Leviticus 10 7

Leviticus 10:7 kjv

And ye shall not go out from the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: for the anointing oil of the LORD is upon you. And they did according to the word of Moses.

Leviticus 10:7 nkjv

You shall not go out from the door of the tabernacle of meeting, lest you die, for the anointing oil of the LORD is upon you." And they did according to the word of Moses.

Leviticus 10:7 niv

Do not leave the entrance to the tent of meeting or you will die, because the LORD's anointing oil is on you." So they did as Moses said.

Leviticus 10:7 esv

And do not go outside the entrance 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.

Leviticus 10:7 nlt

But you must not leave the entrance of the Tabernacle or you will die, for you have been anointed with the LORD's anointing oil." So they did as Moses commanded.

Leviticus 10 verses

Leviticus 10 7 Meaning

Leviticus 10:7 serves as a strict command to Aaron's surviving sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, immediately following the divine judgment on their brothers Nadab and Abihu. The verse prohibits them from leaving the door of the tabernacle, lest they die, emphasizing that their consecrated status, signified by the anointing oil, necessitates their unwavering devotion and adherence to God's presence. It highlights the absolute holiness required of priests and the fatal consequences of departing from the Lord's established commands and sacred boundaries.

Leviticus 10 7 Context

Leviticus chapter 10 is an immediate and dramatic sequel to the dedication of the tabernacle and the official installation of Aaron and his sons into the priesthood, described in chapter 9. In Leviticus 9, the glory of the Lord appeared, and fire from the Lord consumed the burnt offering, affirming divine acceptance. Immediately following this climactic event of inauguration, Nadab and Abihu, two of Aaron's sons, offered "strange fire" before the Lord (Lev 10:1-2), a direct transgression against God's holy commands for priestly service. As a result, fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, illustrating God's uncompromising holiness and the severity of disobedience in approaching Him.

In the aftermath (Lev 10:3-6), Moses instructs Aaron that this divine judgment signifies God's expectation for those who come near Him to treat Him as holy and be glorified before all the people. Moses then forbids Aaron and his surviving sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, from public mourning or defiling themselves, specifically stating in Leviticus 10:6 that they "shall not uncover their heads, neither rend their clothes; lest ye die." This further sets the stage for verse 7, which elaborates on the necessity for Eleazar and Ithamar to remain consecrated within the sacred boundaries of the tabernacle, reinforcing the previous warnings of death if they fail to uphold their unique, God-appointed position due to their anointing. The entire chapter starkly underscores the absolute reverence, meticulous obedience, and intrinsic holiness demanded of those who minister in God's presence, highlighting the perilous nature of disregarding divine protocols.

