Leviticus 10:11

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 10:11 articulates a foundational responsibility of the Aaronic priesthood: to diligently instruct the people of Israel in all the divine statutes revealed through Moses. This command immediately follows the tragic judgment upon Nadab and Abihu for offering unauthorized fire, underscoring the critical need for discernment, strict adherence to God's commands, and the priests' essential role as authoritative interpreters and communicators of God's holy will to the entire community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 10:11 stands as a pivotal instruction following the dramatic and severe judgment on Nadab and Abihu in [Leviticus 10:1-2](/leviticus/10-1 "Leviticus 10:1-2 - The Death of Nadab and Abihu"). Their unauthorized offering of "strange fire" resulted in their immediate consumption by divine fire, serving as a stark and terrifying lesson on the absolute necessity of obedience and reverence in approaching God. In the immediate aftermath, Aaron and his remaining sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, are given precise directives concerning their conduct in the Tabernacle, including a prohibition against consuming wine or strong drink before ministering ([Leviticus 10:8-9](/leviticus/10-8 "Leviticus 10:8-9 - Prohibition of Wine for Priests")). This self-control was essential for maintaining clear judgment, enabling them to "put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean" ([Leviticus 10:10](/leviticus/10-10 "Leviticus 10:10 - Priestly Discernment")). It is this capacity for discernment that directly precedes and undergirds their teaching mandate in [Leviticus 10:11](/leviticus/10-11 "Leviticus 10:11 - Priestly Teaching Mandate"), highlighting that their ritual duties were inextricably linked to their pedagogical role in guiding the nation toward holiness.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The giving of the Law at Sinai, as recorded in [Exodus 19-24](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19-24 - The Giving of the Law at Sinai") and elaborated throughout Leviticus, established Israel as a covenant people, set apart by God. In ancient Near Eastern societies, religious leaders often served as custodians of sacred knowledge and interpreters of divine will. However, Israel's priesthood was unique in that their authority derived directly from Yahweh's explicit commands, not from human tradition or self-appointment. The "statutes which the LORD hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses" refers to the comprehensive body of Mosaic Law, which governed every facet of Israelite life—religious, civil, and moral. In a largely pre-literate society, oral instruction was paramount for transmitting these laws across generations. The priests, as the divinely appointed custodians of the covenant and the Tabernacle rituals, were therefore the primary educators responsible for ensuring that the entire nation understood and adhered to God's revealed standards of holiness, purity, and justice, which were essential for maintaining God's presence among them and fulfilling their covenantal obligations.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **"teach" (Hebrew, לְהוֹרֹת, _l'horot'_):** This infinitive form is derived from the root יָרָה (_yarah_), which fundamentally means "to throw," "to cast," or "to point out." In its hiphil (causative) stem, as used here, it signifies "to instruct," "to show the way," or "to direct." This is the very root from which the Hebrew word תּוֹרָה (_Torah_), meaning "instruction" or "law," is derived. Thus, the priestly role was not merely to recite rules but to actively guide, direct, and illuminate the path of God's will for the people, acting as spiritual navigators. Their teaching was meant to lead the Israelites in the way of righteousness and understanding.
* **"statutes" (Hebrew, חֻקָּה, _chukka'_):** This term refers to fixed ordinances, decrees, or prescribed regulations. It often implies something engraved or carved, suggesting permanence, immutability, and divine authority. Unlike temporary commands or ad-hoc judgments, _chukka_ denotes a binding, often ceremonial or cultic, law that is part of the established divine order. The use of this word emphasizes that the priests were to teach not just general principles but specific, unchangeable divine mandates that governed the very fabric of Israelite life and worship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And that ye may teach the children of Israel":** This clause directly states the primary purpose and recipient of the priestly instruction. The priests' ability to discern between holy and unholy (Leviticus 10:10) was not for their private knowledge but was to be actively transmitted to the entire community, "the children of Israel." This highlights the communal nature of God's covenant and the necessity of widespread understanding and obedience for the nation's spiritual well-being.
* **"all the statutes":** This phrase emphasizes the comprehensiveness and totality of the instruction. The priests were not permitted to pick and choose which laws to teach or to omit difficult passages. Their mandate was to convey the entirety of God's revealed will, ensuring that no aspect of the divine covenant was withheld from the people. This underscores the holistic nature of God's law, encompassing all areas of life.
* **"which the LORD hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses":** This concluding phrase establishes the ultimate authority and origin of these statutes. They were not human inventions, priestly traditions, or cultural norms, but direct divine revelation. The phrase "by the hand of Moses" affirms Moses' unique role as the divinely appointed mediator through whom God communicated His will to Israel. This divine authorship imbued the statutes with absolute, unquestionable authority, making their teaching and obedience paramount.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 10:11 employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The verse functions as a **Didactic Statement**, directly instructing the priests on their pedagogical duty, emphasizing the practical outcome of their discernment. There is a strong sense of **Juxtaposition** in its placement immediately after the tragic deaths of Nadab and Abihu; the severe consequence of disobedience (death) is immediately followed by the divine mandate for diligent instruction, highlighting that knowledge and adherence to God's commands are essential for life and avoiding judgment. The phrase "which the LORD hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses" serves as an **Authoritative Declaration**, lending immense weight to the statutes and the teaching thereof by grounding them firmly in divine revelation and mediated authority. This also functions as a form of **Emphasis** on the divine origin, reinforcing the non-negotiable nature of the laws.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 10:11 profoundly underscores the divine origin and authoritative nature of God's law, revealing His desire for His people to know and obey His will. It establishes the Old Testament priesthood not merely as ritual functionaries, but as vital spiritual educators entrusted with the sacred task of mediating divine truth to the community. This teaching role was fundamental to Israel's covenant relationship with God, ensuring that the nation understood the distinctions between the holy and the common, the clean and the unclean, thereby enabling them to live in a manner that honored God and maintained His presence among them. The verse highlights that true worship and proper conduct flow from an informed understanding of God's revealed character and commands.

