Leviticus 24:1 kjv

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Leviticus 24:1 nkjv

Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying:

Leviticus 24:1 niv

The LORD said to Moses,

Leviticus 24:1 esv

The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

Leviticus 24:1 nlt

The LORD said to Moses,

Leviticus 24 verses

Leviticus 24 1 Meaning

Leviticus 24:1 functions as the divine authoritative preamble, indicating that the subsequent instructions regarding the sanctuary's perpetual lamp, the bread of the Presence, and the law concerning blasphemy and various offenses, originated directly from God (YHWH) through His chosen mediator, Moses. This verse underscores the divine origin and binding nature of the laws within this chapter for the Israelites.

Leviticus 24 1 Context

Leviticus 24:1 immediately follows the detailed instructions for Israel's annual feasts and appointed times of worship in chapter 23. This placement suggests a natural progression from Israel's communal worship calendar to specific regulations concerning the holy objects within the Tabernacle (the oil for the lamp and the bread of the Presence), which are essential for its daily functioning and are also closely tied to worship. Following these instructions, the chapter narrates an incident of blasphemy by a half-Israelite man, leading to the enactment of the law concerning blasphemy and the wider application of "lex talionis" (an eye for an eye). Thus, Leviticus 24 marks a shift from broader national religious practices to more intimate aspects of sanctuary service and also transitions to laws governing conduct and justice within the community, all divinely mandated. Historically, this occurs while the Israelites are encamped at Mount Sinai, still under direct divine instruction for establishing their covenantal life as a holy nation.

Leviticus 24 1 Word analysis

• And (וְ - ve): A simple conjunctive prefix. Its presence here signifies a continuation or a natural sequence, connecting this new set of divine instructions to the preceding chapters without a hard break. It suggests a seamless flow of revelation.
• the Lord (יְהוָה - YHWH, The Tetragrammaton): This sacred name refers to the covenant God of Israel. It emphasizes God's personal, self-existent nature and His faithfulness to His covenant people. His speaking under this name signifies His sovereign authority as the Lawgiver and the direct source of all commands and statutes that follow. It contrasts with pagan deities whose names might imply local or limited power.
• spoke (וַיְדַבֵּר - vay'dabber): A hiphil imperfect consecutive verb from the root דָּבַר (davar), meaning "to speak" or "to command." This specific grammatical form denotes a completed action in the past, directly emphasizing that the speaking definitively occurred. It implies an active, intentional, and authoritative divine utterance, signifying direct, articulate revelation, not a vague impression or intuition. This word often carries the weight of decree and command.
• to Moses (אֶל-מֹשֶׁה - el-Mosheh): "To Moses." Moses serves as the sole recipient and mediator of this specific divine communication. His unique role as God's prophet and the designated law-giver is paramount in the Pentateuch. It establishes the chain of authority: God -> Moses -> Israel, ensuring that the commands are directly from the divine will, not human invention.
• saying (לֵּאמֹר - lemor): An infinitive construct from the root אָמַר (amar), meaning "to say" or "to tell." This particle commonly introduces direct speech or specific content of a message. It functions here to transition directly into the laws and instructions God is about to impart through Moses, confirming that the following words are the verbatim divine utterance.

• "And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying": This phrase is a highly recurrent literary formula throughout the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers. Its frequent repetition emphasizes several critical aspects:
  • Divine Authority: It consistently highlights that the laws and instructions given are not human fabrications but direct commands from the supreme divine authority, YHWH.
  • Unquestionable Source: It ensures the Israelites understood the laws were delivered directly from God.
  • Moses's Mediatory Role: It continually reaffirms Moses' unique and irreplaceable position as God's chosen conduit for revelation, setting him apart from all other leaders or prophets.
  • Covenantal Relationship: This direct communication signifies God's ongoing engagement with His covenant people, providing the guidance necessary for their holy walk.
  • Coherence and Unity of Law: The recurring phrase binds various sets of laws into a single, cohesive divine Torah, emphasizing its comprehensive and unified origin.

Leviticus 24 1 Bonus section

The almost formulaic repetition of "The Lord spoke to Moses, saying" across Leviticus (and other Pentateuchal books) underscores the profound and continuous nature of divine revelation to Israel during the wilderness period. It creates an auditory rhythm in the biblical text, constantly reminding the reader/listener that the entire Torah is Torah min HaShamayim (Torah from Heaven). This repetitive literary device also functioned as a catechetical tool for the original audience, imprinting upon their minds the divine origin and therefore the absolute authority of the Mosaic Law. It subtly combats any future tendency to treat these commands as evolving cultural norms, establishing them instead as eternal decrees from the covenant Lord.

Leviticus 24 1 Commentary

Leviticus 24:1, though brief, serves as a pivotal gateway to the instructions that follow. It is not merely an incidental historical note but a profound theological declaration. By stating "And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying," the verse grounds the entire subsequent chapter – with its laws on lamp maintenance, the showbread, blasphemy, and physical injury – firmly in divine revelation. This establishes the immutable authority of these commands; they are not human suggestions but divine imperatives essential for the holy conduct of God's covenant people. Moses's unique position as the exclusive recipient of God's direct word further legitimizes these laws for all Israel. The consistent use of this formula across the Pentateuch stresses God's ongoing, direct, and authoritative communication, which forms the bedrock of Israelite religious and civil life. This foundational statement ensures that every precept in Leviticus 24 is perceived as emanating directly from the Most High God, demanding full obedience and respect.

• Example for practical usage: When we encounter challenging or seemingly arcane laws in Scripture, remembering that they originate from "the Lord who spoke to Moses" helps us approach them with reverence, acknowledging their divine source and seeking God's purpose within them rather than dismissing them as merely human constructs.