King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Ye shall eat no manner of fat, of ox, or of sheep, or of goat.
Complete Jewish Bible:
"Say to the people of Isra'el, 'You are not to eat the fat of bulls, sheep or goats.
Berean Standard Bible:
“Speak to the Israelites and say, ‘You are not to eat any of the fat of an ox, a sheep, or a goat.
American Standard Version:
Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Ye shall eat no fat, of ox, or sheep, or goat.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Speak{H1696} unto the children{H1121} of Israel{H3478}, saying{H559}, Ye shall eat{H398} no manner of fat{H2459}, of ox{H7794}, or of sheep{H3775}, or of goat{H5795}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Leviticus 3:16
- And the priest shall burn them upon the altar: [it is] the food of the offering made by fire for a sweet savour: all the fat [is] the LORD'S.
Leviticus 3:17
- [It shall be] a perpetual statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings, that ye eat neither fat nor blood.
Leviticus 17:6
- And the priest shall sprinkle the blood upon the altar of the LORD [at] the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and burn the fat for a sweet savour unto the LORD.
Deuteronomy 32:38
- Which did eat the fat of their sacrifices, [and] drank the wine of their drink offerings? let them rise up and help you, [and] be your protection.
Romans 13:13
- Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
1 Samuel 2:15
- Also before they burnt the fat, the priest's servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw.
1 Samuel 2:17
- Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.
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Commentary for Leviticus 7:23
Leviticus 7:23 is part of a larger section of the book that deals with various laws and regulations concerning sacrifices and offerings in ancient Israel. The verse specifically addresses dietary restrictions, forbidding the consumption of fat from certain animals. This command is given within the context of the Mosaic Law, which contains numerous regulations that set the Israelites apart from other nations, both religiously and culturally.
The historical context of Leviticus is the time of Moses, when the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. The book of Leviticus is traditionally understood to have been written by Moses himself and is part of the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible. These verses were instructions given directly to the Israelites to guide them in their worship and daily lives as a covenant people.
The prohibition against eating fat from oxen, sheep, or goats is rooted in the sacredness of the fat portions in Israelite sacrifices. In the sacrificial system, the fat was often designated as the part to be offered to God, symbolizing the best being given to the divine. This practice underscores the themes of holiness and the distinction between the sacred and the profane. By abstaining from the fat, the Israelites were constantly reminded of their relationship with God and the importance of offering Him the first and best parts of their lives and possessions.
In summary, Leviticus 7:23 reflects the holiness code of ancient Israel, emphasizing the sanctity of certain offerings and establishing a dietary practice that reinforced the Israelites' unique identity as a people consecrated to God. This verse is part of a larger tapestry of laws that governed the religious and social life of the Israelites, setting a standard for worship and personal conduct that was intended to maintain their covenant relationship with God.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- 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. - 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. - 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. - 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. - Strong's Number: H398
There are 825 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָכַל
Transliteration: ʼâkal
Pronunciation: aw-kal'
Description: a primitive root; to eat (literally or figuratively); [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. - Strong's Number: H2459
There are 69 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חֶלֶב
Transliteration: cheleb
Pronunciation: kheh'-leb
Description: or חֵלֶב; from an unused root meaning to be fat; fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part; [idiom] best, fat(-ness), [idiom] finest, grease, marrow. - Strong's Number: H7794
There are 69 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שׁוֹר
Transliteration: shôwr
Pronunciation: shore
Description: from שׁוּר; a bullock (as a traveller); bull(-ock), cow, ox, wall (by mistake for שׁוּר). - Strong's Number: H3775
There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כֶּשֶׂב
Transliteration: keseb
Pronunciation: keh'-seb
Description: apparently by transposition for כֶּבֶשׂ; a young sheep; lamb. - Strong's Number: H5795
There are 74 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֵז
Transliteration: ʻêz
Pronunciation: aze
Description: from עָזַז; a she-goat (as strong), but masculine in plural (which also is used elliptically for goat's hair); (she) goat, kid.