Leviticus 10:14

Translation
King James Version
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.
Ask
KJV (with Strong's)
And the wave H8573 breast H2373 and heave H8641 shoulder H7785 shall ye eat H398 in a clean H2889 place H4725; thou, and thy sons H1121, and thy daughters H1323 with thee: for they be thy due H2706, and thy sons H1121' due H2706, which are given H5414 out of the sacrifices H2077 of peace offerings H8002 of the children H1121 of Israel H3478.
Ask
Complete Jewish Bible
The breast that was waved and the thigh that was raised you are to eat in a clean place - you, your sons and your daughters with you; for these are given as your and your children's share of the sacrifices of the peace offerings presented by the people of Isra'el.
Ask
Berean Standard Bible
And you and your sons and daughters may eat the breast of the wave offering and the thigh of the contribution in a ceremonially clean place, because these portions have been assigned to you and your children from the peace offerings of the sons of Israel.
Ask
American Standard Version
And the wave-breast and the heave-thigh shall ye eat in a clean place, thou, and thy sons, and thy daughters with thee: for they are given as thy portion, and thy sons’ portion, out of the sacrifices of the peace-offerings of the children of Israel.
Ask
World English Bible Messianic
The waved breast and the heaved thigh you shall eat in a clean place, you, and your sons, and your daughters with you: for they are given as your portion, and your sons’ portion, out of the sacrifices of the peace offerings of the children of Israel.
Ask
Geneva Bible (1599)
Also the shaken breast and the heaue shoulder shall yee eate in a cleane place: thou, and thy sonnes, and thy daughters with thee: for they are giuen as thy duetie and thy sonnes duety, of the peace offringes of the children of Israel.
Ask
Young's Literal Translation
`And the breast of the wave-offering, and the leg of the heave-offering, ye do eat in a clean place, thou, and thy sons, and thy daughters with thee; for thy portion and the portion of thy sons they have been given, out of the sacrifices of peace-offerings of the sons of Israel;
Ask
See also
Numbers 18:11Leviticus 7:29Leviticus 7:34John 4:34Leviticus 9:21Exodus 29:24Exodus 29:28
In the KJVVerse 2,992 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Leviticus 10:14 specifies the divinely ordained portions of the peace offering—the wave breast and heave shoulder—that were perpetually designated for Aaron and his priestly descendants, including their entire households. This provision was to be consumed in a ritually clean place, emphasizing the sacredness of the priests' sustenance and their unique role as mediators between God and Israel. The verse underscores God's meticulous care for those consecrated to His service, ensuring their physical needs were met through the very sacrifices that facilitated fellowship with Him, even as it re-establishes order in the aftermath of the severe judgment against Nadab and Abihu.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: Leviticus 10:14 is situated within a profoundly significant and somber chapter that immediately follows the tragic deaths of Nadab and Abihu, Aaron's elder sons, who offered "unauthorized fire before the Lord" as recounted in Leviticus 10:1-2. This catastrophic event served as a stark and immediate lesson on the absolute necessity of strict obedience to God's precise commands concerning worship and priestly conduct. In the wake of this severe judgment, Moses delivers further, urgent instructions to Aaron and his remaining sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, regarding their ongoing priestly duties, particularly concerning the consumption of holy things. The preceding verses, specifically Leviticus 10:8-11, emphasize the priests' solemn responsibility for discerning between the holy and the common, the clean and the unclean, and for diligently teaching God's statutes to the Israelites. Leviticus 10:12-15 then specifically addresses the portions of various offerings that the priests were permitted to eat, clarifying their entitlements and the conditions for their consumption, thereby re-establishing order, provision, and a clear understanding of their role after a moment of profound disruption and divine wrath.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: The establishment of the Tabernacle system and the Levitical priesthood at Mount Sinai marked a pivotal new phase in Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh, transforming them from a nomadic collection of clans into a holy nation. The priesthood was divinely instituted to mediate this relationship, performing sacrifices, maintaining ritual purity, and teaching the Law. While many ancient Near Eastern cultures had priests who received portions of offerings as their livelihood, Israel's system was unique in its divine ordination, the specific ritual significance attached to each portion, and its emphasis on holiness. The "peace offering" (Hebrew: zevach sh'lamim) was distinct among the sacrifices because it was the only one from which the worshiper, the priest, and God (via the altar fire) all partook, symbolizing communion, fellowship, and reconciliation. The "wave breast" and "heave shoulder" were not arbitrary selections but integral parts of the ritual, symbolizing presentation to God and then being returned as a sacred provision. This system ensured the priests' financial stability, allowing them to dedicate themselves fully to their sacred duties without needing to engage in secular labor for sustenance, a common practice for religious functionaries in the ancient world. The pervasive concern for ritual purity, highlighted by the emphasis on a "clean place" for consumption, permeated all aspects of Israelite life, especially concerning anything connected to the sacred.
  • Key Themes: This verse, within the broader context of Leviticus 10, contributes significantly to several key themes. Firstly, it underscores the theme of Divine Sovereignty and Holiness, demonstrating God's absolute authority over worship and His meticulous standards for those who approach Him. The immediate backdrop of Nadab and Abihu's judgment reinforces this. Secondly, it highlights God's Provision for His Servants, showing His faithfulness in sustaining the priesthood, enabling them to fulfill their sacred calling without material distraction. This provision is not charity but a divinely ordained "due." Thirdly, the verse reinforces the theme of Ritual Purity and Order, emphasizing that even the consumption of sacred food must adhere to specific regulations to maintain the sanctity of the covenant community. The distinction between holy and common, clean and unclean, is paramount throughout the book of Leviticus, and this verse applies that principle to the priests' daily sustenance. Finally, it touches on the theme of Covenantal Relationship, as the priests' livelihood is directly tied to the offerings of the "children of Israel," illustrating the reciprocal nature of the covenant where the people's worship sustains those who mediate for them.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • breast (Hebrew, châzeh', H2373): From חָזָה; the breast (as most seen in front); breast. This refers to the chest portion of the animal offered in the peace offering. It was specifically designated for the "wave offering," a ritual symbolizing its presentation to God and subsequent return as a consecrated portion for the priests, signifying divine acceptance and provision.
  • shoulder (Hebrew, shôwq', H7785): From שׁוּק; the (lower) leg (as a runner); hip, leg, shoulder, thigh. In the context of sacrificial offerings, shôwq denotes the right thigh or shoulder of the animal. This portion was designated for the "heave offering," a ritual involving lifting the offering upwards. Its selection, alongside the breast, provided a substantial and significant portion of the animal, reinforcing the generous and divinely appointed provision for the priestly family.
  • due (Hebrew, chôq', H2706): From חָקַק; an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage); appointed, bound, commandment, convenient, custom, decree(-d), due, law, measure, [idiom] necessary, ordinance(-nary), portion, set time, statute, task. This word emphasizes that the wave breast and heave shoulder are not merely charitable gifts but a divinely established, legally binding entitlement for Aaron and his sons. It represents a fixed, perpetual ordinance from God, ensuring the priests' livelihood as a direct consequence of their sacred service and the covenant God made with them.

