Leviticus 19 1

Leviticus 19:1 kjv

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Leviticus 19:1 nkjv

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

Leviticus 19:1 niv

The LORD said to Moses,

Leviticus 19:1 esv

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

Leviticus 19:1 nlt

The LORD also said to Moses,

Leviticus 19 verses

Leviticus 19 1 Meaning

This verse serves as a crucial introductory formula, signaling the divine origin and ultimate authority for the profound moral and ethical precepts that follow in the Holiness Code. It establishes that the commands given are not of human invention but are direct, verbal revelations from the LORD (Yahweh) to Moses, thereby forming the bedrock of Israel's covenantal obligations.

Leviticus 19 1 Context

Leviticus is fundamentally a book about holiness and atonement, establishing Israel's worship and walk with God after the Exodus. Chapter 19 is considered the heart of the "Holiness Code" (chapters 17-26). Immediately preceding it are laws regarding sacred offerings and prohibitions against sexual immorality and child sacrifice (chapter 18). Leviticus 19:1 initiates a comprehensive series of ethical, social, and ritual commands that are distinctive of Israel's identity as a holy people. This context highlights God's expectation for His people to reflect His character in all aspects of life, providing a clear distinction from the pagan cultures of Egypt and Canaan that surrounded them.

Leviticus 19 1 Word analysis

• And (וַ): This simple conjunction links the preceding divine directives to the new set of instructions. It implies a continuation of God's ongoing communication with His people, emphasizing a sequential revelation of His will.

• the Lord (יְהוָה, Yahweh): This is the covenant name of God, God's personal and self-revealed name to Israel. Its use here underscores that the subsequent commands originate from the same faithful and omnipotent God who established the covenant, delivered them from slavery, and resides among them. This name signifies His eternal, self-existent nature and His personal relationship with His chosen people.

• spoke (וַיְדַבֵּר, vay·dab·bêr): From the root dabar, meaning "to speak, arrange, declare." The grammatical form (Piel intensive stem) emphasizes a direct, purposeful, and authoritative communication. It signifies an articulate, audible utterance from God, establishing the revealed nature of the law that follows. God is not merely revealing principles but actively speaking commands.

• to Moses (אֶל־מֹשֶׁה, ’el-mō·šeh): Identifies the direct and singular recipient of this divine revelation. This phrase highlights Moses' unique role as the primary mediator of the Old Covenant. By stating that God spoke to Moses, the entire set of laws gains unchallengeable divine authentication and legislative authority, confirming that Moses acted as God's designated messenger to the nation of Israel.

• saying (לֵּאמֹר, lê·mōr): This is a common Hebrew infinitive often translated "to say" or "as follows." It acts as a formal bridge between the identification of the speaker (the Lord) and the content of the speech. It signals that what immediately follows is the precise verbal message conveyed by God Himself. This reinforces the accuracy and direct inspiration of the ensuing text.

• Words-group Analysis: "And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying"This recurrent divine attestation formula is profoundly significant throughout the Pentateuch, especially in Leviticus. Its consistent repetition affirms the divine origin and non-negotiable authority of the instructions. It underscores God's active involvement in establishing the moral fabric of His people, signifying that every precept is rooted in His holy character and revealed will. This phrase transforms mere statutes into divine decrees, emphasizing the theological weight and ethical urgency of the "Holiness Code" as direct commands from the sovereign LORD Himself, mediated through His chosen servant, Moses.

Leviticus 19 1 Bonus section

• The repetitive nature of this divine address formula throughout Leviticus underlines God's intentionality and patience in conveying His will clearly to His people, section by section, ensuring the clarity of His expectations for their corporate and individual holiness.
• This pattern established in the Old Testament sets a precedent for understanding divine truth as something verbally communicated and received through chosen vessels, ultimately pointing forward to God's final and complete revelation through His Son, Jesus Christ, as highlighted in Hebrews 1:1-2.
• The phrase points to God's personality as a communicative and relational being who desires His creation to know His standards for a flourishing life and relationship with Him. He is a God who speaks, revealing His heart and demands to His people.

Leviticus 19 1 Commentary

Leviticus 19:1, though succinct, lays the theological foundation for one of the Bible's most pivotal ethical chapters. It asserts that the extensive directives following it are not merely human regulations or cultural traditions, but are direct communications from Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel, to His appointed leader, Moses. This immediate attribution to divine authorship elevates the ensuing laws of holiness, justice, and love from legislative principles to sacred commands. It instills in the recipient an understanding that obedience to these statutes is an act of reverent submission to the Holy God who has chosen and called them. In essence, the verse encapsulates the core truth: "These are not just good ideas; these are God's explicit words for you to live by."