Leviticus 10 12

Leviticus 10:12 kjv

And Moses spake unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons that were left, Take the meat offering that remaineth of the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and eat it without leaven beside the altar: for it is most holy:

Leviticus 10:12 nkjv

And Moses spoke to Aaron, and to Eleazar and Ithamar, his sons who were left: "Take the grain offering that remains of the offerings made by fire to the LORD, and eat it without leaven beside the altar; for it is most holy.

Leviticus 10:12 niv

Moses said to Aaron and his remaining sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, "Take the grain offering left over from the food offerings prepared without yeast and presented to the LORD and eat it beside the altar, for it is most holy.

Leviticus 10:12 esv

Moses spoke to Aaron and to Eleazar and Ithamar, his surviving sons: "Take the grain offering that is left of the LORD's food offerings, and eat it unleavened beside the altar, for it is most holy.

Leviticus 10:12 nlt

Then Moses said to Aaron and his remaining sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, "Take what is left of the grain offering after a portion has been presented as a special gift to the LORD, and eat it beside the altar. Make sure it contains no yeast, for it is most holy.

Leviticus 10 verses

Leviticus 10 12 Meaning

Leviticus 10:12 records Moses instructing Aaron and his two remaining sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, regarding the eating of specific parts of the recent offerings. Following the divine judgment on Nadab and Abihu, this command emphasizes strict adherence to God's regulations for priestly duties. It outlines that the unleavened grain offering, designated as "most holy," must be eaten by the priests beside the altar. Furthermore, the waved breast and lifted thigh from the peace offerings, allocated as the priests' and their families' portion, are to be eaten in a clean place by any clean member of their household. The verse underscores the divine provision for the priesthood and the vital importance of ceremonial purity in handling holy things, even in the midst of tragedy.

Leviticus 10 12 Context

Leviticus 10:12 occurs immediately after a pivotal and somber event in the book of Leviticus. In the preceding verses (Lev 10:1-5), Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, offered "unauthorized fire before the Lord," resulting in their immediate deaths by divine fire. This serves as a stark warning about the extreme holiness of God and the necessity of meticulous obedience in worship and priestly service. Moses’ subsequent instructions to Aaron and his two surviving sons (Eleazar and Ithamar) in Lev 10:8-11 then reinforce the sacred nature of priestly duties, including the command to distinguish between holy and common, and clean and unclean. Therefore, verse 12 is given in a context of newly established, highly rigorous Tabernacle worship, highlighting that priestly privilege (eating offerings for sustenance) is intricately tied to unwavering adherence to divine protocols, even when personal grief might otherwise distract from duties. The historical context reflects the early days of Israel’s covenant relationship with Yahweh at Mount Sinai, where divine law and ordered worship were foundational to establishing their identity as a holy nation set apart.

Leviticus 10 12 Word analysis

• And Moses spoke to Aaron and to Eleazar and to Ithamar his surviving sons, who were left, saying:

  • "spoke": Emphasizes divine communication of laws, not merely human advice.
  • "Aaron and to Eleazar and to Ithamar": Pinpoints the specific individuals being addressed—the high priest and his two remaining, hence purified, sons, establishing the legitimate line of priesthood.
  • "his surviving sons, who were left" (Hebrew: הַנּוֹתָרִים - ha-notsarim): This phrase highlights the tragic recent event (Nadab and Abihu’s death). It carries the nuance of being spared or preserved, emphasizing God’s grace and the solemn responsibility now resting on these remaining priests. It immediately reminds the hearers of the fatal consequences of disobedience.

• "Take the grain offering that is left of the offerings by fire to the Lord, and eat it without yeast beside the altar, for it is most holy."

  • "Take": A direct command, implying immediate action and obedience.
  • "grain offering" (Hebrew: מִנְחָה - minchah): This specifically refers to a meal offering, made of fine flour, oil, and frankincense, partly burned on the altar and partly for the priests.
  • "that is left": Signifies the portion not consumed by fire on the altar; this portion is designated for the priests' consumption as their sustenance.
  • "offerings by fire" (Hebrew: אִשֶּׁה - ishsheh): Refers to a general category of sacrifices presented to God by burning.
  • "eat it without yeast" (Hebrew: מַצּוֹת - matzot): Specifies unleavened bread. Leaven (yeast) often symbolized corruption or sin in biblical contexts (e.g., Ex 12:8; 1 Cor 5:6-8). Its exclusion indicates purity, sanctity, and possibly haste (as with Passover), stressing the offering's unsullied nature and the holy state of those consuming it.
  • "beside the altar": This designates a highly specific and holy location within the Tabernacle courtyard. Eating this "most holy" portion so close to the altar emphasizes the profound sacredness of the meal and the necessity of the priests' purity within the immediate proximity of God's presence.
  • "for it is most holy" (Hebrew: קֹדֶשׁ קָדָשִׁים - qodesh qodashim): A superlative expression indicating supreme holiness. Such offerings were of the highest sanctity and could only be eaten by clean male priests within the sacred precinct. This implies great reverence and strict adherence to specific consumption rules.

