Leviticus 10:15
They are to bring the thigh of the contribution and the breast of the wave offering, together with the fat portions of the offerings made by fire, to wave as a wave offering before the LORD. It will belong permanently to you and your children, as the LORD has commanded."
They are to bring the thigh of the contribution and the breast of the wave offering
In the Levitical sacrificial system, specific portions of the offerings were designated for the priests. The "thigh of the contribution" and the "breast of the wave offering" were parts of the peace offerings. The thigh, often referred to as the "heave offering," was lifted up as a symbolic gesture of presenting it to God. The breast was waved before the Lord, signifying its dedication. This practice underscored the priests' role as mediators between God and the people, receiving sustenance from the offerings. The allocation of these portions to the priests is also seen in Numbers 18:11, highlighting the provision for those serving in the tabernacle.

together with the fat portions of the food offerings
The fat portions were considered the best parts of the animal and were always burned on the altar as an offering to God (Leviticus 3:16). This act symbolized giving the best to God, acknowledging His sovereignty and holiness. The burning of the fat was a pleasing aroma to the Lord, representing the worshiper's devotion. The separation of the fat for God and the meat for the priests illustrates the principle of honoring God first before partaking in His blessings.

to wave as a wave offering before the LORD
The wave offering involved a specific ritual where the priest would move the offering back and forth before the altar. This act symbolized presenting the offering to God and then receiving it back as a gift. The wave offering was a public declaration of God's provision and the community's dependence on Him. It also served as a reminder of God's presence among His people, as seen in Exodus 29:24-26, where the wave offering is part of the consecration of Aaron and his sons.

It will belong permanently to you and your children
This phrase establishes the perpetual right of the priests to these portions of the offerings. It ensured that the priests and their families were provided for, as they had no inheritance of land like the other tribes (Deuteronomy 18:1-2). This provision was a practical expression of God's care for those who served Him full-time. It also foreshadows the eternal priesthood of Christ, who provides for His people continually (Hebrews 7:24-25).

as the LORD has commanded.
The phrase emphasizes the divine authority behind the instructions. The commands regarding offerings were not merely ritualistic but were ordained by God to maintain holiness and order in worship. This obedience to God's commands is a recurring theme in Leviticus, highlighting the importance of following God's statutes precisely. It reflects the broader biblical principle that God's commands are for the good of His people, as seen in Deuteronomy 6:24, and points to the ultimate fulfillment of the law in Christ, who perfectly obeyed the Father's will (John 6:38).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites who received the laws from God and communicated them to the people.

2. Aaron
The brother of Moses and the first high priest of Israel, responsible for performing the priestly duties.

3. Aaron's Sons
The priests who assist Aaron in the tabernacle duties and receive portions of the offerings.

4. The Tabernacle
The portable dwelling place for the divine presence among the Israelites, where offerings and sacrifices are made.

5. Wave Offering
A specific type of offering where parts of the sacrifice are waved before the LORD as a symbolic gesture of dedication.
Teaching Points
Divine Provision for Priests
God provides for those who serve Him. The priests were given portions of the offerings as their sustenance, reminding us that God cares for the needs of His servants.

Perpetual Ordinance
The command for the priests to receive portions of the offerings was a lasting ordinance, signifying the enduring nature of God's instructions and the importance of obedience.

Symbolism of the Wave Offering
The act of waving the offering before the LORD symbolizes dedication and acknowledgment of God's sovereignty. It serves as a reminder to dedicate our lives and resources to God.

Holiness and Responsibility
The priests had a sacred responsibility to handle the offerings with reverence. This teaches us about the importance of approaching our service to God with holiness and respect.

Community and Worship
The offerings were a communal act of worship, involving both the priests and the people. This highlights the importance of community in worship and the shared responsibility in honoring God.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the provision for the priests in Leviticus 10:15 reflect God's care for those who serve Him, and how can this principle be applied in the church today?

2. In what ways does the concept of a "perpetual portion" challenge us to consider the lasting impact of our obedience to God's commands?

3. How does the symbolism of the wave offering enhance our understanding of dedicating our lives and resources to God?

4. What lessons can we learn from the responsibilities of the priests in handling the offerings, and how can we apply these lessons to our own service to God?

5. How does the communal aspect of the offerings in Leviticus 10:15 inform our understanding of worship and community in the church?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 29
Describes the consecration of Aaron and his sons, establishing the priestly duties and the portions they are to receive.

Numbers 18
Further details the portions of offerings that belong to the priests, emphasizing their role and sustenance.

