And Moses said unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons, Uncover not your heads, neither rend your clothes; lest ye die, and lest wrath come upon all the people: but let your brethren, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which the LORD hath kindled.
Moses said to Aaron and his sons Eleazar and Ithamar, 'Don't uncover your heads or tear your clothes in mourning, or you will die and God's anger will fall on all the people. Instead, let your relatives—all the people of Israel—mourn for those who died in the fire that the LORD sent.'
Moses is telling Aaron and his surviving sons not to show outward signs of mourning for their dead relatives, because as priests they must put their sacred duties above personal grief to protect the whole community from God's anger.
📚 Historical Context
This command comes immediately after Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu were killed by fire from the LORD for offering unauthorized incense in the tabernacle. In ancient Israel, tearing clothes and uncovering the head were traditional signs of mourning and grief. Moses is instructing the remaining priests that their sacred responsibilities take precedence over normal mourning practices.
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