Verse Breakdown

  • "And the wave breast and heave shoulder shall ye eat in a clean place;": This initial clause precisely identifies the specific portions from the peace offering—the breast, subjected to the ritual waving (tenufah), and the shoulder (right thigh), subjected to the ritual heaving (terumah). These rituals consecrated these parts, setting them apart as the priests' entitlement. The instruction to eat them "in a clean place" underscores the paramount importance of ritual purity for those consuming sacred food, ensuring that even their sustenance reflected the holiness of their calling and the offerings from which it derived. This place was ritually pure, free from any defilement, though not necessarily within the Tabernacle's most sacred areas.
  • "thou, and thy sons, and thy daughters with thee:": This phrase explicitly broadens the recipients of this divine provision beyond just the active male priests (Aaron and his sons) to include the female members of their households (daughters). This demonstrates God's comprehensive care for the entire priestly family, acknowledging that their well-being and sustenance were intricately linked to the sacred service performed by the male priests. It highlights the communal aspect of God's blessing within the family unit and ensures that the entire household dedicated to God's service was provided for.
  • "for [they be] thy due, and thy sons' due, [which] are given out of the sacrifices of peace offerings of the children of Israel.": This concluding clause provides the theological and legal justification for the priests' consumption of these portions. They are not merely discretionary gifts but a divinely ordained "due" or "statute" (chôq), a perpetual entitlement established by God's covenant. The verse explicitly states that these portions are "given out of the sacrifices of peace offerings of the children of Israel," emphasizing that the people's offerings to God also served as the divinely appointed means of provision for those who ministered on their behalf. This establishes a reciprocal relationship within the covenant community, where the people's worship sustains the priests, and the priests' service mediates for the people.

