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Leviticus 21:15

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Leviticus 21:15 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And he shall not profane his seed among his people: for I am Jehovah who sanctifieth him.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And he shall not profane his seed among his people: for I am Jehovah who sanctifieth him.
Leviticus 21:15 — American Standard Version

Context — Leviticus 21

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
12neither shall he go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God; for the crown of the anointing oil of his God is upon him: I am Jehovah.
13And he shall take a wife in her virginity.
14A widow, or one divorced, or a profane woman, a harlot, these shall he not take: but a virgin of his own people shall he take to wife.
15And he shall not profane his seed among his people: for I am Jehovah who sanctifieth him.
16And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,
17Speak unto Aaron, saying, Whosoever he be of thy seed throughout their generations that hath a blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God.
18For whatsoever man he be that hath a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man, or a lame, or he that hath a flat nose, or anything superfluous,
← Leviticus 21:14Leviticus 21:16 →
← Full Chapter 21 Leviticus Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Neither shall he profane his seed among his people, etc.] By marrying any such persons, whereby his children, born of them, would lie under disgrace, and be unfit to succeed him in the priesthood, or by marrying among mean persons, or by marrying them to such as were unlawful, and would be a disparagement to them: for I the Lord do sanctify him; separate him from all others, to the high and sacred office of the high priesthood, and am concerned for his honour and holiness; and therefore it became him to observe these laws and rules, and abstain from such disagreeable marriages.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Profane his seed - i. e. by a marriage which was not in keeping with the holiness of his office. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“I the Lord sanctify him - I have separated him from all other men for my immediate service, and therefore will not have that race corrupted. Leviticus 21:17”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“profane: Gen 18:19; Ezr 2:62, Ezr 9:2; Neh 13:23-29; Mal 2:11, Mal 2:15; Rom 11:16; Co1 7:14 for I the: Lev 21:8 Leviticus 21:17”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“"Neither shall he profane his seed (posterity) among his people," sc., by contracting a marriage that was not in keeping with the holiness of his rank. Leviticus 21:16”
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Related study paths

Read Leviticus 21 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification