Leviticus 10 10

Leviticus 10:10 kjv

And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean;

Leviticus 10:10 nkjv

that you may distinguish between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean,

Leviticus 10:10 niv

so that you can distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean,

Leviticus 10:10 esv

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

Leviticus 10:10 nlt

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

Leviticus 10 verses

Leviticus 10 10 Meaning

Leviticus 10:10 conveys a foundational command given to Aaron and his sons, the priests, immediately following the divine judgment on Nadab and Abihu. It articulates a primary responsibility of the priesthood: to meticulously differentiate between what is consecrated for God's service (holy) and what is ordinary or secular (common), and also between what is ritually acceptable or pure (clean) and what is defiling or impure (unclean). This distinction was vital for maintaining the sanctity of God's dwelling place, preserving the purity of the community, and ensuring the Israelites lived in a manner pleasing to their holy God.

Leviticus 10 10 Context

Leviticus 10:10 immediately follows a profoundly significant event: the unauthorized offering of "strange fire" by Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, resulting in their instantaneous death by divine fire (Lev 10:1-5). This tragedy underscored the immense holiness of God and the gravity of their priestly office. In the verses directly preceding, Aaron and his surviving sons are explicitly commanded not to mourn for Nadab and Abihu, indicating that divine judgment must take precedence over familial ties (Lev 10:6-7). They are also forbidden from drinking wine or strong drink when entering the tent of meeting, lest they die, "that you may distinguish between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean" (Lev 10:9-10). This command, repeated in verse 10, clarifies that the inability to make such crucial distinctions due to impairment could lead to sacrilege and death. The broader context of Leviticus establishes the regulations for approaching a holy God and details the ritual purity necessary for the community to dwell in His presence, all under the guidance of the priestly ministry. This verse sets the ethical and cultic bedrock for priestly service.

Leviticus 10 10 Word analysis

• and distinguish (וּלְהַבְדִּיל - u-lehavdil): This is the infinitive form of the Hebrew verb badal (בדל), meaning "to separate," "to divide," or "to make a distinction." Its usage here emphasizes an active and deliberate mental and practical discernment required of the priests. Notably, badal is used in Gen 1:4 and Gen 1:6-7 to describe God's creative act of separating light from darkness and waters from waters. This linguistic connection suggests that the priestly function of distinguishing is, in essence, a continuation or reflection of God's own orderly and separative nature, crucial for the cosmos and, by extension, for the covenant community.

• between the holy (בֵּין הַקֹּדֶשׁ - bein ha-kodesh): Kodesh (קֹדֶשׁ) refers to that which is set apart, consecrated, sacred, dedicated for God's exclusive use or possession. It embodies the essence of what is pure, sacred, and distinct from the ordinary world. This category pertains to places (Tabernacle), objects (altar, garments), times (Sabbath), and persons (priests).

• and the common (וּבֵין הַחֹל - u-bein ha-chol): Chol (חֹל) means "profane," "ordinary," "common," or "secular." It describes that which is not set apart for sacred use. It is not inherently sinful or defiling, but it is not consecrated. For example, ordinary food as opposed to an offering. The contrast here emphasizes functional and dedicatory distinctiveness. The priest must prevent the ordinary from intruding into the sacred space or sphere of holiness.

• and between the unclean (וּבֵין הַטָּמֵא - u-bein ha-tame): Tame' (טָמֵא) signifies ritual impurity or defilement. This condition rendered a person, object, or space unfit for participation in the community's worship or for approaching God. It could arise from contact with a dead body, certain bodily discharges, or consumption of forbidden foods. Unlike "common," which is merely ordinary, "unclean" is actively polluting.

• and the clean (וּבֵין הַטָּהוֹר - u-bein ha-tahor): Tahor (טָהוֹר) refers to ritual purity, meaning that which is free from defilement and acceptable for holy use or participation in sacred activities. This is the state one must be in to interact with the sacred.

• "distinguish between the holy and the common": This pairing emphasizes purpose and dedication. Priests must discern what God has set apart as sacred (e.g., specific objects, locations, or actions in the Tabernacle service) versus what is for everyday, non-sacred use. This distinction is about the sphere of activity. Misunderstanding this could lead to the sacred being treated casually or inappropriately, as demonstrated by Nadab and Abihu.

• "and between the unclean and the clean": This pairing emphasizes condition and ritual status. Priests must discern what is ritually defiling and makes one unfit to participate in worship, versus what is ritually pure and allows access to God's presence or sacred objects. This distinction often relates to sources of impurity (e.g., leprosy, bodily discharges, contact with death) and the purification rituals required. Failing to make this distinction could bring defilement into God's presence, provoking His wrath against the entire community.

Leviticus 10 10 Bonus section

The repeated emphasis on distinction in Leviticus 10:10 highlights that spiritual sight, or discernment, is a crucial prerequisite for effective and safe interaction with God's holiness. This applies not only to actions (like priestly service) but also to a way of life. The priest's responsibility was not just to personally uphold these distinctions, but also to teach them to the entire Israelite community (Ezek 44:23), acting as guardians of the divine order. This command underscores that while God desires closeness with His people, He also demands respect for His distinct and unapproachable holiness. It's not about arbitrary rules but about the nature of a perfect, righteous God. In a broader sense, this principle of distinguishing "holy from common" and "clean from unclean" is a fundamental biblical theme, emphasizing God's demand for purity, order, and dedicated devotion from His people in all areas of life, leading to the call for New Testament believers to be separate from the world (2 Cor 6:17) and to discern good from evil (Heb 5:14).

Leviticus 10 10 Commentary

Leviticus 10:10 encapsulates a core vocational demand placed upon the Aaronic priesthood: the preservation of clear boundaries between God's holy domain and the world. The stark outcome for Nadab and Abihu served as an immediate, severe lesson illustrating the danger of blurring these lines. The priest's ability to discern these distinctions, far from being mere academic knowledge, was a practical and spiritual necessity. It meant understanding and teaching God's standards for separation – differentiating that which God sanctified for Himself from the profane, and what was pure enough to stand in His presence from that which would defile. This active discernment prevented spiritual corruption and maintained the purity essential for a holy God to dwell among His people. It reflected the very order God established in creation and demonstrated that reverence for God's holiness demanded absolute precision in worship and daily life. For the Israelites, this was not simply about ritual; it underpinned their covenant relationship, shaping their ethics, diet, and social interactions, making them a people set apart for the Lord. This command therefore undergirded the very fabric of Israelite identity and their approach to the divine.