Leviticus 21:24

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And Moses told [it] unto Aaron, and to his sons, and unto all the children of Israel.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Moshe said these things to Aharon, his sons and all the people of Isra'el.

Berean Standard Bible:

Moses told this to Aaron and his sons and to all the Israelites.

American Standard Version:

So Moses spake unto Aaron, and to his sons, and unto all the children of Israel.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And Moses^{H4872} told^{H1696} it unto Aaron^{H175}, and to his sons^{H1121}, and unto all the children^{H1121} of Israel^{H3478}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Leviticus 21:24

Leviticus 21:24 is a verse from the Old Testament that is part of a larger section of laws and regulations given to the Israelites concerning the priesthood. This particular verse serves as a summary statement, indicating that Moses conveyed these instructions to Aaron (the high priest), his sons (the priests), and the entire community of Israel.

**Themes:**
1. **Holiness of the Priesthood:** The preceding verses detail specific physical requirements for priests, emphasizing that only those without blemishes could serve at the altar. This reflects the broader theme of holiness and the necessity for priests, who represent the people before God, to be without physical defect as an outward sign of ritual purity.

2. **Separation and Distinction:** The regulations served to distinguish the priests from the rest of the community, setting them apart for their sacred duties. This separation was both a privilege and a responsibility, as they were to maintain a higher standard of ritual purity.

3. **Divine Authority:** The instructions come directly from God to Moses, who then relays them to Aaron, his sons, and the Israelites. This underscores the theme of divine authority governing the lives of the people, especially in religious and ritual matters.

**Historical Context:**
- **Time Period:** The book of Leviticus is set during the time of the Exodus, after the Israelites had been delivered from slavery in Egypt and while they were encamped at the foot of Mount Sinai.

- **Purpose of Laws:** These laws were given to establish the religious and ritualistic practices of the newly formed nation of Israel. They were to govern how the people approached God, particularly through the sacrifices and ceremonies overseen by the priesthood.

- **Cultural Significance:** In the ancient Near Eastern context, physical perfection often symbolized fitness for service to the gods. The biblical regulations for priests reflect a similar concern for outward signs of inward purity and suitability for divine service.

- **Leadership Structure:** The instructions to Aaron and his sons highlight the structure of religious leadership among the Israelites, with Aaron as the high priest and his descendants as the priestly class responsible for mediating between God and the people.

In summary, Leviticus 21:24 encapsulates the divine directives concerning the qualifications and conduct of the Israelite priesthood, emphasizing the importance of holiness, separation, and adherence to God's laws within the priestly class, as well as the broader community of Israel.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H4872
   There are 704 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מֹשֶׁה
   Transliteration: Môsheh
   Pronunciation: mo-sheh'
   Description: from מָשָׁה; drawing out (of the water), i.e. rescued; Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver; Moses.
   
2. Strong's Number: H1696
   There are 1050 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָבַר
   Transliteration: dâbar
   Pronunciation: daw-bar'
   Description: a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue; answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work.
   
3. Strong's Number: H175
   There are 480 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אַהֲרוֹן
   Transliteration: ʼAhărôwn
   Pronunciation: a-har-one'
   Description: of uncertain derivation; Aharon, the brother of Moses; Aaron.
   
4. Strong's Number: H1121
   There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בֵּן
   Transliteration: bên
   Pronunciation: bane
   Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3478
   There are 2229 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יִשְׂרָאֵל
   Transliteration: Yisrâʼêl
   Pronunciation: yis-raw-ale'
   Description: from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel.