And for his sister a virgin, that is nigh unto him, which hath had no husband; for her may he be defiled.
And for his unmarried sister who is close to him and has never been married, he may make himself ceremonially unclean for her.
This verse says that a priest could become ceremonially unclean to care for his unmarried sister's burial, showing that family love sometimes takes priority over religious duties.
📚 Historical Context
In ancient Israel, priests from the line of Aaron were required to maintain strict ritual purity to perform their sacred duties in the Tabernacle, as any defilement could disqualify them from service. This verse in Leviticus 21 outlines specific exceptions to the general prohibition against priests touching the dead, allowing them to become unclean for close unmarried female relatives like a sister. It reflects the cultural emphasis on family loyalty within the broader framework of God's holiness code for the priesthood.
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