Leviticus 10 7 Word analysis

• And ye shall not go out (לֹא תֵצְאוּ - lo tetse'u): This is a direct, negative command, a strong prohibition. The use of "not go out" emphasizes confinement to the sacred space and their priestly duties within it. It signifies that their role and identity are now tied to the Tabernacle, requiring continuous presence in service and holy comportment. This strict limitation underlines the unique and total dedication required of a priest set apart for the Lord.
• from the door of the tabernacle of the congregation (מִפֶּתַח אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד - mippetach ohel mo'ed):
  • "door" (petach): Represents the threshold between the sacred and the profane, the entrance to the place where God's presence dwells. Going out meant stepping back into the common, mundane world, which would violate their consecrated status.
  • "tabernacle of the congregation" (ohel mo'ed): More accurately rendered as "Tent of Meeting." This specific designation for the tabernacle highlights its function as the pre-arranged place where God appointed to meet with His people, not merely a place of general assembly. Remaining at its door emphasizes being continually ready for divine communion and service within this holy, dedicated space.
• lest ye die (פֶּן תָּמֻתוּ - pen tamutu): This phrase indicates the dire, immediate, and direct consequence of disobedience. It is not an arbitrary threat but the natural, existential result of desecrating divine holiness while in a state of consecration. Their very life depended on remaining within the bounds of God's command. This reflects God's holy nature, which cannot abide unholiness in close proximity.
• for the anointing oil of the LORD (כִּי שֶׁמֶן מִשְׁחַת יְהוָה - ki shemen mishchat YHWH):
  • "for" (ki): Introduces the foundational reason and justification for the strict command. Their condition is the direct cause of the requirement.
  • "anointing oil" (shemen mishchat): This sacred oil, specifically concocted by divine instruction (Ex 30:22-25), symbolizes consecration, setting apart for God's exclusive use, and the endowment with divine presence and authority. It signifies their indelible mark as holy servants.
  • "of the LORD" (YHWH): Emphasizes that this oil, and thus their consecration, originated solely from God. It points to God's proprietorship over them and the sanctity He imparts, which in turn demands their absolute purity and obedience. The "anointing" implies that God Himself has laid His claim on them.
• is upon you (עֲלֵיכֶם - aleichem): Signifies that the anointing and its implications are a continuous state and presence with them. It implies responsibility, spiritual indwelling, and constant accountability. They are perpetually "covered" or marked by God's holiness, thus forbidden from breaking that consecrated state by mingling with the common.
• And they did according to the word of Moses (וַיַּעֲשׂוּ כִּדְבַר מֹשֶׁה - vayya'asu kidvar Mosheh): This concluding statement confirms their immediate and faithful obedience to Moses' (and by extension, God's) command. It starkly contrasts their obedience with the tragic disobedience of Nadab and Abihu, providing a powerful demonstration of proper priestly conduct and illustrating the path of life through adherence to God's explicit instructions.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "ye shall not go out from the door of the tabernacle of the congregation": This phrase establishes a physical boundary that has profound spiritual implications. The priests' inability to leave signified their continuous commitment to the holy sphere, separating them from the common world. This spatial restriction was a visible sign of their inward sanctification and an unceasing duty to maintain their consecrated state. Their identity and service were wholly wrapped up in the Tabernacle.
• "lest ye die: for the anointing oil of the LORD is upon you": This concise pairing links the dire consequence of disobedience directly to their consecrated status. It implies that death is not merely a punishment but an intrinsic result of defiling that which is made holy by the Lord. The presence of the sacred anointing oil made any transgression a grave affront to the Divine, bringing forth destructive judgment. This highlights God's justice, but more so His uncompromised holiness.
• "And they did according to the word of Moses": This concluding declaration is vital for emphasizing the immediate and unhesitating obedience of Eleazar and Ithamar. In the wake of their brothers' swift judgment, their compliance underscores the lesson of reverence for divine commands and the critical role of submission in priestly service. This act of obedience secured their lives and ensured the continuity of the divinely ordained priesthood.

Leviticus 10 7 Bonus section

The intense prohibition and its consequence in Lev 10:7 also speak to the deep symbolic meaning of the priestly garment and identity. When Eleazar and Ithamar were anointed, they were also clothed in specific holy garments (Lev 8:7-9). These garments were not mere attire but extensions of their consecrated person, making their presence "at the door of the Tabernacle" a constant representation of sanctified worship and ministry. Leaving this sphere, even for proper mourning of family, would have symbolized a breach in their spiritual identity and responsibility. This highlights the Lord's complete ownership and consecration of His priests, implying that their lives were no longer their own but fully devoted to His service. The New Testament fulfillment is seen in Christ, the ultimate High Priest, who "went out" (Heb 13:12) of the holy city only to die outside the camp, an ultimate act of priestly service and atonement, demonstrating perfect obedience that supersedes the shadows of the Old Covenant.

Leviticus 10 7 Commentary

Leviticus 10:7 powerfully encapsulates God's absolute demand for holiness and unwavering obedience from those who serve Him, particularly His consecrated priests. Following the devastating judgment on Nadab and Abihu, this command to Eleazar and Ithamar serves as a potent reminder that divine service is not to be taken lightly. The prohibition against leaving the Tabernacle's door underscores the principle of set-apartness (holiness) inherent in their priestly anointing. The anointing oil, a visible symbol of God's sanctifying Spirit and authority resting "upon them," established an unbreakable link between their consecrated state and their physical location within the sacred precincts. To depart would be to effectively disclaim their consecration, rendering them susceptible to the consuming holiness of God, hence "lest ye die." This was not just a punitive threat, but a statement of spiritual reality: desecration in the immediate vicinity of the holy God naturally results in death.

This verse teaches us about God's intrinsic holiness and His zealous guarding of it. It typifies the serious responsibility of those called into ministry or any form of Christian service—a constant walking within God's bounds. While believers under the New Covenant are no longer bound by these specific literal regulations (our priesthood is a spiritual one, 1 Pet 2:9), the underlying principles remain. God still demands reverence, holiness, and obedience from His people (Heb 12:28-29). The Holy Spirit "anoints" believers (1 Jn 2:20, 2 Cor 1:21-22), setting them apart for God's purposes, demanding a life lived in accordance with that indwelling presence rather than yielding to the profane. The immediate obedience of Eleazar and Ithamar provides a biblical model for all believers: a life of submission to God's word, especially in light of His manifest holiness and previous acts of judgment, secures blessing and life.