Literary Devices

The verse primarily employs Legal Language and Prescription, characteristic of the book of Leviticus, which functions fundamentally as a divine law code. It issues direct commands ("shall ye eat") and specifies precise conditions ("in a clean place") and beneficiaries ("thou, and thy sons, and thy daughters"). The meticulous naming of the "wave breast" and "heave shoulder" serves as Specific Detail, eliminating any ambiguity regarding the designated portions, which were themselves integral to a larger system of Ritual Symbolism within the sacrificial cult. The phrase "thy due, and thy sons' due" utilizes Repetition for emphasis, powerfully underscoring the divinely ordained right and perpetual entitlement of the priestly family to these provisions. This repetition serves to reinforce the idea that their sustenance is not a matter of charity but a covenantal obligation from God, securing their livelihood for their dedicated and unique service.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Leviticus 10:14 powerfully illustrates God's faithful and meticulous provision for those consecrated to His service, a principle that resonates far beyond the Old Covenant. It underscores the sacred nature of the priesthood's sustenance, which was directly linked to the offerings made to God, symbolizing that their very livelihood flowed from their dedication to Him and His acceptance of the people's worship. This divine arrangement ensured that the priests could devote themselves fully to their demanding duties without concern for material provision, fostering an environment of profound trust and dependence on God. Furthermore, the explicit inclusion of the entire priestly household in this provision highlights God's holistic care, extending His blessings to the family unit that supported the ministering priest, thereby emphasizing the communal and familial aspect of God's covenantal relationship with His people.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Leviticus 10:14, though deeply rooted in the ancient Levitical system, offers profound and enduring insights for believers today. It serves as a powerful reminder that God is a faithful and generous provider, especially for those who dedicate their lives to His service. This principle encourages us to cultivate a deep trust in His provision, whether we are engaged in full-time vocational ministry or serving Him faithfully in our daily vocations and spheres of influence. The emphasis on eating in a "clean place" also serves as a potent spiritual reminder of the importance of purity, reverence, and holiness in all aspects of our lives, particularly concerning our approach to God and our spiritual practices. Our worship, our service, and indeed our very lives should always be marked by a profound respect for God's holiness, recognizing that everything associated with Him is sacred. Furthermore, the inclusion of the entire priestly family in the divine provision highlights the communal nature of God's blessings and the vital importance of supporting and valuing the families of those who serve in ministry. We are called, as the body of Christ, to be mindful of those who labor among us, ensuring they and their families are cared for, thereby reflecting God's own meticulous and holistic care for His servants.

Questions for Reflection

  • How does the principle of God's faithful provision for the priests encourage me in my own service and trust in Him amidst life's uncertainties?
  • In what practical ways can I cultivate a greater sense of "cleanliness" or reverence in my daily spiritual practices, reflecting the sacredness of God's presence in my life?
  • How can my local church or Christian community better support those who serve in ministry, extending care and provision to their families as well?
  • What does it mean for me, as a New Covenant believer, to understand my spiritual blessings and access to God as a "due" purchased by Christ, rather than a charitable gift I might lose?

FAQ

Why were these specific parts—the breast and shoulder—designated for the priests?

Answer: The breast and shoulder were designated for the priests due to their specific ritual significance and practical value within the peace offering. The "wave breast" (Hebrew: chazeh hat-tenufah) was presented by a horizontal waving motion before the Lord, symbolizing its presentation to God and then being given back to the priest as a divine provision. The "heave shoulder" (Hebrew: shoq hat-terumah) was lifted upwards, signifying its elevation and dedication to God. These actions ritually consecrated these portions, making them uniquely suitable as the priests' "due" or entitlement. They were not just any parts of the animal, but those that had been ritually sanctified through specific, symbolic actions, emphasizing that the priests received their sustenance directly from God's hand after it had been offered to Him. This also ensured a consistent and substantial portion for the priestly family, as these were significant and desirable cuts of meat, providing ample nourishment.

