John Calvin Commentary Leviticus 21:13

"And he shall take a wife in her virginity." — Leviticus 21:13 (ASV)

And he shall take a wife in her virginity. More is required of the high priest, namely, that he should not marry a widow, nor a woman from any tribe other than his own. A question may indeed arise concerning the latter clause: whether the plural word should be restricted to one tribe,¹⁸⁹ whereas it is elsewhere applied to all. But, if we examine it more closely, it is clear that “his peoples” is equivalent to “of his people” (populares). However, nothing unique would be required of the priest here if his wife were to be taken only from the children of Abraham.

I admit that chief priests married wives from other tribes, as Elizabeth, who was from the tribe of Judah, married Zacharias. But since the high priest is distinguished here from all others, I do not see how a law or privilege referring to him would necessarily be observed by all the descendants of Aaron. On this point, however, I will not argue if anyone believes differently.

But assuredly, since the high priest represented the clearest type of Christ, it was right that superior and more perfect holiness should be seen in him.¹⁹⁰ For this was the purpose of the restriction: that his wife, not having known another man, should demonstrate the modesty appropriate to her station and sacred, honorable position.

If anyone should object that the marriage of an old priest to a young girl was ridiculous and somewhat improper, as well as liable to many inconveniences, I answer that special regulations should be interpreted so as not to conflict with general principles. If a decrepit old man falls in love with a young girl, it is a base and shameful lust; moreover, he will defraud her if he marries her. From this, jealousy and wretched anxiety will also arise; or, by foolishly and dotingly seeking to preserve his wife’s love, he will abandon all sense of dignity.

When God forbade the high priest to marry anyone but a virgin, He did not wish to violate this rule, which is dictated by nature and reason. Instead, with regard to age, He desired that modesty and propriety be maintained in the marriage. Thus, if the priest were of advanced years, he should marry a virgin not too far from his own age. However, if he were failing and now hardly fit for marriage because of his old age, the law that he should marry a virgin was more an exhortation to celibacy than an instruction for him to expose himself to many troubles and general ridicule.

¹⁸⁹ Ainsworth’s literal translation is “a virgin of his peoples.” Fr., “Ailleurs il se prend pour tout le corps de la lignee d’Abraham:” elsewhere it is taken for the whole body of the race of Abraham.:” elsewhere it is taken for the whole body of the race of Abraham.

¹⁹⁰ It is surely strange that C., who here seems to draw out the Christology of the ordinances of the Law with unusual fullness and precision, should have omitted to mention “the mystical union which is between Christ and His Church,” as most luminously set forth in this type. who here seems to draw out the Christology of the ordinances of the Law with unusual fullness and precision, should have omitted to mention “the mystical union which is between Christ and His Church,” as most luminously set forth in this type. Vide Song, Song, passim. . Psalms 95; ; 2 Corinthians 11:2; ; Ephesians 5:27; ; Revelation 19:8, etc., etc.