The Tabernacle

Leviticuschapter 10

20 verses · ASV

This chapter sends 234 cross-references outward and receives 201 — heaviest partner: Leviticus.

Chapter summary

Nadab and Abihu offer strange fire before the LORD ‘which he commanded them not’. Fire goes out from the LORD and devours them; they die before the LORD. Moses: ‘this is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me’. Aaron holds his peace. The bodies are carried out. Aaron and his remaining sons are forbidden to mourn; the people mourn for them. Strong drink forbidden for priests on duty. Moses is angry at Eleazar and Ithamar for not eating the sin offering; Aaron answers wisely. The chapter's warning is stern: the holy God accepts only the worship he commands.

Drafted from Matthew Henry, Calvin, Gill, Clarke, JFB, and Barnes.

Context

Law · Moses — see the Leviticus overview for the book's full setting.

1–20 The Tabernacle

1 And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took each of them his censer, and put fire therein, and laid incense thereon, and offered strange fire before Jehovah, which he had not commanded them.

2 And there came forth fire from before Jehovah, and devoured them, and they died before Jehovah.

3 Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that Jehovah spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.

4 And Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said unto them, Draw near, carry your brethren from before the sanctuary out of the camp.

5 So they drew near, and carried them in their coats out of the camp, as Moses had said.

6 And Moses said unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons, Let not the hair of your heads go loose, neither rend your clothes; that ye die not, and that he be not wroth with all the congregation: but let your brethren, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which Jehovah hath kindled.

7 And ye shall not go out from the door of the tent of meeting, lest ye die; for the anointing oil of Jehovah is upon you. And they did according to the word of Moses.

8 And Jehovah spake unto Aaron, saying,