Hebrews 7
Discusses the priesthood of Jesus, drawing parallels to the Levitical priesthood and highlighting the eternal nature of Christ's priesthood.
Submission in BereavementR.M. Edgar Leviticus 10:3-7, 12-20
Ministers to be Examples of PurityR.A. Redford Leviticus 10:8-20
The Eating of the Holy ThingsJ.A. Macdonald Leviticus 10:12-15
The Spirit of ObedienceW. Clarkson Leviticus 10:12-20
People
Aaron, Abihu, Eleazar, Elzaphan, Israelites, Ithamar, Mishael, Moses, Nadab, Uzziel
Places
Teman
Topics
Age-during, Along, Besides, Breast, Bring, Burned, Commanded, Due, Everlasting, Fat, Fire, Fire-offering, Fire-offerings, Forever, Heave, Heaved, Heave-offering, Heave-shoulder, Heave-thigh, Heaving, Leg, Lifted, Lifting, Offered, Offering, Offerings, Orders, Perpetually, Pieces, Portion, Portions, Present, Presented, Regular, Share, Shoulder, Sons, Statute, Thigh, Wave, Wave-breast, Waved, Wave-offering, Waving, Yours
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Leviticus 10:15

     7480   wave offering

Leviticus 10:12-15

     4476   meals

Leviticus 10:14-15

     5140   breasts

Library
Strange Fire
'And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the Lord, which He commanded them not. 2. And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. 3. Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the Lord spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh Me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace. 4. And Moses called Mishael
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

December the Thirteenth the Holy and the Profane
"Put difference between the holy and the unholy." --LEVITICUS x. 1-10. The peril of our day is that so many of these differences are growing faint. The holy merges into the unholy, and we can scarcely see the dividing line. Black merges into white through manifold shades of grey. Falsehood slopes into truth through cunning expediences and white lies. Lust merges into purity through conviviality and geniality and good-fellowship. So is one thing losing itself in another, and vivid moral distinctions
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

Sixth Day. Holiness and Glory.
Who is like unto Thee, O Lord! among the gods? Who is like unto Thee, glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders? Thou in Thy mercy hast led Thy people which Thou hast redeemed: Thou hast guided them in Thy strength to the habitation of Thy holiness ... The holy place, O Lord, which Thy hands have established.' --Ex. xv. 11-17. In these words we have another step in advance in the revelation of Holiness. We have here for the first time Holiness predicated of God Himself. He
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

Brief Directions How to Read the Holy Scriptures once Every Year Over, with Ease, Profit, and Reverence.
But forasmuch, that as faith is the soul, so reading and meditating on the word of God, are the parent's of prayer, therefore, before thou prayest in the morning, first read a chapter in the word of God; then meditate awhile with thyself, how many excellent things thou canst remember out of it. As--First, what good counsels or exhortations to good works and to holy life. Secondly, what threatenings of judgments against such and such a sin; and what fearful examples of God's punishment or vengeance
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Value of this Doctrine
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Tim. 3:16, 17). "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Tim. 3:16, 17). "Doctrine" means "teaching,"
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God

The Third Commandment
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: For the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.' Exod 20: 7. This commandment has two parts: 1. A negative expressed, that we must not take God's name in vain; that is, cast any reflections and dishonour on his name. 2. An affirmative implied. That we should take care to reverence and honour his name. Of this latter I shall speak more fully, under the first petition in the Lord's Prayer, Hallowed be thy name.' I shall
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The Right Understanding of the Law
Thou shalt have no other Gods before me.' Exod 20: 3. Before I come to the commandments, I shall answer questions, and lay down rules respecting the moral law. What is the difference between the moral laud and the gospel? (1) The law requires that we worship God as our Creator; the gospel, that we worship him in and through Christ. God in Christ is propitious; out of him we may see God's power, justice, and holiness: in him we see his mercy displayed. (2) The moral law requires obedience, but gives
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

No Sorrow Like Messiah's Sorrow
Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Behold, and see, if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow! A lthough the Scriptures of the Old Testament, the law of Moses, the Psalms, and the Prophecies (Luke 24:44) , bear an harmonious testimony to MESSIAH ; it is not necessary to suppose that every single passage has an immediate and direct relation to Him. A method of exposition has frequently obtained [frequently been in vogue], of a fanciful and allegorical cast [contrivance], under the pretext
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

Man's Chief End
Q-I: WHAT IS THE CHIEF END OF MAN? A: Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever. Here are two ends of life specified. 1: The glorifying of God. 2: The enjoying of God. I. The glorifying of God, I Pet 4:4: That God in all things may be glorified.' The glory of God is a silver thread which must run through all our actions. I Cor 10:01. Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.' Everything works to some end in things natural and artificial;
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Second Commandment
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am o jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of then that hate me; and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.' Exod 20: 4-6. I. Thou shalt not
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Leviticus
The emphasis which modern criticism has very properly laid on the prophetic books and the prophetic element generally in the Old Testament, has had the effect of somewhat diverting popular attention from the priestly contributions to the literature and religion of Israel. From this neglect Leviticus has suffered most. Yet for many reasons it is worthy of close attention; it is the deliberate expression of the priestly mind of Israel at its best, and it thus forms a welcome foil to the unattractive
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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