TRV
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Leviticus 1:1–2.
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; and therefore he was fit to typify him to whom the Father has given all judgment. And, besides, the treasure of divine revelation was always to be put into earthen vessels, that our faith might be tried, and that the excellency of the power might be of God. 4. God spoke to him out of the tabernacle. As soon as ever the shechinah had taken possession of its new habitation, in token of the acceptance of what was done, God talked with Moses from the mercy-seat, while he attended without the veil, or rather at the door, hearing a voice only; and it is probable that he wrote what he heard at that time, to prevent any mistake, or a slip of memory, in the rehearsal of it. The tabernacle was set up to be a place of communion between God and Israel; there, where they performed their services to God, God revealed his will to them. Thus, by the word and by prayer, we now have fellowship with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ, Act 6:4. When we speak to God we must desire to hear from him, and reckon it a great favour that he is pleased to speak to us. The Lord called to Moses, not to come near (under that dispensation, even Moses must keep his distance), but to attend and hearken to what should be said. A letter less than ordinary in the Hebrew word for called, the Jewish critics tell us, intimates that God spoke in a still small voice. The moral law was given with terror from a burning mountain in thunder and lightning; but the remedial law of sacrifice was given more gently from a mercy-seat, because that was typical of the grace of the gospel, which is the ministration of life and peace.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
One surviving comment on this verse from the historical church.
This Book is called LEVITICUS, because it treats of the Offices, Ministries, Rites and Ceremonies of the Priests and Levites. The Hebrews call it VAICRA, from the word with which it begins.
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Summary
Leviticus 1:1 serves as the foundational opening to the book, immediately establishing the divine origin and absolute authority of the instructions that follow. It records the LORD's direct summons to Moses from within the newly consecrated Tabernacle, signifying a pivotal shift in the locus of divine revelation from the distant Mount Sinai to God's intimate dwelling place among His people. This verse sets the stage for a comprehensive body of laws concerning worship, sacrifice, and holy living, all predicated on God's sovereign initiative to commune with humanity and guide Israel into a proper covenant relationship with Him.
Context
Literary Context
This verse provides a crucial transition from the book of Exodus, specifically following the detailed accounts of the Tabernacle's construction and its consecration. Exodus 40 culminates with the glory of the LORD filling the Tabernacle, a cloud so thick that Moses himself could not enter. Leviticus 1:1 thus marks the beginning of a new phase in God's interaction with Israel: His presence is now established within the community, not just on a distant mountain. The preceding narrative in Exodus has prepared Israel for this moment, demonstrating God's faithfulness in providing a means for His presence to dwell among them, and now, providing the means for them to approach Him. The instructions that follow in Leviticus are a direct consequence of this established divine presence, outlining how a holy God can dwell among an unholy people.
Historical & Cultural Context
At this point in Israel's history, the nation is encamped at the base of Mount Sinai, having recently received the Ten Commandments and the detailed covenant stipulations found in Exodus 20-23. The Tabernacle, or "tent of meeting," has just been completed and dedicated, serving as the central point of God's presence and the primary locus for worship. Prior to this, God had communicated with Moses primarily from the summit of Mount Sinai, often amidst thunder, lightning, and a thick cloud, as described in Exodus 19:9. The shift in communication from the mountain to the Tabernacle signifies God's desire for a more intimate and accessible relationship with His people, emphasizing His immanence and His provision for a holy dwelling place where He would meet with them. This new mode of communication underscores the Tabernacle's critical role as the designated interface between a holy God and His redeemed, yet fallen, people, enabling their continued journey through the wilderness.
Key Themes
Leviticus 1:1 introduces several key themes that permeate the entire book. Foremost is the theme of Divine Initiative and Revelation, emphasizing that God is the one who calls, speaks, and reveals His will, not humanity seeking Him out. This sets the stage for the absolute authority of the laws that follow. Closely related is the theme of Holiness and Purity, as God's presence in the Tabernacle necessitates strict guidelines for how a sinful people can approach and interact with a holy God without being consumed. The Tabernacle itself embodies the theme of God's Dwelling Presence (Immanence), highlighting His desire to reside among His people. Furthermore, the verse subtly introduces the theme of Mediation, as Moses is the chosen recipient and conveyor of God's words, foreshadowing the need for a mediator between God and humanity, a concept seen throughout the Old Testament and ultimately fulfilled in Christ. These themes underscore God's unwavering commitment to His covenant with Israel and His gracious provision for their consecrated existence.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This is the Tetragrammaton (YHWH), God's personal covenant name, often translated as "Yahweh" or "Jehovah," meaning "the self-Existent or Eternal." Its use here emphasizes that the instructions given are from the same faithful and covenant-keeping God who delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 3:14-15). It underscores the continuity of God's redemptive plan and His ongoing relationship with His chosen people, grounding the entire book of Leviticus in His unchanging character and divine authority.
This primitive root signifies a summons, an authoritative invitation, or a proclamation. It highlights God's initiative in establishing communication. It is not Moses seeking God, but God actively summoning Moses to receive His divine laws. This "calling" implies a specific purpose and authority, setting the tone for the absolute necessity of obedience to the commands that follow. The verb suggests a direct, intentional, and purposeful address.
This primitive root means "to arrange" or, figuratively, "to speak." It denotes a deliberate and articulate communication, emphasizing that God's message is not vague or ambiguous but a clear, structured word. The use of this verb alongside "called" reinforces the idea of an intentional, verbal revelation, ensuring that the laws of Leviticus are understood as direct divine pronouncements, meant to be heard, understood, and obeyed by Israel.
