Leviticus 10

Nadab and Abihu sinning against the LORD, are put to death by the fire of the LORD, v. 1, etc. Moseh having given order to carry forth their dead bodies without the camp, 4. forbiddeth Aaron and his two other sons, to mourn them, 6. as also to drink wine or any other strong drink, when they were to go into the Tent of the Congregation, 8. He likewise declareth unto them, what they might eat of the fire-offerings of the LORD, 12. and is angry by reason of the sin-offering that was not eaten, 16. but is appeased again by Aaron, 19.

1. And the sons of Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, took every one his Censer, [A Vessel to kindle frankincense in: so also Numbers 16:17. The Hebrew word doth likewise signify an extinguishing Vessel or Instrument, Exodus 25:38. and a chasing-dish, Exodus 27:3.] and put fire therein, and laid incense thereon, and brought [oth. offered, i.e. mearnt or intended to offer] strange fire [viz. such as was not taken from the holy fire of fire [viz. such as was not taken from the holy fire of the Tabernacle, of which see above chapter 1. on verse 7. and chapter 6. on verse 12.] before the face of the LORD, [See above chapter 1. on verse 3.] which he had not commanded them.

2. Then there went forth a fire from the face of the LORD, [See above 9. on verse 24.] and consumed them: [i.e. put them to death, consumed their life; for both their garments and their bodies remained entire, and were not consumed by the fire; as appeareth below by verses 4. and 5.] and they died before the face of the LORD. [in the Court of the Tent of the Congregation.]

3. And Moseh said to Aaron; That is it, which the LORD hath spoken, [Compare above chapter 8. 35. where mention is made of the punishment of those, that should not duly administer their office in the Tabernacle] saying; in them which draw near unto me, [i.e. which serve me in the Tabernacle, to wit, the Priests. See Exodus 19:22. and below chapter 21. 17. Ezekiel 42:13, 14.] I will be hallowed, (or sanctified) [i.e. declared holy, viz. by punishing of those, that do not observe my laws; so Ezek. chapter 28. verse 22. see the like use of the word justify, Psalms 51:6. God is hallowed likewise when he showeth his mercies, and by them is declared kind and merciful, Ezekiel 20:41.] and before the face of all the people will I be glorified: but Aaron held his peace [not people will I be glorified: but Aaron held his peace [not murmuring through impatience against the judgements of God.]

4. And Moseh called Misael and Elzaphan [Heb. Mischael and Eltaphan] the sons of Uzziel Aaron’s uncle: [Heb. Huzziel, the brother of Amram, father to Aaron and Moseh, Exodus 6:18. and Numbers 3:19.] and said to them: Come on, carry your brethren [i.e. cousins; for they and Aaron were brothers-children, but Nadab and Abihu were a degree further. See Gen. 24. on verse 27.] away from before the Sanctuary, without the Camp. [For to be buried there]

5. Then they came on, and carried them in their coats, without the Camp: according as Moseh had spoken.

6. And Moseh said to Aaron, and Eleazar [Heb. Elhazar] and to Ithamar, his sons; Ye shall not uncover your heads, nor rend your garments, [i.e. ye shall not use or express any mourning; which was usually done then, by going bare-headed and rending of garments; below chapter 13. 45. and 21. 10.] that ye die not, and great wrath came over all the Congregation: [Oth. and the (LORD) grew wroth with all the Congregation] But your brethren [See Exod. 2. on verse 11.] all the house of Israel shall bewail this burning [whereby Nadab and Abihu were burned] which the LORD kindled.

7. Neither shall ye go forth out of the door of the Tent of the Congregation, [Understand, for that present time] that ye die not; for the anointing of the LORD is upon you: [see above chapter 8. verse 2. and 20. and they did according to the word of Moseh.

8. And the LORD spoke to Aaron, saying:

9. Wine and strong drink [The Hebrew word Schechar signifieth all kind of drink, whereby men may be made drunk] thou shalt not drink, thou, nor thy sons, with thee; when ye are to go into the Tent of Congregation, [viz. to administer your Priestly office] that ye die not: be it an everlasting institution [Heb. an institution of eternity. See Gen. 13. on verse 15. and above 3. 17.] among your generations.

