Leviticus 10 13

Leviticus 10:13 kjv

And ye shall eat it in the holy place, because it is thy due, and thy sons' due, of the sacrifices of the LORD made by fire: for so I am commanded.

Leviticus 10:13 nkjv

You shall eat it in a holy place, because it is your due and your sons' due, of the sacrifices made by fire to the LORD; for so I have been commanded.

Leviticus 10:13 niv

Eat it in the sanctuary area, because it is your share and your sons' share of the food offerings presented to the LORD; for so I have been commanded.

Leviticus 10:13 esv

You shall eat it in a holy place, because it is your due and your sons' due, from the LORD's food offerings, for so I am commanded.

Leviticus 10:13 nlt

You must eat it in a sacred place, for it has been given to you and your descendants as your portion of the special gifts presented to the LORD. These are the commands I have been given.

Leviticus 10 verses

Leviticus 10 13 Meaning

Leviticus 10:13 instructs Aaron and his surviving sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, to consume their allocated share of specific holy offerings in the consecrated area of the Tabernacle. This divine mandate emphasized that these portions – from the grain offerings and sin offerings – were a statutory provision from the Lord, intended for the sustenance of the priestly family as part of their dedicated service. It underscores God's meticulous care for those who serve Him and the strictures necessary for handling sacred things after the judgment on Nadab and Abihu.

Leviticus 10 13 Context

Leviticus 10:13 follows immediately after the tragic incident of Nadab and Abihu, Aaron’s two elder sons, offering unauthorized fire before the Lord (Lev 10:1-2), resulting in their instantaneous death by divine fire. Moses had just outlined specific rules for the remaining priests, Aaron, Eleazar, and Ithamar, including prohibitions on mourning and strong drink while in service (Lev 10:6-11). Moses then commands them about their priestly duties concerning the sacred offerings, specifically discussing the eating of the grain offering (Lev 10:12) and then the sin offering (Lev 10:16-18). Verse 13, therefore, re-emphasizes the strict adherence required in their holy office, ensuring that even the act of consuming the consecrated portions is done according to divine instruction, sustaining the priests in a manner prescribed by God Himself, who is their ultimate inheritance.

Leviticus 10 13 Word analysis

• And (וְאַתֶּם – ve’atem): Connects this instruction directly to the preceding divine commands given after the judgment on Nadab and Abihu, indicating continuity in the LORD's expectations for His priests.
• you shall eat (תֹּאכְלֻוּ – tokhlu): From the Hebrew verb אָכַל (akhal), meaning "to eat" or "to consume." This is a command, not merely permission. Priests were obligated to eat these holy portions. This act symbolized their full participation in and sustenance from God’s provision, underscoring the spiritual nourishment tied to their sacred duties.
• it (אֹתָהּ – otah): Refers to the "portion left over from the grain offering" (מִנְחָה – minchah) mentioned in verse 12, which is described as "most holy" (קֹדֶשׁ קָדָשִׁים – qodesh qadashim). While verse 13 does not explicitly mention the sin offering, the subsequent discussion in verses 16-18 about the sin offering meat eaten by priests strongly implies it is also included in the context of what priests are commanded to eat from the "most holy" sacrifices.
• in a holy place (בְּמָקוֹם קָדוֹשׁ – bemakom qadosh): Maqom (מָקוֹם) means "place," and qadosh (קָדוֹשׁ) means "holy" or "set apart." This designates the inner courtyard of the Tabernacle where the altar and tent of meeting stood. Eating in this sacred space emphasized the extreme holiness of the consumed portion and the separation of the consecrated priests from common things, reinforcing the absolute purity required in the LORD’s presence. It was a demarcation between the sacred and the common.
• you (אַתֶּם – atem): Refers specifically to Aaron.
• and your sons and your daughters with you (וּבְנֵיכֶם וּבְנֹתֵיכֶם עִמָּכֶם – uvnekhem uvenotekhem immakhem): While most "most holy" offerings were eaten exclusively by male priests (Lev 6:26, 7:6), this verse's mention of "daughters" signifies the entire clean priestly household was sustained by these divine provisions. The physical act of eating the "most holy" portion "in a holy place" was primarily for the male priests (Aaron and his sons Eleazar and Ithamar). However, the verse emphasizes that the portion granted to the priests was ultimately for the sustenance and support of their entire families who lived within the holy precincts (see Num 18:11; Lev 22:13 for broader context of family consumption of holy things). This highlights God's holistic provision for His chosen servants and their dependents.
• for (כִּי – ki): Introduces the divine rationale for the command.
• it is your portion (חָקְכֶם – choqchem): Choq (חֹק) denotes a prescribed share, a divine ordinance, or an established right. This signifies that the priestly portions were not merely an act of generosity but a statutory provision established by God Himself, an entitlement because of their holy office and service. This "portion" was their guaranteed livelihood, as they had no tribal land inheritance (Num 18:20; Deut 10:9).
• and your sons' portion (וְחָק בָּנֶיךָ – vekhoq banekha): Emphasizes the continuity of this divine provision through successive priestly generations. It was an enduring statute for the Aaronic line.
• of the offerings by fire (מֵאִשֵּׁי – me’ishshei): From אִשֶּׁה (ishsheh), an "offering made by fire." This term specifies the origin of these provisions – they come directly from the sacrifices consumed by fire upon the altar, signifying their direct connection to the divine cultus and the LORD's own "food."
• to the LORD (לַיהוָה – laYahweh): Clarifies that these are consecrated offerings primarily given to the covenant God, Yahweh. The priests' consumption of these portions is therefore also a sacred act performed in relationship to the LORD, on His behalf, and under His explicit command.

Leviticus 10 13 Bonus section

This verse subtly reinforces the gravity of the divine command, juxtaposing God’s immediate judgment upon Nadab and Abihu (for improper ritual) with His simultaneous and meticulous provision for the faithful continuation of the priesthood. The LORD not only dictates how He is to be worshiped but also how His servants are to be sustained through that very worship. It highlights that the priests' lives and livelihood were utterly dependent on the altar and the LORD's decrees, fostering humility and dependence on God. The concept of "eating of the altar" here resonates with broader biblical themes of covenant, provision, and consecration.

Leviticus 10 13 Commentary

Leviticus 10:13 serves as a vital instruction in the immediate aftermath of divine judgment, emphasizing that service to God is predicated on strict obedience and purity. Moses reminds Aaron and his sons that they are commanded to eat specific portions of the holy offerings – the most holy grain offerings and sin offerings. This act was not merely consumption; it was a sacred duty, performed in a holy place, underscoring the absolute separation required in dealing with divine things. This specific "portion" (choq) was God’s ordained provision, assuring the sustenance of the priestly lineage, a practical and tangible demonstration of God caring for His servants who had no earthly inheritance. The inclusion of "daughters" points to the entire priestly household benefiting from, and being sustained by, the priestly share, highlighting the comprehensive nature of God's provision and the familial commitment to sacred service.