Leviticus 8 5

Leviticus 8:5 kjv

And Moses said unto the congregation, This is the thing which the LORD commanded to be done.

Leviticus 8:5 nkjv

And Moses said to the congregation, "This is what the LORD commanded to be done."

Leviticus 8:5 niv

Moses said to the assembly, "This is what the LORD has commanded to be done."

Leviticus 8:5 esv

And Moses said to the congregation, "This is the thing that the LORD has commanded to be done."

Leviticus 8:5 nlt

Moses announced to them, "This is what the LORD has commanded us to do!"

Leviticus 8 verses

Leviticus 8 5 Meaning

Moses addresses the whole congregation of Israel, explicitly stating that the upcoming actions concerning the ordination of Aaron and his sons into the priesthood are not of human origin or design, but are direct, precise, and mandatory commands from Yahweh, the Lord. This declaration establishes the divine authority behind the entire elaborate seven-day consecration process.

Leviticus 8 5 Context

Leviticus 8 begins the detailed account of the ordination ceremony for Aaron and his sons as priests, as initially prescribed by God in Exodus 29. Verse 5 sets the stage by affirming that the entire process about to unfold is not a human invention but a direct divine mandate. Moses, as God’s appointed mediator and prophet, addresses "the congregation," emphasizing the public nature and binding authority of this sacred rite. This establishment of a divinely ordered priesthood was crucial for Israel, a newly formed nation at Sinai, to approach a holy God. Historically, this differentiated Israel's priestly system from contemporary pagan religions, which often had cultic practices and priests rooted in human traditions or mythical origins rather than explicit divine instruction. The chapter details the careful washing, anointing, sacrificing, and dressing of the priests over seven days, all performed "as the LORD commanded," continually validating the process through divine command, serving as a subtle polemic against any notion of arbitrary, self-appointed, or man-made worship.

Leviticus 8 5 Word analysis

• And Moses said (וַיֹּאמֶר מֹשֶׁה – wayyo'mer Mosheh): This phrase emphasizes Moses' authoritative role as God's designated messenger and prophet. He is the one through whom divine commands are typically conveyed to Israel. His address to the "congregation" underscores the public nature of the divine pronouncement, implying its communal significance and universal binding nature for Israel.
• to the congregation (אֶל־הָעֵדָה – 'el ha-edah): Refers to the whole assembled community of Israel. This signifies that the establishment of the priesthood and the details of their ordination are matters of national importance, known and witnessed by the people. It's not a secret or elite rite, but one made known to all who would rely on these priests for mediation with God. The term 'edah (congregation) is a formal designation for the community of Israel.
• 'This is what (זֶה הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר – zeh ha-davar asher): Literally "This is the word/thing which." This declarative phrase points forward to the precise actions and rituals that are about to be performed. It emphasizes that what follows is not general advice but a specific "thing" or "matter" (davar) that holds definitive authority, ensuring no misinterpretation of its divine origin.
• the Lord (יְהוָה – YHWH): The personal, covenant name of God, Yahweh. Its use here highlights that the command comes from Israel's personal God who entered into covenant with them. This is not from a generic deity, but from the God who liberated them from Egypt and brought them to Sinai. It signifies His authority, fidelity, and sovereign will over His chosen people and their worship.
• commanded (צִוָּה – tsivah): From the verb tsavah (צָוָה), meaning "to command," "appoint," "ordain," "charge." This is a strong verb indicating an authoritative decree, a binding imperative that requires strict and precise adherence. It leaves no room for human discretion, innovation, or modification in the performance of the specified actions.
• to be done (לַעֲשׂוֹת – la'asot): An infinitive construct from 'asah (עָשָׂה), meaning "to do," "make," "perform," "accomplish." It stresses the requirement for the command to be put into immediate and precise action. It's not merely a theoretical statement but a practical mandate that must be carried out, emphasizing the ritual performance that follows in the rest of the chapter.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• And Moses said to the congregation: This entire phrase highlights the formal, public, and divinely commissioned communication of sacred instructions. It reinforces Moses' role as the exclusive channel for God's directives at this pivotal moment in Israel's history. The whole nation is brought into full knowledge of the upcoming sacred procedures, promoting accountability and collective understanding.
• 'This is what the Lord commanded to be done': This constitutes a solemn, unequivocal declaration of divine origin and mandate. The specific formulation, "This is what... commanded to be done," serves as a recurring legislative formula in the Pentateuch, especially in Leviticus and Exodus regarding the Tabernacle and priestly service. It underscores that every subsequent detail of the ordination ceremony is not based on human wisdom or custom but is directly ordered by Yahweh for the specific purpose of establishing His unique way for people to approach His holiness.

Leviticus 8 5 Bonus section

The phrase "as the LORD commanded" or "what the LORD commanded" is a hallmark of the Books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers, especially concerning the construction of the Tabernacle and the institution of the priesthood and sacrifices. Its constant repetition, occurring multiple times in Leviticus 8 (e.g., vv. 9, 13, 17, 21, 29, 36), serves as an absolute authentication seal, demonstrating that every single step of the priestly ordination and subsequent service adhered strictly to God's precise blueprint. This reiteration serves to counter any idea of deviation or personal initiative in divine service, strongly linking the efficacy and holiness of the ritual directly to God's decree. The fatal outcome for Nadab and Abihu later in Leviticus (Chapter 10) for offering "unauthorized fire" (i.e., not what the Lord commanded) profoundly reinforces the absolute necessity of precise obedience to these divine mandates for priestly conduct.

Leviticus 8 5 Commentary

Leviticus 8:5 serves as the foundational declaration of divine authority for the ordination of the Aaronic priesthood. It establishes unequivocally that the elaborate rituals and requirements for service are not human innovations, but are derived directly from Yahweh. Moses’ public proclamation to the congregation highlights the sacred, binding, and publicly known nature of God's commands regarding worship and mediation. This emphasis on divine command assures the efficacy and validity of the priestly service while simultaneously preempting any future attempts at human-invented worship. For believers, this principle underscores that true worship and ministry must always align with God's revealed will, not human preferences, symbolizing that our access to God and our service to Him are established by His design, prefigured by the perfect obedience of Christ, our great High Priest.