Leviticus 10:17
New International Version
“Why didn’t you eat the sin offering in the sanctuary area? It is most holy; it was given to you to take away the guilt of the community by making atonement for them before the LORD.

New Living Translation
“Why didn’t you eat the sin offering in the sacred area?” he demanded. “It is a holy offering! The LORD has given it to you to remove the guilt of the community and to purify the people, making them right with the LORD.

English Standard Version
“Why have you not eaten the sin offering in the place of the sanctuary, since it is a thing most holy and has been given to you that you may bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the LORD?

Berean Standard Bible
“Why didn’t you eat the sin offering in the holy place? For it is most holy; it was given to you to take away the guilt of the congregation by making atonement for them before the LORD.

King James Bible
Wherefore have ye not eaten the sin offering in the holy place, seeing it is most holy, and God hath given it you to bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the LORD?

New King James Version
“Why have you not eaten the sin offering in a holy place, since it is most holy, and God has given it to you to bear the guilt of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the LORD?

New American Standard Bible
“Why did you not eat the sin offering at the holy place? For it is most holy, and He gave it to you to take away the guilt of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the LORD.

NASB 1995
“Why did you not eat the sin offering at the holy place? For it is most holy, and He gave it to you to bear away the guilt of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the LORD.

NASB 1977
“Why did you not eat the sin offering at the holy place? For it is most holy, and He gave it to you to bear away the guilt of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the LORD.

Legacy Standard Bible
“Why did you not eat the sin offering at the holy place? For it is most holy, and He gave it to you to bear away the guilt of the congregation, to make atonement for them before Yahweh.

Amplified Bible
“Why did you not eat the sin offering in the holy place? For it is most holy; and God gave it to you to remove the guilt of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the LORD.

Christian Standard Bible
“Why didn’t you eat the sin offering in the sanctuary area? For it is especially holy, and he has assigned it to you to take away the guilt of the community and make atonement for them before the LORD.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Why didn’t you eat the sin offering in the sanctuary area? For it is especially holy, and He has assigned it to you to take away the guilt of the community and make atonement for them before the LORD.

American Standard Version
Wherefore have ye not eaten the sin-offering in the place of the sanctuary, seeing it is most holy, and he hath given it you to bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before Jehovah?

Contemporary English Version
"Why didn't you eat the meat from this sacrifice in an acceptable place? It is very holy, and the LORD has given you this sacrifice to remove Israel's sin and guilt.

English Revised Version
Wherefore have ye not eaten the sin offering in the place of the sanctuary, seeing it is most holy, and he hath given it you to bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the LORD?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He asked them, "Why didn't you eat the offering for sin in the holy place? It is very holy and was given to you to take away the sins of the congregation and to make peace with the LORD for them.

Good News Translation
"Why didn't you eat the sin offering in a sacred place? It is very holy, and the LORD has given it to you in order to take away the sin of the community.

International Standard Version
"Why didn't you eat the sin offering at the sacred place? It's most holy and he has given it to you so that you may bear the punishment for the iniquity of the entire congregation and make atonement for them in the LORD's presence.

Majority Standard Bible
?Why didn?t you eat the sin offering in the holy place? For it is most holy; it was given to you to take away the guilt of the congregation by making atonement for them before the LORD.

NET Bible
"Why did you not eat the sin offering in the sanctuary? For it is most holy and he gave it to you to bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement on their behalf before the LORD.

New Heart English Bible
"Why haven't you eaten the sin offering in the place of the sanctuary, seeing it is most holy, and he has given it you to bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the LORD?

Webster's Bible Translation
Why have ye not eaten the sin-offering in the holy place, seeing it is most holy, and God hath given it you to bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the LORD?

World English Bible
“Why haven’t you eaten the sin offering in the place of the sanctuary, since it is most holy, and he has given it to you to bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before Yahweh?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“Why have you not eaten the sin-offering in the holy place, for it [is] most holy—and He has given it to you to take away the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before YHWH?

Young's Literal Translation
Wherefore have ye not eaten the sin-offering in the holy place, for it is most holy -- and it He hath given to you to take away the iniquity of the company, to make atonement for them before Jehovah?

