And the wave breast and heave shoulder shall ye eat in a clean place; thou, and thy sons, and thy daughters with thee: for they be thy due, and thy sons' due, which are given out of the sacrifices of peace offerings of the children of Israel.
LEVITICUS 10:14KJVWhat does Leviticus 10:14 mean?
Leviticus 10:14 explains that the priests—Aaron, his sons, and their daughters—are allowed to eat certain parts of the peace offerings (specifically the wave breast and heave shoulder) in a ceremonially clean place, because these portions are their rightful share from the sacrifices brought by the Israelites. This verse sets out which parts of the sacrifice belong to the priestly family as their due.
In context, God is speaking to Aaron and his family after the ordination of the priests. The situation is about the proper handling of sacrifices, especially after the deaths of Nadab and Abihu for improper worship. The verse clarifies that the priestly family, including daughters, can share in these specific offerings, but only in a place that is ritually clean, emphasizing both privilege and responsibility in handling holy things.
The Hebrew behind Leviticus 10:14
- "Wave" (תְּנוּפָה, tenuphah) and "heave" (תְּרוּמָה, terumah): These words refer to specific ceremonial actions where parts of the sacrifice are lifted or waved before God, marking them as set apart for the priests.
- "Clean" (טָהוֹר, tahor): This word means ritually pure, not just physically clean. The instruction to eat in a "clean place" highlights the importance of maintaining ritual purity when handling sacred food.
- "Due" (חֹק, choq): This word means an allotted portion or rightful share. It underlines that these parts of the offering are not just a gift, but a legal right for the priests and their families.
Why Leviticus 10:14 matters
- Leviticus 10:14 clarifies that the priestly privilege of eating certain sacrifices extends to the whole family, including daughters, not just the male priests.
- The verse emphasizes the need for ritual purity even in the priests’ daily lives, showing that sacredness was not limited to the altar but extended to their homes.
- This instruction connects to the broader theme in Leviticus of order and holiness in worship, especially after the earlier warning about improper conduct in the sanctuary.