Leviticus 27 1

Leviticus 27:1 kjv

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Leviticus 27:1 nkjv

Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

Leviticus 27:1 niv

The LORD said to Moses,

Leviticus 27:1 esv

The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

Leviticus 27:1 nlt

The LORD said to Moses,

Leviticus 27 verses

Leviticus 27 1 Meaning

Leviticus 27:1 introduces a new set of divine instructions regarding the dedication of persons, animals, and property to the Lord through vows. This verse serves as a formal declaration of divine authorship and authority, asserting that the ensuing laws are direct pronouncements from Yahweh (the LORD) Himself, communicated specifically through Moses, God's chosen mediator for the nation of Israel. It emphasizes that these commands are not human inventions but are divinely originated and thus binding.

Leviticus 27 1 Context

Leviticus 27:1 introduces what is often considered an appendix to the Book of Leviticus, following a comprehensive section on blessings and curses in Chapter 26, which outlines the consequences of obedience and disobedience to the Mosaic covenant. While Chapter 26 effectively concludes the main body of laws presented in Leviticus (many dealing with holy living, sacrifices, feasts, and clean/unclean distinctions), Chapter 27 addresses specific circumstances concerning vows and dedicated things. Despite its seemingly appended nature, the introductory formula in verse 1 clearly places Chapter 27 under the same divine authority as the rest of the book. Historically, these laws were given at Mount Sinai to the nascent nation of Israel, newly delivered from Egypt. They were crucial for establishing a framework for their life as a covenant people, instructing them on how to maintain a holy relationship with God and function as a set-apart nation among pagan cultures that lacked such direct divine law.

Leviticus 27 1 Word analysis

• And (וְ, wə): This is a simple connecting conjunction, often translated as "and," "but," or "so." Here, it serves to smoothly transition from the previous chapter's content, despite Chapter 27 introducing new, distinct laws about vows and dedicated items. It implies continuity of the divine voice and purpose.
• the LORD (יְהוָה, Yahweh): This is the tetragrammaton, the personal, covenantal name of God. Its use emphasizes God's self-revealed character, His faithfulness to His promises, and His intimate relationship with Israel as their covenant God. It is not just a god speaking, but the sovereign, self-existent God who has personally intervened in their history and chosen them. The phrase signifies His ultimate authority and initiating role.
• spoke (דִּבֶּר, dibber): The Hebrew verb dabar in the Piel stem, signifying a direct, articulate, and authoritative declaration. It denotes a deliberate act of communication, not just casual speech. When God "spoke," it was with intent, power, and finality, forming a word that would not return void (Isa 55:11).
• to Moses (אֶל מֹשֶׁה, ʾel Mosheh): This phrase designates the specific human recipient of God's revelation. Moses' unique role as God's chosen prophet, mediator, and lawgiver for Israel is repeatedly emphasized throughout the Pentateuch. God did not speak directly to all of Israel for every law; rather, He established Moses as the sole conduit for His divine pronouncements to the entire nation at Sinai. This ensures the unity and divine authority of the law.
• saying, (לֵאמֹר, leʾmor): This is an infinitive construct meaning "to say" or "as follows." It functions to introduce the direct discourse, indicating that what follows are the precise words or instructions given by God to Moses. This is a common and crucial idiomatic expression in biblical Hebrew to signify verbatim divine utterance. Its inclusion further reinforces the directness and accuracy of the transmission of God's word.

Word Group Analysis:

• "And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,": This entire phrase is a highly significant and recurrent divine formula found throughout the Pentateuch (Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers). Its consistent repetition serves several critical theological and literary purposes:
  1. Divine Authority: It unequivocally stamps the subsequent content as originating directly from God. This means the laws are not human wisdom or tradition but divine imperative, carrying absolute authority and requiring absolute obedience.
  2. Moses' Legitimacy: It repeatedly validates Moses' unique prophetic and mediatorial role. He is not merely compiling laws; he is the divinely appointed recipient and transmitter of God's covenant commands. This establishes his legitimacy before the people.
  3. Revelation Nature: It highlights the nature of God's communication with His people—direct, personal, and intentional. God is not silent or distant; He actively speaks, revealing His will and character to those He has chosen.
  4. Covenant Foundation: For Israel, this phrase reminded them that their very national existence, their laws, and their way of life were rooted in the direct command of Yahweh, distinguishing them from other nations whose laws came from human rulers or mythological deities.

Leviticus 27 1 Bonus section

The positioning of Leviticus 27:1 and the subsequent laws on vows after Chapter 26 (blessings and curses) might seem unusual, as if it's an afterthought. However, its inclusion with this authoritative opening suggests it's a vital, divinely ordained aspect of Israel's holy living. Vows represent a person's voluntary initiative in dedicating themselves, their property, or their time to God, going beyond the basic requirements of the Law. Therefore, specific regulations were necessary to ensure these spontaneous acts of devotion were managed in a holy and orderly way, aligning with God's will and avoiding abuse or rash promises (Eccl 5:4-5). The presence of the leʾmor (saying) further ensures the meticulous capture and transmission of God's exact intentions for these potentially complex situations involving redemption, valuation, and integrity of promise-keeping.

Leviticus 27 1 Commentary

Leviticus 27:1, a concise yet profoundly significant verse, functions as a direct divine address that grounds the entire ensuing chapter in absolute divine authority. The formula "And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying" is the bedrock of Israel's covenant with Yahweh, constantly reminding the original audience—and subsequent readers—that the laws are not of human origin. It sets the tone for understanding that all stipulations regarding vows, dedications, and redemption values are direct instructions from the Creator God, not mere religious customs. The use of "the LORD" (Yahweh) emphasizes the personal, relational God who speaks into existence and governs His covenant people. Moses, though a human, is presented as the divinely chosen conduit, underlining the principle that God works through chosen instruments. This preamble instills gravity into the commands that follow, particularly those concerning vows, which are voluntary but, once made, are binding. It implicitly warns against treating vows lightly, as they are commitments made before and to the very God who speaks authoritatively and consistently. In the Christian tradition, this authoritative divine speech foreshadows God's ultimate revelation in Christ, the Living Word, yet it retains enduring principles about God's command and human accountability.