Leviticus 6:10

And the priest shall put on his linen garment, and his linen breeches shall he put upon his flesh, and take up the ashes which the fire hath consumed with the burnt offering on the altar, and he shall put them beside the altar.

And the priest {H3548} shall put {H3847} on his linen {H906} garment {H4055}, and his linen {H906} breeches {H4370} shall he put {H3847} upon his flesh {H1320}, and take up {H7311} the ashes {H1880} which the fire {H784} hath consumed {H398} with the burnt offering {H5930} on the altar {H4196}, and he shall put {H7760} them beside {H681} the altar {H4196}.

When the fire has consumed the burnt offering on the altar, the cohen, having put on his linen garment and covered himself with his linen shorts, is to remove the ashes and put them beside the altar.

And the priest shall put on his linen robe and linen undergarments, and he shall remove from the altar the ashes of the burnt offering that the fire has consumed and place them beside it.

And the priest shall put on his linen garment, and his linen breeches shall he put upon his flesh; and he shall take up the ashes whereto the fire hath consumed the burnt-offering on the altar, and he shall put them beside the altar.

Commentary

Context of Leviticus 6:10

Leviticus 6:10 is part of God's detailed instructions to Moses concerning the duties of the priests regarding the various offerings in the Tabernacle. Specifically, it follows the regulations for the burnt offering, emphasizing the priest's personal involvement and ritual purity. This verse outlines a specific morning duty: the removal of the ashes from the altar, which was to be done after the night's fire had consumed the offering. It underscores the meticulousness required in the worship system established under the Mosaic Law, highlighting the sanctity of the altar and the offerings made upon it.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Holiness and Purity in Service: The command for the priest to wear "linen garment" and "linen breeches" signifies the absolute necessity of purity and modesty when performing sacred duties before God. These specific garments were designed to cover the priest's flesh, ensuring that no indecency or impurity would mar the holy service.
  • Reverence for Sacred Rituals: Even the disposal of the ashes from the burnt offering was a sacred act, not a mundane chore. The ashes were the physical remnants of a sacrifice made to God for atonement and devotion. Their careful collection and placement "beside the altar" before being taken "without the camp" (as per Leviticus 6:11) demonstrated deep respect for the entire sacrificial process.
  • Priestly Responsibility: This verse highlights the practical, daily duties of the priests. They were not merely spiritual leaders but also active participants in maintaining the physical order and ritual cleanliness of the Tabernacle, underscoring their role as mediators between God and the people.

Linguistic Insights

The term "linen garment" (Hebrew: bad) refers to fine, white linen, which was distinct from wool or other materials. Linen was associated with purity, cleanliness, and the sacred, often used for priestly attire and Tabernacle furnishings. The "breeches" (Hebrew: miknasayim) were undergarments designed for modesty, explicitly commanded in Exodus 28:42 to prevent exposure when ministers approached the altar. The "burnt offering" (Hebrew: 'olah) literally means "that which goes up," referring to a sacrifice entirely consumed by fire, ascending as a pleasing aroma to God.

Practical Application

While the Old Testament sacrificial system has been fulfilled in Christ, Leviticus 6:10 still offers profound spiritual lessons for believers today.

  • Approach God with Purity: Just as the priests had to put on specific garments, believers are called to approach God with spiritual purity and reverence. Though we don't wear literal linen, we are to "put on the Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 13:14) and live lives of holiness, reflecting the righteousness we have in Him.
  • Reverence in Worship: This verse reminds us that worship is not casual. Our attitudes, actions, and even the "leftovers" of our service to God should be handled with reverence and care. Every aspect of our spiritual lives, from prayer to service, deserves our utmost respect and intentionality.
  • The Completeness of Christ's Sacrifice: The need for daily ash removal from the burnt offering pointed to the ongoing nature of atonement under the Old Covenant. In contrast, Christ's single, perfect sacrifice on the cross was "once for all," fully consuming the penalty for sin and leaving no "ashes" for us to manage. His work is complete, and we rest in His finished work.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 28:39 (4 votes)

    And thou shalt embroider the coat of fine linen, and thou shalt make the mitre [of] fine linen, and thou shalt make the girdle [of] needlework.

  • Exodus 28:43 (4 votes)

    And they shall be upon Aaron, and upon his sons, when they come in unto the tabernacle of the congregation, or when they come near unto the altar to minister in the holy [place]; that they bear not iniquity, and die: [it shall be] a statute for ever unto him and his seed after him.

  • Leviticus 16:4 (3 votes)

    He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches upon his flesh, and shall be girded with a linen girdle, and with the linen mitre shall he be attired: these [are] holy garments; therefore shall he wash his flesh in water, and [so] put them on.

  • Ezekiel 44:17 (2 votes)

    ¶ And it shall come to pass, [that] when they enter in at the gates of the inner court, they shall be clothed with linen garments; and no wool shall come upon them, whiles they minister in the gates of the inner court, and within.

  • Ezekiel 44:18 (2 votes)

    They shall have linen bonnets upon their heads, and shall have linen breeches upon their loins; they shall not gird [themselves] with any thing that causeth sweat.

  • Exodus 39:27 (2 votes)

    And they made coats [of] fine linen [of] woven work for Aaron, and for his sons,

  • Exodus 39:29 (2 votes)

    And a girdle [of] fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, [of] needlework; as the LORD commanded Moses.