What does "in a clean place" mean, and why was it important for the priests to eat there?

Answer: "In a clean place" (Hebrew: maqom tahor) refers to a location that was ritually pure, free from any ceremonial defilement. This was crucial because the meat came from a holy offering made to the Lord, and anything holy had to be treated with the utmost reverence and purity. While it didn't necessarily mean within the sacred precincts of the Tabernacle itself (like the Holy Place or Most Holy Place), it required that the priest and his family be ritually clean themselves and that the place of consumption not be defiled by anything unclean. This requirement underscored the pervasive concern for ritual purity that permeated all aspects of Israelite worship and daily life, particularly concerning sacred things. It ensured that sacred food, once consecrated, maintained its holiness and was consumed in a manner that honored God and His commands, preventing any contamination or disrespect to the divine provisions. It reinforced the idea that holiness extended beyond the Tabernacle walls into the daily lives of those who served God, reminding them of their constant need for purity in His presence.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Leviticus 10:14, with its detailed provisions for the Levitical priesthood, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "wave breast" and "heave shoulder" were portions of the peace offering, symbolizing communion, reconciliation, and fellowship with God. These Old Testament offerings, and the Levitical priests who mediated them, pointed forward to Christ, who is our perfect and eternal Peace Offering and the ultimate means of reconciliation with God. He is both the perfect sacrifice, having offered Himself once for all time on the cross (Hebrews 9:26), and our eternal High Priest, interceding for us in heaven (Hebrews 7:25). Just as the Levitical priests lived from the offerings, Christ, through His perfect sacrifice and resurrection, provides eternal spiritual sustenance for all who believe in Him. He declared Himself to be the bread of life and the living water, offering Himself as the spiritual "due" for His new covenant people, the church, which is now a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9). The requirement to eat in a "clean place" foreshadows the spiritual purity required for fellowship with God, a purity that is now achieved not through ritual washing or dietary laws, but through the cleansing blood of Christ (Hebrews 10:19-22). In Christ, God's provision for His servants is not merely physical sustenance from animal sacrifices, but eternal life, spiritual nourishment, and perfect fellowship, freely given to all who are united with Him, the true and greater Priest.

Copy as

Commentary on Leviticus 10 verses 12–20

I. II. Main points1. 2. Sub-points

Moses is here directing Aaron to go on with his service after this interruption. Afflictions should rather quicken us to our duty than take us off from it. Observe (Lev 10:12), He spoke unto Aaron and to his sons that were left. The notice taken of their survivorship intimates, 1. That Aaron should take comfort under the loss of two of his sons, from this consideration, that God had graciously spared him the other two, and that he had reason to be thankful for the remnant that was left, and all his sons were not dead, and, in token of his thankfulness to God, to go on cheerfully in his work. 2. That God's sparing them should be an engagement upon them to proceed in his service, and not to fly off from it. Here were four priests consecrated together, two were taken away, and two left; therefore the two that were left should endeavour to fill up the places of those that were gone, by double care and diligence in the services of the priesthood. Now,

I. Moses repeats the directions he had formerly given them about eating their share of the sacrifices, Lev 10:12-14, Lev 10:15. The priests must learn not only to put a difference between the holy and the unholy, as they had been taught (Lev 10:10), but also to distinguish between that which was most holy and that which was only holy of the things that were to eat. That part of the meat-offering which remained to the priest was most holy, and therefore must be eaten in the courts of the tabernacle, and by Aaron sons only (Lev 10:12, Lev 10:13); but the breast and shoulder of the peace-offerings might be eaten in any decent place out of the courts of the tabernacle, and by the daughters of their families. The meat-offerings, being annexed to the burnt-offerings, were intended only and wholly for the glory of God; but the peace-offerings were ordained for the furtherance of men's joy and comfort; the former therefore were the more sacred, and to be had more in veneration. This distinction the priests must carefully observe, and take heed of making any blunders. Moses does not pretend to give any reasons for this difference, but refers to his instructions: For so am I commanded, Lev 10:13. This was reason enough; he had received of the Lord all that he delivered unto them, Co1 11:23.

