Exodus 28:43
And they shall be upon Aaron, and upon his sons, when they come in unto the tabernacle of the congregation, or when they come near unto the altar to minister in the holy place; that they bear not iniquity, and die: it shall be a statute for ever unto him and his seed after him.
Exodus 28:43 · King James Version
Meaning
This verse, found in Leviticus 10:9, outlines the importance of Aaron and his sons adhering to specific regulations when approaching the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar. The verse emphasizes that they must not bear any iniquity nor deviate from the prescribed duties, as failure to do so could result in death. This statute is to be followed for all generations of Aaron's descendants. The significance of these regulations lies in maintaining the sanctity and purity of the holy place and ensuring that the priests approach their sacred duties with reverence and obedience. By adhering to these statutes, Aaron and his sons demonstrate their respect for the divine presence within the tabernacle and the seriousness of their role as mediators between the people and God. This verse serves as a reminder of the need for obedience and purity when engaging in sacred acts of worship and service.
Theological Overview
According to theological interpretation, the verse emphasizes the importance of the priests, particularly Aaron and his sons, approaching the tabernacle and altar with utmost reverence and purity. The phrase "that they bear not iniquity, and die" signifies that the priests needed to be ceremonially clean and free from sin before ministering in the holy place. This requirement was not just for their own safety but also to uphold the holiness of the sacred space and maintain the sanctity of their duties. The phrase "it shall be a statute for ever unto him and his seed after him" indicates that this command was to be followed by Aaron's descendants as well, highlighting the perpetual nature of the priesthood and the enduring significance of these regulations. Through word studies, we can glean a deeper understanding of the Hebrew terms used in this verse, shedding light on the specific nuances of the original text and enriching our comprehension of the biblical context.
Exodus 28:43 in other translations
American Standard Version
and they shall be upon Aaron, and upon his sons, when they go in unto the tent of meeting, or when they come near unto the altar to minister in the holy place; that they bear not iniquity, and die: it shall be a statute for ever unto him and unto his seed after him.
World English Bible
They shall be on Aaron, and on his sons, when they go in to the Tent of Meeting, or when they come near to the altar to minister in the holy place; that they don’t bear iniquity, and die: it shall be a statute forever to him and to his descendants after him.
Douay-Rheims
And Aaron and his sons shall use them when they shall go into the tabernacle of the testimony, or when they approach to the altar to minister in the sanctuary. lest being guilty of iniquity they die. It shall be a law for ever to Aaron, and to his seed after him.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And they shalbe for Aaron and his sonnes when they come into the Tabernacle of the Congregation, or whe they come vnto the altar to minister in the holy place, that they commit not iniquitie, and so die. This shalbe a lawe for euer vnto him and to his seede after him.