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Liber Leviticus, 10

1. Arreptisque Nadab et Abiu filii Aaron turibulis, posue runt ignem et incensum desuper offerentes coram Domino ignem alienum, qui eis praeceptus non erat.

1. Now Nadab and Abi'hu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer, and put fire in it, and laid incense on it, and offered unholy fire before the LORD, such as he had not commanded them.

2. Egressusque ignis a Domino devoravit eos, et mortui sunt coram Domino.

2. And fire came forth from the presence of the LORD and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.

3. Dixitque Moyses ad Aaron: “Hoc est, quod locutus est Dominus: "Sanctificabor in his, qui appropinquant mihi, et in conspectu omnis populi glorificabor"”. Quod audiens tacuit Aaron.

3. Then Moses said to Aaron, "This is what the LORD has said, `I will show myself holy among those who are near me, and before all the people I will be glorified.'" And Aaron held his peace.

4. Vocatis autem Moyses Misael et Elisaphan filiis Oziel patrui Aaron, ait ad eos: “Ite et tollite fratres vestros de conspectu sanctuarii et asportate extra castra”.

4. And Moses called Mish'a-el and Elza'phan, the sons of Uz'ziel the uncle of Aaron, and said to them, "Draw near, carry your brethren from before the sanctuary out of the camp."

5. Confestimque pergentes tulerunt eos, sicut iacebant vestitos subuculis suis, foras, ut sibi fuerat imperatum.

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

6. Locutus est Moyses ad Aaron et ad Eleazar atque Ithamar filios eius: “Comas vestras nolite excutere et vestimenta nolite scindere, ne moriamini, et super omnem coetum oriatur indignatio. Fratres vestri, omnis domus Israel, plangant incendium, quod Dominus suscitavit.

6. And Moses said to Aaron and to Elea'zar and Ith'amar, his sons, "Do not let the hair of your heads hang loose, and do not rend your clothes, lest you die, and lest wrath come upon all the congregation; but your brethren, the whole house of Israel, may bewail the burning which the LORD has kindled.

7. Vos autem non egredimini fores tabernaculi conventus, alioquin peribitis; oleum quippe unctionis Domini est super vos”. Qui fecerunt omnia iuxta praeceptum Moysi.

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

8. Dixit quoque Dominus ad Aaron:

8. And the LORD spoke to Aaron, saying,

9. “Vinum et omne, quod inebriare potest, non bibetis tu et filii tui, quando intratis tabernaculum conventus, ne moriamini ­ praeceptum est sempiternum in generationes vestras ­

9. "Drink no wine nor strong drink, you nor your sons with you, when you go into the tent of meeting, lest you die; it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations.

10. et ut habeatis scientiam discernendi inter sanctum et profanum, inter pollutum et mundum,

10. You are to distinguish between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean;

11. doceatisque filios Israel omnia legitima mea, quae locutus est Dominus ad eos per manum Moysi”.

11. and you are to teach the people of Israel all the statutes which the LORD has spoken to them by Moses."

12. Locutusque est Moyses ad Aaron et ad Eleazar atque Ithamar filios eius, qui residui erant: “Tollite oblationem similae, quae remansit de incensis Domini, et comedite illam absque fermento iuxta altare, quia sanctum sanctorum est.

12. And Moses said to Aaron and to Elea'zar and Ith'amar, his sons who were left, "Take the cereal offering that remains of the offerings by fire to the LORD, and eat it unleavened beside the altar, for it is most holy;

13. Comedetis autem in loco sancto, quia data est tibi et filiis tuis de incensis Domini, sicut praeceptum est mihi.

13. you shall eat it in a holy place, because it is your due and your sons' due, from the offerings by fire to the LORD; for so I am commanded.

14. Pectusculum quoque elationis et armum donationis edetis in loco mundissimo, tu et filii tui ac filiae tuae tecum; tibi enim ac liberis tuis reposita sunt de hostiis pacificis filiorum Israel.

14. But the breast that is waved and the thigh that is offered you shall eat in any clean place, you and your sons and your daughters with you; for they are given as your due and your sons' due, from the sacrifices of the peace offerings of the people of Israel.

15. Armum et pectus cum incensis adipum afferent ad elationem coram Domino, et pertineant ad te et ad filios tuos lege perpetua, sicut praecepit Dominus”.

15. The thigh that is offered and the breast that is waved they shall bring with the offerings by fire of the fat, to wave for a wave offering before the LORD, and it shall be yours, and your sons' with you, as a due for ever; as the LORD has commanded."

16. De hirco autem pro peccato cum quaereret Moyses, exustum repperit; iratusque contra Eleazar et Ithamar filios Aaron, qui remanserant, ait:

16. Now Moses diligently inquired about the goat of the sin offering, and behold, it was burned! And he was angry with Elea'zar and Ith'amar, the sons of Aaron who were left, saying,

17. “Cur non comedistis sacrificium pro peccato in loco sancto? Quod sanctum sanctorum est, et datum vobis, ut portetis iniquitatem coetus in expiationem eorum in conspectu Domini;

17. "Why have you not eaten the sin offering in the place of the sanctuary, since it is a thing most holy and has been given to you that you may bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the LORD?

