Leviticus 21 16

Leviticus 21:16 kjv

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Leviticus 21:16 nkjv

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

Leviticus 21:16 niv

The LORD said to Moses,

Leviticus 21:16 esv

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

Leviticus 21:16 nlt

Then the LORD said to Moses,

Leviticus 21 verses

Leviticus 21 16 Meaning

Leviticus 21:16 serves as an introductory declaration, signifying the divine origin and authoritative nature of the subsequent commands given by God directly to Moses. It signals a new section within the priestly regulations, specifically introducing the detailed instructions concerning physical disqualifications for priests to serve in the tabernacle. This statement underscores that these laws are not human inventions but are divinely mandated to ensure the holiness of the priesthood and the sanctuary.

Leviticus 21 16 Context

Leviticus 21 details specific purity laws for the Aaronic priests, distinguishing them from ordinary Israelites due to their sacred office. The chapter outlines prohibitions concerning marriage (they could not marry harlots, defiled women, or divorced women), mourning (they could not defile themselves for the dead except for close relatives), and most importantly, physical blemishes (they must be without blemish to approach the altar). This verse, Leviticus 21:16, serves as an explicit introduction to the latter section of these rules, focusing exclusively on the physical qualifications of the priests, from verse 17 to the end of the chapter. The historical context is the period after the Exodus, as Israel is establishing its covenant relationship with God and the Tabernacle, the center of worship, has just been consecrated. These laws underscore the immense holiness of God and the strict requirements for those who ministered in His presence on behalf of the people. They also subtly set apart Israel's worship from the practices of surrounding nations where religious personnel often lacked such rigorous ethical and physical standards.

Leviticus 21 16 Word analysis

• And: This conjunctive word links the previous narrative or instruction with the new divine command about to be given, indicating a continuation in the divine discourse.

• the Lord: This refers to YHWH (transliterated as Yahweh), the covenant Name of God, emphasizing that the speaker is the one true, sovereign God of Israel, establishing His direct authority behind the ensuing law. In Jewish tradition, Adonai is often pronounced in place of YHWH. The use of this specific divine title elevates the subsequent words to ultimate importance and divine decree.

• spoke: From the Hebrew verb dabar (דָּבַר), meaning "to speak, to say, to declare." It signifies an intentional and authoritative act of communication. It implies a direct verbal revelation, underscoring that these are God's explicit words, not Moses's interpretation or human tradition. This verb is frequently used to introduce divine commands.

• unto Moses: Moses (Mosheh מֹשֶׁה) is consistently presented as God's chosen intermediary and prophet through whom the divine law is communicated to Israel. This phrase identifies the recipient of the divine revelation and reinforces the singular authority of the Law as originating directly from God via His appointed servant. Moses's role as the Lawgiver is fundamental to the entire Pentateuch.

• saying: This participial phrase (from the Hebrew leʼmor, לֵאמֹר) directly introduces the content of what the Lord spoke. It is a common formulaic expression in biblical narrative that precedes the quotation of spoken words, signifying the verbatim account of the divine message. Its presence indicates that the following verses are a direct transmission of God's commands.

• "And the Lord spoke unto Moses, saying": This is a recurring formula throughout the Pentateuch, especially in Leviticus and Numbers (e.g., Lev 1:1, 4:1, 10:8, Num 1:1). Its consistent use serves several key purposes:

  • Divine Authority: It establishes the ultimate authority of the commands that follow. They are not human constructs but divine decrees.
  • Direct Revelation: It emphasizes that God communicated directly with Moses, highlighting his unique prophetic role.
  • Formal Introduction: It acts as a clear textual marker, indicating the start of a new section of divine law or instruction.
  • Legislative Weight: In ancient Near Eastern contexts, legal codes were often introduced with a statement of the issuer's authority. This phrase performs a similar function, bestowing unquestionable legal and spiritual weight on the subsequent priestly qualifications.

Leviticus 21 16 Bonus section

The precise wording of this introductory formula underscores the "divine address" model of revelation prevalent throughout the Torah. Unlike legal systems that emerge from human consensus or philosophical ideals, the Mosaic Law, including these detailed cultic regulations, is presented as having its absolute genesis in God's own voice. This is a crucial distinction between the religious system of ancient Israel and that of its neighbors, whose laws might derive from human rulers or polytheistic pantheons where deities were less transcendent and demanding of moral or ritual purity from their devotees. Furthermore, the selection of Moses as the sole recipient for these laws reinforces his unparalleled prophetic stature as presented in the Torah (Num 12:7-8; Deut 34:10). This short verse thus lays the indispensable foundation for understanding all the specific demands on the priests that follow: they are not suggestions or customs, but divine ordinances, received through God's chosen mediator for the covenant people.

Leviticus 21 16 Commentary

Leviticus 21:16, though brief, carries significant theological weight as a preamble. It functions as a direct divine pronouncement, "And the Lord spoke unto Moses, saying," initiating a detailed set of regulations that emphasize the stringent holiness required of those who minister directly in God's presence. This seemingly simple transitional statement ensures that every subsequent physical disqualification (blemishes, etc.) is understood not as an arbitrary human dictate, but as a direct commandment from YHWH, the sovereign God. This imbues the priestly code with unchallengeable authority and sacrality. The very act of God speaking to Moses about these specific requirements for priests reinforces the fundamental biblical principle that true worship and ministry must align with divine will and purity, not human convenience or perception. It underscores the concept of a holy God demanding a holy approach from those who represent Him.