He must not marry a widow, a divorced woman, or a woman defiled by prostitution, but only a virgin from his own people, so he may not defile his offspring among his people. The high priest cannot marry a widow, a divorced woman, or a prostitute — a more restrictive list than the ordinary priest's. The so he may not defile his offspring communicates the genealogical dimension of the priestly holiness: the high priest's children inherit the office (the anointing oil of verse 12 passes to his son), and the holiness of the priesthood must be maintained through the genealogical line. The priestly succession depends on the priestly marriage.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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