Charles Ellicott Commentary Leviticus 10:16

Charles Ellicott Commentary

Leviticus 10:16

1819–1905
Anglican
Charles Ellicott
Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott Commentary

Leviticus 10:16

1819–1905
Anglican
SCRIPTURE

"And Moses diligently sought the goat of the sin-offering, and, behold, it was burnt: and he was angry with Eleazar and with Ithamar, the sons of Aaron that were left, saying," — Leviticus 10:16 (ASV)

And Moses diligently sought the goat. —That is, the flesh of the goat of the sin offering which was offered by the nation on the eighth day. (See Leviticus 9:15.)

And, behold, it was burnt. —Being overwhelmed with grief at the loss of their brothers, Eleazar and Ithamar could not eat. Since only priests were allowed to partake of the flesh of the sin offering, they burnt it on the altar to prevent its corruption. They did this all the more readily because the flesh of Aaron’s sin offering had just before been burnt outside the camp. (See Leviticus 9:11.)

And he was angry with Eleazar and Ithamar. —As it was Aaron’s duty, just as much as his two sons’, to eat of the flesh, Moses probably omitted his name because he wished to spare the honour of the pontiff in the sight of the people.