Leviticus 10:6

Authorized King James Version

And Moses said unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons, Uncover not your heads, neither rend your clothes; lest ye die, and lest wrath come upon all the people: but let your brethren, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which the LORD hath kindled.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
מֹשֶׁ֣ה
And Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
#3
אֶֽל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
אַהֲרֹ֡ן
unto Aaron
aharon, the brother of moses
#5
וּלְאֶלְעָזָר֩
and unto Eleazar
elazar, the name of seven israelites
#6
וּלְאִֽיתָמָ֨ר׀
and unto Ithamar
ithamar, a son of aaron
#7
בָּנָ֜יו
his sons
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#8
רָֽאשֵׁיכֶ֥ם
not your heads
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#9
אַל
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
#10
תִּפְרָ֣עוּ׀
Uncover
to loosen; by implication, to expose, dismiss; figuratively, absolve, begin
#11
וּבִגְדֵיכֶ֤ם
your clothes
a covering, i.e., clothing
#12
לֹֽא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#13
תִפְרֹ֙מוּ֙
neither rend
to tear
#14
וְלֹ֣א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#15
תָמֻ֔תוּ
lest ye die
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
#16
וְעַ֥ל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#17
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#18
הָֽעֵדָ֖ה
come upon all the people
a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)
#19
יִקְצֹ֑ף
and lest wrath
to crack off, i.e., (figuratively) burst out in rage
#20
וַֽאֲחֵיכֶם֙
but let your brethren
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
#21
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#22
בֵּ֣ית
the whole house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#23
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#24
יִבְכּוּ֙
bewail
to weep; generally to bemoan
#25
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#26
הַשְּׂרֵפָ֔ה
the burning
cremation
#27
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#28
שָׂרַ֥ף
hath kindled
to be (causatively, set) on fire
#29
יְהוָֽה׃
which the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Analysis

Within the broader context of Leviticus, this passage highlights salvation through universal language and absolute statements. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Leviticus.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Leviticus Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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