Leviticus 10: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Leviticus 10 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, offered ‘strange fire’ before Yahweh, which was not commanded. Fire came from before Yahweh and consumed them, leading to their death. Moses told Aaron that this event confirmed Yahweh's intention to be regarded as holy.

Key verse

“You and your sons are not to drink wine or strong drink whenever you go into the Tent of Meeting, or you will die. This shall be a statute forever throughout your generations.”
Leviticus 10:9 (WEB)

Outline

Leviticus 10:1–2 Unauthorized Offerings by Nadab and Abihu
Leviticus 10:3 Moses Speaks to Aaron
Leviticus 10:4–5 Removal of Nadab and Abihu's Bodies
Leviticus 10:6–7 Guidance for Aaron and Family
Leviticus 10:8–11 Instructions on Conduct and Distinction
Leviticus 10:12–15 Consumption of Offerings
Leviticus 10:16–20 Moses Questions Aaron's Actions

Discussion questions

In v1, what did Nadab and Abihu offer before Yahweh?
What does Moses instruct in v6 about how Aaron and his sons should behave?
Moses' words in v3 reference God's holiness: what does this imply about worship?
In v19, what is Aaron suggesting about the acceptability of offerings given their current situation?
When have you struggled to follow rules or guidelines like Aaron's sons did?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Leviticus 10: Leviticus 21, Numbers 16, Leviticus 6.

Before next time: read Leviticus 11.