The priests not being allowed to defile and profane themselves for a dead person among their people, except for their relatives (vv. 1-4), signifies that we, the New Testament believers, being priests of God (Rev. 1:5-6; 5:10), should not behave ourselves like the common people and thereby defile and profane ourselves.
Or, husband.
To make our head bald indicates that we do not subject ourselves to God’s headship, that we do not accept God’s authority over us (cf. 1 Cor. 11:5), and to shave off the corners of the beard or to make cuttings in the flesh indicates that we are engaging in human labor to have some change in our body, which was designed and created by God. Instead of making such changes, we should accept what God has ordained for us and subject ourselves to God’s authority, not making any change or any display or performance by our human labor, but remaining natural.
This signifies that we, the ones who minister Christ to God as food for God’s enjoyment, should separate ourselves to be holy unto God. So also for v. 8.
Verses Lev. 21:7, 9, and Lev. 21:13-15 speak of purity in marriage, even concerning the high priest’s offspring. This signifies that we who serve God as priests and who bear the highest responsibility in God’s service should be pure in our closest human relationship, for ourselves and even for our offspring.
Lit., he.
The anointing oil being poured on the head of the high priest (who typifies Christ — see note Exo. 28:11a) signifies that we, the New Testament priests as Christ’s Body, have the anointing Spirit upon us for our priestly service (2 Cor. 1:21; Psa. 133:2). To put on the priestly garments signifies that we should live a life that befits our priestly service. Not letting the hair go loose signifies that we submit to God’s authority and are not disobedient, unrestrained, or disorderly in our actions. Not tearing one’s clothes (signifying one’s behavior — Rev. 19:8) signifies that we should not make ourselves bankrupt in morality.
The high priest not being defiled even by the death of his father or his mother signifies that when we bear the highest priesthood, having the closest fellowship with God, we should restrain our natural affection, not defiling ourselves even by our affection for our parents (cf. Matt. 10:37; 12:46-50).
Heb. nezer; from the same root from which the word Nazarite comes. The word can also be translated separation.
Being disqualified from the priesthood because of a defect signifies that anyone who is deficient in Christ is not able to minister Christ as food to God.
The various defects listed in vv. 18-20 have the following significances: Blindness signifies a lack of sight for seeing because of the shortage of Christ as the enlightening light (cf. John 8:12). Lameness signifies the lack of strength for acting because of the shortage of the strengthening Christ (cf. Phil. 4:13). A disfigured nose signifies the lack of Christ as the sensing ability in our service to God (cf. S.S. 7:4b). Having one limb longer than the other signifies overstepping and overtouching outside of Christ (cf. 2 Cor. 10:13). A broken foot or hand signifies some part of our being that is not complete in Christ (cf. 2 Tim. 3:16-17). Being a hunchback signifies having the sight that is able to see only the things on earth, not the things in heaven, because of the lack of the experience of the heavenly Christ (cf. Col. 3:1-3). Being a dwarf signifies the lack of the stature of Christ in the growth in life (cf. Eph. 4:13). A defect in the eye signifies the sight in spiritual things that is not perfect because of the lack of a full view of Christ (cf. Acts 18:24-28). Eczema signifies some expression that is abnormal in life, making oneself feel uneasy and making others feel bad, because of the lack of the Spirit of Christ (cf. Phil. 1:19-20). Scales signify something that causes oneself to be uncomfortable and in its appearance bothers others, because of a lack in living Christ (cf. Phil. 1:21a). Crushed testicles signify that the spiritual reproductive function is damaged because of the serious lack of the experience of Christ as life (cf. John 15:5).
The word in vv. 22-23 signifies that although the defective believers can enjoy Christ, the food of God, as their food, they are not qualified to serve God in the church, God’s sanctuary, or around the cross of Christ, typified by the altar, lest they profane the holy things of God.