Smith's Literal Translation
Wherefore ate ye not the sin in the holy place? for it is holy of holies, and he gave it to you to lift up the iniquity of the assembly, and to expiate for them before Jehovah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
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,

Catholic Public Domain Version
“Why did you not eat the sacrifice for sin in the holy place, which is the Holy of holies, and which was given to you, so that you might carry the iniquity of the people, and might pray for them in the sight of the Lord,

New American Bible
“Why did you not eat the purification offering in the sacred place, since it is most holy? It has been given to you that you might remove the guilt of the community and make atonement for them before the LORD.

New Revised Standard Version
“Why did you not eat the sin offering in the sacred area? For it is most holy, and God has given it to you that you may remove the guilt of the congregation, to make atonement on their behalf before the LORD.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Why have you not eaten the sin offering in the holy place, seeing it is most holy, and I have given it to you to bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the LORD?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
“Why have you not eaten the sin offering in the holy place because it is Holy of Holy things and I have given it to you to take the sin of the congregation, and it shall atone for them before LORD JEHOVAH?
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Wherefore have ye not eaten the sin-offering in the place of the sanctuary, seeing it is most holy, and He hath given it you to bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the LORD?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Why did ye not eat the sin-offering in the holy place? for because it is most holy he has given you this to eat, that ye might take away the sin of the congregation, and make atonement for them before the Lord.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Restrictions for Priests
16Later, Moses searched carefully for the goat of the sin offering, and behold, it had been burned up. He was angry with Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron’s remaining sons, and asked, 17“Why didn’t you eat the sin offering in the holy place? For it is most holy; it was given to you to take away the guilt of the congregation by making atonement for them before the LORD. 18Since its blood was not brought inside the holy place, you should have eaten it in the sanctuary area, as I commanded.”…

Cross References
Numbers 18:9-10
A portion of the most holy offerings reserved from the fire will be yours. From all the offerings they render to Me as most holy offerings, whether grain offerings or sin offerings or guilt offerings, that part belongs to you and your sons. / You are to eat it as a most holy offering, and every male may eat it. You shall regard it as holy.

Exodus 29:33
They must eat those things by which atonement was made for their ordination and consecration. But no outsider may eat them, because these things are sacred.

Leviticus 6:16-18
Aaron and his sons are to eat the remainder. It must be eaten without leaven in a holy place; they are to eat it in the courtyard of the Tent of Meeting. / It must not be baked with leaven; I have assigned it as their portion of My food offerings. It is most holy, like the sin offering and the guilt offering. / Any male among the sons of Aaron may eat it. This is a permanent portion from the food offerings to the LORD for the generations to come. Anything that touches them will become holy.”

Leviticus 7:6-7
Every male among the priests may eat of it. It must be eaten in a holy place; it is most holy. / The guilt offering is like the sin offering; the same law applies to both. It belongs to the priest who makes atonement with it.

Deuteronomy 18:1-2
The Levitical priests—indeed the whole tribe of Levi—shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel. They are to eat the food offerings to the LORD; that is their inheritance. / Although they have no inheritance among their brothers, the LORD is their inheritance, as He promised them.

1 Samuel 2:28
And out of all the tribes of Israel I selected your father to be My priest, to offer sacrifices on My altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod in My presence. I also gave to the house of your father all the food offerings of the Israelites.

Hebrews 13:10-11
We have an altar from which those who serve at the tabernacle have no right to eat. / Although the high priest brings the blood of animals into the Holy Place as a sacrifice for sin, the bodies are burned outside the camp.

1 Corinthians 9:13
Do you not know that those who work in the temple eat of its food, and those who serve at the altar partake of its offerings?

Numbers 18:19
All the holy offerings that the Israelites present to the LORD I give to you and to your sons and daughters as a permanent statute. It is a permanent covenant of salt before the LORD for you and your offspring.”

Leviticus 22:10-13
No one outside a priest’s family may eat the sacred offering, nor may the guest of a priest or his hired hand eat it. / But if a priest buys a slave with his own money, or if a slave is born in his household, that slave may eat his food. / If the priest’s daughter is married to a man other than a priest, she is not to eat of the sacred contributions. ...