II. He enquires concerning one deviation from the appointment, which it seems had happened upon this occasion, which was this: - There was a goat to be sacrificed as a sin-offering or the people, Lev 9:15. Now the law of the sin-offerings was that if the blood of them was brought into the holy place, as that of the sin-offerings for the priest was, then the flesh was to be burnt without the camp; otherwise it was to be eaten by the priest in the holy place, Lev 6:30. The meaning of this is here explained (Lev 10:17), that the priests did hereby bear the iniquity of the congregation, that is, they were types of him who was to be made sin for us, and on whom God would lay the iniquity of us all. Now the blood of this goat was not brought into the holy place, and yet, it seems, it was burnt without the camp. Now observe here, 1. The gentle reproof Moses gives to Aaron and his sons for this irregularity. Here again Aaron sons are said to be those that were left alive (Lev 10:16), who therefore ought to have taken warning; and Moses was angry with them. Though he was the meekest man in the world, it seems he could be angry; and when he thought God was disobeyed and dishonoured, and the priesthood endangered, he would be angry. Yet observe how very mildly he deals with Aaron and his sons, considering their present affliction. He only tells them they should indeed have eaten it in the holy place, but is willing to hear what they have to say for themselves, being loth to speak to the grief of those whom God had wounded.

2.The plausible excuse which Aaron makes for this mistake. Moses charged the fault upon Eleazar and Ithamar (Lev 10:16), but it is probable that what they did was by Aaron direction, and therefore he apologized for it. He might have pleaded that this was a sin-offering for the congregation, and if it had been a bullock it must have been wholly burnt (Lev 4:21), and therefore why not now that it was a goat? But it seems it was otherwise ordered at this time, and therefore he makes his affliction his excuse, Lev 10:19. Observe, (1.) How he speaks of affliction: Such things have befallen me, such sad things, which could not but go near his heart, and make it very happy. He was a high priest taken from among men, and could not put off natural affection when he put on the holy garments. He held his peace (Lev 10:3), yet his sorrow was stirred, as David's, Psa 39:2. Note, There may be a deep sense of affliction even where there is a sincere resignation to the will of God in the affliction. "Such things as never befel me before, and as I little expected now. My spirits cannot but sink, when I see my family sinking; I must needs be heavy, when God is angry:" thus it is easy to say a great deal to aggravate an affliction, but it is better to say little. (2.) How he makes this an excuse for his varying from the appointment about the sin-offering. He could not have eaten it but in his mourning, and with a sorrowful spirit; and would this have been accepted? He does not plead that his heart was so full of grief that he had no appetite for it, but that he feared it would not be accepted. Note, [1.] Acceptance with God is the great thing we should desire and aim at in all our religious services, particularly in the Lord's supper, which is our eating of the sin-offering. [2.] The sorrow of the world is a very great hindrance to our acceptable performance of holy duties, both as it is discomposing to ourselves, takes off our chariot-wheels and makes us drive heavily (Sa1 1:7, Sa1 1:8), and as it is displeasing to God, whose will it is that we should serve him cheerfully, Deu 12:7. Mourner's bread was polluted, Hos 9:4. See Mal 3:14.

3.The acquiescence of Moses in this excuse: He was content, Lev 10:20. Perhaps he thought it justified what they had done. God had provided that what could not be eaten might be burnt. Our unfitness for duty, when it is natural and not sinful, will have great allowances made for it; and God will have mercy and not sacrifice. At least he thought it did very much extenuate the fault; the spirit indeed was willing, but the flesh was weak. God by Moses showed that he considered his frame. It appeared that Aaron sincerely aimed at God's acceptance; and those that do so with an upright heart shall find he is not extreme to mark what they do amiss. Nor must we be severe in our animadversions upon every mistake, considering ourselves, lest we also be tempted.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 12–20. Public domain.
Copy as
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
Copy as

Continue studying Leviticus 10:14 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.

Read & Compare

Commentaries

Original Language & Research

Sermons, Hymns & Audio

TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.