Leviticus 22:18 kjv
Speak unto Aaron, and to his sons, and unto all the children of Israel, and say unto them, Whatsoever he be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers in Israel, that will offer his oblation for all his vows, and for all his freewill offerings, which they will offer unto the LORD for a burnt offering;
Leviticus 22:18 nkjv
"Speak to Aaron and his sons, and to all the children of Israel, and say to them: 'Whatever man of the house of Israel, or of the strangers in Israel, who offers his sacrifice for any of his vows or for any of his freewill offerings, which they offer to the LORD as a burnt offering?
Leviticus 22:18 niv
"Speak to Aaron and his sons and to all the Israelites and say to them: 'If any of you?whether an Israelite or a foreigner residing in Israel?presents a gift for a burnt offering to the LORD, either to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering,
Leviticus 22:18 esv
"Speak to Aaron and his sons and all the people of Israel and say to them, When any one of the house of Israel or of the sojourners in Israel presents a burnt offering as his offering, for any of their vows or freewill offerings that they offer to the LORD,
Leviticus 22:18 nlt
"Give Aaron and his sons and all the Israelites these instructions, which apply both to native Israelites and to the foreigners living among you. "If you present a gift as a burnt offering to the LORD, whether it is to fulfill a vow or is a voluntary offering,
Leviticus 22 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lev 1:3-4 | If his offering is a burnt offering... | Details the nature of a burnt offering. |
| Lev 22:19-25 | ...without blemish to be accepted. | Directly states the quality required for offerings. |
| Num 15:14-16 | And if a stranger sojourns with you... one statute for you and for the stranger. | Law for sojourners and native-born are the same for offerings. |
| Exod 12:49 | You shall have one law for the native and for the stranger. | Emphasizes equal law for native and alien. |
| Deut 23:21-23 | When you make a vow to the LORD... | Laws concerning the solemnity of vows. |
| Eccles 5:4-5 | When you vow a vow to God... do not delay to pay it. | Consequences of making and failing to keep vows. |
| Mal 1:7-8 | You offer defiled food upon my altar... | Denounces contemptible offerings from blemished animals. |
| Isa 56:6-7 | And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD... | Prophetic inclusion of Gentiles in worship. |
| Eph 2:19 | So then you are no longer strangers and aliens... | Spiritual fulfillment of "sojourners" in the Church. |
| Rom 12:1 | Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable... | New Testament concept of spiritual offering. |
| Heb 10:10-14 | We have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. | Christ's perfect sacrifice supersedes all Old Testament offerings. |
| Phil 4:18 | ...a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. | Christian giving as a spiritual offering. |
| Ps 50:7-14 | I will not accept a bull from your house... | God's desire for understanding and relationship, not just physical sacrifice. |
| Hos 6:6 | For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice... | Emphasizes internal devotion over ritual alone. |
| Amos 5:21-24 | I hate, I despise your feasts... | Condemns offerings without righteousness and justice. |
| Matt 5:23-24 | ...first be reconciled to your brother and then come and offer your gift. | Emphasizes righteous living and reconciliation prior to worship/offering. |
| 1 Sam 15:22 | Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices...to obey? | Obedience to God's word is preferred over sacrifice. |
| Lev 19:2 | You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy. | The foundational principle of holiness governing offerings. |
| Deut 10:18-19 | He loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing. Love the sojourner therefore. | God's love and Israel's command to care for sojourners. |
| Neh 10:32-34 | We also commit ourselves to give... for the services of the house of our God. | Post-exilic commitment to provide for temple offerings, fulfilling vows. |
| Luke 21:1-4 | She put in more than all of them, for she contributed... | Illustrates genuine freewill giving from devotion, not abundance. |
| Acts 10:4 | Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. | Examples of God accepting spiritual "offerings" beyond animal sacrifices. |
Leviticus 22 verses
Leviticus 22 18 Meaning
Leviticus 22:18 lays down a divine regulation regarding acceptable offerings, specifically burnt offerings, to the LORD. It establishes that these instructions apply to every male individual from the entire community of Israel, including those who are not native-born but reside among them. It further clarifies that these offerings can be brought either to fulfill a vow made to God or as a voluntary expression of devotion. This verse serves as an introduction to the specific requirements for the physical quality and condition of such offerings detailed in the subsequent verses.
