THEOSISJerome of Stridon
They are not permitted to marry a widow or a divorced woman, but rather a maiden from the lineage of Israel. A widow, whose husband was a priest, can also be considered. It is their duty to instruct My people in discerning between the holy and the profane, and to clarify the difference between the pure and the impure. In matters of conflict, especially serious offenses, they shall adhere to My statutes and make judgments based on them. They will uphold My laws and My decrees regarding all My celebrations. This comprehensive directive addresses the priests, who are instructed not to wed a widow or a divorced woman. The widow and the divorced represent the synagogue, which consists of those Jews who have not embraced the Lord.
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The term "rejected" refers to the many heretics who departed from us because they were never truly part of us. Instead, they should choose a virgin from the house of David, nurtured in the Lord's house, grounded in the law and the prophets. The apostle expresses this in his desire to present a pure virgin to Christ (2 Cor. 11:12). This virgin is also described in Proverbs: "fence her, and she will lift you up; embrace her" (Proverbs 4:8). The nature of this virgin, deserving of affection and watchful care from her beloved, is revealed in scripture: "I have loved her, sought her from my youth, and cherished her beauty" (Prem. 8:2), along with "and the Lord of all will love her" (ibid. v. Prem. 8:8). Priests are not only to take a maiden as a spouse but may also marry a widow who was previously the wife of a priest, signifying the wisdom gained from another servant of God. We should not solely embrace new teachings but also learn from the old, provided they align with true religious practice. The priest is responsible for teaching the distinctions between the sacred and the secular, emphasizing doctrine on one side and human actions on the other. Who can truly understand the depths of sin (Psalm 18:13)? In times of dispute, notably in severe cases that could lead to capital punishment, priests must uphold My ordinances without bias, treating neither the wealthy nor the poor with favoritism, but faithfully administering God's commands, mindful of the words in Psalms: "God stands in the assembly of gods; He judges among the gods" (Psalm 81:1). The 'gods' referenced are those empowered to render judgment among men, understanding that the standard by which they judge will also be the measure of their judgment (Matthew 7). They are directed to observe My laws and statutes regarding all My festivals, recognizing how the Passover signifies Christ's sacrifice on our behalf, how to engage in the weeks of joy and celebration, and how to humble ourselves in fasting. This also helps us comprehend the sound of trumpets and the significance of spiritual tabernacles, aligning with the sentiment: "I am a forsaker and a stranger, as were all my fathers" (Psalm 88:18). These are the genuine feasts of God, which may be better interpreted by those who delve into the teachings of the Pentateuch. The foremost responsibility of a priest is not only to share what he understands but also to observe all of God’s festivals and to encourage others in these practices. As we glean from Malachi, “the mouth of the priest should guard knowledge, and the law should be sought from his lips, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts” (Malachi 2:7).