uriah whom David had murdered, having had adulterous relations with her; subsequently wife of David and mother of Solomon, Shimea, Shobab, and Nathan (alternate spelling to 'Bathsheba')
Usage: Occurs in 498 OT verses. KJV: apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter, [idiom] first, [idiom] old, [phrase] owl, town, village. See also: Genesis 5:4; Exodus 2:21; Ruth 1:13.
אִ֣ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
כֹּהֵ֔ן
kôhên
H3548
"priest"
N-ms
In the Bible, a priest is a person who serves God and leads others in worship, like the Levitical priests in Exodus. They were responsible for making sacrifices and following God's laws. This term is also used to describe Jesus as a priest-king.
Definition: 1) priest, principal officer or chief ruler 1a) priest-king (Melchizedek, Messiah) 1b) pagan priests 1c) priests of Jehovah 1d) Levitical priests 1e) Zadokite priests 1f) Aaronic priests 1g) the high priest Aramaic equivalent: ka.hen (כָּהֵן "priest" H3549)
Usage: Occurs in 653 OT verses. KJV: chief ruler, [idiom] own, priest, prince, principal officer. See also: Genesis 14:18; Leviticus 13:33; Numbers 17:2.
כִּ֥י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
תֵחֵ֖ל
châlal
H2490
"to bore"
V-Niphal-Imperf-3fs
This Hebrew word means to profane or begin, like starting something new or breaking a rule. It appears in the Bible when someone disrespects God or a person, like in Ezekiel 22:26. It can also mean to play music or start a project.
Definition: 1) to wound (fatally), bore through, pierce, bore 1a) (Qal) to pierce 1b) (Pual) to be slain 1c) (Poel) to wound, pierce 1d) (Poal) to be wounded
Usage: Occurs in 132 OT verses. KJV: begin ([idiom] men began), defile, [idiom] break, defile, [idiom] eat (as common things), [idiom] first, [idiom] gather the grape thereof, [idiom] take inheritance, pipe, player on instruments, pollute, (cast as) profane (self), prostitute, slay (slain), sorrow, stain, wound. See also: Genesis 4:26; Ezra 3:8; Psalms 55:21.
לִ/זְנ֑וֹת
zânâh
H2181
"to fornicate"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
To fornicate means to commit adultery or be unfaithful, often used to describe idolatry in the Bible. It can also refer to a person being a cult prostitute or causing others to be unfaithful.
Definition: 1) to commit fornication, be a harlot, play the harlot 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be a harlot, act as a harlot, commit fornication 1a2) to commit adultery 1a3) to be a cult prostitute 1a4) to be unfaithful (to God) (fig.) 1b) (Pual) to play the harlot 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to commit adultery 1c2) to force into prostitution 1c3) to commit fornication
Usage: Occurs in 81 OT verses. KJV: (cause to) commit fornication, [idiom] continually, [idiom] great, (be an, play the) harlot, (cause to be, play the) whore, (commit, fall to) whoredom, (cause to) go a-whoring, whorish. See also: Genesis 34:31; Isaiah 57:3; Psalms 73:27.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
אָבִ֨י/הָ֙
ʼâb
H1
"father"
N-ms | Suff
In Hebrew, this word means father, whether literal or figurative. It is used to describe God as the father of his people, as well as human fathers like Abraham. The word is about a paternal relationship or authority.
Definition: 1) father of an individual 2) of God as father of his people 3) head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan 4) ancestor 4a) grandfather, forefathers - of person 4b) of people 5) originator or patron of a class, profession, or art 6) of producer, generator (fig.) 7) of benevolence and protection (fig.) 8) term of respect and honour 9) ruler or chief (spec.) Also means: av (אַב "father" H0002)
Usage: Occurs in 1060 OT verses. KJV: chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'. See also: Genesis 2:24; Genesis 42:37; Leviticus 19:3.
הִ֣יא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
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.
מְחַלֶּ֔לֶת
châlal
H2490
"to bore"
V-Piel
This Hebrew word means to profane or begin, like starting something new or breaking a rule. It appears in the Bible when someone disrespects God or a person, like in Ezekiel 22:26. It can also mean to play music or start a project.
Definition: 1) to wound (fatally), bore through, pierce, bore 1a) (Qal) to pierce 1b) (Pual) to be slain 1c) (Poel) to wound, pierce 1d) (Poal) to be wounded
Usage: Occurs in 132 OT verses. KJV: begin ([idiom] men began), defile, [idiom] break, defile, [idiom] eat (as common things), [idiom] first, [idiom] gather the grape thereof, [idiom] take inheritance, pipe, player on instruments, pollute, (cast as) profane (self), prostitute, slay (slain), sorrow, stain, wound. See also: Genesis 4:26; Ezra 3:8; Psalms 55:21.
בָּ/אֵ֖שׁ
ʼêsh
H784
"fire"
Prep | N-cs
Fire is a powerful symbol in the Bible, representing both God's anger and his refining presence, as seen in Deuteronomy 4:24 and Malachi 3:2-3. It is also used for cooking and warmth. This concept is central to many biblical stories.
Definition: 1) fire 1a) fire, flames 1b) supernatural fire (accompanying theophany) 1c) fire (for cooking, roasting, parching) 1d) altar-fire 1e) God's anger (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: esh (אֶשָּׁא "fire" H0785)
Usage: Occurs in 348 OT verses. KJV: burning, fiery, fire, flaming, hot. See also: Genesis 15:17; Joshua 7:15; Psalms 11:6.
תִּשָּׂרֵֽף
sâraph
H8313
"to burn"
V-Niphal-Imperf-3fs
This Hebrew word means to set something on fire, and is used in the Bible to describe burning or kindling flames, like in Psalm 83:14. It can also mean to utterly destroy something. The word is related to fire and burning, and is used in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: 1) to burn 1a) (Qal) to burn 1b) (Niphal) to be burned 1c) (Piel) burner, burning (participle) 1d) (Pual) to be burnt up, be burned Also means: sa.raph (סָרַף "to burn" H5635)
Usage: Occurs in 107 OT verses. KJV: (cause to, make a) burn((-ing), up) kindle, [idiom] utterly. See also: Genesis 11:3; 1 Kings 13:2; Psalms 46:10.
Study Notes — Leviticus 21:9
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Leviticus 21:9 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 21:9
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 21:9
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Leviticus 21:9
- Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 21:9
- Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 21:9
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Leviticus 21:9
- Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 21:9
- Barnes' Notes on Leviticus 21:9
- Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 21:9
- Sermons on Leviticus 21:9
Context — Holiness Required of Priests
7A priest must not marry a woman defiled by prostitution or divorced by her husband, for the priest is holy to his God.
8You are to regard him as holy, since he presents the food of your God. He shall be holy to you, because I the LORD am holy—I who set you apart.
9If a priest’s daughter defiles herself by prostituting herself, she profanes her father; she must be burned in the fire.
10The priest who is highest among his brothers, who has had the anointing oil poured on his head and has been ordained to wear the priestly garments, must not let his hair hang loose or tear his garments. 11He must not go near any dead body; he must not defile himself, even for his father or mother.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 38:24 | About three months later, Judah was told, “Your daughter-in-law Tamar has prostituted herself, and now she is pregnant.” “Bring her out!” Judah replied. “Let her be burned to death!” |
| 2 | Leviticus 19:29 | You must not defile your daughter by making her a prostitute, or the land will be prostituted and filled with depravity. |
| 3 | Ezekiel 9:6 | Slaughter the old men, the young men and maidens, the women and children; but do not go near anyone who has the mark. Now begin at My sanctuary.” So they began with the elders who were before the temple. |
| 4 | Joshua 7:25 | “Why have you brought this trouble upon us?” said Joshua. “Today the LORD will bring trouble upon you!” And all Israel stoned him to death. Then they stoned the others and burned their bodies. |
| 5 | Malachi 2:3 | Behold, I will rebuke your descendants, and I will spread dung on your faces, the waste from your feasts, and you will be carried off with it. |
| 6 | 1 Timothy 3:4–5 | An overseer must manage his own household well and keep his children under control, with complete dignity. For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for the church of God? |
| 7 | Leviticus 20:14 | If a man marries both a woman and her mother, it is depraved. Both he and they must be burned in the fire, so that there will be no depravity among you. |
| 8 | Titus 1:6 | 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. |
| 9 | Joshua 7:15 | The one who is caught with the things devoted to destruction must be burned, along with all that belongs to him, because he has transgressed the covenant of the LORD and committed an outrage in Israel.’” |
| 10 | Isaiah 33:14 | The sinners in Zion are afraid; trembling grips the ungodly: “Who of us can dwell with a consuming fire? Who of us can dwell with everlasting flames?” |
Leviticus 21:9 Summary
This verse, Leviticus 21:9, teaches us that our actions have consequences, and as children of God, we are called to live a life of purity and holiness, just like the priests in the Old Testament. When we sin, we bring shame not just to ourselves, but to our spiritual family and to God's name, as seen in 1 Peter 1:15-16. We are called to be set apart for God's purposes, just like the priests, and to live a life that honors and glorifies Him, as stated in 1 Thessalonians 4:7. By living a life of obedience and surrender to God, we can bring honor and glory to our Heavenly Father, and fulfill our purpose as His children.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the punishment for a priest's daughter so severe in Leviticus 21:9?
The punishment was severe because the priest's daughter represented her father and the priestly family, and her actions could bring shame and profanity to the family and the Lord's name, as seen in Leviticus 21:8 where it says the priest is holy to his God.