Leviticus 22 18 Context
Leviticus 22:18 is situated within a larger section (Leviticus 21-22) dedicated to the laws governing holiness concerning the priesthood and the sacrifices they facilitate. Following the regulations regarding the personal conduct and eligibility of priests (Lev 21) and instructions on who among the priestly families may eat the holy portions (Lev 22:1-16), this verse pivots to establish the broad scope of those permitted to bring offerings to the LORD. It serves as an introductory declaration before detailing the specific criteria for acceptable sacrifices (vv. 19-25), emphasizing that blemished animals are an abomination. Historically and culturally, the strictures ensured the purity and distinctness of Israelite worship, setting it apart from the often chaotic and corrupt practices of surrounding pagan nations who might offer imperfect sacrifices or sacrifices to multiple deities. The inclusion of "sojourners" reveals an expansive theological principle of God's covenant grace, anticipating a future where all peoples would draw near to Him.
Leviticus 22 18 Word analysis
- Speak to Aaron and his sons and all the people of Israel: This command highlights divine authority and the comprehensive scope of these instructions. The message is for the leaders and every individual in the community.
- Any man (אִישׁ - 'ish): Signifies individual accountability and the broad accessibility of worship, not limited to priests.
- of the house of Israel (בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל - beit Yisra'el): Refers to the native-born members of the Israelite community, emphasizing the covenant people.
- or of the sojourners in Israel (גֵּר בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל - ger b'Yisra'el): A ger is a resident alien, a non-Israelite living among them, who has submitted to God's law. Their inclusion here is significant, demonstrating God's accessibility to all who genuinely desire to worship Him within His covenant framework.
- who presents his offering (יַקְרִיב קָרְבָּנוֹ - yaqriv qorbanow): The verb yaqriv (from the root Q-R-B) means "to bring near." An qorban is "that which is brought near" or "a close approach." The act of offering is thus an act of drawing near to God.
- whether for any of their vows (נְדָרִים - nedarim): A deliberate, solemn, and binding promise made to God, often conditional on God's prior action or simply an expression of devotion.
- or for any of their freewill offerings (נְדָבוֹת - nedavot): A spontaneous, voluntary gift given out of generosity or gratitude, not bound by a prior promise. This reflects sincere, uncompelled devotion.
- which they offer to the LORD (לַיהוָה - laYahweh): Explicitly emphasizes that the offering must be directed solely to Yahweh, the one true God, differentiating it from pagan worship.
- as a burnt offering (עֹלָה - 'olah): This offering was entirely consumed by fire on the altar, symbolizing total dedication and atonement, ascending to God as a "pleasing aroma" (Lev 1:9).
- "Any man of the house of Israel, or of the sojourners in Israel": This phrase broadens the scope of God's worship, indicating that faithfulness and dedication to God are not limited by birth but include those who choose to align with His covenant, foreshadowing the inclusion of Gentiles in the New Covenant church.
- "vows or for any of their freewill offerings": These two categories cover the full spectrum of motivated human offerings – from covenant obligation stemming from a promise (vow) to pure, unprompted devotion and gratitude (freewill). Both are acceptable if offered properly.
Leviticus 22 18 Bonus section
The inclusion of "sojourners" in the regulations for offerings holds prophetic significance. It underscores God's original intention for Israel to be a light to the nations, drawing all peoples to Him. This early inclusivity foreshadows the New Covenant reality where through Christ, there is no longer "Jew nor Gentile" (Gal 3:28), but all who believe are brought near and have equal access to God as fellow citizens in the household of God (Eph 2:19). The concept of a "freewill offering" stands out as a pure act of love and gratitude, free from compulsion, embodying the type of willing heart God always sought, moving beyond mere adherence to religious obligation towards heartfelt devotion.
Leviticus 22 18 Commentary
Leviticus 22:18 is a foundational statement for the holiness of worship, detailing the breadth of who can approach God with offerings. It highlights that proper worship is accessible not just to native Israelites but also to "sojourners," underscoring God's universal redemptive purpose. The emphasis on "vows" and "freewill offerings" captures the spectrum of human motivation—from obligation to heartfelt devotion. However, the critical point is not just who offers, but what and how it is offered. This verse sets the stage for the crucial regulations that follow concerning the perfect quality required for burnt offerings. God demands holiness and integrity in offerings because He is holy. Ultimately, these physical offerings point to the ultimate and perfect "burnt offering" of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 10), and the New Covenant call to offer our very lives as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1), acceptable and pleasing to God, requiring sincerity of heart over mere ritual.