Leviticus 21
Numbers 21 contains several important events from Israel’s continuing wilderness journey. It opens with victory over the Canaanite king of Arad, then records the people’s complaint and the bronze serpent, followed by travel notices, a song concerning the well, and victories over Sihon king of the Amorites and Og king of Bashan. The chapter brings together complaint, judgment, mercy, journey, and victory.
1verseThe LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them, ‘A priest shall not defile himself for the dead among his people,
2verseexcept for his relatives that are near to him: for his mother, for his father, for his son, for his daughter, for his brother,
3verseand for his virgin sister who is near to him, who has had no husband; for her he may defile himself.
4verseHe shall not defile himself, being a chief man among his people, to profane himself.
5verse“‘They shall not shave their heads or shave off the corners of their beards or make any cuttings in their flesh.
6verseThey shall be holy to their God, and not profane the name of their God, for they offer the offerings of the LORD made by fire, the bread of their God. Therefore they shall be holy.
7verse“‘They shall not marry a woman who is a prostitute, or profane. A priest shall not marry a woman divorced from her husband; for he is holy to his God.
8verseTherefore you shall sanctify him, for he offers the bread of your God. He shall be holy to you, for I the LORD, who sanctify you, am holy.
9verse“‘The daughter of any priest, if she profanes herself by playing the prostitute, she profanes her father. She shall be burned with fire.
10verse“‘He who is the high priest among his brothers, upon whose head the anointing oil is poured, and who is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not let the hair of his head hang loose, or tear his clothes.
11verseHe must not go in to any dead body, or defile himself for his father or for his mother.
12verseHe 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 the LORD.
13verse“‘He shall take a wife in her virginity.
14verseHe shall not marry a widow, or one divorced, or a woman who has been defiled, or a prostitute. He shall take a virgin of his own people as a wife.
15verseHe shall not profane his offspring among his people, for I am the LORD who sanctifies him.’”
16verseThe LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
17verse“Say to Aaron, ‘None of your offspring throughout their generations who has a defect may approach to offer the bread of his God.
18verseFor whatever man he is that has a defect, he shall not draw near: a blind man, or a lame, or he who has a flat nose, or any deformity,
19verseor a man who has an injured foot, or an injured hand,
20verseor hunchbacked, or a dwarf, or one who has a defect in his eye, or an itching disease, or scabs, or who has damaged testicles.
21verseNo man of the offspring of Aaron the priest who has a defect shall come near to offer the offerings of the LORD made by fire. Since he has a defect, he shall not come near to offer the bread of his God.
22verseHe shall eat the bread of his God, both of the most holy, and of the holy.
23verseHe shall not come near to the veil, nor come near to the altar, because he has a defect; that he may not profane my sanctuaries, for I am the LORD who sanctifies them.’”
24verseSo Moses spoke to Aaron, and to his sons, and to all the children of Israel.
Victory over the Canaanites (Verses 1–3)
When the Canaanite king of Arad attacks Israel and takes some captives, Israel makes a vow to the LORD. God gives the Canaanites into Israel’s hand, and the place is named Hormah. This opening scene contrasts with earlier failures by showing Israel seeking God’s help and receiving victory.
The Bronze Serpent Incident (Verses 4–9)
As the people travel by the way to the Red Sea to go around Edom, they become impatient and speak against God and Moses. Venomous serpents come among them, and many die. When the people confess their sin, Moses intercedes, and God instructs him to make a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. Whoever is bitten and looks at it lives. The passage shows judgment, intercession, and a divinely provided means of healing.
Journey and Victories (Verses 10–35)
The chapter then lists stages in Israel’s journey, including Oboth, Iye-abarim, the Valley of Zered, and the region of the Arnon. It also records victories over Sihon king of the Amorites and Og king of Bashan. These victories show Israel moving closer to the land and experiencing God’s protection despite earlier failures.
Reflection Points
- Instead of allowing hardship to turn into resentment, reflect on how to bring difficulty before God truthfully.
- The bronze serpent invites reflection on responding to God’s provided remedy with trust and humility.
- Remember that progress in life often includes both discipline and mercy, both struggle and provision.
Try Applying It to Yourself
- When frustration or impatience rises, examine whether your speech is becoming resentful or destructive.
- Look back on moments when help or restoration came in an unexpected but simple way.
- Practice gratitude for guidance and protection along the journey, not only after reaching the destination.
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