Leviticus 10:10

KJV

And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean;

KJV (with Strong's)

And that ye may put difference {H914} between holy {H6944} and unholy {H2455}, and between unclean {H2931} and clean {H2889};

Complete Jewish Bible

so that you will distinguish between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean;

Berean Standard Bible

You must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the clean and the unclean,

American Standard Version

and that ye may make a distinction between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 10:10 articulates a foundational responsibility of the Aaronic priesthood: to discern and teach the critical distinctions between what is holy and unholy, and between what is unclean and clean. This divine mandate was essential for maintaining the sanctity of the Tabernacle, the purity of the Israelite community, and the proper worship of God, especially in the wake of Nadab and Abihu's unauthorized offering, which underscored the dire consequences of blurring such sacred boundaries.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the catastrophic judgment upon Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, who offered "strange fire" before the Lord and were consumed by fire from the Lord, as recorded in [Leviticus 10:1-2](/leviticus/10-1-2 "Leviticus 10:1-2 - The Death of Nadab and Abihu"). In the profound grief and shock, Moses commands Aaron and his remaining sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, not to mourn publicly, emphasizing the absolute holiness of God and the seriousness of their priestly office, a directive found in [Leviticus 10:3-7](/leviticus/10-3-7 "Leviticus 10:3-7 - Instructions After Nadab and Abihu's Death"). The subsequent verses, [Leviticus 10:8-9](/leviticus/10-8-9 "Leviticus 10:8-9 - Prohibition of Wine for Priests"), prohibit priests from drinking wine or strong drink while on duty, ensuring their clear judgment. Leviticus 10:10 then directly states the purpose of this sobriety and the core function of the priesthood: to rightly distinguish between sacred and profane, pure and impure, thereby safeguarding the integrity of Israel's relationship with a holy God.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the Tabernacle (and later the Temple) served as the dwelling place of God's presence among His people. This required meticulous attention to purity and holiness, as God's presence could not abide with defilement. The priests, as mediators between God and Israel, were uniquely positioned to uphold these standards. Their role extended beyond ritual performance to include teaching the people God's laws, as highlighted in [Deuteronomy 33:10](/deuteronomy/33-10 "Deuteronomy 33:10 - Priestly Duties"). The distinctions between clean and unclean, holy and unholy, permeated every aspect of Israelite life—from diet and disease to childbirth and death. These categories were not merely arbitrary rules but served to reinforce Israel's unique identity as a people set apart by God, distinct from the surrounding pagan nations whose practices often blurred these very lines. The meticulousness of these laws underscored God's absolute purity and His demand for a corresponding purity from His covenant people.

* **Key Themes:** Leviticus 10:10 contributes significantly to the overarching theme of **God's Holiness** throughout the book of Leviticus and the Pentateuch. It underscores that God is utterly set apart from all that is common, defiled, or profane, and His presence demands a corresponding holiness from His people. This verse also highlights the theme of **Priestly Responsibility and Mediation**, emphasizing the crucial role of the priests as guardians of divine standards and instructors of the people. Their discernment was vital for maintaining the covenant relationship and ensuring proper worship. Furthermore, it reinforces the theme of **Purity and Separation**, illustrating how the distinctions between clean/unclean and holy/unholy were foundational to Israel's identity as a covenant people, called to be distinct from the nations around them, reflecting the character of their holy God. This concept of separation is central to the entire [book of Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "The Book of Leviticus").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Put difference (Hebrew, _bâdal'_):** From the primitive root H914, this verb means "to divide," "to separate," "to distinguish," or "to set apart." In this context, it is the infinitive construct (לְהַבְדִּיל, _lĕhavdil'_), signifying an active, discerning, and decisive act of establishing and maintaining clear boundaries. It implies not merely recognizing existing differences but actively enforcing and teaching them, acting as a gatekeeper of divine standards. This verb is also used in the creation account where God "separated" light from darkness in [Genesis 1:4](/genesis/1-4 "Genesis 1:4 - God Separates Light from Darkness").

* **Holy (Hebrew, _qôdesh'_):** From H6944, this term denotes that which is set apart for God's exclusive use, consecrated, sacred, or belonging to the divine sphere. It implies a state of being distinct, pure, and inviolable due to its connection with God's own character. Things designated as "holy" were to be treated with utmost reverence and protected from common or defiling contact, reflecting God's own absolute purity.

* **Unclean (Hebrew, _ṭâmêʼ'_):** From H2931, this term refers to a state of ritual impurity that rendered a person, object, or place unfit for participation in sacred worship or contact with holy things. Uncleanness was often incurred through natural processes (e.g., childbirth, menstruation), contact with death, certain diseases, or forbidden foods. While not necessarily sinful, it required specific purification rituals to restore ritual cleanness and access to the community of worship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy":** This clause emphasizes the priest's primary responsibility to distinguish between what is consecrated to God and what is common or profane. "Unholy" (H2455, _chôl_) refers to that which is ordinary, common, or secular, not necessarily evil, but not set apart for God. The priests were to ensure that sacred spaces, objects, and times were treated with reverence, maintaining their sanctity and preventing their desecration by common use or unauthorized access. This distinction protected God's honor and the integrity of His worship, preventing the blurring of lines that could lead to irreverence or judgment, as seen with Nadab and Abihu.

