Leviticus 10:10
New International Version
so that you can distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean,

New Living Translation
You must distinguish between what is sacred and what is common, between what is ceremonially unclean and what is clean.

English Standard Version
You are to distinguish between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean,

Berean Standard Bible
You must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the clean and the unclean,

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

New King James Version
that you may distinguish between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean,

New American Standard Bible
and to make a distinction between the holy and the profane, and between the unclean and the clean,

NASB 1995
and so as to make a distinction between the holy and the profane, and between the unclean and the clean,

NASB 1977
and so as to make a distinction between the holy and the profane, and between the unclean and the clean,

Legacy Standard Bible
and so as to separate between the holy and the profane, and between the unclean and the clean,

Amplified Bible
and to make a distinction and recognize a difference between the holy (sacred) and the common (profane), and between the [ceremonially] unclean and the clean;

Christian Standard Bible
You must distinguish between the holy and the common, and the clean and the unclean,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You must distinguish between the holy and the common, and the clean and the unclean,

American Standard Version
and that ye may make a distinction between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean;

Contemporary English Version
You must learn the difference between what is holy and what isn't holy and between the clean and the unclean.

English Revised Version
and that ye may put difference between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Teach them the difference between what is holy and what is unholy, what is clean and what is unclean.

Good News Translation
You must distinguish between what belongs to God and what is for general use, between what is ritually clean and what is unclean.

International Standard Version
You are to differentiate between what's sacred and common and between what's unclean and clean.

Majority Standard Bible
You must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the clean and the unclean,

NET Bible
as well as to distinguish between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean,

New Heart English Bible
and that you are to make a distinction between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean;

Webster's Bible Translation
And that ye may make a difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean;

World English Bible
You are to make a distinction between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
so as to make a separation between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the pure;

Young's Literal Translation
so as to make a separation between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the pure;

Smith's Literal Translation
And to separate between the holy and between the unholy, and between the unclean and between the clean:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And that you may have knowledge to discern between holy and unholy, between unclean and clean:

Catholic Public Domain Version
And so may you have the knowledge to discern between holy and profane, between polluted and clean.

New American Bible
You must be able to distinguish between what is sacred and what is profane, and between what is clean and what is unclean;

New Revised Standard Version
You are to distinguish between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
That you may make a distinction between holy and unholy, and between clean and unclean;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
That you will distinguish between holiness and pollution, and between the unclean and the pure;
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And that ye may put difference between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
to distinguish between sacred and profane, and between clean and unclean,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Restrictions for Priests
9“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. 10You must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the clean and the unclean, 11so that you may teach the Israelites all the statutes that the LORD has given them through Moses.”…

Cross References
Ezekiel 44:23
They are to teach My people the difference between the holy and the common and show them how to discern between the clean and the unclean.

Isaiah 5:20
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter.

Hebrews 5:14
But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil.

1 Peter 1:15-16
But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, / for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

Malachi 3:18
So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”

Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

1 Corinthians 2:14-15
The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. / The spiritual man judges all things, but he himself is not subject to anyone’s judgment.

2 Corinthians 6:17
“Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”

Ephesians 5:8-10
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, / for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. / Test and prove what pleases the Lord.

Philippians 1:9-10
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, / so that you may be able to test and prove what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22
but test all things. Hold fast to what is good. / Abstain from every form of evil.

1 John 4:1
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Deuteronomy 14:2
for you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession out of all the peoples on the face of the earth.

Jeremiah 15:19
Therefore this is what the LORD says: “If you return, I will restore you; you will stand in My presence. And if you speak words that are noble instead of worthless, you will be My spokesman. It is they who must turn to you, but you must not turn to them.

Ezekiel 22:26
Her priests do violence to My law and profane My holy things. They make no distinction between the holy and the common, and they fail to distinguish between the clean and the unclean. They disregard My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them.


Treasury of Scripture

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

Deuteronomy 24:8
Take heed in the plague of leprosy, that thou observe diligently, and do according to all that the priests the Levites shall teach you: as I commanded them, so ye shall observe to do.

Deuteronomy 33:10
They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law: they shall put incense before thee, and whole burnt sacrifice upon thine altar.

2 Chronicles 17:9
And they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law of the LORD with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people.

