Falaite Me 28, 2021
No one shall make himself unclean for the dead
‘E ‘ikai fakata‘ema‘a ia ‘e ha taha
koe‘uhi ko ha me‘a faka‘eiki
*Commentary: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible*
Verses 1-24
As these priests were types of Christ, so all ministers must be followers of him, that their example may teach others to imitate the Saviour. Without blemish, and separate from sinners, He executed his priestly office on earth. What manner of persons then should his ministers be! But all are, if Christians, spiritual priests; the minister especially is called to set a good example, that the people may follow it. Our bodily infirmities, blessed be God, cannot now shut us out from his service, from these privileges, or from his heavenly glory. Many a healthful, beautiful soul is lodged in a feeble, deformed body. And those who may not be suited for the work of the ministry, may serve God with comfort in other duties in his church.
(v. 1-3) 1 And the Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them, No one shall make himself unclean for the dead among his people, 2 except for his closest relatives, his mother, his father, his son, his daughter, his brother, 3 or his virgin sister (who is near to him because she has had no husband; for her he may make himself unclean).
(v. 1-3) 1 PEA folofola ‘a Sihova kia Mōsese, ‘o
pehē, Lea ki he kau taula‘eiki ko e fānau ‘a ‘Ēlone, pea tala kiate kinautolu,
‘E ‘ikai fakata‘ema‘a ia ‘e ha taha koe‘uhi ko ha me‘a faka‘eiki ‘i hono kakai;
2 ngata pē ‘i hono kakano totonu, ha taha ofi kiate ia, ‘o pehē ko ‘ene fa‘ē,
pe tamai, pe foha, pe ‘ōfefine, pe tokoua. 3 Kapau ko hono tuofefine foki ‘oku
tāupo‘ou, ‘oku ofi ia kiate ia he kuo te‘eki hano husepāniti; ‘e ngofua ‘ene
fakata‘ema‘a ia koe‘uhi ko ia.
*Commentary: The Reformation Study Bible*
21:1-24 Ceremonial cleanliness regulations
specific to the priests are re-
corded. These deal with priests in general (vv. 1-9), the high priest (vv. 10-15), and priests suffering from defects (vv. 16-24). All priests who serve within the tabernacle have to show God's holiness in their character and in their bodies.
Because their duties bring them closer to God, it is essential that they be holy. Holiness in restored man ultimately involves his perfection and health (fullness of life; freedom from mortality and decay), so priests with certain handicaps are forbidden to offer sacrifice (vv.17-21). Wholeness is closely associated with holiness. But handicapped priests still enjoy a full share of priestly provisions (v.22).
21:1 Holiness (as a key attribute of God, who is Himself life) and death are incompatible; therefore,
priests may not mourn for any save their closest relatives (vv. 2, 3).
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