Leviticus 17
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
The people are commanded to bring all the cattle they intend to kill to the door of the tabernacle, where they are to be made an offering to the Lord; and those who disobey are to be cut off, Lev 17:1-5. The priest is to sprinkle the blood, Lev 17:6. They are forbidden to offer sacrifices to devils, Lev 17:7. The injunction to bring their offerings to the door of the tabernacle is repeated, Lev 17:8, Lev 17:9. The eating of blood is solemnly forbidden, Lev 17:10. It is the life of the beast, and is given to make an atonement for their souls, Lev 17:11, Lev 17:12. If a bird or beast be taken in hunting, its blood must be poured out and covered with dust, for the reasons before assigned, Lev 17:13, Lev 17:14. None shall eat an animal that dies of itself, or is torn by beasts; if any act otherwise he must bathe his clothes and his flesh, or bear his iniquity, Lev 17:15, Lev 17:16.
Open source ↗BLOOD OF BEASTS MUST BE OFFERED AT THE TABERNACLE DOOR. (Lev. 17:1-16) What man . . . killeth an ox--The Israelites, like other people living in the desert, would not make much use of animal food; and when they did kill a lamb or a kid for food, it would almost always be, as in Abraham's entertainment of the angels [Gen 18:7], an occasion of a feast, to be eaten in company. This was what was done with the peace offerings, and accordingly it is here enacted, that the same course shall be followed in slaughtering the animals as in the case of those offerings, namely, that they should be killed publicly, and after being devoted to God, partaken of by the offerers. This law, it is obvious, could only be observable in the wilderness while the people were encamped within an accessible distance from the tabernacle. The reason for it is to be found in the strong addictedness of the Israelites to idolatry at the time of their departure from Egypt; and as it would have been easy for any by killing an animal to sacrifice privately to a favorite object of worship, a strict prohibition was made against their slaughtering at home. (See on Deu 12:15).
Open source ↗And the Lord spake unto Moses,.... After he had given him the law about the day of atonement, and the rites belonging to it: saying; as follows.
Open source ↗The directions are given to "Aaron and his sons, and all the children of Israel," because they were not only binding upon the nation generally, but upon the priesthood also; whereas the instructions in ch. 18-20 are addressed to "the children of Israel," or "the whole congregation" (Lev 18:2; Lev 19:2; Lev 20:2), just as special laws are laid down for the priests in ch. 20 and 21 with reference to the circumstances mentioned there.
Open source ↗This statute obliged all the people of Israel to bring all their sacrifices to God's altar, to be offered there. And as to this matter we must consider, I. How it stood before. 1. It was allowed to all people to build altars, and offer sacrifices to God, where they pleased. Wherever Abraham had a tent he built an altar, and every master of a family was a priest to his own family, as Job 1:5. 2. This liberty had been an occasion of idolatry. When every man was his own priest, and had an altar of his own, by degrees, as they became vain in their imaginations, they invented gods of their own, and offered their sacrifices unto demons, Lev 17:7. The word signifies rough or hairy goats, because it is probable that in the shape the evil spirits often appeared to them, to invite their sacrifices and to signify their acceptance of them. For the devil, ever since he became a revolter from God and a rebel against him, has set up for a rival with him, and coveted to have divine honours paid him: he had the impudence to solicit our blessed Saviour to fall down and worship him. The Israelites themselves had learned in Egypt to sacrifice to demons. And some of them, it should seem, practised it even since the God of Israel had so gloriously appeared for them, and with them. They are said to go a whoring after these demons; for it was such a breach of their covenant with God as adultery is of the marriage covenant: and they were as strongly addicted to their idolatrous worships, and as hard to be reclaimed from them, as those that have given themselves over to fornication, to work all uncleanness with greediness; and therefore it is with reference to this that God calls himself a jealous God. II. How this law settled it. 1. Some think that the children of Israel were by this law forbid…
Open source ↗17:1–26:46 This section deals with how the community of Israel was to observe holiness. Holiness does not describe one attribute of God among many. Rather, it is the sum of all attributes of his person, nature, and character (see study note on Exod 3:5). His “glory” is the manifestation of his perfect person, nature, and character (see Lev 9:6). God’s covenant with Israel meant that the people and the nation participated in God’s holiness. This holiness depended on Israel’s relationship with God. This relationship brought certain ethical and ritual expectations for Israel to uphold.
