Leviticus 17 5

Leviticus 17:5 kjv

To the end that the children of Israel may bring their sacrifices, which they offer in the open field, even that they may bring them unto the LORD, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest, and offer them for peace offerings unto the LORD.

Leviticus 17:5 nkjv

to the end that the children of Israel may bring their sacrifices which they offer in the open field, that they may bring them to the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of meeting, to the priest, and offer them as peace offerings to the LORD.

Leviticus 17:5 niv

This is so the Israelites will bring to the LORD the sacrifices they are now making in the open fields. They must bring them to the priest, that is, to the LORD, at the entrance to the tent of meeting and sacrifice them as fellowship offerings.

Leviticus 17:5 esv

This is to the end that the people of Israel may bring their sacrifices that they sacrifice in the open field, that they may bring them to the LORD, to the priest at the entrance of the tent of meeting, and sacrifice them as sacrifices of peace offerings to the LORD.

Leviticus 17:5 nlt

The purpose of this rule is to stop the Israelites from sacrificing animals in the open fields. It will ensure that they bring their sacrifices to the priest at the entrance of the Tabernacle, so he can present them to the LORD as peace offerings.

Leviticus 17 verses

Leviticus 17 5 Meaning

Leviticus 17:5 mandates that all Israelites bringing animal sacrifices, especially those involving the taking of life, must present them exclusively at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting to the authorized priests. The primary purpose is to ensure these are offered properly as peace offerings to the Lord, preventing illicit sacrifices in the "open field" that could lead to idolatry or unauthorized worship, thereby upholding the purity and singularity of worship centered on YHWH.

Leviticus 17 5 Context

Leviticus 17 addresses the sacredness of blood and the singular, holy location for sacrificial worship. Immediately following detailed regulations on purity and offerings (Leviticus 11-16), this chapter pivots to practical commandments concerning animal slaughter. Verse 5 is the consequence or purpose clause of the preceding verses (Leviticus 17:3-4), which prohibit Israelites from slaughtering an animal for sacrifice anywhere except at the Tabernacle entrance. This was crucial during Israel's wilderness wanderings and subsequent settlement, as it served to prevent any syncretistic practices with surrounding pagan religions that worshipped gods through localized altars in "open fields" or "high places," thereby safeguarding Israel's unique covenant relationship with YHWH and ensuring proper atonement procedures.

