Leviticus 1 2

Leviticus 1:2 kjv

Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the LORD, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock.

Leviticus 1:2 nkjv

"Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: 'When any one of you brings an offering to the LORD, you shall bring your offering of the livestock?of the herd and of the flock.

Leviticus 1:2 niv

"Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'When anyone among you brings an offering to the LORD, bring as your offering an animal from either the herd or the flock.

Leviticus 1:2 esv

"Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When any one of you brings an offering to the LORD, you shall bring your offering of livestock from the herd or from the flock.

Leviticus 1:2 nlt

"Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. When you present an animal as an offering to the LORD, you may take it from your herd of cattle or your flock of sheep and goats.

Leviticus 1 verses

Leviticus 1 2 Meaning

Leviticus 1:2 initiates God's detailed instructions to the people of Israel concerning offerings and sacrifices, immediately after the construction of the Tabernacle. It establishes that if any individual Israelite desires to bring an offering (a "korban," signifying drawing near) to the Lord, they must choose their offering from among their domesticated cattle—specifically, from the herd (bovines) or the flock (sheep and goats). This verse sets the foundational parameters for acceptable sacrifices, emphasizing their voluntary nature, their divine recipient, and the specific, clean animals permitted for worship.

Leviticus 1 2 Context

Leviticus opens with God calling to Moses from the newly consecrated Tabernacle, signifying His dwelling among His people after their Exodus and covenant at Sinai. Leviticus 1:2 begins the direct discourse, immediately plunging into the intricate laws of sacrifice. The book's overarching theme is holiness and how a holy God could dwell among an unholy people, providing pathways for sin atonement, reconciliation, and maintained communion. This verse, therefore, sets the fundamental parameters for approaching the Divine Presence. Historically, Israel had just finished constructing the Tabernacle, as detailed in the closing chapters of Exodus, and was poised to embark on their journey from Sinai. The instructions in Leviticus are crucial for their national life, providing a distinct worship system that contrasted sharply with the chaotic, often immoral, pagan practices of surrounding nations, which could involve human sacrifice or rites without a moral core. Israel's sacrificial system, divinely instituted, highlighted ethical demands, clean/unclean distinctions, and focused on God's holiness and man's need for atonement.

