“And he shall take a wife in her virginity.”
Leviticus 21:13 is a verse found within the context of the regulations and requirements for the priests of Israel. In this particular verse, God establishes a specific requirement for the high priest regarding his choice of a wife. The high priest was to take a wife who was a virgin, meaning a woman who had not engaged in sexual relations.
To understand the significance of this verse, it is important to consider the overall context of the book of Leviticus. Leviticus is part of the Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, which contain laws, rituals, and instructions given by God to the Israelites through Moses. In Leviticus, God provides guidelines for the priests who would minister in the tabernacle and later in the temple.
The requirement for the high priest to take a wife who was a virgin was related to the concept of holiness and purity. The high priest had a unique and elevated role in the religious life of Israel. He was responsible for performing specific duties in the tabernacle or temple and representing the people before God. In order to emphasize the importance of purity in this sacred position, the high priest was to choose a wife who had maintained her virginity.
This requirement reflected the idea of maintaining ceremonial purity and avoiding any potential contamination or impurity within the priesthood. By marrying a virgin, the high priest would symbolize the need for moral uprightness, devotion to God, and separation from anything that could compromise his priestly duties.
It is worth noting that this requirement specifically applied to the high priest and not to all priests or the general population. Other passages in the Bible do not impose the same requirement on regular priests or the people of Israel.
As Christians:it is important to interpret Old Testament passages like Leviticus 21:13 in light of the New Testament and the teachings of Jesus Christ. Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament law and inaugurated a new covenant between God and humanity. In the New Testament, we see a shift away from the strict regulations of the Old Testament priesthood, including the requirement for the high priest to marry a virgin.
In summary, Leviticus 21:13 emphasizes the requirement for the high priest to take a wife who was a virgin, highlighting the importance of purity and holiness in the priestly office. This verse serves as a reminder of the ceremonial regulations for the high priest in the Old Testament and the significance of maintaining purity in service to God.