What does it mean to 'profane her father' in Leviticus 21:9?
To profane her father means to bring shame and disrespect to him, and by extension, to the Lord and the priestly office, as the priest is considered holy to his God, as stated in Leviticus 21:7-8.
Is the punishment of burning in the fire still applicable today?
No, the punishment of burning in the fire was specific to the Old Testament era and the Mosaic law, as seen in Leviticus 21:9, and is not applicable today under the New Covenant, where we are under grace and not law, as stated in Romans 6:14 and Galatians 5:18.
What is the significance of the priest's daughter in this verse?
The priest's daughter represents the priestly family and the Lord's name, and her actions have consequences for the family and the community, highlighting the importance of purity and holiness, as seen in Leviticus 11:44-45 and 1 Peter 1:15-16.
Reflection Questions
- How can I, as a child of God, bring honor and glory to my Heavenly Father, and what are the consequences of my actions on my spiritual family?
- What are some ways I can 'profane' or bring shame to my spiritual family, and how can I avoid these actions?
- What does this verse teach me about the importance of purity and holiness in my own life, and how can I apply this to my daily walk with God?
- How does the concept of 'holy to the Lord' in Leviticus 21:8 apply to my life as a believer, and what are the implications of being set apart for God's purposes?
Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 21:9
And the daughter of any priest,.... The Targum of Jonathan restrains it to one that is betrothed; but others, as Jarchi and Aben Ezra, whether betrothed or married; and all confess, as the former
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 21:9
They shall not take a wife that is a whore, or profane; neither shall they take a woman put away from her husband: for he is holy unto his God. They shall not take a wife.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Leviticus 21:9
And by analogy his son also, and his wife, because the reason of the law here added concerns all. And nothing is more common than to name one kind for the rest of the same nature, as also is done Leviticus 18. She profaneth her father, i.e. exposeth his person and office, and consequently religion, one of whose prime ministers he is, to contempt. She shall be burnt with fire; which was the severest of all the kinds of punishments among the Jews. Whereby God would show, both the greatness of their sins who stand in nearer relation to God than others, and how far God is from allowing sin in those who are nearest to him.
Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 21:9
Leviticus 21:9 And the daughter of any priest, if she profane herself by playing the whore, she profaneth her father: she shall be burnt with fire.Ver. 9. She shall be burnt with fire.] A peculiar plague, to show the hatefulness of the sin.
Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 21:9
(9) And the daughter of any priest.—This statute, according to the administrators of the Law during the second Temple, applies only to betrothed and married daughters. Hence the ancient Chaldee version renders it, “and if the betrothed daughter” She shall be burnt with fire.—Whilst the married daughter of a layman who had gone astray was punished with death by strangling (see Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 22:23-24), the daughter of a priest who had disgraced herself was to be punished with the severer death by burning. Though the doom of the guilty partner in the crime is not mentioned here, his sentence was death by strangulation.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Leviticus 21:9
Verse 9. She shall be burnt with fire.] Probably not burnt alive, but strangled first, and then burnt afterward. Though it is barely possible that some kind of branding may be intended.
Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 21:9
9. For the form of punishment, cp. Leviticus 20:14.
Barnes' Notes on Leviticus 21:9
burnt with fire - See the Leviticus 20:14 note.
Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 21:9
9. Daughter of any priest — Not only must the priest’s lips keep knowledge, but he must also exemplify in his family the holy religion of which he is the appointed guardian and teacher.
Sermons on Leviticus 21:9
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Genesis) Genesis 38:24-26 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of not being concerned with the size of the crowd when preaching the word of God. He believes that if the word of God is given |
|
(Genesis) 54 - Judah and the Messianic Succession by S. Lewis Johnson | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the story of Judah and Tamar from the book of Genesis. The sermon begins by highlighting the possibility of evil that exists within human nat |
|
Trophies of His Grace by Steve Mays | In this sermon, Pastor Steve Mays shares a personal anecdote about his grandson wanting to go to the zoo but not having enough time. He then transitions into discussing how sometim |
|
By His Stripes We Are Healed by Philip Powell | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the Hebrew words "Peshah" and "Abon," which are translated as transgression and iniquity. These words convey the ideas of rebellion, perversi |
|
Marked Men #2 by Gareth Evans | In this sermon, the speaker shares two powerful stories that illustrate the brokenness and suffering in the world. The first story is about a missionary in Haiti who brings doctors |
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Judgment Must Begin at the House of God if We Are to Be Witnesses to the World by Andrew Murray | Andrew Murray emphasizes that judgment must start within the house of God, as seen in the prophetic vision of abominations in Jerusalem. He highlights that God is aware of the sins |
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A Biblical Family - a Tool in God's Hands (Part 1) by Erlo Stegen | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of parents sharing their personal stories of faith with their children. He encourages parents to start with their own testimo |