Leviticus 1 2 Word Analysis

• Speak unto (וַיְדַבֵּר / Vayedabber): This verb "speak" indicates direct divine command and revelation, initiated by God. It underscores the authoritative, non-negotiable nature of the forthcoming instructions, not human invention.
• the children of Israel (אֶל בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל / el benei Yisrael): Specifies the primary audience—the entire covenant community, God's chosen people. This indicates that the sacrificial system was not merely for the priests (Aaronic priesthood established later in Leviticus) but for all Israelites to engage in worship and purification. It highlights their unique relationship with God.
• and say unto them (וְאָמַרְתָּ אֲלֵהֶם / v'amarta aleihem): Reinforces Moses' role as the divinely appointed intermediary, transmitting God's precise words to the people.
• If any man of you (אָדָם כִּי יַקְרִיב מִכֶּם / Adam ki yakriv mikem):
  • man (אָדָם / Adam): Refers generally to a human being, indicating that the opportunity or requirement to offer was accessible to every male Israelite, often as the head of his household. It does not exclude others but puts the primary responsibility on the male head.
  • of you (מִכֶּם / mikem): Emphasizes individual responsibility within the community; the offering is a personal act.
  • bring an offering (יַקְרִיב / yakriv): From the root קָרַב (qarab), meaning "to draw near" or "to present." This is a profoundly significant verb. An "offering" (korban) is literally something "brought near" to God. It encapsulates the core purpose of sacrifice: to approach and enter into a closer relationship with the Holy One, or to restore a broken one. The "if any man" suggests a voluntary initial impetus for some sacrifices (like the burnt offering), but the specific method becomes obligatory.
• unto the LORD (לַיהוָה / LaYahweh): Refers to Yahweh, the personal covenant name of the God of Israel. All offerings must be directed exclusively to Him, rejecting polytheism and foreign gods prevalent in the ancient Near East. This asserts His sole right to worship and provides a polemic against idolatry.
• ye shall bring your offering (תַּקְרִיבוּ אֶת קָרְבַּנְכֶם / takrivu et korbanchem): The repetition of the root qarab (here as takrivu, "you shall bring near," and korbanchem, "your offering/that which is brought near") underscores the central concept. It transitions from a conditional statement ("if you choose to bring") to a command regarding the type of offering. Once the decision to bring is made, the divine regulations must be strictly followed.
• of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock (מִן הַבְּהֵמָה מִן הַבָּקָר וּמִן הַצֹּאן / min hab'hema min habakar umin hatzoh):
  • cattle (הַבְּהֵמָה / hab'hema): A general term for domesticated, larger animals.
  • herd (הַבָּקָר / habakar): Specifically refers to bovine animals (oxen, cows).
  • flock (הַצֹּאן / hatzoh): Specifically refers to ovine animals (sheep and goats).
  • Significance of animal type:
    1. Domesticated: These animals were valuable possessions, representing livelihood and effort, implying a costly and personal sacrifice, not something easily acquired or of little value.
    2. Clean: They were ritually "clean" animals according to dietary laws (Leviticus 11), emphasizing the purity required for approaching a holy God. This distinguished Israelite practice from many pagan rituals which might use unclean animals or even wild beasts.
    3. No human sacrifice: A stark and direct contrast to the abominable practice of child sacrifice in surrounding cultures (e.g., Molech worship). God unequivocally commanded animal sacrifices as substitutionary, valuing life and emphasizing atonement through a divinely prescribed means.
    4. No produce/fowl initially: While later chapters introduce grain and bird offerings, this initial focus on large livestock indicates their primary and often more costly nature, suitable for broader community atonement and worship. It highlights God's sovereignty in defining acceptable worship.

Leviticus 1 2 Bonus section

• The Theological Purpose of "Drawing Near": The root qarab (from which korban is derived) fundamentally illustrates that sacrifice is less about what God needs and more about providing a path for humanity to access God. It's about relationship-building and maintenance, overcoming the barrier of sin that separates humanity from divine holiness.
• Foreknowledge and Intent: While the offerings themselves cleansed ritual impurity and provided temporal covering for sin, the heart condition of the worshipper was always paramount (1 Sam 15:22; Ps 51:17). God was not pleased with mere ritual if obedience and sincerity were lacking, a theme consistently highlighted by the prophets.
• The Economy of Sacrifice: Requiring domesticated animals meant the offering had a genuine economic cost, impressing upon the worshipper the gravity of sin and the value of reconciliation with God. This was a sacrifice that truly cost something of value to the giver.

Leviticus 1 2 Commentary

Leviticus 1:2 is the foundational decree establishing the meticulous sacrificial system through which the Israelites could approach and worship their holy God. It begins with "Speak unto," underscoring that this system is a direct divine initiative, not a human invention, providing the only authorized means for a sinful people to draw near to a righteous God. The specific instruction to the "children of Israel" emphasizes their unique covenant relationship and responsibility. The word for "offering" or "sacrifice," korban, literally means "that which is brought near," encapsulating the entire purpose of the ritual: to facilitate reconciliation, communion, and proximity to God. While voluntary in its initial presentation ("If any man..."), the parameters once decided upon were strict ("ye shall bring"). The specification of "cattle," "herd," and "flock" is crucial. These were clean, domesticated animals, representing personal wealth and labor. This choice excluded unclean animals, wild game, and, most importantly, human sacrifice, distinguishing Israel's pure, ordered worship from the abhorrent, chaotic practices of their pagan neighbors. Ultimately, this detailed animal sacrifice system served as a temporal atonement and a powerful foreshadowing of the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the unblemished Lamb of God (John 1:29), whose blood truly takes away sins, fulfilling the entire meaning of "drawing near" to God.