TRV
Study This Verse
Commentary on Leviticus 10 verses 12–20
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.
Continue studying Leviticus 10:20 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
Leviticus 10:20 marks the resolution of a tense divine encounter, depicting Moses' shift from initial anger to profound contentment upon hearing Aaron's heartfelt and reverent explanation for his deviation from ritual instructions concerning a sin offering. This pivotal verse underscores a crucial theological truth: while God demands holiness and obedience, He also extends mercy and understanding, valuing sincere intention and a pure heart above rigid, mechanical adherence to the letter of the law, especially in moments of profound human grief and reverent fear.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The passage employs several significant literary devices that enrich its meaning. There is a clear Contrast between Moses' initial anger (v. 16) and his subsequent contentment (v. 20), which powerfully underscores the profound impact of Aaron's explanation and the importance of discerning the spirit behind the law. This shift highlights a divine flexibility and compassion previously unseen in the immediate context of Nadab and Abihu's judgment. Symbolism is evident in Aaron's decision to burn the offering; it symbolizes his overwhelming grief, his profound reverence for God's holiness, and his fear of further offending the Lord. By choosing to burn it, he prioritized the sanctity of God's presence above the letter of the ritual in a time of extreme sorrow, making his grief and reverent fear a form of offering itself. The entire episode also functions as a subtle Foreshadowing of a deeper understanding of God's character, revealing a divine compassion and understanding that transcends rigid legalism, anticipating the New Covenant emphasis on the heart's disposition and mercy over mere external observance.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 10:20 offers a profound theological insight into the very nature of God and the essence of true worship. It reveals that while God is absolutely holy and demands strict obedience, He is also merciful and understanding of human frailty, especially in the face of profound grief and a sincere desire for reverence. Aaron's decision, born out of a deep fear of God and a desire to avoid further defilement, was ultimately "good" in God's eyes, demonstrating that the heart's disposition and reverent intention can sometimes outweigh the rigid letter of the law in exceptional circumstances. This passage teaches that true obedience is not merely mechanical but stems from a pure heart that seeks to honor God above all else, even when it means making difficult, Spirit-led choices that prioritize holiness and reverence. It illustrates God's desire for a relationship rooted in genuine devotion rather than mere ritualistic compliance.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 10:20 provides invaluable lessons for believers today, particularly concerning leadership, the nature of obedience, and God's understanding of our human condition. For leaders, Moses' example is paramount: wise leadership involves not just issuing commands and enforcing rules, but also cultivating a compassionate ear, seeking to understand the hearts, motivations, and unique circumstances of those under their care. It teaches that true spiritual discernment often requires looking beyond the surface of an action to the deeper spiritual principles at play, recognizing when the spirit of the law might supersede its letter. For all believers, Aaron's reverent decision underscores the critical importance of prioritizing God's honor and holiness in all our actions, even in our deepest sorrow. Our worship and service should always be motivated by a genuine desire to glorify God and avoid anything that would defile His name or presence. This passage reminds us that God, while demanding holiness, is also merciful and understands our human limitations and emotional states. He "knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust" (Psalm 103:14), valuing a pure heart and sincere reverence above mere mechanical adherence to rules, especially in exceptional circumstances. It challenges us to cultivate a heart that seeks God's pleasure above all else, trusting in His compassionate understanding.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What was Moses initially angry about in Leviticus 10?
Answer: Moses was initially angry because Aaron and his remaining sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, had burned the goat of the sin offering completely outside the camp instead of eating it in a holy place, as commanded (Leviticus 10:16-18). This appeared to be a direct disobedience to God's precise instructions for handling the most holy offerings, especially in the immediate aftermath of the severe judgment on Nadab and Abihu.
Why did Aaron burn the sin offering instead of eating it?
Answer: Aaron explained that given the tragic and recent death of his sons Nadab and Abihu and their profound grief, he and his remaining sons felt it would be an affront to God to eat the holy portion of the sin offering while in such a sorrowful and potentially ritually compromised state (Leviticus 10:19). They feared that eating it would be displeasing to the Lord and might provoke further divine wrath, prioritizing a deep reverence for God's holiness and the avoidance of further offense over the strict letter of the ritual in their unique circumstances.
What does Moses' "contentment" signify in this context?
Answer: Moses' contentment signifies his approval and satisfaction with Aaron's explanation. The Hebrew phrase יִיטַב בְּעֵינָיו (yitab b'einav), translated as "was content," literally means "it was good in his eyes" or "it was pleasing in his sight." This indicates that Moses, as God's representative, recognized the spiritual depth and reverent intention behind Aaron's decision. It implies that God Himself found Aaron's action, born out of deep grief and a profound desire to honor His holiness, to be acceptable and even "good," despite being a deviation from the prescribed ritual. It highlights God's understanding of human circumstances and sincere heart motives, demonstrating that true worship is not merely mechanical but proceeds from a pure and reverent heart.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 10:20, though a seemingly minor detail in the intricate Mosaic Law, profoundly foreshadows the character of God revealed in Christ and the very nature of the New Covenant. Moses' contentment with Aaron's reverent, heart-motivated deviation from the letter of the law points to a God who ultimately desires "mercy, not sacrifice" (Matthew 9:13 and Matthew 12:7). Aaron's deep concern for God's honor and his fear of defiling God's presence, even at personal cost, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. As our Great High Priest, Jesus perfectly fulfilled all righteousness, not merely by adhering to the letter of the law, but by embodying its spirit through perfect love, obedience, and self-sacrifice (Hebrews 4:14-16). Unlike Aaron, who could only offer imperfect sacrifices and whose actions, however reverent, were still bound by human frailty, Christ offered Himself as the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice, taking away the sin of the world (John 1:29). His sacrifice was not merely a ritualistic act but flowed from a heart of perfect obedience and boundless love for the Father, making His offering eternally "pleasing" and "good" in God's sight (Ephesians 5:2). Through Christ, we are invited into a relationship where God's understanding and mercy are perfectly extended, and our worship, though imperfect, is accepted through the perfect mediation of our High Priest, who sympathizes with our weaknesses and has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet without sin (Hebrews 2:17-18 and Hebrews 4:15).