Leviticus 5 14

Leviticus 5:14 kjv

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Leviticus 5:14 nkjv

Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying:

Leviticus 5:14 niv

The LORD said to Moses:

Leviticus 5:14 esv

The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

Leviticus 5:14 nlt

Then the LORD said to Moses,

Leviticus 5 verses

Leviticus 5 14 Meaning

Leviticus 5:14 serves as a divine preamble, introducing a new legal section concerning the "trespass offering" or "guilt offering" (ʾāshām). This verse explicitly states that the subsequent instructions regarding this specific sacrifice originated directly from YHWH, the LORD, communicated authoritatively to Moses. It signifies God's sovereign initiative in revealing to Israel the means by which certain sins—particularly those involving sacrilege against holy things or defrauding a neighbor—could be atoned for and made right through a required offering and monetary restitution, including an additional fifth.

Leviticus 5 14 Context

Leviticus chapter 5 forms part of the detailed legal instructions given by God to Israel through Moses regarding offerings and purification rituals. Preceding verse 14, Leviticus 5:1-13 outlines scenarios requiring a "sin offering" (chattat), focusing on inadvertent sins where one might be unclean, swear falsely, or unknowingly touch an unclean thing. These generally involved atonement without mandatory restitution. Leviticus 5:14 introduces a distinct category: the ʾāshām (guilt or trespass offering). This offering, detailed in 5:15-19 and further in 6:1-7, addresses specific violations involving sacred property (sins "against the holy things of the LORD") or when someone wrongs a neighbor by deception, robbery, or denying a trust. Unlike the simple sin offering, the trespass offering invariably includes mandatory monetary restitution of the wrong amount plus an additional twenty percent (one-fifth), highlighting the need for both atonement for the sin and repair of the damage or defilement. The historical and cultural context underscores that this law provided the Israelites with a precise divine framework for reconciliation with God and restoration within the community after certain specific offenses, maintaining the sanctity of the tabernacle and covenant relations.

Leviticus 5 14 Word analysis

• Then (וַיְדַבֵּ֤ר - vay'dabber): This is a waw-consecutive followed by a Piel imperfect verb. The "waw-consecutive" indicates a sequence in action or narration, connecting this divine utterance to the preceding explanations of sin offerings. The Piel stem (intensive stem) of the verb dabar (to speak, declare) emphasizes deliberate, articulate, and authoritative speech. It signals a formal address, initiating a new and significant set of instructions or declarations.

• the LORD (יְהוָ֣ה - YHWH): This is the tetragrammaton, the ineffable and personal covenant name of God, revealing His self-existent, faithful, and active nature. Its use here reinforces the divine origin and absolute authority of the forthcoming law. It emphasizes that this instruction is not human invention but direct revelation from the covenant-keeping God of Israel. It asserts God's ultimate ownership and holiness, as the offenses covered by the trespass offering are fundamentally "against the holy things of the LORD" (Lev 5:15) or breaches of covenant relationships ultimately against Him.

• spoke (וַיְדַבֵּ֤ר - vay'dabber): This is the same word as "Then...spoke." Its repetition here in effect highlights God's ongoing, direct, and purposeful communication with Moses. The nature of God's speaking in Leviticus is often direct legislation and command, establishing order and purity within the covenant community.

• to Moses (אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֖ה - ʾel-Mosheh): "ʾEl" is a preposition indicating motion towards or direction, "to." Moses is divinely appointed as the mediator and recipient of these laws. This highlights his unique prophetic and priestly-preparatory role as the one chosen by God to receive and transmit His will to the people of Israel, ensuring the authenticity and authority of the commands.

• saying (לֵאמֹֽר׃ - leʼmor): This is an infinitive construct of the verb ʾamar (to say, speak), often translated as "as follows," "to say," or "saying." It acts as a transitional marker, introducing direct speech or an articulated command that immediately follows. It signifies that the content immediately thereafter (the specifics of the ʾāshām offering in Lev 5:15ff) is the precise word and instruction conveyed by the LORD through Moses. It underlines the verbosity and specificity of the divine revelation in Leviticus.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Then the LORD spoke": This is a classic formulaic opening found repeatedly throughout Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers. It consistently signifies a fresh divine revelation, often introducing new legislation, specific instructions for the tabernacle or worship, or responses to Israel's behavior. This formula ensures that all that follows carries absolute divine authority, beyond any human discretion or cultural tradition.
  • "to Moses, saying": This emphasizes Moses' singular role as the primary human instrument through whom God communicates His covenant stipulations to Israel. It highlights the divine source, the mediator, and the subsequent content as explicit, verbal revelation, leaving no room for ambiguity about the origin of these critical sacrificial laws. It reinforces that the sacrificial system, including the ʾāshām (trespass/guilt offering), is entirely of divine initiative and design, not human invention, and thus indispensable for covenant fidelity.

Leviticus 5 14 Bonus section

The formula "Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying" is used 35 times in Leviticus, appearing more frequently than in any other book of the Pentateuch. This repetition emphasizes the meticulous detail and direct divine authorship of the laws, rituals, and principles contained within the book. It underscores that every aspect of the priestly code and sacrificial system—including the very specific requirements for the guilt offering—is rooted in divine revelation, not human innovation. This insistent declaration of divine origin also served a polemic purpose for the original audience: to differentiate the pure, divinely mandated worship practices of Israel from the varied and often debased pagan rites of surrounding nations. The guilt offering itself is distinctive in the ancient Near East for its emphasis on exact quantitative restitution beyond mere atonement, stressing both divine justice and the value of repair within community and for sacred items.

Leviticus 5 14 Commentary

Leviticus 5:14 is a declarative statement introducing God's direct instruction regarding the ʾāshām, the guilt or trespass offering. While short, it sets the stage for a critical aspect of atonement: that divine holiness demands not only expiation for sin but also restitution for specific wrongs. This verse establishes that the ensuing laws, including the mandatory 20% surcharge, are not suggestions but authoritative decrees from YHWH Himself, revealed specifically to Moses. This formula undergirds the entire sacrificial system of Leviticus, portraying God as actively engaged in revealing the paths to reconciliation and holiness for His people. It signifies the commencement of a particular emphasis on making amends for material and sacred defilements, preparing the worshiper not only for forgiveness but for repairing damage done to God’s rights or to the community.