Leviticus 21:2

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Leviticus 21:2 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “except for his kin, that is near unto him, for his mother, and for his father, and for his son, and for his daughter, and for his brother,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

except for his kin, that is near unto him, for his mother, and for his father, and for his son, and for his daughter, and for his brother,
Leviticus 21:2 — American Standard Version

Context — Leviticus 21

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
2except for his kin, that is near unto him, for his mother, and for his father, and for his son, and for his daughter, and for his brother,

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But for his kin that is near unto him, etc.] For such he might be defiled and mourn, or be where they were, and take care of, and attend their funerals: this clause some take to be general, of which the particulars follow, as Aben Ezra; but others take it to be the first particular excepted, and instanced in, and intends his wife; for it may be rendered, as by some, “for his flesh”, or “the rest of him” f733, the other part of himself, his wife, which is his other self, and one flesh with him; and so Jarchi and others observe, there is no flesh of his, but his wife; and if she is not intended here, she is not expressed elsewhere, though must be supposed, because it is allowed the priest to…”
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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
“Near to him - Under which general expression his wife seems to be comprehended, though she be not expressed. And hence it is noted as a peculiar case, that Ezekiel, who was a priest, was forbidden to mourn for his wife, Eze 24:16, &c. These exceptions God makes in condescension to human infirmity, because in such cases it was very hard to restrain the affections. But this allowance concerns only the inferior priest, not the high - priest. Leviticus 21:3”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Lev 18:6; Th1 4:13 Leviticus 21:4”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification