Leviticus 23:26

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Complete Jewish Bible:

ADONAI said to Moshe,

Berean Standard Bible:

Again the LORD said to Moses,

American Standard Version:

And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And the LORD^{H3068} spake^{H1696} unto Moses^{H4872}, saying^{H559},

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Leviticus 23:26

Leviticus 23:26 is part of a larger section in the book of Leviticus that outlines the festivals and holy days for the Israelites. The verse itself serves as an introduction to the instructions regarding the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), which is one of the most solemn and significant days in the Jewish calendar.

**Themes:**
1. **Divine Communication:** The verse emphasizes that the instructions come directly from the LORD (Yahweh) to Moses, underscoring the divine authority behind the laws and observances.
2. **Ritual Observance:** The subsequent verses detail the rituals and observances for the Day of Atonement, highlighting the theme of religious duty and the importance of ritual purity.
3. **Atonement and Repentance:** The Day of Atonement is centered on the need for atonement for sins, both individually and collectively, and the process of repentance.
4. **Sabbath Rest:** The Day of Atonement is described as a day of complete rest, a Sabbath of solemn rest, emphasizing the cessation of all work and the focus on spiritual matters.

**Historical Context:**
- **Time of Writing:** The book of Leviticus is traditionally attributed to Moses and would have been written during the time of the Exodus, around the 13th century BCE, as the Israelites were forming their identity as a nation under God's covenant.
- **Cultural and Religious Purpose:** The detailed instructions for religious observances served to distinguish the Israelites from their surrounding neighbors and to reinforce their unique relationship with God. The Day of Atonement, in particular, was a time to deal with the problem of sin and its consequences, ensuring the spiritual well-being of the community.
- **Post-Exilic Relevance:** After the Babylonian Exile (6th century BCE), the reaffirmation of these laws would have been crucial for the returning exiles to reestablish their religious and national identity.

In summary, Leviticus 23:26 introduces the divine directives for the Day of Atonement, a day of solemn observance, fasting, and reflection, which is integral to the religious life of ancient Israel and continues to be a cornerstone of Jewish religious practice today.

*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: H3068
   There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהֹוָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
   Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
   
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: 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.
   
4. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.