Leviticus 10:10

King James Version (KJV)

And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean;

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

That we may put difference between holy and unholy - This is a strong reason why they should drink no inebriating liquor, that their understanding being clear, and their judgment correct, they might be always able to discern between the clean and the unclean, and ever pronounce righteous judgment. Injunctions similar to this were found among the Egyptians, Carthaginians, and Greeks. Indeed, common sense itself shows that neither a drunkard nor a sot should ever be suffered to minister in holy things.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

Verses 9-11

When the priest was on duty he was to abstain from wine and strong drink, lest he should commit excess (see Leviticus 10:1), and so become disqualified for carrying out the precepts of the ceremonial Law.

Leviticus 10:9

Strong drink - The Hebrew word is employed here to denote strong drinks of any kind except wine made from the grape.

Leviticus 10:10

Unholy … unclean - Common, as not consecrated; and what would occasion defilement by being touched or eaten. Compare Acts 10:14.

Leviticus 10:11

That is, “that you may, by your example in your ministrations, preserve the minds of the Israelites from confusion in regard to the distinctions made by the divine Law.”

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

Do not drink wine or strong drink. During the time they ministered, the priests were forbidden it. It is required of gospel ministers, that they be not given to wine, 1Ti 3:3. It is, Lest ye die; die when ye are in drink. The danger of death, to which we are continually exposed, should engage all to be sober.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

10. Put difference. Wine and strong drink can so benumb the faculties that a man fails to make a clear distinction between right and wrong, between holy and unholy, between clean and unclean. This had led the two sons to take common fire as they entered the sanctuary; in their condition they could see no difference. And as far as men could see, there was no difference. Fire was fire, was it not? But God looked on their hearts and saw something that men could not see. There was a difference. Similarly, the first day of the week is as good as the seventh day, to human reasoning. There is no differenceâ€”except in God’s command. And that makes a vital difference, a difference between life and death.

Any form of intemperance blurs the difference between the holy and unholy, and between the clean and unclean, between the right and wrong. The use of spiritous liquors affects all the faculties and disturbs the orderly processes of the mind. He who drives and drinks is a menace to himself and to others, and a potential murderer. His mind is confused, his reflexes are slow, his sight is unreliable, and his sense of responsibility has all but vanished.

The danger is not confined to those who are actually “drunk.” Even a small amount of liquor may cause disaster. The moderate drinker is a social liability, and may do untold harm. The very fact, of which he boasts, that he can “hold” his liquor and control himself, may lead others to think they can do the same. The drunkard wallowing in his filth may disgust the onlooker and thus serve as a warning. The moderate drinker tempts others to follow him by the very fact that he stays “respectable.” Of the two, the moderate drinker, in the end, does the more harm.

Not only are the physical faculties affected by drink, but the moral as well; and this may be the worse of two evils. Assault, murder, rape, disloyalty, take on another aspect to the man who drinks. Under the influence of wine men will do what they would never consider doing were they sober. Only the judgment will reveal the sin of intoxication in its true dimensions. God’s warning to Aaron and his sons is fully applicable today. Men cannot drink and yet have a clear perception of the difference between the holy and the unholy, between the clean and the unclean (Isa. 28:7).

This instruction is particularly addressed to leaders. Teaching is more than oral instruction; it includes example as well as precept. But what if the teacher’s own sense of right and wrong is blurred, and his conduct belies his words? Of all men, those who teach others, whether in state or church, must have a constantly alert mind, ready to cope with whatever problems may come before them. As we consider some of the decisions arrived at in councils of state, and know of the liquor consumed on such occasions, we are reminded that God’s counsel not to drink wine or strong drink is present truth.

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Ellen G. White
The Upward Look, 83.3

Daniel could have argued that at the royal table and at the king's command, there was no other course for him to pursue. But he and his fellows had a council together. They canvassed the entire subject as to how they would improve their physical and mental powers by the use of wine. They studied this subject most diligently. The wine of itself, they decided, was a snare. They were acquainted with the history of Nadab and Abihu, which had come to them in parchments. In these men the use of wine had encouraged their love for it. They drank wine before their sacred service in the sanctuary. Their senses were confused. They could not distinguish the difference between the sacred and the common fire. In their brain-benumbed state they did that which the Lord had charged all who served in holy office not to do. They put the common fire upon their censers, when they had been expressly charged to use only the sacred fire of the Lord's own kindling, that never went out.... UL 83.3

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Ellen G. White
Counsels on Health, 366

We ought to have a school where women can be educated by women physicians, to do the best possible work in treating the diseases of women. CH 366.1

Among us as a people, the medical work should stand at its highest. Physicians should bear in mind that it is their work to fit souls as well as bodies for heavenly lives. Their service for God is to be uncorrupted by evil practices. CH 366.2

Every practitioner should study carefully the word of God. Read the story of the sons of Aaron in the tenth chapter of Leviticus, verses 1-11. Here was a case where the use of wine benumbed the senses. The Lord demands that the appetite and all the habits of life of the physician be kept under strict control. While dealing with the bodies of their patients, they are to constantly remember that the eye of God is upon their work. CH 366.3

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Ellen G. White
Counsels on Stewardship, 205

And what impression is made upon the minds of unbelievers? The holy standard of the word of God is lowered into the dust. Contempt is cast upon God and upon the Christian name. The most corrupt principles are strengthened by this un-Scriptural way of raising means. And this is as Satan would have it. Men are repeating the sin of Nadab and Abihu. They are using common instead of sacred fire in the service of God. The Lord accepts no such offerings. CS 205.1

All these methods for bringing money into His treasury are an abomination to Him. It is a spurious devotion that prompts all such devising. O what blindness, what infatuation, is upon many who claim to be Christians! Church members are doing as did the inhabitants of the world in the days of Noah, when the imagination of their hearts was only evil continually. All who fear God will abhor such practices as a misrepresentation of the religion of Jesus Christ.—The Review and Herald December 8, 1896. CS 205.2

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Ellen G. White
Fundamentals of Christian Education, 427-8

The Lord himself has spoken upon this subject of the care of the body. He says in His word, “If any man destroyeth the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” 1 Corinthians 3:17, R. V. This scripture enjoins a conscientious care of the body, and condemns all ignorant or careless neglect. And again: “Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20; 10:31. FE 427.1

The intelligent, conscientious care of our bodies is due to our Heavenly Father, who “so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” We are individually the property of Christ, His purchased possession. It is required of each one of us to preserve our health and strength by the practice of temperance in all things. The appetites and passions must be controlled, that through them we shall not weaken or defile God's human temple. FE 427.2

Anything that lessens the physical power enfeebles the mind, and makes it less clear to discriminate between good and evil, between right and wrong. This principle is illustrated in the case of Nadab and Abihu. God gave them a most sacred work to perform, permitting them to come near to Himself in their appointed service; but they had a habit of drinking wine, and they entered upon the holy service in the sanctuary with confused minds. There was the sacred fire, which was kindled by God himself; but they used the common fire upon their censers, when they offered incense to ascend as a sweet fragrance with the prayers of God's people. Because their minds were clouded by an unholy indulgence, they disregarded the divine requirement; “and there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord.” FE 427.3

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