Leviticus 10:1-5

The Death of Nadab and Abihu

1 Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to his command.
2 So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD.
3 Moses then said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD spoke of when he said: “ ‘Among those who approach me I will be proved holy; in the sight of all the people I will be honored.’ ” Aaron remained silent.
4 Moses summoned Mishael and Elzaphan, sons of Aaron’s uncle Uzziel, and said to them, “Come here; carry your cousins outside the camp, away from the front of the sanctuary.”
5 So they came and carried them, still in their tunics, outside the camp, as Moses ordered.

Leviticus 10:1-5 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO LEVITICUS 10

This chapter begins with the sin and punishment of two sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Le 10:1-5 for whose death Aaron and his sons are commanded not to mourn, nor to depart from the tabernacle, Le 10:6,7 and an order is given, prohibiting the priests from drinking wine when they went into it, Le 10:8-11 the law of eating holy things, both those that were more, and those that were less holy, is enjoined, Le 10:12-15 and the flesh of the sin offering not being eaten, but burnt, Aaron's sons are blamed for it, for which he makes an apology to the satisfaction of Moses, Le 10:16-20.

Cross References 17

  • 1. Exodus 6:23; Exodus 24:1; Exodus 28:1; Numbers 3:2-4; Numbers 26:61; 1 Chronicles 6:3
  • 2. Numbers 16:46; 1 Kings 7:50; 2 Kings 25:15; 2 Chronicles 4:22; Jeremiah 52:19; Ezekiel 8:11
  • 3. Leviticus 16:12; Numbers 16:7,18; Isaiah 6:6
  • 4. S Exodus 30:9
  • 5. ver 2; Leviticus 16:1
  • 6. Exodus 30:9
  • 7. Psalms 106:18
  • 8. Numbers 3:4; Numbers 11:1; Numbers 16:35; Numbers 26:61; Psalms 2:12; Psalms 50:3; Isaiah 29:6
  • 9. S Genesis 19:24; S Genesis 38:7; Numbers 16:35; 1 Chronicles 24:2; Job 1:16
  • 10. Exodus 19:22
  • 11. Exodus 30:29; Leviticus 21:6; Leviticus 22:32; Numbers 16:5; Numbers 20:13; Isaiah 5:16; Ezekiel 28:22; Ezekiel 38:16
  • 12. Exodus 14:4; Isaiah 44:23; Isaiah 49:3; Isaiah 55:5; Isaiah 60:21
  • 13. S Exodus 6:22
  • 14. Exodus 6:18
  • 15. Ac 5:6,9,10
  • 16. S Exodus 25:8
  • 17. S Leviticus 8:13
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