Leviticus 10:11

And that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the LORD hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses.

And that ye may teach {H3384} the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} all the statutes {H2706} which the LORD {H3068} hath spoken {H1696} unto them by the hand {H3027} of Moses {H4872}.

and so that you will teach the people of Isra'el all the laws ADONAI has told them through Moshe."

so that you may teach the Israelites all the statutes that the LORD has given them through Moses.โ€

and that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which Jehovah hath spoken unto them by Moses.

Commentary

Leviticus 10:11 underscores a vital responsibility of the Aaronic priesthood: the instruction of the people in God's laws. This verse follows immediately after the tragic incident involving Nadab and Abihu, Aaron's sons, who offered "strange fire" and were consumed by divine judgment (Leviticus 10:1-2). In the wake of this severe lesson on strict adherence to divine commands, God reiterates the priests' duty to distinguish between holy and unholy (Leviticus 10:10), which directly leads to their teaching role.

Context

The immediate context of Leviticus 10:11 is the consecration of the priesthood and the establishment of proper worship. The death of Nadab and Abihu served as a stark warning against presumption and disobedience in service to God. Following this, Aaron and his remaining sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, are given specific instructions regarding their conduct in the Tabernacle, including a prohibition against consuming wine or strong drink before ministering. This self-control was necessary for them to maintain clear judgment and fulfill their dual role: performing sacrifices and, crucially, teaching the Israelites to discern between what is sacred and what is common, what is clean and what is unclean. The "statutes which the LORD hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses" refer to the comprehensive body of laws, ordinances, and commands given at Sinai, which governed every aspect of Israelite life.

Key Themes

  • Priestly Responsibility: This verse highlights that the role of the Old Testament priesthood was not limited to ritual duties and sacrifices. A primary function was the spiritual education and instruction of the community in God's divine will. They were the authoritative interpreters and communicators of the Torah.
  • Divine Authority of the Law: The phrase "which the LORD hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses" emphasizes that these statutes were not human inventions but originated from God Himself. This divine origin gave them absolute authority and made their teaching paramount.
  • Discerning Holiness: The teaching function was directly linked to the priests' ability to "put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean" (Leviticus 10:10). By teaching the statutes, the priests enabled the entire nation to understand and live according to God's standards of holiness, which were essential for maintaining His presence among them.
  • Generational Instruction: The command to "teach the children of Israel" implies an ongoing, intergenerational responsibility to transmit God's truth, ensuring that future generations would also know and obey His laws.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "teach" here is l'horot (ืœึฐื”ื•ึนืจึนืช), derived from the root yarah (ื™ึธืจึธื”). This root means "to instruct," "to point out," or "to direct." It is the very root from which the word Torah (ืชึผื•ึนืจึธื”) is derived, meaning "instruction" or "law." This connection underscores that the priests were not just reciting rules, but actively guiding and directing the people in the way of God. The term "statutes" (ื—ึปืงึธึผื” - chukka) refers to fixed ordinances or decrees, often implying a permanent and binding nature, distinct from temporary regulations.

Practical Application

Leviticus 10:11 holds significant relevance for believers today. Just as the priests were charged with teaching God's Word, so too are spiritual leaders in the church called to instruct the congregation in biblical truth (2 Timothy 3:16-17). This verse also reminds parents of their crucial role in teaching their children the principles of faith and godly living (Deuteronomy 6:7). Furthermore, it highlights the ongoing need for all believers to cultivate discernment, learning to distinguish between truth and error, and between what honors God and what does not. The emphasis on the divine origin of the law reminds us that God's Word remains our authoritative guide for life and godliness.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 28:20

    Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.

  • Malachi 2:7

    For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he [is] the messenger of the LORD of hosts.

  • Nehemiah 8:8

    So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused [them] to understand the reading.

  • Nehemiah 8:2

    And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.

  • Jeremiah 18:18

    ยถ Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.

  • Deuteronomy 24:8

    Take heed in the plague of leprosy, that thou observe diligently, and do according to all that the priests the Levites shall teach you: as I commanded them, [so] ye shall observe to do.

  • Deuteronomy 33:10

    They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law: they shall put incense before thee, and whole burnt sacrifice upon thine altar.
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