Leviticus – Chapter 21

Old Testament24 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 21 of Leviticus begins: "The Lord said also to Moses: Speak to the priests the sons of Aaron, and thou shalt say for them: Let not a priest incur an uncleanness at…" The chapter centers on Aaron and Moses. Across its 24 verses, two threads run through the text: holiness and family and covenant relationships. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1The Lord said also to Moses: Speak to the priests the sons of Aaron, and thou shalt say for them: Let not a priest incur an uncleanness at the death of his citizens.

2But only for his kin, such as are near in blood: that is to say, for his father and for his mother, and for his son, and for his daughter, for his brother also:

3And for a maiden sister, who hath had no husband.

4But not even for the prince of his people shall he do any thing that may make him unclean.

5Neither shall they shave their head, nor their beard, nor make incisions in their flesh.

6They shall be holy to their God, and shall not profane his name. For they offer the burnt offering of the Lord, and the bread of their God: and therefore they shall be holy.

7They shall not take to wife a harlot or a vile prostitute, nor one that has been put away from her husband: because they are consecrated to their God,

8And offer the loaves of proposition. Let them therefore be holy because I also am holy: the Lord, who sanctify them.

9If the daughter of a priest be taken in whoredom and dishonour the name of her father, she shall be burnt with fire.

10The high priest, that is to say, the priest who is the greatest among his brethren, upon whose head the oil of unction hath been poured; and whose hands have been consecrated for the priesthood; and who hath been vested with the holy vestments. He shall not uncover his head: he shall not rend his garments.

11Nor shall he go in at all to any dead person: not even for his father, or his mother, shall he be defiled.

12Neither shall he go out of the holy places, lest he defile the sanctuary of the Lord: because the oil of the holy unction of his God is upon him. I am the Lord.

13He shall take a virgin unto his wife.

14But a widow or one that is divorced, or defied, or a harlot, he shall not take: but a maid of his own people.

15He shall not mingle the stock of his kindred with the common people of this nation: for I am the Lord who sanctify him.

16And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:

17Say to Aaron: Whosoever of thy seed throughout their families, hath a blemish, he shall not offer bread to his God.

18Neither shall he approach to minister to him: If he be blind; if he be lame; if he have a little, or a great, or a crooked nose;

19If his foot, or if his hand be broken;

20If he be crookbacked; or blear eyed; or have a pearl in his eye, or a continual scab, or a dry scurf in his body, or a rupture.

21Whosoever of the seed of Aaron the priest hath a blemish: he shall not approach to offer sacrifices to the Lord, nor bread to his God.

22He shall eat nevertheless of the loaves that are offered in the sanctuary.

23Yet so that he enter not within the veil, nor approach to the altar: because he hath a blemish, and he must not defile my sanctuary. I am the Lord who sanctify them.

24Moses, therefore spoke to Aaron, and to his sons and to all Israel, all the things that had been commanded him.

Important Verses in Leviticus 21

The Lord said also to Moses: Speak to the priests the sons of Aaron, and thou shalt say for them: Let not a priest incur an uncleanness at the death of his citizens.

Leviticus 21:1

They shall be holy to their God, and shall not profane his name. For they offer the burnt offering of the Lord, and the bread of their God: and therefore they shall be holy.

Leviticus 21:6

Neither shall he go out of the holy places, lest he defile the sanctuary of the Lord: because the oil of the holy unction of his God is upon him. I am the Lord.

Leviticus 21:12

He shall not mingle the stock of his kindred with the common people of this nation: for I am the Lord who sanctify him.

Leviticus 21:15

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, Leviticus was written with the priests (sons of Aaron) and the whole assembly of Israel in view. Chapter 21 of 27 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 24 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter focuses on Aaron and Moses, whose actions and words drive the passage forward. It opens with the line: "The Lord said also to Moses: Speak to the priests the sons of Aaron, and thou shalt say for them: Let not a priest…" The chapter ends with: "Moses, therefore spoke to Aaron, and to his sons and to all Israel, all the things that had been commanded him. " Read against its original backdrop, Leviticus is the liturgical handbook of ancient Israel, given at Sinai to teach a newly freed people how to worship a holy God. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Leviticus around Core traditions from the wilderness period; final form by the 5th century BC.

Who Wrote It

Traditionally attributed to Moses; contains priestly legislation preserved by the Levitical priesthood

When It Was Written

Core traditions from the wilderness period; final form by the 5th century BC

Catholic Commentary

Read at the narrative level, this chapter describes real persons, decisions, and consequences within holiness, sacrifice, and priestly worship. A pivotal line is verse 1: "The Lord said also to Moses: Speak to the priests the sons of Aaron, and thou shalt say for them: Let not a priest incur an uncleanness at the death of his…" The passage repeatedly touches on holiness before God.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 2340). Here, Catholic theology sees these sacrifices fulfilled in Christ's one perfect sacrifice (CIC 1539-1545). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize holiness before God as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that Be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Leviticus 21 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • 'Be holy, for I am holy': God calls His people to be set apart for Him in every area of life.
  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • From the manna to the Last Supper, God feeds His people — fully in the Eucharist.

People in This Chapter

Aaron4 mentionsMoses3 mentions

Reflection for Today

Leviticus Chapter 21, containing 24 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation, offers a distinct passage for prayer and meditation.

The Magisterium teaches that every biblical passage must be read in light of Christ, the center of Scripture (CIC 1604). Here the emphasis falls on living the Gospel in daily work, which shapes how the Church understands holiness, sacrifice, and priestly worship.

As you continue through Leviticus, carry this chapter's lesson into your family, parish, and work. Catholic faith is always ecclesial—God speaks to us as members of Christ's Body, not as isolated individuals.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Leviticus Chapter 21 about?

Leviticus 21 contains 24 verses. It opens with "The Lord said also to Moses: Speak to the priests the sons of Aaron, and thou shalt say for them: Let not a priest…" and closes with "Moses, therefore spoke to Aaron, and to his sons and to all Israel, all the things that had been commanded him. ". The book as a whole is law and liturgical instruction.

What is a key verse in Leviticus 21?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "The Lord said also to Moses: Speak to the priests the sons of Aaron, and thou shalt say for them: Let not a priest incur an uncleanness at the death of his citizens." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Leviticus Chapter 21?

This chapter mentions Aaron, Moses.

Who wrote Leviticus and when?

Traditionally attributed to Moses; contains priestly legislation preserved by the Levitical priesthood. Core traditions from the wilderness period; final form by the 5th century BC.

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