Numbers 18:8
Then the LORD said to Aaron, “Behold, I have put you in charge of My offerings. As for all the sacred offerings of the Israelites, I have given them to you and your sons as a portion and a permanent statute.

Deuteronomy 12:5-7
Instead, you must seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to establish as a dwelling for His Name, and there you must go. / To that place you are to bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and heave offerings, your vow offerings and freewill offerings, as well as the firstborn of your herds and flocks. / There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your households shall eat and rejoice in all you do, because the LORD your God has blessed you.

Ezekiel 44:29-30
They shall eat the grain offerings, the sin offerings, and the guilt offerings. Everything in Israel devoted to the LORD will belong to them. / The best of all the firstfruits and of every contribution from all your offerings will belong to the priests. You are to give your first batch of dough to the priest, so that a blessing may rest upon your homes.

Matthew 12:4
He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for them to eat, but only for the priests.

Luke 10:7
Stay at the same house, eating and drinking whatever you are offered. For the worker is worthy of his wages. Do not move around from house to house.


Treasury of Scripture

Why have you not eaten the sin offering in the holy place, seeing it is most holy, and God has given it you to bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the LORD?

Wherefore

Leviticus 6:26,29
The priest that offereth it for sin shall eat it: in the holy place shall it be eaten, in the court of the tabernacle of the congregation…

Leviticus 7:6,7
Every male among the priests shall eat thereof: it shall be eaten in the holy place: it is most holy…

to bear

Leviticus 16:22
And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness.

Leviticus 22:16
Or suffer them to bear the iniquity of trespass, when they eat their holy things: for I the LORD do sanctify them.

Exodus 28:38,43
And it shall be upon Aaron's forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD…

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Area Atonement Bear Community Congregation Eat Eaten Guilt Holy Iniquity Offering Sanctuary Sin Sin-Offering Wherefore
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Leviticus 10
1. Aadab and Abihu, for offering strange fire, are burnt by fire
6. Aaron and his sons are forbidden to mourn for them
8. The priests are forbidden wine when they are to go into the tabernacle
12. The law of eating the holy things
16. Aaron's excuse for transgressing thereof














Why didn’t you eat the sin offering in the holy place?
This question is posed by Moses to Aaron and his remaining sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, after the death of Nadab and Abihu. The sin offering, according to Levitical law, was to be consumed by the priests in a designated holy area within the tabernacle complex. This act symbolized the priests' role in bearing the sins of the people and facilitating atonement. The failure to eat the offering in the prescribed manner could signify a breach of ritual purity and obedience, which was critical in maintaining the sanctity of the tabernacle and the community's relationship with God.

For it is most holy;
The designation "most holy" indicates the highest level of sanctity attributed to certain offerings, requiring strict adherence to divine instructions. This classification underscores the offering's role in the sacred rituals of atonement and reconciliation with God. The term "most holy" is used to emphasize the seriousness and the divine nature of the offering, setting it apart from other sacrifices and requiring it to be handled with utmost reverence and care.

it was given to you to take away the guilt of the congregation
The sin offering was a provision from God to the priests, enabling them to mediate between the Israelites and God. By consuming the offering, the priests symbolically absorbed the people's sins, facilitating their removal and the restoration of communal purity. This reflects the broader biblical theme of substitutionary atonement, where the innocent bears the guilt of the guilty, prefiguring the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who takes away the sins of the world.

by making atonement for them before the LORD.
Atonement involves reconciliation between God and humanity, achieved through prescribed sacrificial rituals. The priests' role in making atonement was central to maintaining the covenant relationship between Israel and God. This phrase highlights the mediatory function of the priesthood, which finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the great High Priest, who offers Himself as the perfect atoning sacrifice, reconciling humanity to God once and for all.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, who is addressing Aaron and his sons in this passage.

2. Aaron
The high priest and brother of Moses, responsible for performing the priestly duties.

3. Eleazar and Ithamar
Sons of Aaron, who were expected to follow the priestly instructions.

4. The Sanctuary
The holy place where the priests were to perform their duties and eat the sin offering.

5. The Sin Offering
A sacrificial offering made to atone for the sins of the people, symbolizing purification and forgiveness.
Teaching Points
The Holiness of God’s Commands
God's instructions are to be followed with reverence and precision. The priests' failure to eat the sin offering as commanded reflects a deeper issue of obedience and respect for God's holiness.

