Leviticus 10:3

“And Moses said unto Aaron, etc.] Upon this awful occasion, and in order to quiet and humble him under the mighty hand of God: this [is it] that the Lord spoke, saying; but when he spoke it, and where it is said and recorded, is not so very clear; it might have been said, and yet not recorded, or the substance of it may be recorded, though not in the express words here delivered; it may refer, as some think, to (<021922>Exodus 19:22) or else to (<022943>Exodus 29:43) which seems to come nearest to what follows, so Jarchi: I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me; in the priests that drew nigh to him, and offered sacrifice and burnt incense to him; by these he expected to be sanctified,…”

“Moses said . . . This is it that the Lord spoke . . . I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me--"They that come nigh me," points, in this passage, directly to the priests; and they had received repeated and solemn warnings as to the cautious and reverent manner of their approach into the divine presence (Exo 19:22; Exo 29:44; Lev 8:35). Aaron held his peace--The loss of two sons in so sudden and awful a manner was a calamity overwhelming to parental feelings. But the pious priest indulged in no vehement ebullition of complaint and gave vent to no murmur of discontent, but submitted in silent resignation to what he saw was "the righteous judgment of God" [Rom 2:5].”

“Rather, I will sanctify myself in them that come near to me (i. e. the priests), and I will glorify myself before all the people. The words used by Moses on this occasion are not found elsewhere in the Pentateuch. But the sense is implied in such passages as Exodus 19:22; Exodus 28:41; Exodus 29:1, Exodus 29:44. Aaron’s silence (compare Psalms 39:9) on this occasion may be compared with his reasonable and natural expostulation with Moses when his surviving sons were rebuked for not having eaten the flesh of the sin-offering Leviticus 10:19. return to 'Top of Page'”

“The Lord spake - Though the words be not recorded in scripture, where only the heads of discourses are contained, yet it is probable they were uttered by Moses in God's name. Howsoever the sense of them is in many places. I will be sanctified - This may note, either, their duty to sanctify God, to demean themselves with such care, and reverence, and watchfulness, as becomes the holiness of the God whom they serve; whence he leaves them to gather the justice of the present judgment. Or, God's purpose to sanctify himself, to manifest himself to be an holy and righteous God by his severe and impartial punishment of all transgressors, how near soever they are to him. That come nigh me - Who draw…”

“10:3 God’s holiness is his very essence, substance, and character, and it stands in contrast to the creaturely world. By performing this rash act, Nadab and Abihu failed to consider God’s holiness and failed to honor him.”

“I will be: Lev 8:35, Lev 21:6, Lev 21:8, Lev 21:15, Lev 21:17, Lev 21:21, Lev 22:9; Exo 14:4, Exo 19:22, Exo 29:43, Exo 29:44; Num 20:12; Deu 32:51; Sa1 6:20; Ch1 15:12, Ch1 15:13; Psa 89:7, Psa 119:120; Isa 52:11; Eze 20:41, Eze 42:13; Heb 12:28, Heb 12:29 before: Sa1 2:30; Isa 49:3; Eze 28:22; Joh 12:28, Joh 13:31, Joh 13:32, Joh 14:13; Act 5:11-13; Th2 1:10; Pe1 4:17 Aaron: Gen 18:25; Sa1 3:18; Job 1:20, Job 1:21, Job 2:10; Psa 39:9, Psa 46:10; Isa 39:8; Mat 10:37 Leviticus 10:4”