Leviticus 10

Chapters 8–10 of Leviticus deal with the ordination of the priests and the first sacrifices. This chapter continues the events of the day described in Leviticus 9, when Aaron first offered sacrifice and fire came out from before the LORD and consumed the offering.

Outline

• Verses 1–3: Nadab and Abihu offer incense with strange fire that the LORD had not commanded, and they die by fire that comes out from before the LORD. Moses conveys the word of the LORD, and Aaron holds his peace.
• Verses 4–7: Mishael and Elzaphan carry the bodies outside the camp. Aaron and his remaining sons are commanded not to uncover their heads or tear their garments, and not to leave the door of the tent of meeting.
• Verses 8–11: The LORD tells Aaron not to drink wine or strong drink when entering the tent of meeting, so that the priests may distinguish between the holy and the common and teach the statutes.
• Verses 12–15: Regulations are given for the priests to eat, as their portion, what remains of the grain offering, along with the wave breast and heave shoulder of the peace offering.
• Verses 16–20: Moses becomes angry because the goat of the sin offering was burned rather than eaten; Aaron explains the circumstances, and Moses is content with his answer.

Key Verses

• Leviticus 10:1–2: "Put fire therein... and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not." The episode illustrates a central theme of Leviticus: God himself determines the manner in which people may approach him.
• Leviticus 10:3: "I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me." Here the text itself interprets the meaning of the event.
• Leviticus 10:10: "That ye may put difference between holy and unholy." This verse summarizes the core duty of the priest.

People and Places

• Aaron, Moses, Eleazar
• Nadab and Abihu: Aaron's firstborn and second son.
• Ithamar: Aaron's fourth son.
• Uzziel: Aaron's uncle. His sons Mishael and Elzaphan carry away the bodies.
• Tent of meeting: Another name for the tabernacle.

Points for Reflection

• The text does not state precisely what the "strange fire" was. Interpretations include fire taken from somewhere other than the altar (compare Leviticus 16:12) and incense offered at an unappointed time or in an unprescribed manner.
• Because the prohibition on drinking in verses 8–9 follows immediately, Jewish tradition preserves the interpretation that the two men were drunk. The text does not state this directly.
• Nor does the text explain in detail why Moses accepted Aaron's explanation in verses 19–20.
• The rule that a sin offering whose blood was brought into the sanctuary is to be burned rather than eaten (verse 18; Leviticus 6:30) is connected with the sufferings of Christ in Hebrews 13:11–12.

In the Korean Church

The "strange fire" passage is frequently used as a sermon text emphasizing the proper attitude in worship and the manner God has ordained. Verse 9 is also sometimes cited when church members discuss the question of drinking.