10. And to make difference betwixt the holy and betwixt the unholy: [Understand this in regard, first, of the doctrine, as in the next verse, & c. secondly, of the Ceremonies, as below chapter 11. & c. thirdly, of manners, or morality, below chapter 18. & c.] and betwixt the unclean, and betwixt the clean.

11. And for to teach the children of Israel all the institutions, which the LORD spoke to them through the Ministry of Moseh. [Heb. by the hand: see above chapter 8. on verse 36.]

12. And Moseh spoke to Aaron, and to Eleazar, and to Ithamar his remaining sons; Take the meat-offering, that remained over of the fire-offerings of the LORD, and eat the same unleavened [Or, unleavened cakes made of the meal-flower of the meat-offering, which was offered to the LORD; see above chapter 2. 1.] by the Altar: [viz. of the burnt-offering, which stood in the Court, before the door of the Tent of the Congregation: Compare above chapter 1. 3.] for it is a Holiness of Holinesses. [see above chapter 2. on verse 3.]

13. Therefore ye shall eat the same in the holy place, [i.e. by the Altar; as in the foregoing verse, in the Court of the LORD: see above chapter 6. on verse 16.] because it is thy appointed portion, and the appointed portion of thy sons, out of the fire-offerings of the LORD: for thus I am commanded.

14. Also the wave-breast [Heb. breast of the waving, or, of the wave-offering] and the heave-shoulder, [Heb. shoulder of elevation, or, lifting up; or, of the heave-offering] ye shall eat in a clean place, [clean, according to the Ceremonial Law, which might be any where in the Camp; for not only the men, but the women also might eat thereof: consequently this clean place here it to be distinguished from the holy place mentioned in the former verse, which was in the Court of the LORD] thou and thy sons, and thy daughters, with thee: for they are given for thy appointed portion, and the appointed portion of thy sons, out of the thank-offerings of the children of Israel.

15. The heave-shoulder, and the wave-breast they shall bring (near) together with the fire-offerings of the fat: for to wave the wave-offering before the face of the LORD: which shall be an everlasting institution to thee and thy sons with thee, [Or, which shall be an appointed part for thee and thy sons for ever: Heb. for an appointed part of eternity] according as the LORD commanded.

16. And Moseh sought very narrowly [Heb. seeking, sought: i.e. he sought, or enquired, most diligently] (for) the he-goat of the sin-offering; [which was offered for the sin of the people, above chapter 9. 15. understand, for that part of it, which belonged to the Priests] and behold, he was burnt: wherefore he was very angry with Eleazar, and Ithamar, the remaining sons of Aaron, [viz. for not having administered their office as they ought, having burnt what they should have eaten] saying:

17. Wherefore have ye not eaten that sin-offering in holy place? [see above verse 13.] for it is a Holiness of Holinesses: and he [viz. the LORD] hath given you that, that ye should bear the iniquity of the Congregation, [See Exodus 11. on verse 35.] to make expiation over them before the face of the LORD,

18. Behold the blood thereof is not carried within into Sanctuary, [Heb. Holiness; i.e. into the first or fore-part of the Tabernacle, otherwise called the holy (place), into which this blood ought to have been brought. See above chapter 4. verses 5, and 16. which if it had been done, then the he-goat must have been entirely burnt without the Camp: see above chapter 4. 12. and 21. and Leviticus 6:30. and 16. 27.] ye ought to have wholly eaten the same [Heb. eating, eaten] in the Sanctuary, [i.e. near it in the Court where the holy eating-place was: see above verse 12.] according as I commanded.

19. Then Aaron spoke to Moseh; Behold this day they have offered their sin-offering, and their burnt-offering, before the face of the LORD, and such things happened unto me: [or, met me; viz. that I lost my two sons Nadab and Abihu, and might not mourn over them, in so much that I was not able, for grief of heart, to eat of that offering] and if I had eaten sin-offering to day, would that have been pleasing and acceptable to the LORD; viz. that I being yet full of grief and sorrow, by reason of the judgement upon my two sons, should have eaten of that sin-offering, with a sad and heavy mind]

20. When Moseh heard that, it was good in his eyes.