Leviticus 23:26 kjv
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Leviticus 23:26 nkjv
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying:
Leviticus 23:26 niv
The LORD said to Moses,
Leviticus 23:26 esv
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Leviticus 23:26 nlt
Then the LORD said to Moses,
Leviticus 23 26 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 6:10 | Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying... | Formula for divine instruction before a command |
| Exod 25:1 | And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying... | Introduction to tabernacle instructions |
| Lev 1:1 | Now the LORD called to Moses... and spoke to him from the tent of meeting, saying... | Standard way God initiates communication in Leviticus |
| Lev 4:1 | And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying... | Introducing laws of sin offerings |
| Num 1:1 | The LORD spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai... saying... | Commencement of instructions for census/army |
| Num 8:1 | And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying... | Laws concerning the lamps of the tabernacle |
| Deut 1:3 | ...Moses spoke unto the children of Israel, according unto all that the LORD had given him in commandment unto them. | Moses relays God's authoritative word to Israel |
| Deut 5:5 | I stood between the LORD and you at that time, to declare unto you the word of the LORD... | Moses as intermediary of God's direct revelation |
| 2 Sam 7:5 | Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD...' | God speaking directly through a prophet to a king |
| Isa 1:2 | Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD has spoken... | God's word to His people proclaimed by a prophet |
| Jer 1:7 | But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak." | Divine commission for prophetic utterance and obedience |
| Ezek 1:3 | The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest... | God's explicit revelation coming to a prophet |
| Jonah 1:1 | Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying... | God's specific call to a prophet for a mission |
| Zech 1:1 | In the eighth month... came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah... saying... | God's word coming to prophets for specific times and messages |
| Matt 3:17 | And behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” | God the Father speaking audibly from heaven |
| Matt 17:5 | ...a bright cloud overshadowed them; and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son... hear him!” | God's declaration, commanding obedience to Jesus |
| Heb 1:1-2 | God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son... | Progression of divine revelation from prophets to Christ |
| 2 Pet 1:21 | For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. | Inspiration of prophetic utterance by God's Spirit |
| Rev 1:1 | The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John... | Divine revelation transmitted to a servant for writing |
| John 14:10 | Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. | Jesus' words as direct revelation from the Father |
| John 12:49 | For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father who sent me gave me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. | Jesus speaking the precise words and commands of the Father |
| Luke 24:44 | These are the words which I spoke to you... that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me. | Fulfillment of words spoken through Moses and prophets |
| Acts 3:22 | For Moses truly said to the fathers, 'The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you.' | Prophecy of Moses concerning Jesus as the supreme prophet |
Leviticus 23 verses
Leviticus 23 26 Meaning
Leviticus 23:26 serves as an authoritative introduction to new divine instructions. Specifically, it signals that the Lord (YHWH) is about to deliver direct commands to Moses regarding the most solemn annual observation for Israel: the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). This brief verse emphasizes the divine origin and unchallengeable authority of the statutes that follow, highlighting that they are direct revelations from God Himself, transmitted through His chosen intermediary, Moses.
Leviticus 23 26 Context
Leviticus chapter 23 meticulously outlines the seven annual feasts, or "appointed times" (mo'adim), of the Lord. These feasts formed the divinely ordained calendar for Israel, designed to teach fundamental truths about God's character, His plan of redemption, and Israel's relationship with Him. Verses 1-25 address the Sabbath, Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, and the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost). Verse 26, the specific focus, marks the formal introduction to the highly significant Feast of Atonement (Yom Kippur), which is described in detail in verses 27-32. This particular placement of the introduction highlights Yom Kippur's critical importance as the national day of purification and reconciliation with God, setting it apart as an extremely solemn observance requiring complete national focus and repentance. The historical context is the newly formed nation of Israel in the wilderness, receiving the laws and ordinances directly from God through Moses, establishing the foundational practices of their unique worship and national identity.
