Leviticus 10:8

8 Then the LORD said to Aaron,

Leviticus 10:8 Meaning and Commentary

Leviticus 10:8

And the Lord spake unto Aaron
Because he was a prophet, Aben Ezra says; but the reason rather seems to be, because be was the high priest, and now invested with his office, and in the execution of it, and therefore the following law respecting the priest's drinking of wine was given: some say, as the same writer observes, that God spake to him by Moses; but it rather seems that he spoke to Aaron immediately: according to Jarchi, this order was delivered to him as a reward for his silence, and to do honour to him on that account: saying; as follows.

Leviticus 10:8 In-Context

6 Then Moses said to Aaron and his sons Eleazar and Ithamar, “Do not show grief by leaving your hair uncombed or by tearing your clothes. If you do, you will die, and the LORD ’s anger will strike the whole community of Israel. However, the rest of the Israelites, your relatives, may mourn because of the LORD ’s fiery destruction of Nadab and Abihu.

7 But you must not leave the entrance of the Tabernacle or you will die, for you have been anointed with the LORD ’s anointing oil.” So they did as Moses commanded.

8 Then the LORD said to Aaron,

9 “You and your descendants must never drink wine or any other alcoholic drink before going into the Tabernacle. If you do, you will die. This is a permanent law for you, and it must be observed from generation to generation.

10 You must distinguish between what is sacred and what is common, between what is ceremonially unclean and what is clean.