Leviticus 10:6
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר מֹשֶׁ֣ה אֶֽל־אַהֲרֹ֡ן וּלְאֶלְעָזָר֩ וּלְאִֽיתָמָ֨ר בָּנָ֜יו רָֽאשֵׁיכֶ֥ם אַל־תִּפְרָ֣עוּ וּבִגְדֵיכֶ֤ם לֹֽא־תִפְרֹ֨מוּ֙ וְלֹ֣א תָמֻ֔תוּ וְעַ֥ל כָּל־הָעֵדָ֖ה יִקְצֹ֑ף וַאֲחֵיכֶם֙ כָּל־בֵּ֣ית יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל יִבְכּוּ֙ אֶת־הַשְּׂרֵפָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֖ר שָׂרַ֥ף יְהוָֽה׃
Opening Speech: וַיֹּאמֶר מֹשֶׁה אֶל־אַהֲרֹן…
וַיֹּאמֶר (“and he said”) is a Qal wayyiqtol 3ms of א־מ־ר (“to say”). The direct speech begins with Moses speaking to three recipients: אַהֲרֹן, אֶלְעָזָר, and אִיתָמָר — Aaron’s remaining sons. The plural audience sets up the imperatives and prohibitions that follow.
Commands of Restraint: רָאשֵׁיכֶם אַל־תִּפְרָעוּ וּבִגְדֵיכֶם לֹא־תִפְרֹמוּ
These are mourning prohibitions:
- רָאשֵׁיכֶם (“your heads”) — the subject of the first clause
- אַל־תִּפְרָעוּ — Qal imperfect 2mp of פ־ר־ע (“to let hair hang loose”), negated with אַל, a prohibitive particle
- וּבִגְדֵיכֶם לֹא־תִפְרֹמוּ — “and your garments you shall not tear,” with תִפְרֹמוּ as a Qal imperfect 2mp of פ־ר־ם (“to tear”) and לֹא as the negator, typical in more general prohibitions
This structure prohibits mourning behaviors typically associated with grief, showing the special holiness required of priests in sacred service.
Reason for Restraint: וְלֹא תָמֻתוּ וְעַל כָּל־הָעֵדָה יִקְצֹף
וְלֹא תָמֻתוּ — “and you shall not die,” with תָמֻתוּ as a Qal imperfect 2mp of מ־ו־ת. This warns of divine consequences if priestly purity is compromised.
- וְעַל כָּל־הָעֵדָה יִקְצֹף — “and wrath will come upon all the congregation”
- יִקְצֹף is Qal imperfect 3ms of ק־צ־ף (“to be angry”), here referring to YHWH’s potential wrath on Israel if priestly disobedience spreads guilt
Delegated Mourning: וַאֲחֵיכֶם כָּל־בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל יִבְכּוּ אֶת־הַשְּׂרֵפָה…
The people may mourn, even if the priests must refrain.
- אֲחֵיכֶם (“your brothers”) refers to the rest of Israel
- יִבְכּוּ — Qal imperfect 3mp of ב־כ־ה (“to weep”), used here for permission or prediction
- הַשְּׂרֵפָה אֲשֶׁר שָׂרַף יְהוָה — “the burning that YHWH has burned,” referring to Nadav and Avihu’s death by divine fire. שָׂרַף is a Qal perfect 3ms of ש־ר־ף
This grants space for national grief even as priestly duties demand composure.
Parsing Table: Key Forms in Leviticus 10:6
| Hebrew Word | Root | Form | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| תִּפְרָעוּ | פ־ר־ע | Qal imperfect (2mp) | “You shall not let loose (hair)” — mourning prohibition |
| תִפְרֹמוּ | פ־ר־ם | Qal imperfect (2mp) | “You shall not tear (garments)” — mourning prohibition |
| יִקְצֹף | ק־צ־ף | Qal imperfect (3ms) | “He will be angry” — threat of divine wrath |
| יִבְכּוּ | ב־כ־ה | Qal imperfect (3mp) | “They shall weep” — public mourning by Israel |
The Grammar of Holy Restraint
Leviticus 10:6 carefully distinguishes between private grief and priestly obligation. Through layered imperatives and prohibitions, Hebrew grammar enforces sacred boundaries between mourning and duty, ensuring that holiness is maintained in the tabernacle while communal grief finds its proper outlet. The structure reinforces the solemnity of divine presence and the unique role of the priesthood.
