Leviticus 21

Leviticus 21:1

FOr the dead] Comming into some place, where there is a dead body, touching it, or making ready his grave, eating of the funerall feast or mourning for him; which made one uncleane for seven days, sequestred from common conversation, and set a part from holy things: Num. 6. 6. and 19. 11. 14 16. Deuteronomy 26:14. Hosea 9:4. now all this was a figure and document, especially for Pastors of the Church, for to renounce all fleshly inclinations (though they otherwise be blamelesse) to attend without disturbance to Gods service: Leviticus 10:7. Deuteronomy 33:9.

Leviticus 21:2

But for his] This is said only for inferior Priests; for all manner of mourning was wholly forbidden the high Priest: v. 10 Kinne that is neere] The Hebrew hath is, His flesh] By which word is signified, the most intimate, and streight consanguinities.

Leviticus 21:4

A chief man] The Italian hath it, As a husband] For the death of his wife.

Leviticus 21:6

Shall be holy] Still pure and cleane, that they may alwayes be ready for my service, from which they were hindered by mourning And not prophane] Not to hold as slight, common, or indifferent, the title which they beare of being Gods Ministers, or the majestie thereof: leaving the service of the living God, to follow that of a dead man: see Matthew 8:22. And the bread] The Italian, The food] See Leviticus 3:11.

Leviticus 21:7

Or prophane] The Italian hath it, Or defloured] Either forcibly, or consentingly.

Leviticus 21:8

Thou shalt sanctifie him] The Italian hath it, Them] This is spoken to Moses in this sence: Teach and command them to observe all purity and holinesse. Or concerning the people in this sence: Reverence the sacred office of my Ministers, honour their persons, which represent my sacred Majesty towards thee, to sanctifie thee by my word and Sacraments, which they administer unto thee.

Leviticus 21:9

She prophaneth] Dishonoureth, and staineth the dignity of his office.

Leviticus 21:10

Upon whose head] See upon Exodus 40:15. Lev. 4. 3. and 16. 32 Uncover his head] See Leviticus 10:6.

Leviticus 21:11

For his father] The high Priests eldest sonne was anointed during his Fathers life, for to serve him as a Deputy, and after his death he immediatly succeeded him, and therefore he could not mourne for his Father, being already consecrated.

Leviticus 21:12

Neither shall he go out] For this seven dayes pollution: Numbers 19:11. he shall not exclude himself out of the sanctuary where he must do me dayly service: or going into it, let him not pollute it Of the anointing oile] consecrated by the anointing oile applied to the Priest, having this crown upon his head: Lev. 8. 9. 12.

Leviticus 21:15

Neither shall he prophane] Through marriages unfitting for his degree, and contrary unto my will Do sanctifie him] I have conferred this sacred honour and office upon him, which he must therefore preserve in its inviolable purity.

Leviticus 21:17

Any blemish] Have any defect, deformity, or naturall or accidentall imperfection.

Leviticus 21:20

A blemish] Some think that he toucheth specially two impediments of the eyes, when all the humours of the eyes are mingled, and when the christalline humour is become white.

Leviticus 21:22

Most holy] As were the shew bread, the meat offerings, the parts of sin offerings, and trespasse offering: see Leviticus 2:3 Holy] Such as were the first fruits, tithes, and offerings of thanksgiving.

Leviticus 21:23

He shall not go] He shall not performe any part of the Priests office, whereof one was to offer sacrifices upon the Altar in the Court; the other was to carry the bloud of them into the holy place before the curtaine, and there burne incense upon the golden Altar For I the Lord] These holy places are sanctified by my presence, and by the service which therein is performed to me, and therefore none as I dislike, ought to be admitted there, as deficient or maimed persons.