Leviticus 1
A plain-spoken deep dive on the whole chapter. Read the chapter →
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
And the Lord called unto Moses - From the manner in which this book commences, it appears plainly to be a continuation or the preceding; and indeed the whole is but one law, though divided into five portions, and why thus divided is not easy to be conjectured. Previously to the erection of the tabernacle God had given no particular directions concerning the manner of offering the different kinds of sacrifices; but as soon as this Divine structure was established and consecrated, Jehovah took it as his dwelling place; described the rites and ceremonies which he would have observed in his worship, that his people might know what was best pleasing in his sight; and that, when thus worshipping him, they might have confidence that they pleased him, every thing being done according to his own directions. A consciousness of acting according to the revealed will of God gives strong confidence to an upright mind.
Open source ↗BURNT OFFERINGS OF THE HERD. (Lev. 1:1-17) the Lord . . . spake . . . out of the tabernacle--The laws that are contained in the previous record were delivered either to the people publicly from Sinai, or to Moses privately, on the summit of that mountain; but on the completion of the tabernacle, the remainder of the law was announced to the Hebrew leader by an audible voice from the divine glory, which surmounted the mercy seat.
Open source ↗. Leviticus 1:1 lev 1:1 lev 1:1 lev 1:1And the Lord called unto Moses,.... Or "met him", as the phrase is rendered in Num 23:4. The word translated "called", the last letter of it is written in a very small character, to show, as the Jews (b) say, that he met him accidentally, and unawares to Moses: other mysteries they observe in it, as that it respects the modesty of Moses, who lessened himself, and got out of the way, that he might not have the government laid upon him, and therefore the Lord called him; or to denote the wonderful condescension of the Lord, whose throne is in heaven, and yet vouchsafed to dwell in the tabernacle, out of which he called to Moses, and from Mount Sinai, and out of the cloud (c). The word "Lord" is not in this clause, but the following, from whence it is supplied by our translators, as it is in the Syriac version, and as the word "God" is in the Arabic version; the two Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem paraphrase it,"the Word of the Lord called to Moses,''by an articulate voice, though it may be it was a still small one; and which some think is the reason of the smallness of the letter before mentioned; and Aben Ezra says that Moses heard it, but all Israel did not hear: and spoke unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation; from off the mercy seat, between the cherubim over the ark, where the glory of the Lord, or the divine Shechinah and Majesty took up its residence, and from whence the Lord promised to commune with Moses, Exo 25:22, saying; what follows concerning sacrifices; which shows, that these were not human inventions, but of divine institution, and by the appointment of God. (b) Vid. Buxtorf. Tiberias, c. 15. p. 39. (c) R. Abraham Seba, Tzeror Hammor, fol. 92. 1. 2.
Open source ↗The Burnt-Offering. - Lev 1:2. "If any one of you present an offering to Jehovah of cattle, ye shall present your offering from the herd and from the flock." קרבּן (Corban, from הקריב to cause to draw near, to bring near, or present, an offering) is applied not only to the sacrifices, which were burned either in whole or in part upon the altar (Lev 7:38; Num 18:9; Num 28:2, etc.), but to the first-fruits (Lev 2:12), and dedicatory offerings, which were presented to the Lord for His sanctuary and His service without being laid upon the altar (Num 7:3, Num 7:10., Num 31:50). The word is only used in Leviticus and Numbers, and two passages in Ezekiel (Eze 20:28; Eze 40:43), where it is taken from the books of Moses, and is invariably rendered δῶρον in the lxx (cf. Mar 7:11 "Corban, that is to say a gift"). הבּהמה מן (from the cattle) belongs to the first clause, though it is separated from it by the Athnach; and the apodosis begins with הבּקר מן (from the herd). The actual antithesis to "the cattle" is "the fowl" in Lev 1:14; though grammatically the latter is connected with Lev 1:10, rather than Lev 1:2. The fowls (pigeons) cannot be included in the behemah, for this is used to denote, not domesticated animals generally, but the larger domesticated quadrupeds, or tame cattle (cf. Gen 1:25).
