Big Idea: Those who lead God’s people in worship must show a special degree of separation to God.

Understanding the Text

Leviticus 21 is the first of two chapters on the holiness of priests, teaching how, as servants of Yahweh’s holy things, they must maintain a special degree of holiness or else be disqualified from serving the sanctuary. This is thus a continuation of the theme of holiness found in what is commonly referred to as the holiness code (Lev. 17–27).

Leviticus 21:1–22:31 is arranged in a chiastic structure, with avoiding desecration of sacrifices as the central point:1

A Relation of a priest to his family for sacrifice (21:1–15)

B Blemishes of priests who sacrifice (21:16–24)

C How a priest should avoid desecration of sacrifices (22:1–16)

Bʹ Blemishes of animals for sacrifice (22:17–…