Leviticus 22 17

Leviticus 22:17 kjv

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Leviticus 22:17 nkjv

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

Leviticus 22:17 niv

The LORD said to Moses,

Leviticus 22:17 esv

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

Leviticus 22:17 nlt

And the LORD said to Moses,

Leviticus 22 verses

Leviticus 22 17 Meaning

Leviticus 22:17 serves as a standard divine pronouncement formula, signifying that the following instructions are a direct and authoritative word from the LORD to Moses. It marks a new section of divine revelation concerning the proper presentation and acceptability of offerings, underscoring their sacred importance to God.

Leviticus 22 17 Context

Leviticus chapter 22 focuses on the regulations concerning the sanctity of holy offerings and the requirements for priests and their families to eat from them. The preceding verses (22:1-16) deal with specific purity requirements for priests and their household members who consume these holy portions, ensuring they do not defile what is consecrated to the LORD. Verse 17 acts as a divinely appointed transition, initiating a new section (vv. 17-33) that shifts the focus from the qualifications of those who eat the offerings to the strict standards and perfection required for the offerings themselves presented to the LORD. Historically, this divine communication through Moses established foundational principles for Israel's covenant worship, distinguishing their practice of bringing whole and unblemished sacrifices to the one holy God from the often defiled and arbitrary practices of surrounding pagan cultures.

Leviticus 22 17 Word analysis

• And (וַיְדַבֵּר - vay'daber): This "and" acts as a waw-consecutive, connecting this new segment of instruction directly to God's continuous communication. It often indicates a sequential action or, as here, introduces a distinct yet related segment of discourse, signifying a fresh divine initiative.
• the LORD (יְהוָה - YHWH): This is the ineffable covenant name of God, frequently translated as "LORD" (in small capitals). Its use emphasizes the personal, covenantal God of Israel, rather than a generic deity. It highlights that the commands emanate from the sovereign Creator and Redeemer, Who has specifically revealed Himself to Israel. This is the ultimate source of authority for all divine laws.
• spoke (וַיְדַבֵּר - vay'daber, from the root דָּבַר - dabar): This verb signifies clear, deliberate, and authoritative verbal communication. It's not a whisper or a mere thought, but a distinct pronouncement, a "speaking forth" or articulation. It denotes the formal and binding nature of the subsequent commands. In biblical context, God's speaking is always powerful and effective.
• to Moses (אֶל-מֹשֶׁה - 'el Moshe): Moses is consistently identified as God's chosen and unique mediator for Israel, the human channel through whom divine law and will are transmitted. This phrase reinforces his specific role in the Exodus covenant, as he stands between a holy God and the people. No other person possessed this singular role during the giving of the Law.
• saying (לֵאמֹר - le'mor): This is a Hebrew infinitive construct frequently used to introduce direct speech. It acts similarly to a quotation mark, assuring the reader that the subsequent words are the very utterances of the LORD. It underscores the precision and directness of God's communication and the expectation that Moses will transmit these exact words without alteration.
• "And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,": This entire phrase is a highly significant, frequently recurring introductory formula in the Pentateuch. It establishes several critical theological points: the divine origin (not human invention) of the Law; the ultimate authority (from God Himself); the reliability (direct words) of the revelation; and Moses' divinely appointed role as the prophet-mediator for all of God's commands to Israel. This formula powerfully reinforces the sanctity and immutable nature of all subsequent divine directives, countering any potential doubt or challenge to their divine source and absolute authority. It also distinguishes Israel's divinely given law from the uncertain and often corrupt practices of surrounding pagan cultures, emphasizing a God who clearly and directly communicates His perfect will.

Leviticus 22 17 Bonus section

The repetitive use of this exact divine speaking formula throughout Leviticus (and other books of the Pentateuch) emphasizes a crucial biblical principle: divine communication is the basis for all revealed truth and law. This patterned phrasing is not mere literary style; it is a theological device designed to embed in the listener's mind the divine authorship and therefore the absolute, binding nature of every commandment. This continuous reaffirmation prefigures the ultimate divine word delivered in Jesus Christ (Heb 1:1-2), demonstrating God's consistent commitment to revealing His character and will to humanity across dispensations, first through prophets and finally through His Son. It signifies an orderly God who provides clear guidance for the conduct of His people.

Leviticus 22 17 Commentary

Leviticus 22:17, while brief, is foundational. It serves as a potent declarative statement, asserting that the ensuing regulations are not mere human statutes or ritualistic suggestions but the explicit, divine word of God delivered through His chosen mediator, Moses. This immediate shift in focus, following instructions on the purity of priests, emphasizes the dual aspect of holiness in Israel's worship: both the priest and the offering must meet God's rigorous standards. The very act of worship, particularly sacrifice, is sacred and must reflect the unblemished character of the One being worshipped. This verse anchors all subsequent commands in divine authority, ensuring the Israelites understood that their obedience was not just to Moses, but directly to the covenant-making God, Yahweh, Himself. This sacred preamble sets a solemn tone for the gravity of proper and undefiled offerings. For instance, just as a nation's foundational laws stem from its highest authority, so too did Israel's laws of worship stem directly from God.