* **"and between unclean and clean":** This second clause focuses on ritual purity. "Clean" (H2889, _ṭâhôwr_) signifies a state of ritual purity, making one fit for worship and participation in the community. "Unclean" (H2931, _ṭâmêʼ_) denotes a state of ritual impurity that temporarily excluded one from the holy assembly or contact with sacred things. The priests were responsible for identifying states of uncleanness, guiding individuals through prescribed purification rites (e.g., washing, sacrifices, waiting periods), and declaring when someone was restored to a state of cleanness, thus enabling their re-entry into full communal and cultic life. This ensured the purity of the community in the presence of a holy God.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 10:10 prominently employs **Antithesis**, presenting two pairs of opposing concepts: "holy and unholy" and "unclean and clean." This use of contrasting terms highlights the absolute necessity of clear distinctions in the divine economy, especially for those serving in sacred capacities. The verse also utilizes **Merism**, where two contrasting parts are used to represent a complete spectrum or totality. By listing "holy/unholy" and "unclean/clean," the text encompasses the entire range of distinctions the priests were to make concerning sacredness and purity, underscoring the all-encompassing nature of their discerning role. Furthermore, the verse functions as **Didacticism**, directly instructing the priests on a fundamental aspect of their duty, emphasizing the educational component of their office—they were not just to *know* these differences but to *teach* them to the people, thereby safeguarding the spiritual integrity of the entire Israelite community.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse is a cornerstone for understanding the pervasive theme of God's holiness throughout the Old Testament. The meticulous distinctions mandated here reflect God's own character as utterly pure and separate from all defilement. The priests, by upholding these boundaries, served as guardians of God's holiness within the community, ensuring that Israel could dwell in His presence without being consumed by His purity. This emphasis on separation for holiness foreshadows the New Testament call for believers to be set apart from the world, reflecting God's character in their lives and living as a distinct people.

* [Exodus 19:6](/exodus/19-6 "Exodus 19:6 - Israel, a Kingdom of Priests and a Holy Nation")
* [1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Chosen Race, a Royal Priesthood")
* [2 Corinthians 6:17](/2_corinthians/6-17 "2 Corinthians 6:17 - Come Out From Among Them")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 10:10, though rooted in the Old Covenant's ceremonial law, offers profound spiritual principles for believers today. As a "royal priesthood" in Christ ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Chosen Race, a Royal Priesthood")), we are called to a life of discernment and distinction. This means actively engaging our minds and spirits to differentiate between what truly honors God and what is common or profane, between what is spiritually pure and what defiles. It challenges us to evaluate our choices in entertainment, relationships, speech, and priorities, asking whether they align with God's holiness or reflect worldly standards. Our lives are to be a witness to God's distinctiveness, demonstrating His purity in a fallen world. This requires a renewed mind, shaped by God's Word, enabling us to "test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will" ([Romans 12:2](/romans/12-2 "Romans 12:2 - Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind")). Such discernment is not about legalism but about living out our identity as those set apart for God's glory, seeking to honor Him in every facet of our existence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I struggle to "put difference" between what is holy and what is unholy, or between what is spiritually clean and unclean?**
* **How does my daily conduct reflect my identity as part of God's "royal priesthood" called to be set apart for His purposes?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate greater spiritual discernment in my decisions, relationships, and consumption of media?**
* **How can I help others understand the importance of living a life that distinguishes between clean and unclean, holy and unholy, in a New Covenant context, emphasizing grace and truth?**

### FAQ
**Why was it so important for the priests to make these distinctions?**

Answer: It was critically important for the priests to make these distinctions because they were the primary guardians of God's holiness within Israel. God's presence resided in the Tabernacle (and later the Temple) among His people, but His absolute purity meant that defilement could not be tolerated. The priests' role was to ensure that the sacred space, objects, and people remained ritually pure and consecrated, preventing God's judgment from falling upon the community due to irreverence or impurity. Their ability to discern and teach these differences was essential for maintaining the covenant relationship between God and Israel, as seen in the tragic example of Nadab and Abihu in [Leviticus 10:1-2](/leviticus/10-1-2 "Leviticus 10:1-2 - The Death of Nadab and Abihu"). They were also the instructors of the people, ensuring that the entire nation understood how to live in a way that honored God, a duty clearly outlined in [Deuteronomy 33:10](/deuteronomy/33-10 "Priestly Duties").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 10:10, with its emphasis on the priestly duty of distinguishing between holy and unholy, clean and unclean, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. As our Great High Priest ([Hebrews 4:14](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest")), Jesus perfectly embodies and enacts these distinctions. He is the Holy One of God ([Mark 1:24](/mark/1-24 "Mark 1:24 - Jesus Casts Out an Unclean Spirit")), without sin ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Our Sympathetic High Priest")), perfectly set apart for God's purposes. Through His sacrificial death, He did not merely distinguish between clean and unclean; He *made* us clean, purifying us from all sin and defilement, making us holy and blameless before God ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ Loves the Church")). The Levitical priests could only declare a person clean or offer sacrifices for temporary cleansing; Christ, by His one perfect sacrifice, provides eternal cleansing and makes us truly holy, enabling us to draw near to God with confidence ([Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10-14 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). Furthermore, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, Christ empowers believers, who are now a "holy priesthood" ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones, a Holy Priesthood")), to discern spiritual truth and live lives set apart for God, reflecting His holiness in a world that often blurs these vital distinctions, for we are called to be holy as He is holy ([1 Peter 1:15-16](/1_peter/1-15-16 "1 Peter 1:15-16 - Be Holy, for I Am Holy")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 22:26

Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed [difference] between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.

1 Peter 1:14

As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

1 Peter 1:16

Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Leviticus 11:47

To make a difference between the unclean and the clean, and between the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten.

Ezekiel 44:23

And they shall teach my people [the difference] between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.

Titus 1:15

Unto the pure all things [are] pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving [is] nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

Jeremiah 15:19

Therefore thus saith the LORD, If thou return, then will I bring thee again, [and] thou shalt stand before me: and if thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth: let them return unto thee; but return not thou unto them.