Open source ↗Observe here, 1. It is taken for granted that people would be inclined to bring offerings to the Lord. The very light of nature directs man, some way or other, to do honour to his Maker, and pay him homage as his Lord. Revealed religion supposes natural religion to be an ancient and early institution, since the fall had directed men to glorify God by sacrifice, which was an implicit acknowledgment of their having received all from God as creatures, and their having forfeited all to him as sinners. A conscience thoroughly convinced of dependence and guilt would be willing to come before God with thousands of rams, Mic 6:6, Mic 6:7. 2. Provision is made that men should not indulge their own fancies, nor become vain in their imaginations and inventions about their sacrifices, lest, while they pretended to honour God, they should really dishonour him, and do that which was unworthy of him. Every thing therefore is directed to be done with due decorum, by a certain rule, and so as that the sacrifices might be most significant both of the great sacrifice of atonement which Christ was to offer in the fulness of time and of the spiritual sacrifices of acknowledgment which believers should offer daily. 3. God gave those laws to Israel by Moses; nothing is more frequently repeated than this, The Lord spoke unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel. God could have spoken it to the children of Israel himself, as he did the ten commandments; but he chose to deliver it to them by Moses, because they had desired he would no more speak to them himself, and he had designed that Moses should, above all the prophets, be a type of Christ, by whom God would in these last days speak to us, Heb 1:2. By other prophets God sent messages to his people, but by Moses he gave them laws;…
Open source ↗1:1–7:38 The first major section of Leviticus deals with the institution of the sacrificial system and the priesthood. The sacrifices were either for atonement (the whole burnt offering, sin offering, and guilt offering) or for worship (grain offering and peace offering). Each one taught theology through a hands-on approach. Priests were required to officiate in the sacrificial worship at the Tabernacle, to instruct God’s people in the revelation given to Moses at Sinai, and to represent the people before God, such as on the Day of Atonement (ch 16). Priests were provided for by receiving a portion of the offerings. 1:1 The Lord called to Moses from the Tabernacle: Leviticus is part of the ongoing narrative of the Pentateuch (Gen 1:1—Deut 34:12). It is part of the history of God’s saving acts: God chose Israel to be his people, delivered them from slavery in Egypt, entered into a covenant relationship with them, and guided them through the desert to the Promised Land. Specifically, Leviticus picks up with events recorded in Exod 40:34-38, when construction of the Tabernacle is completed. It has been dedicated, and the Lord has filled it with his glory. Now the Lord gives Moses instructions for conducting worship at the Tabernacle. • The Tabernacle (literally Tent of Meeting; see study note on Exod 27:21) was an earthly representation of God’s palace. Inside the Most Holy Place, the Ark of the Covenant represented God’s throne (Exod 40:1-33). The Lord’s glory resided between the outstretched wings of the cherubim. There he would meet with Israel to communicate his will to them (see Exod 25:22).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance) מוֹעֵד (môwʻêd, H4150) — properly, an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival;… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude)
Open source ↗דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose קׇרְבָּן (qorbân, H7133) — something brought near the altar, i.e. a sacrificial present יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God בְּהֵמָה (bᵉhêmâh, H929) — properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective) בָּקָר (bâqâr, H1241) — beef cattle or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing);… צֹאן (tsôʼn, H6629) — a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
Open source ↗קׇרְבָּן (qorbân, H7133) — something brought near the altar, i.e. a sacrificial present עֹלָה (ʻôlâh, H5930) — a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke) בָּקָר (bâqâr, H1241) — beef cattle or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing);… קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose זָכָר (zâkâr, H2145) — properly, remembered, i.e. a male (of man or animals, as being the most noteworthy sex) תָּמִים (tâmîym, H8549) — entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth רָצוֹן (râtsôwn, H7522) — delight (especially as shown) פֶּתַח (pethach, H6607) — an opening (literally), i.e. door (gate) or entrance way אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance) מוֹעֵד (môwʻêd, H4150) — properly, an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival;… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗סָמַךְ (çâmak, H5564) — to prop (literally or figuratively); reflexively, to lean upon or take hold of (in a… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… עֹלָה (ʻôlâh, H5930) — a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke) רָצָה (râtsâh, H7521) — to be pleased with; specifically, to satisfy adebt כָּפַר (kâphar, H3722) — to cover (specifically with bitumen); figuratively, to expiate or condone, to placate or…
Open source ↗שָׁחַט (shâchaṭ, H7819) — to slaughter (in sacrifice or massacre) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… בָּקָר (bâqâr, H1241) — beef cattle or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing);… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… אַהֲרוֹן (ʼAhărôwn, H175) — Aharon, the brother of Moses קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose דָּם (dâm, H1818) — blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice… זָרַק (zâraq, H2236) — to sprinkle (fluid or solid particles) סָבִיב (çâbîyb, H5439) — (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without… מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar פֶּתַח (pethach, H6607) — an opening (literally), i.e. door (gate) or entrance way אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
Open source ↗פָּשַׁט (pâshaṭ, H6584) — to spread out (i.e. deploy in hostile array); by analogy, to strip (i.e. unclothe,… עֹלָה (ʻôlâh, H5930) — a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke) נָתַח (nâthach, H5408) — to dismember נֵתַח (nêthach, H5409) — a fragment
