Leviticus 1 1

Leviticus 1:1 kjv

And the LORD called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying,

Leviticus 1:1 nkjv

Now the LORD called to Moses, and spoke to him from the tabernacle of meeting, saying,

Leviticus 1:1 niv

The LORD called to Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting. He said,

Leviticus 1:1 esv

The LORD called Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting, saying,

Leviticus 1:1 nlt

The LORD called to Moses from the Tabernacle and said to him,

Leviticus 1 verses

Leviticus 1 1 Meaning

Leviticus 1:1 signifies that the instructions and laws within the book of Leviticus originate directly from God Himself. It emphasizes God's sovereign initiative in communicating His divine will to Moses, specifically from the Tent of Meeting. This highlights the holy, covenantal presence of God among His people and the necessary pathways for humanity to approach a holy God.

Leviticus 1 1 Context

Leviticus 1:1 serves as a pivotal bridge from the preceding book of Exodus, picking up precisely after the detailed accounts of the Tabernacle's construction and its filling with the glory of God in Exodus 40. With God now dwelling tangibly in the midst of Israel within the completed Tabernacle, new instructions were required to enable a sinful people to appropriately approach and maintain their relationship with a holy God. This verse therefore introduces the sacrificial system, priestly duties, and holiness codes that form the core of Leviticus, providing the practical means by which a consecrated people could live in the immediate, formidable presence of their divine King. The nation of Israel, fresh from liberation and having established a covenant at Sinai, now needed a handbook for ongoing fellowship and atonement in their wilderness journey towards the Promised Land.

Leviticus 1 1 Word analysis

• וַיִּקְרָא (Vayyiqra) – "And He called" / "Then He called":

  • The opening Hebrew letter, vav (ו), acting as a vav consecutive, functions as "and" or "then," linking this verse directly to the preceding narrative in Exodus 40. This demonstrates that Leviticus is not a standalone book but a continuous part of God's unfolding revelation to Israel.
  • The root word קָרָא (qara) means "to call," "to summon," "to proclaim." In this context, it highlights God's sovereign initiative in initiating communication. He is not passive; He actively summons His chosen messenger.
  • This verb also gives Leviticus its Hebrew title, Vayyiqra, signifying that God's calling is a central theme: His call to Moses, to Israel for holiness, and for worship.

• יְהוָה (YHWH) – "The Lord":

  • This is the personal, covenantal name of God, often translated as "The Lord." Revealed most notably to Moses at the burning bush (Exd 3:14-15), it signifies God's self-existence, eternal nature, and His covenant faithfulness.
  • Its use here emphasizes that the commands given are from the specific God who rescued Israel from Egypt and entered into a unique relationship with them, distinguishing Him from any pagan deities.

• אֶל־מֹשֶׁה (el-Moshe) – "to Moses":

  • אֶל (el): The preposition "to" denotes direct address and specific destination of the divine message.
  • מֹשֶׁה (Moshe): Moses, uniquely appointed by God as the central mediator and prophet of the Old Covenant, the primary recipient and dispenser of divine law to Israel. His name means "drawn out," echoing his miraculous salvation and unique role.

• וַיְדַבֵּר (vayyidabber) – "and spoke":

  • Another vav consecutive (ו) connects this action to the previous "called," showing sequential divine activity.
  • The root דָּבַר (dabar) signifies "to speak," "to declare," often denoting authoritative and extended discourse. While qara implies a summoning call, dabar implies the substantive delivery of revelation, demonstrating a communicative and teaching God.

• אֵלָיו (elav) – "to him":

  • The redundant pronoun "to him" reinforces that Moses was the direct and singular recipient of this particular communication, further emphasizing his unparalleled status as God's chosen intermediary.

• מֵאֹהֶל (me'ohel) – "from the Tent of":

  • מֵ (me): The preposition "from" specifies the precise origin point of God's voice.
  • אֹהֶל (ohel): "Tent," referring to the portable sanctuary, the Tabernacle, completed at the end of Exodus. This signified God's willingness to dwell among His people, traveling with them in the wilderness, yet maintaining His awesome presence within a designated sacred space.

• מוֹעֵד (mo'ed) – "Meeting":

  • Often translated as "meeting," "appointed place," or "assembly." It's derived from a root meaning "to appoint" or "to assemble."
  • The "Tent of Meeting" was not merely a structure but God's specially designated and appointed place for rendezvous with His people, specifically through Moses. This marked a shift from the fearful revelation at Sinai; God now dwelt within the camp, signifying intimate, though structured, access.

• Word group analysis:

  • "The Lord called... and spoke... to him": This phrase strongly underscores the divine origin of the commands in Leviticus. The initiative rests solely with God, emphasizing that the Law is His revelation, not a human construct or aspiration. This divine action counters any notion of a distant or passive deity.
  • "from the Tent of Meeting": This phrase establishes the immediate locus of God's revelation. After the terrifying glory of Sinai, God now chooses to speak from a place within the community. This signifies His intimate desire to dwell with His people and to make Himself accessible, though still under strict protocols of holiness. It points to God drawing near rather than remaining remote.

Leviticus 1 1 Bonus section

• The change in the source of revelation from Mount Sinai to the Tabernacle emphasizes God's progression in dwelling with His people, making His presence accessible (though regulated) rather than solely a terrifying display.
• The meticulous instructions in Leviticus, prompted by this opening verse, directly contrast with the vague and often arbitrary rituals of surrounding pagan cultures. The God of Israel communicates His will clearly and purposefully.
• The constant use of "The Lord spoke to Moses" throughout the book (Lev 1:1, 4:1, 6:8, etc.) continuously reiterates the divine authorship and authority behind every commandment and statute, establishing a core principle for the binding nature of the Law.
• The "Tent of Meeting" concept foreshadows later biblical themes of God's dwelling, ultimately culminating in Christ, who is God incarnate dwelling among us (Jn 1:14), and the New Creation where God will finally dwell fully with His redeemed people (Rev 21:3).

Leviticus 1 1 Commentary

Leviticus 1:1, deceptively simple, lays the theological groundwork for the entire book. It declares that the forthcoming detailed laws on sacrifice, ritual purity, and priesthood are not human innovations but direct, divine pronouncements. The sovereign "Lord" (YHWH) initiates contact, calling to and speaking with Moses, reaffirming Moses' unparalleled role as God's chosen mediator for the covenant. Crucially, the location of this communication has shifted from the awesome, remote summit of Mount Sinai (Exd 19:3) to "the Tent of Meeting" (Tabernacle), which had just been completed and consecrated in Exodus 40. This indicates a profound transition: God, who once manifested His glory on a distant mountain, now chooses to dwell within the very camp of Israel. This intimate proximity, however, requires explicit divine instruction for a sinful people to safely and appropriately interact with a holy God. Thus, Leviticus details the required system of sacrifices and sanctification—the only way for defiled humanity to maintain fellowship with the perfectly pure Creator. This verse acts as an essential introduction, signifying divine authority, covenant continuity, and the immediate relevance of holiness in light of God's indwelling presence.