King James Version

What Does Leviticus 10:12 Mean?

Leviticus 10:12 in the King James Version says “And Moses spake unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons that were left, Take the meat offering that rema...” — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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 · KJV

Context

10

And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean;

11

And that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the LORD hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses.

12

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:

13

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.

14

And the wave breast and heave shoulder shall ye eat in a clean place; thou, and thy sons, and thy daughters with thee: for they be thy due, and thy sons' due, which are given out of the sacrifices of peace offerings of the children of Israel.

Read Leviticus 10 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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:

This verse falls within the section on Nadab and Abihu's Unauthorized Fire. The tragic death of Aaron's sons for offering unauthorized fire demonstrates the severity of approaching God improperly.

The central theme of Leviticus is God's holiness and the call for His people to be holy. The Hebrew word qadosh (קָדוֹשׁ) means 'set apart' or 'sacred,' emphasizing both separation from sin and consecration to God's purposes. The Aaronic priesthood mediated between God and Israel, offering sacrifices and maintaining the tabernacle. This prefigured Christ's superior priesthood after the order of Melchizedek. The five main offerings (burnt, grain, peace, sin, and guilt) addressed different aspects of relationship with God, all fulfilled in Christ's comprehensive sacrifice.
What Leviticus portrayed through types and shadows, Christ fulfilled in reality through His incarnation, perfect life, atoning death, and resurrection.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The tragic death of Aaron's sons for offering unauthorized fire demonstrates the severity of approaching God improperly. Chapters 8-10 describe the priesthood's consecration and early ministry. Aaron and his sons received special anointing for their mediatorial role between God and Israel. The tragic account of Nadab and Abihu (ch. 10) demonstrates that approaching God requires reverence and obedience. Ancient Near Eastern cultures had various sacrificial systems, but Israel's sacrificial worship was unique in its ethical foundation, monotheistic framework, and emphasis on atonement rather than appeasement. Unlike pagan rituals focused on manipulating deities, Israel's sacrifices acknowledged God's sovereignty and sought reconciliation based on His gracious provision. The tabernacle's design parallels ancient Near Eastern temple architecture, yet its portable nature and absence of divine images distinguished it from pagan temples.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's holiness, as revealed in this verse, shape your understanding of worship, obedience, and daily living?
  2. How does Christ's superior priesthood, prefigured in this verse, assure you of access to God and effective intercession?
  3. What does this verse teach about the costliness of true worship and dedication to God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וַיְדַבֵּ֨ר1 of 24

“spake”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

מֹשֶׁ֜ה2 of 24

“And Moses”

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

אֶֽל3 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אַהֲרֹ֗ן4 of 24

“unto Aaron”

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

וְאֶ֣ל5 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֶ֠לְעָזָר6 of 24

“and unto Eleazar”

H499

elazar, the name of seven israelites

וְאֶל7 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אִ֨יתָמָ֥ר׀8 of 24

“and unto Ithamar”

H385

ithamar, a son of aaron

בָּנָיו֮9 of 24

“his sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

הַנּוֹתֶ֙רֶת֙10 of 24

“that remaineth”

H3498

to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left; causatively to leave, cause to abound, preserve

קְח֣וּ11 of 24

“Take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת12 of 24
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַמִּנְחָ֗ה13 of 24

“the meat offering”

H4503

a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)

הַנּוֹתֶ֙רֶת֙14 of 24

“that remaineth”

H3498

to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left; causatively to leave, cause to abound, preserve

מֵֽאִשֵּׁ֣י15 of 24

“made by fire”

H801

properly, a burnt-offering; but occasionally of any sacrifice

יְהוָ֔ה16 of 24

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וְאִכְל֥וּהָ17 of 24

“and eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

מַצּ֖וֹת18 of 24

“it without leaven”

H4682

properly, sweetness; concretely, sweet (i.e., not soured or bittered with yeast); specifically, an unfermented cake or loaf, or (elliptically) the fes

אֵ֣צֶל19 of 24

“beside”

H681

a side; (as a preposition) near

הַמִּזְבֵּ֑חַ20 of 24

“the altar”

H4196

an altar

כִּ֛י21 of 24
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

קָֽדָשִׁ֖ים22 of 24

“for it is most”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

קָֽדָשִׁ֖ים23 of 24

“for it is most”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

הִֽוא׃24 of 24
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Leviticus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Leviticus 10:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Leviticus 10:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 21:22Numbers 18:9-10Exodus 29:2Leviticus 7:9Leviticus 2:1-16Leviticus 6:14-18

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