Leviticus 10 - Introduction
_NADAB AND ABIHU OFFER STRANGE FIRE BEFORE THE LORD, AND ARE DESTROYED: THE PRIESTS ARE FORBIDDEN WINE WHEN THEY SERVE AT THE TABERNACLE._ _Before Christ 1490._... [ Continue Reading ]
_NADAB AND ABIHU OFFER STRANGE FIRE BEFORE THE LORD, AND ARE DESTROYED: THE PRIESTS ARE FORBIDDEN WINE WHEN THEY SERVE AT THE TABERNACLE._ _Before Christ 1490._... [ Continue Reading ]
AND NADAB AND ABIHU, THE SONS OF AARON— The offence of Nadab and Abihu, according to almost all the commentators, was their kindling their censers from _strange_ or _common fire;_ not from the fire which burned always upon the altar of the Lord: (see ch. Leviticus 16:12.) One may conceive, from the... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE WENT OUT FIRE FROM THE LORD, AND DEVOURED THEM— Rather, _and destroyed them;_ blasting them like lightning: for their cloaths were not consumed; see Leviticus 10:5. Hence it is, as Grotius and Lamy observe, that the Jews derive their custom of strangling or suffocating those who were condemned... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN MOSES SAID UNTO AARON, &C.— Aaron, no doubt, must have been pierced with severe anguish upon receiving this dreadful stroke. To alleviate which, Moses desires him to recollect, that this event was agreeable to the divine declaration, (Exodus 19:22; Exodus 29:43.Leviticus 8:35.) as well as to th... [ Continue Reading ]
AND MOSES CALLED MISHAEL, &C.— Without this special order, these kinsmen of the deceased could not have been admitted into the sanctuary; and it is probable, that Moses rather chose to employ them, than the brethren of Nadab and Abihu, in this melancholy office, not only from motives of tenderness,... [ Continue Reading ]
MOSES SAID UNTO AARON, &C.— All signs of mourning are forbidden Aaron and his sons upon this occasion: the reason of which is given in the 7th verse, _for the anointing oil of the Lord is upon you:_ "You are immediately devoted and consecrated to the service of God; separated, as it were, from all h... [ Continue Reading ]
DO NOT DRINK WINE, NOR STRONG DRINK— See the note on Leviticus 10:1. By _strong drink,_ is here meant, such inflammatory intoxicating liquors, as were made in imitation of wine; as of dates, figs, honey; with many other sorts of liquors, which Pliny call _vina factitia, made wines;_ particularly pal... [ Continue Reading ]
MOSES DILIGENTLY SOUGHT THE GOAT OF THE SIN-OFFERING— Though the time of Nadab and Abihu's death is not mentioned, yet, from the confusion which happened respecting the sin-offering, which was burnt instead of being eaten, as it should have been, by the priests, (ch. Leviticus 6:26.) one would be ap... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD HATH GIVEN IT TO YOU TO BEAR THE INIQUITY OF THE CONGREGATION— i.e. according to Bishop Patrick, it was given them by God as an encouragement to the careful performance of that part of their duty, whereby they became intercessors for the people, and atoned for their sins: and, indeed, the very e... [ Continue Reading ]
AND AARON SAID UNTO MOSES, &C.— Though Moses had addressed Eleazar and Ithamar only; Aaron, convinced that the reproof concerned himself most, offers, in apology both for them and himself, that the misfortunes of the day had prevented him and them from feasting upon the sin-offering, though they had... [ Continue Reading ]