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 דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver 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… 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… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin
Open source ↗אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity שָׁחַט (shâchaṭ, H7819) — to slaughter (in sacrifice or massacre) שׁוֹר (shôwr, H7794) — a bullock (as a traveller) כֶּשֶׂב (keseb, H3775) — a young sheep עֵז (ʻêz, H5795) — a she-goat (as strong), but masculine in plural (which also is used elliptically for… מַחֲנֶה (machăneh, H4264) — an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or… חוּץ (chûwts, H2351) — properly, separate by awall, i.e. outside, outdoors
Open source ↗בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) 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;… 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 פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… מִשְׁכָּן (mishkân, H4908) — a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave;… דָּם (dâm, H1818) — blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice… חָשַׁב (châshab, H2803) — properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e. (literally) to weave or (generally) to… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… שָׁפַךְ (shâphak, H8210) — to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e. to mound up); also… כָּרַת (kârath, H3772) — to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to…
Open source ↗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 בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) זֶבַח (zebach, H2077) — properly, a slaughter, i.e. the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the… זָבַח (zâbach, H2076) — to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… שָׂדֶה (sâdeh, H7704) — a field (as flat) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God 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;… כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… שֶׁלֶם (shelem, H8002) — properly, requital, i.e. a (voluntary) sacrifice in thanks
Open source ↗כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… 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… מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God 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;… קָטַר (qâṭar, H6999) — to smoke, i.e. turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship) חֶלֶב (cheleb, H2459) — fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part נִיחוֹחַ (nîychôwach, H5207) — properly, restful, i.e. pleasant; abstractly, delight רֵיחַ (rêyach, H7381) — odor (as if blown)
Open source ↗זָבַח (zâbach, H2076) — to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice) זֶבַח (zebach, H2077) — properly, a slaughter, i.e. the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the… שָׂעִיר (sâʻîyr, H8163) — shaggy; as noun, a he-goat; by analogy, a faun אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… זָנָה (zânâh, H2181) — to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely… חֻקָּה (chuqqâh, H2708) — {an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)} עוֹלָם (ʻôwlâm, H5769) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or… דּוֹר (dôwr, H1755) — properly, a revolution of time, i.e. an age or generation; also a dwelling
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity גֵּר (gêr, H1616) — properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner גּוּר (gûwr, H1481) — properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e. sojourn… תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… עֹלָה (ʻôlâh, H5930) — a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke) זֶבַח (zebach, H2077) — properly, a slaughter, i.e. the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the…
Open source ↗בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) 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;… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… כָּרַת (kârath, H3772) — to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence…
Open source ↗אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity גֵּר (gêr, H1616) — properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner גּוּר (gûwr, H1481) — properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e. sojourn… תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) דָּם (dâm, H1818) — blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… כָּרַת (kârath, H3772) — to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to… קֶרֶב (qereb, H7130) — properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence…
Open source ↗נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… בָּשָׂר (bâsâr, H1320) — flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the… דָּם (dâm, H1818) — blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar כָּפַר (kâphar, H3722) — to cover (specifically with bitumen); figuratively, to expiate or condone, to placate or…
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) 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 נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) דָּם (dâm, H1818) — blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice… גֵּר (gêr, H1616) — properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner גּוּר (gûwr, H1481) — properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e. sojourn… תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre
Open source ↗אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… 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 גֵּר (gêr, H1616) — properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner גּוּר (gûwr, H1481) — properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e. sojourn… תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre צוּד (tsûwd, H6679) — to lie alongside (i.e. in wait); by implication, to catch an animal (figuratively, men);… צַיִד (tsayid, H6718) — the chase; also game (thus taken); (generally) lunch (especially for a journey) חַי (chay, H2416) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially… עוֹף (ʻôwph, H5775) — a bird (as covered with feathers, or rather as covering with wings), often collectively אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) שָׁפַךְ (shâphak, H8210) — to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e. to mound up); also… דָּם (dâm, H1818) — blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice… כָּסָה (kâçâh, H3680) — properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or…
Open source ↗נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… בָּשָׂר (bâsâr, H1320) — flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the… דָּם (dâm, H1818) — blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) 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 אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) כָּרַת (kârath, H3772) — to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to…
Open source ↗