* [Deuteronomy 6:7](/deuteronomy/6-7 "Teaching Children Diligently")
* [Malachi 2:7](/malachi/2-7 "Malachi 2:7 - The Priest's Lips Should Guard Knowledge")
* [2 Timothy 3:16-17](/2_timothy/3-16 "2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All Scripture is God-breathed")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 10:11, though rooted in the Old Covenant priesthood, offers enduring principles for all believers today. It reminds us that true spiritual leadership is fundamentally about teaching God's Word with clarity, authority, and diligence. Whether in the pulpit, the classroom, or the home, those entrusted with spiritual influence bear a profound responsibility to accurately transmit divine truth. Furthermore, the verse calls every believer to cultivate a spirit of discernment, actively seeking to understand God's statutes so we can distinguish between truth and error, holiness and profanity, in a world that increasingly blurs these lines. Our ability to live lives pleasing to God is directly tied to our knowledge and application of His Word, which remains our authoritative guide for faith and practice. Just as the Israelites needed constant instruction, so too do we need to continually immerse ourselves in Scripture, allowing it to shape our minds and direct our paths.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways does my personal pursuit of God's Word reflect the importance of knowing "all the statutes" as emphasized in this verse?**
* **How can I better exercise discernment in my daily life, distinguishing between what is holy and unholy, clean and unclean, according to biblical principles?**
* **If I am in a position of spiritual influence (parent, teacher, leader), how am I fulfilling the mandate to "teach the children of Israel" (or those under my care) God's truth with diligence and clarity?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure that God's authoritative Word, rather than cultural trends or personal preferences, is the ultimate guide for my life and decisions?**

