Leviticus 10:5 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 10:5 mean?

Leviticus 10:5 describes how certain men came close and carried the bodies of Nadab and Abihu, still in their priestly coats, out of the camp just as Moses had instructed. This verse shows the careful removal of the two priests after their deaths, following Moses’ directions exactly.

In this scene, Moses is speaking to others after Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, have died for offering unauthorized fire before God. The verse focuses on the respectful and orderly way their bodies are removed from the camp, still dressed in their priestly garments, following the command Moses gave. This careful process highlights both the seriousness of what happened and the importance of following God’s instructions in detail.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 10:5

• The word for "coats" (כֻּתֹּנֶת, kutonet) refers to the special linen garments worn by priests. The fact that Nadab and Abihu were carried out still wearing these shows their priestly status was not stripped from them, even in death, and underlines the gravity of their offense.
• The word for "camp" (מַחֲנֶה, machaneh) means the whole community area where the Israelites lived. Being taken "out of the camp" marks a separation from the holy community, a significant act in the context of ritual purity.
• The word for "carried" (נָשָׂא, nasa) often means to lift or bear a burden. Here, it emphasizes the physical act of removing the bodies, but also carries the sense of bearing away impurity from the camp.

Why Leviticus 10:5 matters

• This verse clarifies that even in moments of judgment, the dignity of the priestly office was maintained by not stripping the bodies of their sacred garments.
• The removal "out of the camp" highlights the seriousness of defilement and the need to keep the community ritually clean, a major theme in Leviticus.
• Leviticus 10:5 connects to the wider passage by showing the immediate and practical consequences of failing to follow God’s instructions, and how the community responded under Moses’ leadership.