Leviticus 10-12 Holiness and Cleanliness

Thoughts

Leviticus 10

Strange or unathorized – the Hebrew here in verse 1 is אֵשׁ זָרָה esh zarah (fire foreign/strange) some versions say ‘profane’

Aaron’s sons just went through the entire consecration process – how sad

Mishael and Elzaphan removed the bodies – even though they were Aaron’s cousin, they were not in his priestly line (priests could not touch dead bodies – unclean)

Aaron was not allowed to outwardly mourn.

God told priests they are not allowed to drink intoxicating beverages (upon entering the tent of meeting) – this might suggest that Aaron’s sons were intoxicated?

We see here how important priesthood was – to be set apart and holy before God and to represent their people

Eleazar and Ithamar were reminded on how to handle offerings, and Moses rebukes them for incorrect handling of the goat.

Aaron essentially says they did not eat because they were mourning – weren’t they just told not to mourn? Why do they get to make the decision to not follow this rule after the death of two who didn’t follow a different rule from God?

It says Moses approved – Literal Hebrew is  וַיִּשְׁמַע מֹשֶׁה וַיִּיטַב בְּעֵינָיו Vayishma Moshe, vayitav b’einav (“And Moses heard, and it was good in his eyes.”)

Leviticus 11

Word used for “abomination” שֶׁקֶץ (sheqetz)- detestable, abomination, repulsive

Unclean animals not to be eaten:

• Those that do not both chew cud and have parted hooves (pigs, camels, hares)
• Those that do not have both fins and scales (shellfish, catfish, eels)
• long list of birds (predators?)
• winged insects on all fours (unless have jointed legs like locusts)
• swarming things (gecko, lizard, mouse)
• dead animals

Most of these animals are carriers of diseases- I don’t think this was the only reason to have these laws.

Leviticus 12

Uncleanliness for women:

• After birth of male: 7 days (circumcise on 8th) + 33 days = 40 days
• After birth of female: 2 weeks + 66 days = 80 days

Should be seen as a ‘maternity leave’ and able to rest.

Longer length of purification for female child: it has been suggested that females bring more sinners into the world so they need longer times with female babies to ‘purify’ or that it balances the circumcision of the male.

After the purification period (40 or 80 days), the woman brings:

• A year-old lamb for a burnt offering
  • If she can’t afford a lamb, she may bring two doves or pigeons for both offerings (Mary offered two turtledoves! Luke: 2:22-24)
• A pigeon or dove for a sin offering

Questions

Did Nadab and Abihu offer the fire out of accidental arrogance or pride? Did they decide together? Did they go to Heaven?

Why did Aaron have to hold his peace? Was it ok for him to be sorrowful or mourn internally? Can you still mourn the wicked?

Were the clean animals same as Noah’s time?

Is a bat technically a bird?

Why does it say insects walk on all fours – is it a saying

Why longer purification for females?

Application

All these cleanliness laws show just how much was required to deal with sin. Between the offerings, purification rituals, and strict rules, I honestly don’t think I would have made it. These chapters in Leviticus can seem a bit “boring” at first, but reading them with this perspective helps me appreciate all that Christ has done for us. He fulfilled every requirement, once and for all. And it also shows how deeply YHWH desires to dwell with His people .. He made a way then, and He’s still making a way now.