The Role of Priests in Atonement
The priests were mediators between God and the people, highlighting the importance of their role in the sacrificial system. This points to the ultimate mediation of Christ, our High Priest.

The Seriousness of Sin and Atonement
The sin offering was a tangible reminder of the seriousness of sin and the need for atonement. This underscores the gravity of sin and the necessity of seeking forgiveness through Christ.

Obedience in Worship
Worship involves obedience to God's instructions. The failure to adhere to God's commands in worship can have serious consequences, as seen in the context of Leviticus 10.

The Continuity of God’s Plan
The sacrificial system in Leviticus points forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus. Understanding this continuity helps believers appreciate the depth of God’s redemptive plan.(17) Wherefore have ye not eaten? . . . --As enjoined in Leviticus 6:26.

God hath given it.--That is, He has given to you the flesh of the sin offering to cat. (See Leviticus 6:29.)

To bear the iniquity of the congregation.--Better, to remove the iniquity of the congregation, which the priests did by making atonement for them before the Lord, as is explained in the next clause. Accordingly the flesh of the sin offering is given to the priests, that by the act of eating it they may visibly show the offerer that God has graciously accepted the expiatory sacrifice, and that it is a most holy thing. The phrase "to bear iniquity" often signifies "to bear away, to remove, to forgive iniquity." (Comp. Genesis 1:17; Exodus 32:32; Psalm 32:1; Psalm 32:5, &c.) Hence the most ancient Versions translate it here, "that ye may take away or remove" (LXX., the Chaldee, the Syriac, &c.). The rendering of the Authorised Version, however, is that of the Vulgate, which has been followed by the Reformers both in England and on the continent, as well as by several modern expositors. This is supported by the meaning of the phrase "to bear the iniquity" in Exodus 28:38; Numbers 18:1; Ezekiel 4:4-6. Those who follow this rendering take the passage to mean that the priest, by eating or incorporating the victim on which the offerer had laid his guilt, actually took away the sin, or neutralised it in a mysterious way, by virtue of the sanctifying power belonging to the sacerdotal office. Others, again, who also take the phrase to mean that the priest literally takes the sin upon himself, do not explain it, but simply say, that by eating the sin-laden victim the sins of the offerer were, in some sort, laid upon the priest to be taken away by him, thus prefiguring Christ, who should be both priest and sacrifice. . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Why
מַדּ֗וּעַ (mad·dū·a‘)
Interrogative
Strong's 4069: Why? for what reason?

did you not
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

eat
אֲכַלְתֶּ֤ם (’ă·ḵal·tem)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 398: To eat

the sin offering
הַֽחַטָּאת֙ (ha·ḥaṭ·ṭāṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2403: An offence, its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, expiation, an offender

in the holy
הַקֹּ֔דֶשׁ (haq·qō·ḏeš)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6944: A sacred place, thing, sanctity

place?
בִּמְק֣וֹם (bim·qō·wm)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition

For
כִּ֛י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

it
הִ֑וא (hî)
Pronoun - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

is most
קֹ֥דֶשׁ (qō·ḏeš)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6944: A sacred place, thing, sanctity

holy;
קָֽדָשִׁ֖ים (qā·ḏā·šîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6944: A sacred place, thing, sanctity

it was given
נָתַ֣ן (nā·ṯan)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

to you
לָכֶ֗ם (lā·ḵem)
Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

to take away
לָשֵׂאת֙ (lā·śêṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

the guilt
עֲוֺ֣ן (‘ă·wōn)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 5771: Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity

of the congregation
הָעֵדָ֔ה (hā·‘ê·ḏāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5712: A stated assemblage

by making atonement
לְכַפֵּ֥ר (lə·ḵap·pêr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3722: To cover, to expiate, condone, to placate, cancel

for them
עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם (‘ă·lê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

before
לִפְנֵ֥י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

the LORD.
יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel


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OT Law: Leviticus 10:17 Why haven't you eaten the sin offering (Le Lv Lev.)
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