In the Old Testament, the role of the priest was of paramount importance in the religious life of Israel. Priests were set apart to serve as mediators between God and the people, performing sacrifices, offering prayers, and maintaining the sanctity of the Tabernacle. Given the sacred nature of their duties, specific laws were established to ensure that priests conducted their service with the utmost reverence and purity.

One such law prohibited priests from consuming wine or strong drink while serving in the Tabernacle. This command is explicitly stated in Leviticus 10:8-11 : "Then the LORD said to Aaron, 'You and your sons are not to drink wine or strong drink when you enter the Tent of Meeting, or else you will die. This is a permanent statute for the generations to come. You must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the clean and the unclean, so that you may teach the Israelites all the statutes that the LORD has given them through Moses.'"

The prohibition against drinking wine while on duty underscores the need for priests to maintain a clear mind and a sober demeanor while performing their sacred responsibilities. The consumption of alcohol could impair judgment and lead to negligence in the execution of their duties, which were critical for maintaining the holiness required in the presence of God.

This law was instituted immediately following the tragic incident involving Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, who offered unauthorized fire before the LORD and were consumed by divine fire as a result (Leviticus 10:1-2). The context suggests that their failure to adhere to God's commands may have been influenced by a lack of sobriety, thus highlighting the importance of this regulation.

The command to abstain from wine while serving in the Tabernacle also served as a reminder of the distinction between the sacred and the profane. Priests were to exemplify holiness and dedication, setting an example for the people of Israel. By refraining from wine, they demonstrated their commitment to the service of God and their role as spiritual leaders.

Furthermore, this law had a didactic purpose, as it was intended to teach the Israelites about the importance of holiness and the need to approach God with reverence. The priests, by adhering to these regulations, were to instruct the people in the ways of the LORD, ensuring that the community understood the gravity of worship and the sanctity of the divine presence.

In summary, the prohibition against priests drinking wine while attending in the Tabernacle was a critical aspect of maintaining the sanctity and order of worship in ancient Israel. It emphasized the need for sobriety, clarity of mind, and the distinction between the holy and the common, serving as a perpetual statute for the priesthood and a lesson for the people of God.Leviticus 10:9
Do not drink wine nor strong drink, you, nor your sons with you, when you go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest you die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezekiel 44:21
Neither shall any priest drink wine, when they enter into the inner court.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... Yea, let me add further, What laws have been made ... His being a creature, respecting
his manhood, and his birth ... knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

part ii
... the Creator and Saviour pours upon you through priests? ... with earthly allurements,
with food, drink, dress, houses ... each other, that our faith should not fail, as ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm

part i
... than anything the voices of the priests, deacons, readers ... difficult it is, without
God's special grace, for a ... second state, the transgression of His holy laws. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part i.htm

The Desire of the Righteous Granted;
... (2.) Such, also, have special bowels and ... his person, that I may enjoy his personal
presence, such a presence of his as we are not capable to enjoy while here ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the desire of the righteous.htm

What were the chief priests? | GotQuestions.org

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Does the Bible teach the celibacy of priests? | GotQuestions.org

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