1. Leviticus 21:7 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What is the context of verse 7?

Leviticus 21:7 (ESV)

7 They shall not marry a prostitute or a woman who has been defiled, neither shall they marry a woman divorced from her husband, for the priest is holy to his God.

The context of Leviticus 21:7 moves away from mourning to marriage and sexual purity. The priest is to have a wife of good character. She must not be a prostitute (zōnāh) or a woman who has been defiled (ḥālāl). These two words comprise a hendiadys, two terms that describe the same activity. Additionally, the priest may not marry a woman who has been divorced (grš). This is a passive verb that means, to be driven out (see Numbers 30:9; Ezekiel 44:22). The law is more interested in the woman's character and reputation than her previous sexual experience. This is indicated by the fact that the ordinary priest was allowed to marry a widow (see Leviticus 21:14 where the high priest is specifically barred from marrying a widow).