Analysis of Leviticus Chapter 10
The 10th chapter of the Book of Leviticus stands as a poignant and powerful narrative that provides essential lessons on the sanctity of divine instructions, the seriousness of worship, and the holiness required from those who serve God. This chapter recounts the tragic event concerning Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, who committed a grievous error in their priestly duties. Let us delve deeply into this chapter, verse by verse, to unearth its meanings, implications, and the wisdom it imparts to the believers.
Verses 1-2: The Offense of Nadab and Abihu
1: “And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not.”
2: “And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.”
The chapter opens with a grim scene where Nadab and Abihu, sons of Aaron the High Priest, offer “strange fire” before the Lord — a fire that God had not commanded. This act of disobedience and irreverence is met with immediate and severe punishment: fire from the Lord consumes them.
The term “strange fire” is significant; it refers to a fire not sanctified or authorized by God. There is a wealth of interpretations regarding their exact mistake:
- Some scholars suggest they used coals from a source other than the altar.
- Others believe they performed the ritual at an unauthorized time or manner.
- It is also possible they were inebriated while performing the ritual, an idea supported by the later command for priests not to drink wine or strong drink (verse 9).
The key takeaway from this account is the importance of following God’s specific instructions in worship. The Lord’s instructions are precise, and deviation, especially from those tasked with spiritual leadership, is not taken lightly.
Verses 3-5: Moses’ Message and Aaron’s Response
3: “Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.”
4: “And Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said unto them, Come near, carry your brethren from before the sanctuary out of the camp.”
5: “So they went near, and carried them in their coats out of the camp; as Moses had said.”
Moses interprets the tragic event as a fulfillment of God’s declaration that He would be sanctified by those who come near Him (the priests) and glorified before all the people. This underscores that God’s holiness is paramount, and those who serve Him must approach Him with the utmost reverence and obedience.
Aaron’s response is one of silent acceptance. This reaction can be seen as an acknowledgment of the righteousness of God’s judgment. It signifies a deep understanding of the sanctity and the inherent danger of the priesthood’s responsibilities.
Moses instructs Mishael and Elzaphan to remove the bodies of Nadab and Abihu, ensuring that the sanctity of the sanctuary is not further compromised. This practical step demonstrates the need to handle matters of sacrilege with care and immediacy.
Verses 6-7: Instructions for Mourning
6: “And Moses said unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons, Uncover not your heads, neither rend your clothes; lest ye die, and lest wrath come upon all the people: but let your brethren, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which the LORD hath kindled.”
7: “And ye shall not go out from the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: for the anointing oil of the LORD is upon you. And they did according to the word of Moses.”
Moses commands Aaron and his remaining sons not to perform traditional acts of mourning like uncovering their heads or tearing their clothes. These acts would signify a disruption in their sacred duties, which is prohibited given their anointing. The people of Israel, however, are allowed to mourn the tragedy.
This distinction highlights the special status and obligations of those anointed to serve God. Their primary responsibility, even in personal loss, is to maintain the sanctity of their office and continue their service to God.
Verses 8-11: The Prohibition of Wine and Strong Drink
8: “And the LORD spake unto Aaron, saying,
9: Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations:”
10: And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean;
11: And that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the LORD hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses.”
The Lord directly addresses Aaron to prohibit the consumption of wine or strong drink when entering the Tabernacle. This directive emphasizes the necessity of maintaining clarity of mind and sobriety to perform sacred duties. The priestly role involves distinguishing between holy and common, clean and unclean — a responsibility requiring full mental acuity.
Additionally, priests hold the teaching office within the community. They must be exemplary in conduct to effectively instruct the children of Israel in the Lord’s statutes. This prohibition ensures that priests remain apt for their dual roles of sacrifice and instruction.
Verses 12-15: Regulations about the Offerings
12: “And Moses spake unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons that were left, Take the meat offering that remaineth of the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and eat it without leaven beside the altar: for it is most holy:”
13: And ye shall eat it in the holy place, because it is thy due, and thy sons’ due, of the sacrifices of the LORD made by fire: for so I am commanded.”
14: And the wave breast and heave shoulder shall ye eat in a clean place; thou, and thy sons, and thy daughters with thee: for they be thy due, and thy sons’ due, which are given out of the sacrifices of peace offerings of the children of Israel.”
15: The heave shoulder and the wave breast shall they bring with the offerings made by fire of the fat, to wave it for a wave offering before the LORD; and it shall be thine, and thy sons’ with thee, by a statute for ever; as the LORD hath commanded.”
Moses gives Aaron and his surviving sons instructions concerning how to consume the meat offering. It must be eaten without leaven beside the altar and in a holy place. This practice underscores the importance of holiness in every aspect of worship, even in the consumption of offerings.
The wave breast and heave shoulder of the peace offerings, however, should be eaten in a clean place and can be shared with their daughters. These portions are a perpetual due for the priests, signifying the Lord’s provision for them through the sacrifices of the people. This allocation not only sustains the priests physically but also ties the community’s acts of worship to their well-being and service.
Verses 16-20: The Incident of the Goat of the Sin Offering
16: “And Moses diligently sought the goat of the sin offering, and, behold, it was burnt: and he was angry with Eleazar and Ithamar, the sons of Aaron which were left alive, saying,”
17: Wherefore have ye not eaten the sin offering in the holy place, seeing it is most holy, and God hath given it you to bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the LORD?
18: Behold, the blood of it was not brought in within the holy place: ye should indeed have eaten it in the holy place, as I commanded.”
19: And Aaron said unto Moses, Behold, this day have they offered their sin offering and their burnt offering before the LORD; and such things have befallen me: and if I had eaten the sin offering to day, should it have been accepted in the sight of the LORD?
20: And when Moses heard that, he was content.”
Upon discovering that the goat of the sin offering had been entirely burned and not eaten by Eleazar and Ithamar as prescribed, Moses becomes angry. The sin offering was designated to be consumed by the priests in a holy place, symbolizing their role in bearing the iniquity of the congregation and making atonement.
Aaron’s response sheds light on the emotional and spiritual state of the priests. He explains that given the tragic events of the day—losing his sons and the broader implications of God’s judgment—they could not partake of the sin offering with the proper disposition. Aaron questions whether their actions, performed in a state of grief and turmoil, would be acceptable to the Lord.
Moses accepts Aaron’s explanation, demonstrating a recognition of the human aspects of grief and how it interacts with ritual purity and obligation. This exchange offers a subtle but profound lesson about balancing the rigidity of ritual compliance with the realities of human experience and emotion.
Conclusion
Leviticus Chapter 10 serves as a stark reminder of the holiness of God and the seriousness with which His instructions must be followed, especially by those consecrated to His service. It accentuates the need for absolute reverence, obedience, and purity in worship. The chapter also emphasizes the communal structure of Israelite worship, highlighting the priests’ intermediary role and the importance of maintaining clarity and sanctity in their duties.
The narrative of Nadab and Abihu’s immediate punishment for their irreverence underscores that those who draw near to God must do so with profound respect and adherence to His commands. Aaron’s silent acceptance of their fate, the prohibition against priests drinking while serving, and the detailed instructions for handling offerings all reinforce the theme of sanctification and holiness.
Ultimately, Leviticus Chapter 10 serves as both a cautionary tale and an instructive text on how one must approach God—emphasizing that true worship requires not only outward ritual but also inner purity and comprehensive obedience to divine statutes. This chapter leaves readers with a renewed understanding of the gravity of holy service and the all-encompassing sanctity of the Lord.