Leviticus10

Nadab and Abihu, sons of Aaron, offered unauthorized fire before the LORD and were consumed by divine fire. Moses then instructed Aaron and his remaining sons on proper priestly conduct, including prohibitions against mourning rituals and strong drink while ministering. The chapter concludes with Moses clarifying rules for eating priestly portions of offerings, and Aaron explaining why a sin offering was not eaten, which satisfied Moses.
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The Death 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. ​
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.
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. ​

Regulations for Priestly Conduct

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.

Instructions Regarding Priestly Portions

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.
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. ​

Study Notes for Leviticus 10

Verse 1

Nadab and Abihu, Aaron’s oldest sons, violated established priestly protocol by offering 'strange fire.' This transgression likely involved using unauthorized fire (not from the altar) or offering incense at an unscheduled time, demonstrating disregard for God’s specific instructions.

Verse 2

The immediate divine judgment emphasizes the absolute necessity of strict adherence to ritual law, particularly for those serving in the sanctuary. This act establishes the terrifying standard of holiness required for approaching God.

Verse 3

Moses explains that God must be treated as holy ('sanctified') by those who approach him. Aaron’s silence ('held his peace') signifies submission to the judgment and recognition of God’s absolute sovereignty.

Verse 6

As consecrated priests, Aaron and his surviving sons were forbidden from customary mourning practices (such as tearing clothes). Their duty to maintain ritual purity and continue service superseded personal grief, lest divine wrath fall upon the entire people.

Verse 7

The anointing oil signified continuous consecration. They were restricted to the Tabernacle door to ensure they did not neglect their duties or become ritually defiled, thereby risking the same fate as their brothers.

Verse 9

This prohibition against alcohol during service is likely connected to the previous transgression (V. 1). Priests needed clear minds and sobriety to perform their duties accurately and maintain the sanctity of the Tabernacle.

Verse 10

A primary function of the priesthood was epistemological: they served as teachers and judges responsible for distinguishing between the sacred (holy) and the common (unholy), and between the ritually acceptable (clean) and unacceptable (unclean).

Verse 12

After the tragedy, Moses immediately returns to the practical details of worship, focusing on the proper distribution of the 'most holy' portions of the sacrifices, which must be consumed by the priests within the holy place.

Verse 16

Moses finds that the sin offering goat was burned completely instead of being eaten. This suggests the surviving priests, overwhelmed by the recent judgment, may have feared making another ritual error and defaulted to burning it outside the camp.

Verse 17

Moses reminds the priests that eating the sin offering was essential. By consuming the offering in the holy place, the priests ritually bore the iniquity of the congregation, completing the process of atonement.

Verse 19

Aaron offers a compassionate defense: given the tragedy and his profound grief, he questioned whether eating the sin offering that day—while ritually affected by death and emotional distress—would truly honor God or be accepted by Him.

Verse 20

Moses accepts Aaron's reasoning. This demonstrates that while ritual obedience is vital, God also considers the worshiper's extraordinary circumstances and spiritual condition, allowing for mercy in the face of overwhelming tragedy.

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