Leviticus 10

On the heels of the joyful dedication of the priesthood, Aaron’s two eldest sons offer fire God had not commanded, and they are struck down. The chapter shows how seriously God takes approaching Him on His own terms. It ends with a quiet moment of mercy, as Moses accepts Aaron’s reasoning in his grief.

Leviticus 10:1

Nadab and Abihu, newly made priests, put ordinary fire in their censers and offered incense God had not asked for. Their sin was not a small slip. It was acting on their own idea of worship, when God had said how He was to be approached.

BSA: unauthorized (“strange, foreign”): The fire was foreign to what God had appointed, so it did not belong at His altar. fire (“ordinary fire, not holy”): The fire did not come from the altar where God Himself had kindled it.

Hebrew: זָרָה (zarah, H2114) — “strange, foreign, outsider.” The word describes something that does not belong. The fire was an outsider, brought into a place God had reserved for what He had commanded.

See also: Leviticus 9:24; Exodus 30:9.

Leviticus 10:2

The fire that had just shown God’s favor at the altar now strikes the two priests. The flame of God’s presence blesses what He has commanded and consumes what He has not. They died right where they had served, which shows how real His presence was.

BSA: consumed (“devoured, burned up”): The same kind of fire that accepted the offering in chapter 9 now devours the priests.

See also: Leviticus 9:24; Hebrews 12:29.

Leviticus 10:3

Moses recalls what God had said: He will be shown holy among those who come near Him. Even this terrible event displays His holiness. Aaron, who has just lost two sons, says nothing. His silence is grief held in submission, with no complaint against God.

BSA: holiness (“set apart, sacred nature”): God is utterly distinct from everything else, and those who draw near Him must treat Him that way. silent (“held his peace, did not speak”): Aaron chose to stay quiet and did not argue with God.

See also: Psalm 89:7; Psalm 39:9.

Leviticus 10:4-5

Moses called two of Aaron’s cousins to carry the bodies out of the camp. Aaron and his other sons were under priestly restrictions and could not touch the dead. The bodies were carried out still in their priestly tunics, and this was done just as Moses directed.

BSA: outside (“beyond the boundary”): The camp was kept clean around God’s dwelling, so the dead were taken beyond its edge.

Leviticus 10:6

Aaron and his two remaining sons were not to show the usual signs of mourning, because they were consecrated and their service could not stop. The rest of Israel was free to weep openly for the fire God had sent. Grief was allowed, but not at the cost of honoring God.

BSA: mourn (“weep, lament”): The people were free to grieve, since the loss belonged to the whole nation.

See also: Leviticus 21:10-12.

Leviticus 10:7

The priests were told to stay at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting. They were not to leave their post of service, even to mourn. The anointing oil marked them as set apart for God, and that claim came before their private sorrow. They obeyed.

BSA: anointing (“a consecrated portion”): The oil showed they had been set apart for God and belonged to Him.

See also: Leviticus 8:12.

Leviticus 10:8-9

God now speaks directly to Aaron, which is rare. Priests were never to drink wine or strong drink when they went into the Tent of Meeting. Many have thought, though the text does not say, that drink may have played a part in what happened. Either way, the priests were to serve with clear minds.

BSA: permanent (“lasting, enduring”): This was a standing rule for every generation of priests, not just for one day.

See also: Proverbs 31:4-5; Ephesians 5:18.

Leviticus 10:10-11

A clear mind was needed because priests had two tasks: to tell the holy from the common, and the clean from the unclean, and then to teach Israel what God had said. People depended on them for true teaching. Confusion in the priest meant confusion among the people.

BSA: distinguish (“make a clear separation”): Priests had to draw clear lines where God had drawn them. teach (“point out, show, or instruct”): The priest’s work was to show the people the way, as well as to offer sacrifices.

Hebrew: לְהַבְדִּיל (lehavdil, H914) — “to separate, to divide.” The word is the same one used in Genesis 1 for God dividing light from darkness. Priests were to keep clear dividing lines in Israel’s life.

See also: Ezekiel 44:23; Malachi 2:7.

Leviticus 10:12-13

Moses turned to the work still to be done. The priests were to eat the leftover grain offering beside the altar, as unleavened bread, in a holy place. It was their appointed share, and it was most holy. Life and worship went on, and God’s provision for His servants continued.

BSA: most holy (“set apart, sacred, consecrated”): This portion was so sacred that only priests could eat it, and only in a holy place.

See also: Leviticus 6:16-18.

Leviticus 10:14-15

The breast and thigh from the peace offerings were also the priests’ portion, and their families could eat them in a clean place. The offerer would lift the portions before the LORD. The priests were then fed from what was given to God, which shows His care for those who serve.

BSA: wave offering (“gesture of dedication, raised to God”): The portion was first presented to God before it was given to the priests. permanently (“forever, as a lasting inheritance”): This was a lasting provision for the priestly families.

See also: Leviticus 7:30-34.

Leviticus 10:16-18

Moses found that the sin offering goat had been burned up and not eaten. He was angry with Eleazar and Ithamar. The priests were to eat this offering in the holy place, since its blood had not been brought inside the sanctuary. In eating it, they shared in carrying away the people’s guilt.

BSA: take away (“bear, lift”): The priests, by eating the offering, took on the burden of the people’s sin. atonement (“covering, reconciling”): The sacrifice covered the guilt so the people could be right with God.

Hebrew: כַּפֵּר (kapper, H3722) — “to cover, to make atonement.” The word carries the idea of covering over sin so that it no longer stands between people and God.

See also: Leviticus 6:26; Leviticus 4:1-35.

Leviticus 10:19

Aaron answered with humble honesty. On this day of heavy grief, he asked whether eating the sin offering would have pleased the LORD. He judged that mourning priests could not eat it in a fitting way. He did not excuse himself, but laid the matter before God’s judgment.

BSA: acceptable (“pleasing, well-pleasing”): Aaron’s concern was not rule-keeping for its own sake, but whether the act would please God.

Leviticus 10:20

Moses listened and was satisfied. He accepted that Aaron’s concern was reverence, not carelessness. The chapter that began with severe judgment ends with understanding. God and His servant both look at the heart’s reverence in the middle of grief.

BSA: satisfied (“content, pleasing in his sight”): Moses found Aaron’s answer good and let the matter rest.