Lev 21:8 | KD | STEP | “ Thou shalt sanctify him therefore, ” that is to say, not merely “respect his holy dignity” ( Knobel ), but take care that he did not desecrate his office by a marriage so polluted. The Israelites as a nation are addressed in the persons of their chiefs. The second clause of the verse, “ he shall be holy unto thee, ” contains the same thought. The repetition strengthens the exhortation. The reason assigned for the first clause is the same as in ; and that for the second, the same as in , ; , etc.

‏ Leviticus 21:8

“Thou shalt sanctify him therefore,” that is to say, not merely “respect his holy dignity” (Knobel), but take care that he did not desecrate his office by a marriage so polluted. The Israelites as a nation are addressed in the persons of their chiefs. The second clause of the verse, “he shall be holy unto thee,” contains the same thought. The repetition strengthens the exhortation. The reason assigned for the first clause is the same as in Lev 21:6; and that for the second, the same as in Lev 20:8, Lev 20:26; Exo 31:13, etc.