Albert Barnes Commentary Leviticus 21

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).

These prohibitions given to the people at large (compare the margin reference) had a special fitness for the Hebrew priests. They were the instruments of the divine will for averting death; all their sacrifices were a type of the death of Christ, which swallowed up death in victory (1 Corinthians 15:54–57), and it would therefore have been unsuitable that they should have the same freedom as other people to become mourners.

The word here and in (Leviticus 21:8) rendered bread, is the same as that rendered food in (Leviticus 3:11), (Leviticus 3:16), etc., and meat in (Leviticus 22:11). The reader of the English Bible should keep in mind that bread, meat, and food, were nearly equivalent terms when our translation was made, and represent no distinctions that exist in the Hebrew.

Profane - A woman who has been seduced, or one of illegitimate birth. A somewhat stricter rule for the priests’ marriages was revealed to the prophet in later times (Ezekiel 44:22).

The people of Israel are now addressed. They are commanded to regard the priests, who perform for them the service of the altar, as holy with respect to their office.