Verse Breakdown
"And the LORD called unto Moses,"
This opening phrase immediately establishes the divine initiative and the prophetic authority of Moses. The "LORD" (YHWH) is the active subject, demonstrating that the ensuing laws and ordinances are not human constructs but direct divine revelation. Moses is the chosen recipient and mediator, underscoring the authoritative and sacred nature of the communication that is about to unfold. This highlights God's sovereignty and His selective choice of Moses for this crucial role.
"and spake unto him"
This clause reiterates the directness and clarity of God's communication with Moses. It signifies a verbal, intelligible message, emphasizing that the laws of Leviticus are not ambiguous or open to human interpretation apart from God's explicit word. This direct address ensures the fidelity of the message passed from God through Moses to the Israelites, establishing the divine origin and infallibility of the subsequent commands.
"out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying,"
This crucial phrase specifies the new locus of divine revelation. No longer from the terrifying heights of Sinai, God now speaks from within the "tent of meeting" (the "tabernacle of the congregation"), the very sanctuary consecrated by His glory. This physical location underscores God's immanence and His desire to dwell among His people, providing a designated, holy space for communion and the reception of His commands, which are then to be proclaimed to the entire community. The phrase "saying" indicates that the subsequent chapters are the direct content of this divine utterance.
Literary Devices
Leviticus 1:1 employs several significant literary devices that underscore its theological weight. The most prominent is Divine Address, where God directly initiates communication with His chosen mediator, Moses. This immediate opening establishes the absolute authority and divine origin of the entire book, signaling that what follows is not merely human legislation but God's own authoritative word. There is also clear Symbolism in the shift of location from Mount Sinai to the Tabernacle. Sinai represented God's transcendent power and awe-inspiring holiness, distant and unapproachable for the common Israelite, often associated with judgment and the giving of the Law. The Tabernacle, however, symbolizes God's immanence, His desire to dwell among His people, providing a pathway for communion and a place where His holiness could be encountered in a structured, ritualized manner. This geographical shift underscores a theological progression from a distant, terrifying encounter to an accessible, though still holy, presence. The phrase "tabernacle of the congregation" itself functions as a Metonymy, where the "tent of meeting" stands for the very act of God meeting with His people, signifying the purpose and function of the structure as the designated place of divine encounter and revelation.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Leviticus 1:1 profoundly establishes the theme of divine initiative and mediated revelation, underscoring that all true worship and understanding of God's will flow from His self-disclosure. God's act of "calling" and "speaking" from His dwelling place among His people highlights His desire for relationship and His gracious provision for humanity to approach His holiness. This foundational verse sets the stage for the entire sacrificial system and the laws of purity, all of which are God's gracious means of enabling a sinful people to live in the presence of a holy God without being consumed. It teaches that access to God is always on His terms, according to His revealed will, and through His designated means, emphasizing the necessity of obedience and reverence in approaching the Holy One.
Reflection and Application
Leviticus 1:1 serves as a powerful reminder that God is not a distant, silent deity, but an active, communicating God who desires to be known and worshipped. Just as He initiated communication with Moses from the Tabernacle, so too does He continue to reveal Himself to us today, primarily through His written Word, the Bible, and through the indwelling Holy Spirit. This verse calls us to cultivate a posture of listening and responsiveness to God's voice, recognizing that true worship is not about our preferences but about conforming to His divine design. It reminds us that approaching God requires reverence and adherence to His revealed will, for He is holy. Our lives, like the Tabernacle, are meant to be places where God's presence dwells, and from which His truth can be heard and obeyed, transforming us into living sanctuaries that reflect His glory to the world.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is it significant that God speaks from the Tabernacle and not Mount Sinai anymore?
The shift from Mount Sinai to the Tabernacle signifies a crucial theological development in God's relationship with Israel. On Mount Sinai, God's presence was awe-inspiring and terrifying, often accompanied by fire, smoke, and thunder (Exodus 19:18). It emphasized His transcendent holiness and the unapproachable nature of His glory to a sinful people, highlighting the vast chasm between God and humanity. The Tabernacle, however, represents God's immanence—His desire to dwell among His people. By speaking from within the "tent of meeting" (Exodus 29:42-43), God demonstrates His gracious provision for a structured, holy space where He could meet with His redeemed people without consuming them. It signifies a move towards greater accessibility, though still on His holy terms, establishing a permanent, portable locus for divine revelation and worship within the community itself. This shift underscores God's desire for ongoing communion and His gracious provision for a sustained relationship with humanity, even amidst their wilderness wanderings.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Leviticus 1:1, with its profound emphasis on God's initiative to speak from His dwelling place among His people, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. The Tabernacle, from which God communicated with Moses, was a powerful foreshadowing of God's ultimate dwelling among humanity. John 1:14 declares that "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us," using the Greek word skenoo, which literally means "to tabernacle" or "to pitch a tent." Jesus is the living embodiment of God's presence, the true "tent of meeting" where God perfectly met with humanity, not in a temporary structure, but in human flesh. No longer does God speak from a physical sanctuary, but through His Son, who is the perfect and final revelation of the Father (Hebrews 1:1-2). The call of the LORD to Moses from the Tabernacle prefigures God's ultimate call to humanity through Christ, inviting us into a new covenant relationship that transcends the Old Testament rituals. Through Jesus, the need for a physical Tabernacle and its sacrificial system is superseded, as He is the definitive mediator (1 Timothy 2:5) and the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 9:11-14). His shed blood grants us direct, confident access to God's presence (Hebrews 10:19-20), making every believer a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19), where God now truly dwells and communicates.