Leviticus 21:2
◄  Leviticus 21:2  ►
New International Version (©2011)
except for a close relative, such as his mother or father, his son or daughter, his brother,

New Living Translation (©2007)
The only exceptions are his closest relatives--his mother or father, son or daughter, brother,

English Standard Version (©2001)
except for his closest relatives, his mother, his father, his son, his daughter, his brother,

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
except for his relatives who are nearest to him, his mother and his father and his son and his daughter and his brother,

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
But for his kin, that is near unto him, that is, for his mother, and for his father, and for his son, and for his daughter, and for his brother,

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
except for his immediate family: his mother, father, son, daughter, or brother.

International Standard Version (©2012)
except his close relatives—his mother, father, son, daughter, brother, or

NET Bible (©2006)
except for his close relative who is near to him: his mother, his father, his son, his daughter, his brother,

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
However, you are allowed to become unclean when one of your nearest relatives dies. These relatives include your mother, father, son, daughter, or brother,

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
But for his kin, that is near unto him, that is, for his mother, and for his father, and for his son, and for his daughter, and for his brother,

American King James Version
But for his kin, that is near to him, that is, for his mother, and for his father, and for his son, and for his daughter, and for his brother.

American Standard Version
except for his kin, that is near unto him, for his mother, and for his father, and for his son, and for his daughter, and for his brother,

Douay-Rheims Bible
But only for his kin, such as are near in blood, that is to say, for his father and for his mother, and for his son, and for his daughter, for his brother also,

Darby Bible Translation
except for his immediate relation, who is near unto him for his mother, and for his father, and for his son, and for his daughter, and for his brother;

English Revised Version
except for his kin, that is near unto him, for his mother, and for his father, and for his son, and for his daughter, and for his brother;

Webster's Bible Translation
But for his kin, that is near to him, that is, for his mother, and for his father, and for his son, and for his daughter, and for his brother,

World English Bible
except for his relatives that are near to him: for his mother, for his father, for his son, for his daughter, for his brother,

Young's Literal Translation
except for his relation who is near unto him -- for his mother, and for his father, and for his son, and for his daughter, and for his brother.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

21:1-24 Laws concerning the priests. - 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.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

But for his kin that is near unto him,.... For such he might be defiled and mourn, or be where they were, and take care of, and attend their funerals: this clause some take to be general, of which the particulars follow, as Aben Ezra; but others take it to be the first particular excepted, and instanced in, and intends his wife; for it may be rendered, as by some, "for his flesh", or "the rest of him" (p), the other part of himself, his wife, which is his other self, and one flesh with him; and so Jarchi and others observe, there is no flesh of his, but his wife; and if she is not intended here, she is not expressed elsewhere, though must be supposed, because it is allowed the priest to defile himself for other relations not so near; and it is plain from the case of Ezekiel, that a priest might mourn for his wife, Ezekiel 24:15; he being forbid it, shows his case to be an extraordinary one, and that ordinarily it was admitted, otherwise there would have been no need of a particular prohibition of him:

that is, for his mother, and for his father, and for his son, and for his daughter, and his brother; R. Alphes adds (q), "and his wife"; these being all near relations, and for whom natural affection would lead and oblige him to mourn, and show a concern for their death, and to take care of their funeral. This is to be understood of common priests; for as for the high priest, he might not mourn, or be concerned for either of these.

(p) "carne sua", Pagninus, Montanus. (q) Sepher Alphes, par. 1. fol. 410. 2.

Leviticus 21:2 Parallel Commentaries

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Holiness Required of Priests
1And the LORD said to Moses, Speak to the priests the sons of Aaron, and say to them, There shall none be defiled for the dead among his people: 2But for his kin, that is near to him, that is, for his mother, and for his father, and for his son, and for his daughter, and for his brother. 3And for his sister a virgin, that is near to him, which has had no husband; for her may he be defiled. …

Leviticus 21:3 or an unmarried sister who is dependent on him since she has no husband--for her he may make himself unclean.
Leviticus 21:11 He must not enter a place where there is a dead body. He must not make himself unclean, even for his father or mother,