Leviticus 21 gives the rules for the priests, the sons of Aaron, concerning mourning, marriage, personal holiness and bodily fitness for service at the altar. These questions suit a small group, a Sunday class or personal study. Each set moves from what the text says, to what it means, to how it shapes daily life.
Leviticus 21 at a Glance
The chapter opens with limits on priestly mourning for the dead, with exceptions for close family (verses 1-4). It then turns to the priests’ distinctive appearance and marriage choices, grounded in the fact that they handle God’s offerings (verses 5-9). Verses 10-15 address the high priest in particular, and verses 16-23 explain why a priest with a physical defect may eat the sacred food but may not draw near to the altar or veil. The whole chapter rests on one refrain: God is holy, and those who serve him must reflect that holiness.
Leaders should note that the chapter moves from the general to the specific, and from the outward to the inward. Keep this flow in mind as you go through the questions, since the later sets build on the earlier ones.
Observation Questions
Use this set first, before anyone offers an opinion. Ask the group to point to the text itself, and gently redirect any answer that goes beyond what the words actually say. Let silence sit for a moment before someone speaks.
Leviticus 21:1-4
1 The 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; 2 except for his relatives that are near to him: for his mother, for his father, for his son, for his daughter, for his brother, 3 and for his virgin sister who is near to him, who has had no husband; for her he may defile himself. 4 He shall not defile himself, being a chief man among his people, to profane himself.
(WEB)
Read this passage at the start of the session to set the scene for mourning, family and the limits placed on priestly grief. It establishes the personal and family focus that frames the rest of the chapter.
Leviticus 21:6
They 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.
(WEB)
This verse states the core reason for the priests’ distinctive conduct, that they are holy to their God and must not profane his name. Reading it aloud helps the group keep the purpose of the rules in view.
Leviticus 21:8
You shall sanctify him therefore; for he offers the bread of your God. He shall be holy to you; for I the LORD, who sanctify you, am holy.
(WEB)
Here the chapter declares, “I the LORD, who sanctify you, am holy.” Pausing on this line invites the group to see holiness as rooted in God’s character rather than in human performance.
Leviticus 21:16-18
16 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 17 “Say to Aaron, ‘None of your offspring throughout their generations who has a defect may approach to offer the bread of his God. 18 For 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…
(WEB)
These verses begin the instruction about defects and access to the altar. Reading them aloud prepares the group for a careful and compassionate discussion of the harder material that follows.
Leviticus 21:22-23
22 He shall eat the bread of his God, both of the most holy, and of the holy. 23 He 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.’”
(WEB)
This passage shows that the priest with a defect still shares in the sacred food, but is kept from the altar and veil. It provides a clear anchor for the interpretation questions about inclusion and reverence.
Memory Verse for Leviticus 21
A Closing Prayer for the Group
Father, we come to you as a group that longs to know your holiness and to live it. You are the one who sets us apart, and we thank you that our standing rests on your character and not on our flawless performance. Teach us to grieve honestly, to love well, and to welcome every person into your household with humility and grace. Help us to take one faithful step this week, trusting that you are the one who sanctifies us. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
