Leviticus 10

1 strange fire. Not the holy fire from the altar, but common fire. No express prohibition is recorded, but after the command to keep the sacred fire on the altar continually burning (Lev. vi. 12, 13), the use of any other was an act of presumption.

2 devoured. Rather, “slew,” for the bodies and garments were unconsumed (see ver. 5). A wilful deviation from a divinely-prescribed ritual demanded punishment: ep. Numb. xvi. 35. The same fire at whose appearing the people had so lately rejoiced (ix. 24) destroyed those who despised it. So the ministry which is to some a “savour of life” becomes to others a “savour of death” (2 Cor. ii. 16).

6. Uncover not, etc. These were ordinary tokens of mourning. Perhaps the special reason for this command was that the priests bore a public character; and they who acted for God at the altar should be foremost in testifying to the righteousness of His judgments.

9. Do not drink wine. This command, introduced in connexion with the death of Aaron’s sons, may suggest that they had acted under the excitement of wine.

16 he was angry. This deviation from the law alarmed Moses, but the affliction of the family was allowed as an excuse for it. This event, so painful to Aaron, would be, both to the priests and to the people, a lesson on the necessity of obedience to the Divine law. See Heb. xii. 29.