• "And the breast that was waved and the thigh that was lifted up you shall eat in a clean place, you and your sons and your daughters with you,"

  • "breast that was waved" (Hebrew: חֲזֵה הַתְּנוּפָה - chazeh ha-tnufah): The breast of the offering, ceremonially waved before the Lord as part of the dedication ritual, symbolizing it being presented to God and then returned to the priests.
  • "thigh that was lifted up" (Hebrew: שׁוֹק הַתְּרוּמָה - shok ha-trumah): The right thigh, ceremonially "lifted up" or "heaved," symbolizing a portion separated and set aside for the priests.
  • These specific parts were allocated from the peace offerings (Lev 7:29-34).
  • "you shall eat in a clean place": Distinct from "beside the altar," this "clean place" refers to anywhere within the Tabernacle precincts that is ritually pure (not necessarily the holiest part) where the priests' families, if ritually clean, could partake. This indicates a different degree of holiness than "most holy" offerings; these portions are still holy but have broader consumption rules.
  • "you and your sons and your daughters with you": Expands the group permitted to eat. Unlike "most holy" portions reserved only for male priests, the breast and thigh from peace offerings could be consumed by the priests’ entire household, provided they were ritually clean, acknowledging God's provision for their families.

• "for they are your allotted portion and your sons' allotted portion from the sacrifices of the peace offerings of the Lord."

  • "allotted portion": Emphasizes this as a divinely ordained right and provision, an inheritance for the priestly line (cf. Num 18:20). It signifies their means of sustenance since they had no tribal land inheritance.
  • "sacrifices of the peace offerings" (Hebrew: זִבְחֵי שְׁלָמִים - zivchey shelamim): Offerings made as expressions of fellowship, thanksgiving, or a vow, where part was burned, part was eaten by the priest, and part by the worshiper. The portions designated for the priests sustained them as they mediated between God and His people.
  • "of the Lord": Reaffirms that these provisions come directly from God, as part of His established covenant and gracious care for His appointed servants.

Leviticus 10 12 Bonus section

The repeated emphasis on consuming portions of sacrifices reflects a theological truth: participation in the divine covenant and enjoyment of God’s blessing is often symbolized by sharing in His "food." This practice not only sustained the priests physically but also affirmed their covenantal relationship with God. In the context of ancient Near Eastern religions, eating portions of sacrifices often signified communion or partnership with the deity. Here, God explicitly defines the terms of this sacred meal, demonstrating His control and His standard of holiness. The strictness around consuming these holy things also provided a constant, tangible reminder of sin and the need for purification, as any defilement could invalidate the act or lead to severe consequences. The very physical act of eating became a spiritual discipline and a lesson in purity.

Leviticus 10 12 Commentary

Leviticus 10:12 serves as a critical directive delivered immediately after a severe demonstration of God's holiness. Moses reminds Aaron and his surviving sons of their sacred duty and the precise protocol for consuming the holy offerings. The "grain offering," deemed "most holy," required male priests to eat it "without yeast beside the altar," underscoring its extreme sanctity and the stringent purity needed in God’s direct presence. In contrast, the "waved breast and lifted thigh" from the peace offerings, while still sacred, allowed consumption by the entire priestly household (sons and daughters) in any "clean place." This distinction highlights varying degrees of holiness for different offerings and their consumption.

This command reveals several profound truths:

1. Divine Provision: God, who commanded His priests to leave their secular vocations to serve Him fully, simultaneously provided for their sustenance directly from the offerings, showcasing His faithfulness to those dedicated to Him (cf. 1 Cor 9:13).
2. Strict Holiness: The distinction in eating locations and participants underscores the absolute purity required in drawing near to God. The death of Nadab and Abihu created an even deeper imperative for careful adherence. It shows that priestly privilege was not to be taken lightly; it demanded reverent obedience.
3. Holiness Extends: The sanctity of the Tabernacle and its worship extended to those who ministered within it, affecting their daily lives and requiring ritual cleanness even for eating portions outside the innermost holy space. This illustrates that separation for God's service involved meticulous attention to detail.

Practically, this reminds believers today of the solemnity of worshipping a holy God and the necessity of approaching Him on His terms. While believers are a "royal priesthood" (1 Pet 2:9) in Christ, the principle remains: divine privilege is accompanied by holy responsibility and reverent obedience to God's word, seeking His glory above all.