18. praesertim cum de sanguine illius non sit illatum intra sancta, comedere eam debuistis in sanctuario, sicut praeceptum est mihi”.

18. Behold, its blood was not brought into the inner part of the sanctuary. You certainly ought to have eaten it in the sanctuary, as I commanded."

19. Respondit Aaron: “Oblata est hodie victima pro peccato et holocaustum eorum coram Domino; mihi autem accidit, quod vides. Quomodo potui comedere eam et placere Domino?”.

19. And Aaron said to Moses, "Behold, today they have offered their sin offering and their burnt offering before the LORD; and yet such things as these have befallen me! If I had eaten the sin offering today, would it have been acceptable in the sight of the LORD?"

20. Quod cum audisset Moyses, recepit satisfactionem.

20. And when Moses heard that, he was content.



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Footnotes:

10:1-3 - Nadab and Abihu, Aaron’s sons, offer strange fire before the Lord and are consumed by divine fire. This highlights the seriousness of priestly service and obedience to God’s instructions (see also Numbers 26:61 and 1 Samuel 15:22-23).

10:4-7 - Moses orders the bodies of Nadab and Abihu to be removed, while Aaron and his other sons are to remain in service. The sanctity of priestly service demands a clear separation between the sacred and the common (see also Ezekiel 44:23 and Leviticus 21:10-12).

10:8-11 - God forbids priests from drinking wine or strong drink when entering the tent of meeting, setting the standard of sobriety in divine service. The importance of mental and spiritual purity is emphasized (see also Ephesians 5:18 and 1 Timothy 3:2-3).

10:12-15 - Moses instructs Aaron's sons on how to consume the holy offerings. This reinforces the importance of strictly following God's instructions to maintain holiness and order in worship (see also Leviticus 6:16-18 and Numbers 18:8-10).

10:16-20 - Moses is angered when he discovers that the sin offering was not consumed as instructed. Aaron explains his decision in light of his sons' tragedy, and Moses accepts the explanation, demonstrating God's sensitivity to special circumstances (see also 1 Samuel 21:6 and Matthew 12:7).

Verses related to Liber Leviticus, 10:

Leviticus chapter 10 recounts a tragic incident in the priesthood. What crucial lesson about holiness is taught? This shocking text narrates the death of Nadab and Abihu for offering "strange fire" before the Lord. The chapter addresses Aaron's response, Moses' instructions on mourning and priestly conduct, and reiterates the importance of the distinction between the holy and the profane. Leviticus 10 emphasizes the seriousness of serving God as He directs. Examine with us five biblical passages that deepen our understanding of reverence and obedience in divine service.

1 Peter 4:17: "For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and, if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?" - Peter alludes to the judgment of Nadab and Abihu in Leviticus 10, applying the principle of accountability to the church.

1 Corinthians 10:31: "Therefore, whether you eat, drink, or do anything else, do everything for the glory of God." - Paul echoes the principle of holiness in serving God established in Leviticus 10, applying it to the everyday lives of Christians.

Hebrews 12:28-29: "Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable Kingdom, let us be grateful and thus worship God acceptably, with reverence and fear, for our 'God is a consuming fire'!" - The author of Hebrews alludes to the consuming fire that judged Nadab and Abihu in Leviticus 10, emphasizing the holiness of God.

Ephesians 5:18: "Do not get drunk with wine, which leads to debauchery, but let yourselves be filled with the Spirit" - Paul echoes the prohibition against drinking wine before entering the Tent of Meeting in Leviticus 10:9, applying the principle of sobriety to the Christian life.

1 Timothy 4:16: "Pay close attention to your own life and to the doctrine, persevering in these duties, for in doing so you will save both yourself and those who hear you." - Paul emphasizes the importance of faithfulness in ministry, echoing the lessons learned from Nadab and Abihu's error in Leviticus 10.

FAQ:

What happened to Nadab and Abihu?

Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, offered profane fire before the Lord, contrary to His command, and were consumed by fire from the presence of God. (Leviticus 10:1-2)

Why were Nadab and Abihu punished by God?

They were punished for disobeying divine instructions by offering unauthorized fire, demonstrating the seriousness of their priestly service. (Leviticus 10:1-3)

How did Aaron react to the death of his sons?

Aaron remained silent in the face of his sons' deaths, accepting God's justice without question, as commanded by Moses. (Leviticus 10:3)

What did Moses instruct Aaron and his other sons to do after the incident?

Moses instructed Aaron and his other sons to show no signs of mourning and to continue serving as priests, respecting the holiness of the Lord. (Leviticus 10:6-7)

What lesson do we learn from the story of Nadab and Abihu?

The story of Nadab and Abihu teaches us about God’s holiness and the importance of strictly obeying His instructions in priestly service. (Leviticus 10:1-7)


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