Leviticus 17 5 Word analysis

• "This is to the end that": Hebrew: lěmaʿan (למען) - A purposive particle, signifying "in order that" or "so that." It clearly states the divine intention and the reason behind the command given in the preceding verses. It underlines that the entire prohibition of external sacrifice has a specific, holy aim.
• "the people of Israel": Hebrew: bĕnê yiśrāʾēl (בני ישראל) - Literally, "sons of Israel." Refers to the entire community and covenant people, emphasizing that this command applies universally within the Israelite nation, establishing national obedience.
• "may bring their sacrifices": Hebrew: yābîʾû ʾeṯ zivḥêhem (יביאו את זבחיהם) - The verb "bring" (from bōʾ) implies intentional action and obedience. Zevahim (זבחיהם) refers to general animal offerings that involved slaughtering an animal for ritual purposes, distinguishing it from burnt offerings (ʾōlâ), which were entirely consumed. The context clarifies these are offerings involving the shedding of blood.
• "that they offer": Hebrew: ʾăšer hēm zovḥîm (אשר הם זבחים) - Emphasizes what they already do or were doing. This is not a new type of offering but a new regulation on how and where existing practices must occur.
• "in the open field": Hebrew: ʿal-pěnê haśśāḏeh (על פני השדה) - Literally, "upon the face of the field." This phrase denotes any location outside the designated sacred space of the Tabernacle courtyard. It implicitly refers to unauthorized altars, high places, or informal outdoor slaughter that could easily devolve into pagan worship (e.g., sacrificing to "goat-demons" as explicitly mentioned in Lev 17:7), local shrines, or practices not sanctioned by the Mosaic covenant. It contrasts the chaotic, unsanctified wilderness with the orderly, holy Tabernacle.
• "that they may bring them to the Lord": Hebrew: wĕhēvîʾûm lYHWH (והביאום ליהוה) - Repetition of "bring" for emphasis, coupled with "to the Lord" (YHWH - יהוה), the covenant name of God. This highlights the sole recipient of legitimate worship, asserting His exclusive right and singular authority over all Israelite religious acts.
• "to the priest": Hebrew: ʾel-hakkōhēn (אל הכהן) - The singular "priest" emphasizes the legitimate, divinely ordained intermediary. This restricts religious actions, requiring specific authorization and proper ritual by the Aaronide priesthood, preventing self-appointed spiritual leaders or common individuals from mediating sacrifices.
• "at the entrance of the tent of meeting": Hebrew: peṯaḥ ʾōhel môʿēḏ (פתח אוהל מועד) - The precise and only designated location for sacrifice. The "Tent of Meeting" (ʾōhel môʿēḏ) was the portable sanctuary where YHWH manifested His presence and met with His people. Its "entrance" was the single, specific point of access, reinforcing the principle of centralization, order, and sole authorized access to God.
• "and offer them as sacrifices of peace offerings to the Lord": Hebrew: wĕzavĕḥû ʾôtām zivḥê šelāmîm lYHWH (וזבחו אותם זבחי שלמים ליהוה) - This clarifies the permissible form of sacrifice for animals being slaughtered. Zivḥê šelāmîm (זבחי שלמים - peace offerings): Derived from shalom (peace, wholeness, welfare). These were typically voluntary offerings of thanksgiving, vows, or freewill offerings. They fostered communion: parts were consumed by God (via the altar fire), parts by the priests, and significant portions were eaten by the worshipper and his household in a celebratory meal before YHWH. The verse implies that general animal slaughter for meat consumption now needs to pass through the filter of a peace offering, ensuring that even mundane eating acknowledges God's provision and the sacredness of life (blood). This transformed a common act into a regulated, covenantal act.

Leviticus 17 5 Bonus section

• The law in Leviticus 17 represents a significant shift from earlier patriarchal practices where altars could be built and sacrifices offered in various locations (e.g., Noah, Abraham). This centralization of worship marked a new era of explicit, highly regulated covenantal obedience essential for nation-building and combating polytheism.
• While later liberalized for daily meat consumption when Israel settled and the Tabernacle/Temple might be too far (Deut 12:20-22), this Leviticus passage captures the ideal theological principle for the wilderness, emphasizing that all life taken must first be brought into proper relationship with God.
• The peace offering aspect is key: it connects a potentially illicit "slaughter" directly to an act of fellowship and thanksgiving with God. This spiritualizes a basic necessity, transforming it into an opportunity for communal rejoicing and spiritual nourishment in His presence.
• This central sanctuary principle prefigures the New Testament concept of the one ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, making unnecessary any future physical altar. True worship is now through Him, and worship in "spirit and truth" is no longer bound to a specific geographic location.

Leviticus 17 5 Commentary

Leviticus 17:5 acts as the clarifying rationale for the preceding prohibition against slaughtering animals in the field. It enforces a radical centralization of worship, demanding that all animal sacrifices, including what might otherwise be deemed routine slaughter for meat, be brought to the singular, consecrated altar at the Tent of Meeting. This strict mandate served several vital functions for the fledgling nation of Israel. Firstly, it actively combated syncretism and idolatry. By forbidding "open field" worship, it cut off access to sites where pagan deities were often worshipped, ensuring Israel's unique devotion to YHWH. Secondly, it maintained cultic purity by funneling all legitimate sacrifices through the divinely appointed priesthood, ensuring rituals were performed according to God's precise instructions and that the sacredness of blood, central to atonement (v. 11), was preserved. Lastly, by classifying such slaughter as "peace offerings," the law intertwined everyday consumption with sacred communion. This means that, for a time, obtaining meat was a covenantal act, fostering community and a conscious acknowledgment of God's provision and ownership of life, preventing any casual shedding of blood. It cemented Israel's distinct identity and unique access to the One True God.