Leviticus 10:16-20

Goat of the sin offering] i.e. the people's sin offering (Leviticus 9:15). Aaron's own sin offering had been burned in accordance with the law (Leviticus 9:8). But instead of eating the flesh of the people's sacrifice, as prescribed in Leviticus 6:26, he had burned it also. When charged with contravening the law, Aaron pleaded that he and his sons had felt themselves to be defiled by the death of Nadab and Abihu, and that it would have been inconsistent for them to eat the sin offering, an act which signified the acceptance of the people by God and their full communion with Him. Moses admitted the justice of the plea in the exceptional circumstances.