Leviticus10
English Standard Version
1Now and , the of , his and in and on it and the Lord, which he had not them.
2And from the Lord and them, and they the Lord.
3Then to , This is what the Lord has : Among those who me I will be , and all the I will be . And held his .
4And and , the of the of , and to them, Come ; your away from the of the and of the .
5So they came and them in their of the , as had .
6And to and to and his , Do not let the hair of your , and do not your , lest you , and come upon all the ; but let your , the whole of , the that the Lord has .
7And do not the of the of , lest you , for the of the Lord is upon you. And they according to the of .
8And the Lord to , ,
9Drink or , you or your with you, when you into the of , lest you . It shall be a throughout your .
10You are to the and the , and the and the ,
11and you are to the of all the that the Lord has to them .
12 to and to and , his : the that is of the Lord ’s , and it the , for it is .
13You shall it in a holy , it is your and your ’ , from the Lord ’s , for so I am .
14But the that is and the that is you shall in a , you and your and your with you, for they are as your and your ’ from the of the of the of .
15The that is and the that is they shall with the of the pieces to for a the Lord, and it shall be yours and your ’ with you as a , as the Lord has .
16Now about the of the , and , it was ! And he was with and , the of , ,
17 have you not the of the , since it is a thing most and has been to you that you may the of the , to for them the Lord?
18 , its was not the of the . You certainly ought to have it the , as I .
19And to , , they have their and their the Lord, and yet such things as have to me! If I had the , would the Lord have ?
20And when that, he .
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Leviticus 10.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The sin and death of Nadab and Abihu. (1, 2). Aaron and his sons forbidden to mourn for Nadab and Abihu. (3–7). Wine forbidden to the priests when in the service of the tabernacle. (8–11). Of eating the holy things. (12–20).
vv1-2
Next to Moses and Aaron, none were more likely to be honourable in Israel than Nadab and Abihu. There is reason to think that they were puffed up with pride, and that they were heated with wine. While the people were prostrate before the Lord, adoring his presence and glory, they rushed into the tabernacle to burn incense, though not at the appointed time; both together, instead of one alone, and with fire not taken from the altar. If it had been done through ignorance, they had been allowed to bring a sin-offering. But the soul that doeth presumptuously, and in contempt of God's majesty and justice, that soul shall be cut off. The wages of sin is death. They died in the very act of their sin. The sin and punishment of these priests showed the imperfection of that priesthood from the very beginning, and that it could not shelter any from the fire of God's wrath, otherwise than as it was typical of Christ's priesthood.
vv3-7
The most quieting considerations under affliction are fetched from the word of God. What was it that God spake? Though Aaron's heart must have been filled with anguish and dismay, yet with silent submission he revered the justice of the stroke. When God corrects us or ours for sin, it is our duty to accept the punishment, and say, It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good. Whenever we worship God, we come nigh unto him, as spiritual priests. This ought to make us very serious in all acts of devotion. It concerns us all, when we come nigh to God, to do every religious exercise, as those who believe that the God with whom we have to do, is a holy God. He will take vengeance on those that profane his sacred name by trifling with him.
vv8-11
Do not drink wine or strong drink. During the time they ministered, the priests were forbidden it. It is required of gospel ministers, that they be not given to wine, 1Ti 3:3. It is, Lest ye die; die when ye are in drink. The danger of death, to which we are continually exposed, should engage all to be sober.
Key Words
נָדָב: Nadab, the name of four Israelites
אֲבִיהוּא: Abihu, a son of Aaron
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
אַהֲרוֹן: Aharon, the brother of Moses
אִישׁ: a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
לָקַח: to take (in the widest variety of applications)
מַחְתָּה: a pan for live coals
נָתַן: to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֵשׁ: fire (literally or figuratively)
הֵן: they (only used when emphatic)
Cross References
Leviticus 10Priests drawing near to God must sanctify themselves, the exact background warning Moses refers to here.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Direct prohibition of offering 'strange incense' on the altar, which Nadab and Abihu violated.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Requirement for ministers to not be given to wine, parallel to the priestly restriction.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Ezekiel's temple vision reiterates the prohibition against priests drinking wine when entering the inner court.
Supported by John Calvin
The holy fire from heaven just sent by God, which they ignored in favor of common fire.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Ananias and Sapphira represent a parallel New Testament judgment at the start of a new dispensation.
Supported by JFB
Genealogy showing Uzziel as Aaron's uncle, identifying Mishael and Elzaphan as cousins/brethren.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The priest's lips should keep knowledge, acting as the messenger of the Lord to teach statutes.
Supported by John Calvin
Historical recap of Nadab and Abihu dying before the Lord for offering strange fire.
Supported by Matthew Poole
God's promise that the tabernacle shall be sanctified by His glory.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Contrasts standard mourning rites like uncovered heads with the restriction placed on Aaron's family.
Supported by Matthew Poole
High priest forbidden from leaving the sanctuary for dead relatives because of the anointing oil.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Law of the meal offering and sin offering designated as most holy for Aaron's sons.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Aaron bearing the iniquity of the holy things, illustrating the priest's role in bearing sin.
Supported by JFB
Bread eaten in mourning is defiled; supports Aaron's defense that eating under grief was unacceptable.
Supported by Matthew Poole