Leviticus – Chapter 10

Old Testament20 Verses

Chapter Summary

Leviticus 10 opens with the words: "And Nadab and Abiu, the sons of Aaron, taking their censers, put fire therein, and incense on it, offering before the Lord strange fire:…" The chapter centers on Aaron, Moses and Eleazar. Across its 20 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and holiness. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1And Nadab and Abiu, the sons of Aaron, taking their censers, put fire therein, and incense on it, offering before the Lord strange fire: which was not commanded them.

2And fire coming out from the Lord destroyed them: and they died before the Lord.

3And Moses said to Aaron: This is what the Lord hath spoken. I will be sanctified in them that approach to me: and I will be glorified in the sight of all the people. And when Aaron heard this, he held his peace.

4And Moses called Misael and Elisaphan, the sons of Oziel, the uncle of Aaron, and said to them: Go and take away your brethren from before the sanctuary, and carry them without the camp.

5And they went forthwith and took them as they lay, vested with linen tunicks, and cast them forth, as had been commanded them.

6And Moses said to Aaron, and to Eleazar and Ithamar, his sons: Uncover not your heads, and rend not your garments, lest perhaps you die, and indignation come upon all the congregation. Let your brethren, and all the house of Israel, bewail the burning which the Lord has kindled.

7But you shall not go out of the door of the tabernacle: otherwise you shall perish, for the oil of the holy unction is on you. And they did all things according to the precept of Moses.

8The Lord also said to Aaron:

9You shall not drink wine nor any thing that may make drunk, thou nor thy sons, when you enter into the tabernacle of the testimony, lest you die. Because it is an everlasting precept; through your generations:

10And that you may have knowledge to discern between holy and unholy, between unclean and clean:

11And may teach the children of Israel all my ordinances which the Lord hath spoken to them by the hand of Moses.

12And Moses spoke to Aaron, and to Eleazar and Ithamar, his sons that were left: Take the sacrifice that is remaining of the oblation of the Lord, and eat it without leaven beside the altar, because it is holy of holies.

13And you shall eat it in a holy place: which is given to thee and thy sons of the oblations of the Lord, as it hath been commanded me.

14The breast also that is offered, and the shoulder that is separated, you shall eat in a most clean place, thou and thy sons, and thy daughters with thee. For they are set aside for thee and thy children, of the victims of peace offerings of the children of Israel.

15Because they have elevated before the Lord the shoulder and the breast, and the fat that is burnt on the altar: and they belong to thee and to thy sons by a perpetual law, as the Lord hath commanded.

16While these things were a doing, when Moses sought for the buck goat, that had been offered for sin, he found it burnt. And being angry with Eleazar and Ithamar, the sons of Aaron that were left, he said:

17Why did you not eat in the holy place the sacrifice for sin, which is most holy, and given to you, that you may bear the iniquity of the people, and may pray for them in the sight of the Lord.

18Especially, whereas none of the blood thereof hath been carried within the holy places: and you ought to have eaten it in the sanctuary, as was commanded me?

19Aaron answered: This day hath been offered the victim for sin, and the holocaust before the Lord: and to me what thou seest has happened. How could I eat it, or please the Lord in the ceremonies, having a sorrowful heart?

20Which when Moses had heard he was satisfied.

Important Verses in Leviticus 10

And Nadab and Abiu, the sons of Aaron, taking their censers, put fire therein, and incense on it, offering before the Lord strange fire: which was not commanded them.

Leviticus 10:1

But you shall not go out of the door of the tabernacle: otherwise you shall perish, for the oil of the holy unction is on you. And they did all things according to the precept of Moses.

Leviticus 10:7

And Moses spoke to Aaron, and to Eleazar and Ithamar, his sons that were left: Take the sacrifice that is remaining of the oblation of the Lord, and eat it without leaven beside the altar, because it is holy of holies.

Leviticus 10:12

Why did you not eat in the holy place the sacrifice for sin, which is most holy, and given to you, that you may bear the iniquity of the people, and may pray for them in the sight of the Lord.

Leviticus 10:17

Historical Context

Leviticus belongs to the Old Testament and was composed for the priests (sons of Aaron) and the whole assembly of Israel. Chapter 10 of 27 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 20 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter focuses on Aaron, Moses and Eleazar, whose actions and words drive the passage forward. It opens with the line: "And Nadab and Abiu, the sons of Aaron, taking their censers, put fire therein, and incense on it, offering before the…" The chapter ends with: "Which when Moses had heard he was satisfied. " Read against its original backdrop, Leviticus is the liturgical handbook of ancient Israel, given at Sinai to teach a newly freed people how to worship a holy God. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Leviticus around Core traditions from the wilderness period; final form by the 5th century BC.

Who Wrote It

Traditionally attributed to Moses; contains priestly legislation preserved by the Levitical priesthood

When It Was Written

Core traditions from the wilderness period; final form by the 5th century BC

Catholic Commentary

The literal sense of Leviticus 10 presents a concrete episode in the history of holiness, sacrifice, and priestly worship. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And Nadab and Abiu, the sons of Aaron, taking their censers, put fire therein, and incense on it, offering before the Lord strange fire: which was not…" The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

Catholic exegesis reads Leviticus 10 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. Catholic theology sees these sacrifices fulfilled in Christ's one perfect sacrifice (CIC 1539-1545). St. Leo the Great and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 1265).

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that Be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Leviticus 10 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • 'Be holy, for I am holy': God calls His people to be set apart for Him in every area of life.
  • From the manna to the Last Supper, God feeds His people — fully in the Eucharist.

People in This Chapter

Aaron9 mentionsMoses8 mentionsEleazar3 mentions

Reflection for Today

Leviticus Chapter 10, containing 20 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation, offers a distinct passage for prayer and meditation.

The Magisterium teaches that every biblical passage must be read in light of Christ, the center of Scripture (CIC 461). Here the emphasis falls on lectio divina and meditation on God's Word, which shapes how the Church understands holiness, sacrifice, and priestly worship.

If this passage raises questions, seek the Church's teaching through the Catechism, a faithful priest, or sound Catholic commentaries. Private interpretation must remain in harmony with the Magisterium (CIC 791).

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Leviticus Chapter 10 about?

Leviticus 10 contains 20 verses. It opens with "And Nadab and Abiu, the sons of Aaron, taking their censers, put fire therein, and incense on it, offering before the…" and closes with "Which when Moses had heard he was satisfied. ". The book as a whole is law and liturgical instruction.

What is a key verse in Leviticus 10?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And Nadab and Abiu, the sons of Aaron, taking their censers, put fire therein, and incense on it, offering before the Lord strange fire: which was not commanded them." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Leviticus Chapter 10?

This chapter mentions Aaron, Moses, Eleazar.

Who wrote Leviticus and when?

Traditionally attributed to Moses; contains priestly legislation preserved by the Levitical priesthood. Core traditions from the wilderness period; final form by the 5th century BC.

Deepen your understanding with these related articles