King James Version

What Does Leviticus 10:3 Mean?

Leviticus 10:3 in the King James Version says “Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and ...” — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.”

Leviticus 10:3 · KJV

Peace

Context

1

And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not.

2

And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.

3

Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.

4

And Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said unto them, Come near, carry your brethren from before the sanctuary out of the camp.

5

So they went near, and carried them in their coats out of the camp; as Moses had said.

Read Leviticus 10 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.

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 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 New Testament reveals that Christ's sacrifice accomplishes what the Levitical system could only symbolize—complete forgiveness and restoration of relationship with God.

KJV Study — Public Domain

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 Israelite dietary laws in Leviticus 11 have no exact parallel in surrounding cultures, though some ancient cultures had food taboos, suggesting unique revelation rather than borrowed customs.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Christ's superior priesthood, prefigured in this verse, assure you of access to God and effective intercession?
  2. In what ways does this verse challenge contemporary cultural values or your personal attitudes?
  3. How does this verse reveal God's character, and how should that revelation shape your relationship with Him?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
לֵאמֹר֙1 of 18

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מֹשֶׁ֜ה2 of 18

“Then Moses”

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

אֶֽל3 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אַֽהֲרֹֽן׃4 of 18

“And Aaron”

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

הוּא֩5 of 18
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

אֲשֶׁר6 of 18
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

דִּבֶּ֨ר7 of 18

“spake”

H1696

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

יְהוָ֤ה׀8 of 18

“This is it that the LORD”

H3068

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

לֵאמֹר֙9 of 18

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

בִּקְרֹבַ֣י10 of 18

“in them that come nigh”

H7138

near (in place, kindred or time)

אֶקָּדֵ֔שׁ11 of 18

“I will be sanctified”

H6942

to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)

וְעַל12 of 18
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

פְּנֵ֥י13 of 18

“me and before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

כָל14 of 18
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָעָ֖ם15 of 18

“all the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אֶכָּבֵ֑ד16 of 18

“I will be glorified”

H3513

to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same

וַיִּדֹּ֖ם17 of 18

“held his peace”

H1826

to be dumb; by implication, to be astonished, to stop; also to perish

אַֽהֲרֹֽן׃18 of 18

“And Aaron”

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

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 10:3 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 10:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 19:22Isaiah 49:3Leviticus 21:6Numbers 20:121 Samuel 2:30Deuteronomy 32:51

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