Matthew Poole and continuators on Leviticus 10:3

3 Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake , saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me , and before all the people I will be glorified : and Aaron held his peace .

Though the express words be not recorded in Scripture, where onely the heads of Sermons and Discourses are contained, yet it is probable they were uttered by Moses in Gods name. Howsoever, the sence and substance of them is in many places. See Exod. 19. 22. and 29. 43. Levit. 8. 35.

This may note, either 1. their duty to sanctifie God, i. e. to demean themselves with such care and reverence and watchfulness as becomes the holiness of the God whom they serve, and of the worship in which they are engaged: whence he leaves them to gather the justice of the present judgment for their gross neglect herein. Or 2. Gods purpose to sanctifie himself, i. e. to declare and 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.

(i. e.) Who draw near to me, or to the place where I dwell, and are admitted into the holy place, whence others are shut out. It is a description of the Priests. See Exod. 19. 22. Levit. 21. 17. Ezek. 42. 13, 14.

As they have sinned publickly and scandalously so I will vindicate my honour in a publick and exemplary manner, that all men may learn to give me the glory of my soveraignty and holiness by an exact conformity to my laws.

Partly through excessive grief, which is sometimes signified by silence, as Isa. 47. 5. Lam. 2. 10. and principally in acknowledgment of Gods justice and submission to it. Compare Psal. 39. 10. Ezek. 24. 17. He murmured not, nor replied against God, nor against Moses, wisely considering that their sin was directly against God, and in that which is most dear and honourable in Gods account, to wit, in his worship; and that Gods honour ought to be dearer to him than his sons; and that this being the first violation of the law newly given, and committed by those who should have been the strictest observers and assertors of it, did deserve a very severe punishment.