### FAQ
**Why is this command given immediately after the death of Nadab and Abihu?**

Answer: The immediate context of [Leviticus 10:11](/leviticus/10-11 "Leviticus 10:11 - Priestly Teaching Mandate") following the tragic deaths of Nadab and Abihu ([Leviticus 10:1-2](/leviticus/10-1 "Leviticus 10:1-2 - The Death of Nadab and Abihu")) is crucial. Their sin was offering "strange fire," an act of disobedience and presumption in worship. This severe judgment underscored the absolute necessity of strict adherence to God's commands in all matters of worship and service. Therefore, the command to teach the statutes immediately thereafter emphasizes that proper worship and holy living are not based on human innovation or preference, but on precise divine instruction. The priests' ability to "put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean" ([Leviticus 10:10](/leviticus/10-10 "Leviticus 10:10 - Priestly Discernment")) was directly linked to their teaching role, ensuring that the entire nation understood and upheld these distinctions, thereby preventing similar acts of irreverence and maintaining God's holy presence among them. It highlights that ignorance of God's law can have devastating consequences.

**What is the significance of "by the hand of Moses"?**

Answer: The phrase "by the hand of Moses" is profoundly significant because it emphasizes the divine origin and authoritative mediation of the statutes. It declares that these laws were not human inventions or priestly traditions, but direct revelations from the LORD Himself, communicated through His chosen prophet and mediator, Moses. This phrase authenticates the entire body of Mosaic Law as God's very Word to His people. It underscores that the priests were not to teach their own opinions or interpretations, but precisely "all the statutes which the LORD hath spoken." This divine authorship gave the laws absolute, unquestionable authority and made their diligent teaching and obedience paramount for the covenant people of Israel, establishing the foundational legal and moral framework for their national and spiritual life.

**Does this verse have any relevance for believers today, given the end of the Old Testament priesthood?**

Answer: Absolutely. While the Old Testament Levitical priesthood has been fulfilled and superseded by Christ's perfect high priesthood ([Hebrews 7:11-28](/hebrews/7 "Hebrews 7 - Christ a Superior Priest")), the underlying principles of Leviticus 10:11 remain highly relevant. First, it highlights the enduring importance of God's Word as the authoritative guide for faith and life. Just as the priests taught the statutes, so too are Christian leaders (pastors, teachers, elders) called to faithfully teach "all the counsel of God" ([Acts 20:27](/acts/20-27 "Acts 20:27 - Paul's Farewell to the Ephesian Elders")). Second, it underscores the universal priesthood of all believers ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Chosen Race, a Royal Priesthood")), who are called to know, live by, and share God's truth. Parents, in particular, bear a vital responsibility to teach their "children" God's ways ([Deuteronomy 6:7](/deuteronomy/6-7 "Deuteronomy 6:7 - Teaching Children Diligently")). Finally, the emphasis on discernment (Leviticus 10:10) is timeless; believers must continually learn to distinguish between truth and error, holiness and worldliness, in an increasingly complex moral landscape.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 10:11, with its emphasis on the Levitical priesthood's role in teaching God's statutes, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the Old Covenant priests were imperfect mediators of God's law, Christ is the **Logos**, the very Word of God incarnate ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Became Flesh")), who perfectly embodies and reveals the Father's will. He did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")), perfectly living out "all the statutes" and demonstrating their true meaning. As the Great Teacher, Jesus consistently taught with unparalleled authority, explaining the depths of God's law and its spiritual intent, moving beyond mere external observance to the heart's transformation ([Matthew 7:28-29](/matthew/7-28 "Matthew 7:28-29 - Jesus' Authority in Teaching")).

Under the New Covenant, the teaching mandate is transformed and expanded. Christ, our ultimate High Priest ([Hebrews 4:14](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Our Great High Priest")), not only perfectly taught God's truth but also inaugurated a new era where God's law is written on the hearts of His people by the Holy Spirit ([Hebrews 8:10](/hebrews/8-10 "Hebrews 8:10 - The New Covenant Written on Hearts")). The Spirit, whom Christ promised, guides believers into all truth and teaches them all things ([John 14:26](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Holy Spirit, the Teacher")). Furthermore, Christ commissioned His disciples, and by extension the church, to "go therefore and make disciples of all nations, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you" ([Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission")). Thus, the teaching function of the Old Testament priesthood is fulfilled in Christ's perfect revelation and continued through the Spirit-empowered ministry of His church, which is called to faithfully declare the whole counsel of God, centered on the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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.