Leviticus 23 23

Leviticus 23:23 kjv

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Leviticus 23:23 nkjv

Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

Leviticus 23:23 niv

The LORD said to Moses,

Leviticus 23:23 esv

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

Leviticus 23:23 nlt

The LORD said to Moses,

Leviticus 23 verses

Leviticus 23 23 Meaning

This verse serves as a crucial introductory phrase, signaling that the ensuing divine commands regarding the appointed times, specifically the Feast of Trumpets, originate directly from the sovereign God of Israel. It emphasizes that these laws and observances are not human inventions but are divinely revealed, delivered through Moses, God’s chosen mediator and prophet, ensuring their absolute authority and covenantal significance for the Israelite nation.

Leviticus 23 23 Context

Leviticus 23 details the mo'edim, the "appointed times" or "feasts" of the LORD, which are sacred assemblies ordained by God for the nation of Israel. This chapter sets out the divine calendar of feasts, starting with the weekly Sabbath and proceeding through Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, and the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost). Verse 23 specifically introduces the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh HaShanah), setting it apart as a new segment of instruction within the annual cycle. Historically, this divine communication occurred during the Israelites' sojourn in the wilderness, likely at Mount Sinai or in the tabernacle, where Moses regularly received direct instruction from the LORD to convey to the people. The purpose was to establish Israel's unique identity as a holy nation governed by divine statutes and to guide their worship, separating them from the idolatrous practices of surrounding cultures which observed seasonal festivals for pagan deities.

Leviticus 23 23 Word analysis

• "The LORD" (Hebrew: `יְהוָה`, YHVH, the Tetragrammaton): This is God's covenant, personal, and self-existent name. Its use here underscores that the subsequent commands originate from the very being of the sovereign God who had covenanted with Israel. It emphasizes divine authority, fidelity, and self-revelation, distinguishing the God of Israel from all other gods.
• "spoke" (Hebrew: `וַיְדַבֵּר`, vay'dabber, Piel perfect): This verb indicates a direct, deliberate, and formal act of speaking. It signifies that God actively communicated, choosing specific words, rather than merely inspiring or influencing. It implies a precise transmission of divine will, emphasizing God's initiative in revealing His truth.
• "to Moses" (Hebrew: `אֶל־מֹשֶׁה`, el-Mosheh): This highlights Moses' unique role as God's chosen prophet, mediator, and messenger. He was the principal human recipient of divine revelation for Israel during the Exodus and wilderness journey, tasked with delivering God's exact words to the people. His unique privilege underscores the sacredness and direct divine origin of the law.
• "saying," (Hebrew: `לֵּאמֹר`, lemor, infinitive construct): This particle consistently introduces direct speech or quotation in the Old Testament. It formally indicates that the words that follow are the precise, unadulterated message from the LORD, spoken through Moses to the Israelites. It acts as a divine guarantee for the authenticity of the message.

• "The LORD spoke": This phrase encapsulates divine initiative and authority. It declares that God is the author and source of the instructions that follow, rendering them non-negotiable and absolute for His covenant people.
• "spoke to Moses": This defines the means of divine revelation to Israel in this era—through the singular person of Moses. It underscores God's personal selection of a human agent to transmit His will to His chosen nation.
• "to Moses, saying,": This combination highlights Moses' function not as an interpreter or an originator of laws, but as a faithful conveyor of God's exact words. His role is to transmit the divine will verbatim, emphasizing the integrity and divine inspiration of the commands.
• The entire phrase, "The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,": This is a classic and frequently recurring prophetic formula found throughout the Pentateuch. It serves as a consistent divine authentication for every law, statute, and ordinance given to Israel. It signifies a fresh divine utterance and imbues the subsequent words with ultimate holiness, power, and binding covenant authority, differentiating Israel's divinely appointed calendar and practices from all other nations.

Leviticus 23 23 Bonus section

The repetitive nature of "The LORD spoke to Moses, saying" throughout the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers serves as an internal textual affirmation of the Pentateuch's divine origin and unity. It constantly reaffirms the concept of a directly revealed Law, setting Israel's covenant and judicial system apart from the more humanly derived legal codes of other ancient Near Eastern societies. Furthermore, this consistent formula emphasizes the faithfulness of God in continually communicating with His people and Moses' unwavering role as the trusted channel. This divine pattern of revelation, first through prophets and later supremely through His Son (Heb 1:1-2), ultimately highlights God's continuous initiative in building and maintaining His relationship with humanity, culminating in the complete and final word through Jesus Christ.

Leviticus 23 23 Commentary

Leviticus 23:23 is not merely a bureaucratic heading but a theological declaration. Its presence ensures that the subsequent command regarding the Feast of Trumpets, like all the other holy convocations in the chapter, bears the immutable stamp of divine authority. It positions God as the active communicator and law-giver, revealing His will directly to His chosen representative, Moses, for the benefit and instruction of Israel. This precise language of revelation underscores the sacred nature of the commands and their non-negotiable status within the covenant. It reminds the reader that Israel's entire religious calendar, with its solemn assemblies and festive celebrations, was ordained by God's decree, providing a divinely orchestrated rhythm for their life that was both distinct and redemptive.