Leviticus 10:3

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Leviticus 10:3-7

We may well think that when Nadab and Abihu were struck with death all about them were struck with horror, and every face, as well as theirs, gathered blackness. Great consternation, no doubt, seized them, and they were all full of confusion; but, whatever the rest were, Moses was composed, and knew what he said and did, not being displeased, as David was in a like case, 2 Sam. 6:8. But though it touched him in a very tender part, and was a dreadful damp to one of the greatest joys he ever... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Leviticus 10:3

And Moses said unto Aaron ,.... Upon this awful occasion, and in order to quiet and humble him under the mighty hand of God: this is it that the Lord spoke, saying ; but when he spoke it, and where it is said and recorded, is not so very clear; it might have been said, and yet not recorded, or the substance of it may be recorded, though not in the express words here delivered; it may refer, as some think, to Exodus 19:22 or else to Exodus 29:43 which seems to come nearest to what... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Leviticus 10:3

And Aaron held his peace - אהרן וידם vaiyiddom Aharon , and Aaron was dumb. How elegantly expressive is this of his parental affection, his deep sense of the presumption of his sons, and his own submission to the justice of God! The flower and hope of his family was nipped in the bud and blasted; and while he exquisitely feels as a father, he submits without murmuring to this awful dispensation of Divine justice. It is an awful thing to introduce innovations either into the rites and... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Leviticus 10:3

Verse 3 3.Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the Lord spake Moses restrains his brother from giving way to excessive grief; for this was a very bitter stroke after their recent joy to see himself at once deprived of two sons on the same day, and at the same moment, he might, too, have been disposed to murmur against God for the cause of their death. Lest, therefore, He should give way to such want of self-control, Moses reminds him that he must submit to the just judgment of God. We... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Leviticus 10:1-3

Sin and penalty in sacred things. The story of the guilt and doom of the sons of Aaron constitutes a sad episode in the recital of the sacred precepts of the Law. We look at— 1. THE CHARACTER OF THE TRANSGRESSION . It appears (from Leviticus 10:16 , compared with Le Leviticus 9:15 ) that this forbidden act was done very soon indeed after the solemnities described in the preceding chapter (9). Otherwise we should have inferred that it was familiarity with sacred rites... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Leviticus 10:1-3

Strange fire. "I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me." Great and small things in the worship of God. Doubtless it seemed to Nadab and Abihu a matter of no consequence at all that they should take fire from one altar rather than from another. To us it may seem a comparatively small thing, when viewed in connection with the terrible doom that immediately ensued. Obviously, however, it was a great thing in the sight of God. The act of punishment by which he showed his high... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Leviticus 10:1-3

Sin and penalty in sacred things. The story of the guilt and doom of the sons of Aaron constitutes a sad episode in the recital of the sacred precepts of the Law. We look at— 1. THE CHARACTER OF THE TRANSGRESSION . It appears (from Leviticus 10:16 , compared with Le Leviticus 9:15 ) that this forbidden act was done very soon indeed after the solemnities described in the preceding chapter (9). Otherwise we should have inferred that it was familiarity with sacred rites... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Leviticus 10:1-3

Strange fire. "I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me." Great and small things in the worship of God. Doubtless it seemed to Nadab and Abihu a matter of no consequence at all that they should take fire from one altar rather than from another. To us it may seem a comparatively small thing, when viewed in connection with the terrible doom that immediately ensued. Obviously, however, it was a great thing in the sight of God. The act of punishment by which he showed his high... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Leviticus 10:1-7

Nadab and Abihu, When the fire of God came upon the sacrifices, "the people shouted, and fell on their faces." While thus in an attitude of prayer, Nadab and Abihu snatched their censers, put fire into them, and put incense upon the fire, as though to send up the prayers of the people to God. In this they sinned, and in consequence paid a fearful penalty. Let us consider— I. THE NATURE OF THEIR SIN . We are told: 1 . That they offered strange fire to God. 2 . That... read more

Group of Brands