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Clean Common Difference Distinction Distinguish Division Holy Profane Pure Separation Unclean Unholy
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Clean Common Difference Distinction Distinguish Division Holy Profane Pure Separation Unclean Unholy
Leviticus 10
1. Aadab and Abihu, for offering strange fire, are burnt by fire
6. Aaron and his sons are forbidden to mourn for them
8. The priests are forbidden wine when they are to go into the tabernacle
12. The law of eating the holy things
16. Aaron's excuse for transgressing thereof














You must distinguish
The phrase "You must distinguish" is a directive that emphasizes the active role of the Israelites, particularly the priests, in discerning and making judgments. The Hebrew root word here is "בדל" (badal), which means to separate or divide. This concept of separation is foundational in the Levitical law, underscoring the importance of discernment in maintaining holiness. Historically, this was crucial for the Israelites as they were called to be a distinct people, set apart for God. The act of distinguishing is not merely a ritualistic practice but a spiritual discipline that reflects one's commitment to God's standards.

between the holy and the common
The distinction "between the holy and the common" is central to the Levitical code. The Hebrew word for "holy" is "קדש" (qodesh), which signifies something set apart for God, sacred and consecrated. In contrast, "common" refers to the ordinary or profane, things not set apart for divine purposes. This separation is not just about physical objects or rituals but extends to the moral and ethical life of the community. Archaeological findings, such as temple artifacts and altars, often reveal the meticulous care taken to maintain this separation, highlighting its significance in ancient Israelite worship and daily life.

between the clean and the unclean
The phrase "between the clean and the unclean" further elaborates on the need for discernment. The Hebrew words "טהור" (tahor) for clean and "טמא" (tamei) for unclean are used extensively in Leviticus to describe states of ritual purity. This distinction was vital for maintaining the community's spiritual health and their relationship with God. The clean and unclean laws covered various aspects of life, including food, disease, and bodily functions, serving as a constant reminder of God's holiness and the need for purity. Scripturally, these laws pointed to the deeper spiritual truth of sin and redemption, foreshadowing the ultimate cleansing through Christ. The historical context shows that these laws helped preserve the identity and sanctity of the Israelite community amidst surrounding pagan cultures.

(10) And that ye may put difference.--The motive here assigned for their abstinence from intoxicating liquor is, that by keeping sober they might be able to discriminate between the legal and illegal points in the prescribed observances, which required the greatest care. Thus, for instance, the rules as to which places and days and sundry portions of the offerings were holy or common, or as to holy fire and common fire, which Nadab and Abihu violated; or about ceremonially clean and unclean men, women, animals, and utensils. (See Ezekiel 44:23.)

Verse 10. - Wine and other intoxicating liquors (שֵׁכר, whence the Greek word σίκερα, Luke 1:13, was made from dates, or barley, or honey) are forbidden to the priests during their ministrations, that they may pat a difference between holy and unholy; that is, that their minds may not be confused, but be capable of distinguishing between right and wrong, what ought and what ought not to be done. Nadab and Abihu, on the contrary, had not distinguished between the sacred and profane fire, or between God's commands and their own unregulated impulses. If they had partaken too freely of the wine provided for the drink offerings, their sin would be similar to that of the Corinthians in their abuse of the Lord's Supper. As to the use of wine by the minister of God under the New Testament, see 1 Timothy 3:2, 8; 1 Timothy 5:23. The spiritual emotion, which, in the service of God, shows itself in pouring out the feelings in "psalms and hymns and spiritual songs," is contrasted, in Ephesians 5:18, 19, with the physical excitement caused by wine, the former being commended and the latter forbidden.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
You must distinguish
וּֽלֲהַבְדִּ֔יל (ū·lă·haḇ·dîl)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 914: To be divided, separate

between
בֵּ֥ין (bên)
Preposition
Strong's 996: An interval, space between

the holy
הַקֹּ֖דֶשׁ (haq·qō·ḏeš)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6944: A sacred place, thing, sanctity

and the common,
הַחֹ֑ל (ha·ḥōl)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2455: Profaneness, commonness

between
וּבֵ֥ין (ū·ḇên)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 996: An interval, space between

the clean
הַטָּהֽוֹר׃ (haṭ·ṭā·hō·wr)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2889: Clean, pure

and the unclean,
הַטָּמֵ֖א (haṭ·ṭā·mê)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2931: Unclean


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OT Law: Leviticus 10:10 And that you are to make (Le Lv Lev.)
Leviticus 10:9
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