Leviticus 23 26 Word analysis
- And (וַ, va): This "waw" connective links this statement to the preceding instructions in Leviticus 23. It signifies a continuation of the divine discourse on the annual feasts, presenting the Feast of Atonement as another crucial component of God's appointed times.
- the LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the Tetragrammaton, the personal covenant name of God. Its use here underscores that the coming instructions are not human invention but direct revelation from the sovereign God of Israel, who enters into covenant relationship with His people and is faithful to His promises. This name denotes His eternal, self-existent, and faithful character.
- spoke (וַיְדַבֵּר, vay'dabber): From the Hebrew root דָּבַר (dabar), meaning "to speak," "to command," or "to declare." The Piel stem indicates intensive, deliberate, and often formal speech, implying that the message conveyed is clear, authoritative, and carries divine intent. This emphasizes the intentionality and directness of God's communication.
- unto Moses (אֶל-מֹשֶׁה, 'el Mosheh): "Unto" (אֶל, 'el) indicates direction, signifying the recipient of the divine word. Moses is singled out as God's chosen prophet and mediator, the unique conduit through whom God communicates His will directly to the Israelites. This highlights Moses' exceptional role and authority as the recipient of divine law, as exemplified in passages like Num 12:8 where God spoke to Moses "mouth to mouth."
- saying (לֵאמֹר, le'mor): An infinitive construct of the verb אָמַר ('amar), meaning "to say" or "to tell." This technical term almost invariably precedes direct speech or instructions. It serves as an emphatic indicator that the words immediately following are the verbatim utterances or direct commands of the speaker—in this case, God Himself—stressing the precise and infallible nature of the subsequent divine law.
Words-group analysis:
- And the LORD spoke: This opening formula is highly significant in the Pentateuch. It frequently precedes major divine pronouncements, laws, and instructions, establishing beyond doubt that what follows originates from God's own mouth. It conveys absolute authority and divine warrant for all subsequent commands and practices.
- unto Moses, saying: This phrase collectively solidifies Moses' unique position as the central mediator of the old covenant. It assures the Israelite audience (and later readers) that the detailed regulations for worship and life are not human inventions or philosophical teachings but God's specific commands delivered through His specially appointed servant. This combination legitimizes the entire Mosaic law.
Leviticus 23 26 Bonus section
The repetitive nature of "And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying" serves several crucial functions within the Pentateuch:
- Emphatic Statement of Divine Origin: It constantly reinforces that the Mosaic Law and the rituals described are not human wisdom or cultural evolution but direct mandates from the Almighty Creator. This implicitly serves as a powerful polemic against any notion that Israel's God is a deity conceived by man or whose will is subject to human interpretation alone. In a world full of ambiguous oracle interpretations and polytheistic syncretism, YHWH's direct and clear communication through Moses stood apart.
- Abolition of Doubt: By continually reasserting the divine authorship of the commandments, it leaves no room for doubt concerning their authority and validity for the people of Israel.
- Instructional Cadence: For an oral culture, this repeated formula provided a clear literary and mnemonic structure, indicating the beginning of a new, distinct set of instructions from God, helping the people remember and organize the divine decrees.
- Validation for Future Generations: This phrasing not only applied to the wilderness generation but also served to validate the enduring nature of the commands for all successive generations of Israelites, establishing their divine precedent and necessity.
Leviticus 23 26 Commentary
Leviticus 23:26, though a seemingly simple transitional verse, profoundly impacts the entire chapter by introducing the most solemn annual observation for Israel: the Day of Atonement. The recurring formula, "And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying," is far more than a literary device; it is a theological declaration. It underlines the fundamental principle that all of Israel's spiritual life, especially the vital provisions for atonement and reconciliation with God, originate solely from divine command. This direct address from YHWH, the covenant God, through His chosen prophet Moses, stresses the absolute authority and immutability of the instructions for Yom Kippur. It communicates that God Himself is initiating the means by which His people can achieve national purity and fellowship with Him, not through human innovation or effort. The conciseness of the verse belies its profound statement about divine sovereignty and revelation in the establishment of sacred practice.