He
who is the high priest among his brothers, upon whose head the anointing oil is poured, and that is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not let the hair of his head hang loose, or tear his clothes.
Leviticus 21:10
Leviticus 21 [9.] “‘The daughter of any priest, if she profanes herself by playing the prostitute, she profanes her father. She shall be burned with fire.
Leviticus 21 [10.] “‘He who is the high priest among his brothers, upon whose head the anointing oil is poured, and that is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not let the hair of his head hang loose, or tear his clothes. He must not go in to any dead body, or defile himself for his father, or for his mother. He shall not go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God; for the crown of the anointing oil of his God is upon him. I am Yahweh.
Leviticus 21 [13.] “‘He shall take a wife in her virginity. A widow, or one divorced, or a woman who has been defiled, or a prostitute, these he shall not marry: but a virgin of his own people shall he take as a wife. He shall not profane his offspring among his people, for I am Yahweh who sanctifies him.’”
Meaning:
Leviticus 21 sets out rules of holiness for the priests who served at God’s altar. Ordinary priests were allowed to mourn for close relatives, but the high priest was held to a higher standard. This verse describes who he is and forbids him the usual signs of mourning.
- “the high priest among his brothers”
All the priests were descendants of Aaron, but one of them was set apart above the rest. The high priest alone entered the Most Holy Place once a year, on the Day of Atonement, “to make atonement for the children of Israel once in the year because of all their sins” (Leviticus 16:34; Hebrews 9:7). His position was unique, and so was his responsibility to reflect God’s holiness.
- “upon whose head the anointing oil is poured”
The high priest was anointed with holy oil and dressed in special garments “for glory and for beauty” (Exodus 28:2). The anointing showed that he belonged to God. The next verses say, “the crown of the anointing oil of his God is upon him.” His life and appearance were to display that consecration.
- “shall not let the hair of his head hang loose, or tear his clothes”
Loose hair and torn clothes were common signs of grief for the dead. The high priest was not to show them, nor to go near a dead body, even for his father or mother. He served the living God, and his service could not be interrupted by mourning. When Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu died, Moses told Aaron and his remaining sons, “Don’t let the hair of your heads go loose, and don’t tear your clothes; so that you don’t die” (Leviticus 10:6). Even the high priest’s robe was made with a reinforced opening “that it not be torn” (Exodus 28:32).
- The high priest who tore his clothes
At the trial of Jesus, Caiaphas the high priest “tore his clothing” when Jesus confessed that he was the Christ, and declared, “He has spoken blasphemy!” (Matthew 26:65; Mark 14:63). Tearing clothes in response to blasphemy had become a custom for judges, but it is striking that the high priest of Israel tore his garments in condemning the true and eternal High Priest. The old priesthood was passing away.
The Significance of Leviticus 21:10
- Jesus, our great High Priest
Hebrews calls Jesus “a great high priest, who has passed through the heavens” (Hebrews 4:14). He was perfectly holy, and by his own blood he opened “a new and living way, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh” (Hebrews 10:19-20).
- Holiness in every circumstance
God’s servants are called to honour him even in times of grief and stress. Believers may mourn, but they mourn with hope, keeping their eyes on the God who is holy.
Cross-References:
Matthew 26:65: "Then the high priest tore his clothing, saying, ‘He has spoken blasphemy!’" Caiaphas at the trial of Jesus.
Hebrews 4:14: "Having then a great high priest, who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God." The true High Priest.
Hebrews 10:19-20: "a new and living way, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh." The way Jesus opened for us.
Conclusion: Leviticus 21:10 commands that the high priest, anointed and consecrated to wear the holy garments, must not let his hair hang loose or tear his clothes in mourning. His service to the holy God came first. The verse gains new meaning at the trial of Jesus, when Israel’s high priest tore his clothes to condemn the true High Priest, who opened the way to God for all who believe.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible