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Leviticus 21:4

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

A chief man among his people - The word בעל baal signifies a master, chief, husband, etc., and is as variously translated here.

  1. He being a chief among the people, it would be improper to see him in such a state of humiliation as mourning for the dead necessarily implies.

2. Though a husband he shall not defile himself even for the death of a wife, because the anointing of his God is upon him. But the first sense appears to be the best.

Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

The sense seems to be that, owing to his position in the nation, the priest is not to defile himself in any cases except those named in Leviticus 21:2-3. The Septuagint appear to have followed a different reading of the text which would mean, “he shall not defile himself for a moment.” The explanation in the margin of our version is hardly in keeping with the prohibition to Ezekiel on a special occasion. See Ezekiel 24:16.

Cross References
or, the verse may be read, being an husband among his people, he shall not defile himself for his wife, etc