Leviticus 10:17 Meaning and Explanation
“Wherefore have ye not eaten the sin offering in the holy place, seeing it is most holy, and God hath given it you to bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the LORD?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Moses demands to know why they did not eat the sin offering, which was given to them to bear the people's guilt and make atonement.
The Context of Leviticus 10:17
Moses questions why the priests failed to eat the sin offering.
What Does Leviticus 10:17 Mean?
Moses' question revealed the theological significance of the priests' action. The sin offering was most holy, meaning it was in the highest category of sanctity. God had given it to the priests specifically so they could bear the iniquity of the congregation—accepting and removing the people's guilt through the prescribed ritual. This was the priestly function in atonement, part of the mechanism by which Israel's sins were addressed.
By not consuming the offering in the holy place, the priests had failed to complete the atonement process as God had designed it. The eating of the sin offering was not optional or arbitrary but a necessary component of bearing the people's iniquity. Moses' rebuke emphasized that the priests' cooperation with the sacrificial system was essential to its effectiveness and to the people's standing before God.
Frequently Asked Questions About Leviticus 10:17
What does Leviticus 10:17 mean?
Moses demands to know why they did not eat the sin offering, which was given to them to bear the people's guilt and make atonement.
What is the context of Leviticus 10:17?
Moses questions why the priests failed to eat the sin offering.