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אַהֲרוֹן (ʼAhărôwn, H175) — Aharon, the brother of Moses כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively) מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks) עָרַךְ (ʻârak, H6186) — to set in a row, i.e. arrange, put in order (in a very wide variety of applications)
Open source ↗כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… אַהֲרוֹן (ʼAhărôwn, H175) — Aharon, the brother of Moses בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… עָרַךְ (ʻârak, H6186) — to set in a row, i.e. arrange, put in order (in a very wide variety of applications) נֵתַח (nêthach, H5409) — a fragment רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… פֶּדֶר (peder, H6309) — suet עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks) אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively) מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar
Open source ↗קֶרֶב (qereb, H7130) — properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial… כָּרָע (kârâʻ, H3767) — the leg (from the knee to the ankle) of men or locusts (only in the dual) רָחַץ (râchats, H7364) — to lave (the whole or a part of a thing) מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… קָטַר (qâṭar, H6999) — to smoke, i.e. turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship) מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar עֹלָה (ʻôlâh, H5930) — a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke) אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H801) — properly, a burnt-offering; but occasionally of any sacrifice נִיחוֹחַ (nîychôwach, H5207) — properly, restful, i.e. pleasant; abstractly, delight רֵיחַ (rêyach, H7381) — odor (as if blown) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗קׇרְבָּן (qorbân, H7133) — something brought near the altar, i.e. a sacrificial present צֹאן (tsôʼn, H6629) — a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men) כֶּשֶׂב (keseb, H3775) — a young sheep עֵז (ʻêz, H5795) — a she-goat (as strong), but masculine in plural (which also is used elliptically for… עֹלָה (ʻôlâh, H5930) — a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke) קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose זָכָר (zâkâr, H2145) — properly, remembered, i.e. a male (of man or animals, as being the most noteworthy sex) תָּמִים (tâmîym, H8549) — entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth
Open source ↗שָׁחַט (shâchaṭ, H7819) — to slaughter (in sacrifice or massacre) יָרֵךְ (yârêk, H3409) — the thigh (from its fleshy softness); by euphemistically the generative parts;… מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar צָפוֹן (tsâphôwn, H6828) — properly, hidden, i.e. dark; used only of the north as aquarter (gloomy and unknown) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… אַהֲרוֹן (ʼAhărôwn, H175) — Aharon, the brother of Moses בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… זָרַק (zâraq, H2236) — to sprinkle (fluid or solid particles) דָּם (dâm, H1818) — blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice… סָבִיב (çâbîyb, H5439) — (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without…
Open source ↗נָתַח (nâthach, H5408) — to dismember נֵתַח (nêthach, H5409) — a fragment רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… פֶּדֶר (peder, H6309) — suet כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… עָרַךְ (ʻârak, H6186) — to set in a row, i.e. arrange, put in order (in a very wide variety of applications) עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks) אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively) מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar
Open source ↗רָחַץ (râchats, H7364) — to lave (the whole or a part of a thing) קֶרֶב (qereb, H7130) — properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial… כָּרָע (kârâʻ, H3767) — the leg (from the knee to the ankle) of men or locusts (only in the dual) מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose קָטַר (qâṭar, H6999) — to smoke, i.e. turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship) מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar עֹלָה (ʻôlâh, H5930) — a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke) אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H801) — properly, a burnt-offering; but occasionally of any sacrifice נִיחוֹחַ (nîychôwach, H5207) — properly, restful, i.e. pleasant; abstractly, delight רֵיחַ (rêyach, H7381) — odor (as if blown) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗עֹלָה (ʻôlâh, H5930) — a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke) קׇרְבָּן (qorbân, H7133) — something brought near the altar, i.e. a sacrificial present יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עוֹף (ʻôwph, H5775) — a bird (as covered with feathers, or rather as covering with wings), often collectively קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose תּוֹר (tôwr, H8449) — a ring-dove, often (figuratively) as a term of endearment בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יוֹנָה (yôwnâh, H3123) — a dove (apparently from the warmth of their mating)
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, “This is what you are to tell the house of Jacob and explain to the sons of Israel:
And I will meet with you there above the mercy seat, between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the Testimony; I will speak with you about all that I command you regarding the Israelites.
For the generations to come, this burnt offering shall be made regularly at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting before the LORD, where I will meet you to speak with you.
When Moses entered the Tent of Meeting to speak with the LORD, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the mercy seat on the ark of the Testimony. Thus the LORD spoke to him.
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it at a distance outside the camp. He called it the Tent of Meeting, and anyone inquiring of the LORD would go to the Tent of Meeting outside the camp.
So all the work for the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, was completed. The Israelites did everything just as the LORD had commanded Moses.
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Come up to Me on the mountain and stay here, so that I may give you the tablets of stone, with the law and commandments I have written for their instruction.”