Leviticus 21:17

Speak unto Aaron, saying, &c.— Still further to provide for the dignity of the priesthood, and especially to guard it from that contempt which bodily defects and blemishes are too apt to raise in the mind; it is here enjoined, that none of the family of Aaron should be admitted to this sacred office, with any such personal defects or blemishes. Any thing superfluous, in the next verse, is said by the Hebrew doctors to mean any inequality in those members which are pairs; as when one of a man's eyes or legs was bigger than the other, דק dak, rendered dwarf, in the 20th verse, Dr. Beaumont observes, is, in general, that which is small, or thin; and, by the Hebrews, is referred to any imperfection in the eye; by others, to the small or thin stature of the body; as, to be a dwarf. There was a law similar so this among the ancient Romans, Sacerdos integer sit; that a priest should be entire in all his parts; which Seneca mentioning, Controv. Leviticus 4:2 explains by the example of Metellus, who, losing his eye, by venturing to snatch the palladium out of the flames, when the temple of Vesta was on fire, was denied the priesthood; for though he had done great service, whereby he had acquired high honour; yet their opinion was, that a priest who was defective in any member of his body, was to be avoided as a thing of an ill omen. There was a law too among the Athenians to the same purpose, as well as among many other of the heathens: Regulations, which, though probably made, because men are very apt to despise those who labour under bodily deformity; yet, in the divine law, doubtless, had a further and a moral import: we find that perfection was required as indispensable in all the sacrifices; see the next chapter, Leviticus 21:21, &c. in which was figured out not only the perfection of the Great Sacrifice, but the purity of mind expected in those who offered: so the high-priest and his brethren were not only required to be perfect, as types of our great High-Priest, and of the Christian priesthood, but as immediate ministers of God; of whom it is required, under every dispensation, that they should be distinguished by great purity of life; that their families should be well regulated; and that they should do and be nothing which might expose themselves and their religion to contempt.

Note; If natural defects disqualified men for the ancient priesthood, how much more should moral turpitude disqualify for the Gospel-ministry? A minister spiritually blind, or halting in his opinions, or perverse in his walk, or vicious in his temper, ought to be banished from God's altar.