Leviticus 6:1 kjv
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Leviticus 6:1 nkjv
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying:
Leviticus 6:1 niv
The LORD said to Moses:
Leviticus 6:1 esv
The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Leviticus 6:1 nlt
Then the LORD said to Moses,
Leviticus 6 1 Cross References
Verse | Text | Reference |
---|---|---|
Exod 19:3 | "Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying..." | God's direct call and instruction to Moses. |
Exod 25:1 | "The LORD said to Moses," | Similar divine communication formula. |
Num 7:1 | "The LORD spoke to Moses," | Identical formula introducing commands. |
Deut 4:10 | "Remember the day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb... the LORD said to me, ‘Gather the people..." | God's direct speech at Sinai/Horeb to Moses. |
Deut 18:18 | "I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers." | Prophecy of a future mediator like Moses. |
Psa 33:9 | "For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm." | God's authoritative, creating word. |
Isa 55:11 | "so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty." | God's word is effective and accomplishes purpose. |
Jer 1:9 | "Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me..." | God directly putting His words into His prophets. |
Zech 1:3 | "Therefore tell them, 'This is what the LORD Almighty says..." | Emphasizes God's explicit declaration. |
Matt 5:17 | "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets..." | Jesus affirming the divine origin of the Law. |
John 1:1 | "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." | Ultimate embodiment of God's Word in Christ. |
John 1:18 | "No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son... has made him known." | Jesus revealing God, fulfilling divine revelation. |
Acts 7:38 | "He was in the assembly in the wilderness, with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers; he received living words..." | Stephen highlighting Moses as receiver of living words. |
Rom 3:2 | "...to them were committed the oracles of God." | Israel's privilege in receiving divine utterances. |
Gal 3:19 | "It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator." | Moses' role as mediator of the Law. |
1 Tim 3:16 | "All Scripture is God-breathed..." | Scripture's divine origin, including Leviticus. |
Heb 1:1-2 | "In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets... in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son..." | Continuity and climax of divine revelation. |
Heb 2:2 | "For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable..." | Reinforces the authority of God's communicated word. |
2 Pet 1:21 | "For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." | Divine inspiration behind prophetic words. |
Rev 1:1 | "The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants..." | God's ongoing revelation through Jesus. |
Leviticus 6 verses
Leviticus 6 1 Meaning
Leviticus 6:1 serves as a common divine address formula, marking the beginning of a new section of God's commands and instructions. It declares that the holy, covenant God (YHWH) directly communicated with Moses, signifying that the subsequent laws concerning the offerings, particularly the restitution for trespasses and further details for the priests, originated unequivocally from divine authority. This establishes the immutable truth and necessity of obedience to the forthcoming regulations for the people of Israel.
Leviticus 6 1 Context
Leviticus 6:1 initiates a new segment of cultic laws that specify the proper procedures for presenting offerings, particularly from the priestly perspective. Chapter 5 concludes with rules concerning the sin offering and trespass offering for specific unintentional sins by individuals. Leviticus 6:1, by repeating the "And the LORD spoke to Moses" formula, introduces detailed instructions primarily directed towards the priests (Aaronic priesthood) regarding the administration and handling of these sacrifices. This section (Lev 6:1–7:38) shifts focus from the sinner's perspective to the priest's duties, including how to handle the burnt offering, grain offering, sin offering, trespass offering, and peace offering, as well as regulations concerning the priests' portions and consumption of sacrificial food. The historical context places this as part of God's detailed revelation for establishing a holy people, set apart to worship Him correctly and live in His presence within the tabernacle system, post-Exodus.
Leviticus 6 1 Word analysis
- And (וַיְדַבֵּר -
wa
): A common Hebrew conjunctive "and," connecting this command to the previous chapter and ongoing divine revelation. It indicates continuity of instruction. - the LORD (יְהוָה -
YHWH
): The personal, covenant name of God, frequently translated as "LORD" (in all caps) in English Bibles. It emphasizes God's self-existence, eternal nature, and faithful relationship with Israel, distinguishing Him from pagan deities. This name carries immense authority and signifies a divine personal interaction with Moses and His people. - spoke (וַיְדַבֵּר -
way·ḏab·bêr
): From the Hebrew root דָּבַר (dabar
), meaning "to speak, to declare, to command." The form is a Piel imperfect (with Vav-consecutive), highlighting an intense or decisive action, emphasizing that God's communication was clear, authoritative, and direct, not an ambiguous or indirect message. It denotes a purposeful, verbal address. - to Moses (אֶל-מֹשֶׁה -
ʾel-mōšeh
): Specifies Moses as the singular human recipient and mediator of God's word to Israel. This underscores his unique role in conveying divine law and covenant instructions. Moses' leadership is divinely appointed and his authority derived directly from God's speech to him. - saying (לֵּאמֹר -
lēʾmōr
): From the Hebrew root אָמַר (amar
), "to say, to tell." It often introduces direct speech or a verbatim quote, ensuring that the following words are precisely what God intends to convey. This validates the subsequent detailed regulations as being God's very words, carrying divine weight and demanding precise adherence.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "And the LORD spoke": This phrase marks a direct divine initiation of revelation. It highlights God's active involvement in establishing Israel's worship and ethical life. The use of YHWH emphasizes the covenant relationship and the absolute authority of the speaker. It stands in stark contrast to the pagan beliefs where deities were distant or communicated ambiguously.
- "to Moses, saying": This identifies the specific mediator and confirms that the subsequent text is a direct divine message intended for human promulgation. It assures the Israelites of the divine source and authenticity of the commands received, removing any doubt about their obligation to obey. This mediation setup is central to the Sinai covenant.
Leviticus 6 1 Bonus section
- This verse serves as a literary bridge within Leviticus, shifting from general sacrificial principles and types of offerings to specific priestly duties concerning those sacrifices. It re-establishes divine authorization for the next set of regulations, reinforcing their sanctity.
- The phrase "And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying" (or similar variations) appears over 70 times in Leviticus alone, serving as a powerful, rhythmic marker of divine communication and the ultimate source of Israel's laws. This repetitive formula ingrains the truth of God's active involvement and verbal instruction into the fabric of Israelite life and law.
- The emphasis on precise, verbal communication contrasts sharply with ancient Near Eastern divination practices or vague oracles from pagan deities, presenting YHWH as a God who clearly and directly reveals His will and truth.
- This verse underscores the role of Moses as the unique human instrument through whom God communicates His covenant stipulations. It implicitly sets up Moses' words as God's own, demanding respect and obedience.
- From a theological perspective, this opening statement reinforces the concept of revealed religion, where humanity does not discover God's way on its own but receives it as a gift from God.
Leviticus 6 1 Commentary
Leviticus 6:1, though brief, is profoundly significant as a programmatic statement introducing God's legislative authority for Israel. It signifies that the precise cultic instructions to follow are not human inventions or mere traditions but emanate directly from YHWH, the covenant-keeping God. The consistent reiteration of "And the LORD spoke to Moses" throughout the Pentateuch authenticates the entire Law as divinely revealed, underscoring God's meticulous care for His people's worship and moral conduct. This declaration of divine speech establishes the non-negotiable nature of the coming commands, emphasizing that faithful obedience to God's precise word is paramount for maintaining fellowship with a holy God. It demonstrates God's initiative in guiding His people into a life of holiness, which is unattainable without His specific and detailed instructions regarding atonement and righteous living.