Leviticus 1:2

KJV

Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the LORD, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, [even] of the herd, and of the flock.

KJV (with Strong's)

Speak {H1696} unto the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}, and say {H559} unto them, If any man {H120} of you bring {H7126} an offering {H7133} unto the LORD {H3068}, ye shall bring {H7126} your offering {H7133} of the cattle {H929}, even of the herd {H1241}, and of the flock {H6629}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Speak to the people of Isra'el; say to them, 'When any of you brings an offering to ADONAI, you may bring your animal offering either from the herd or from the flock.

Berean Standard Bible

“Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When any of you brings an offering to the LORD, you may bring as your offering an animal from the herd or the flock.

American Standard Version

Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When any man of you offereth an oblation unto Jehovah, ye shall offer your oblation of the cattle, even of the herd and of the flock.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 1:2 initiates the detailed instructions for the sacrificial system in ancient Israel, specifically outlining the acceptable categories of animals for offerings presented to the LORD. This foundational verse underscores that worship is divinely prescribed, not arbitrary, and that offerings must be brought from the worshiper's valuable domesticated animals—cattle, herd, or flock. It establishes the gravity and sanctity of approaching a holy God, setting the stage for the meticulous regulations of the various sacrifices that follow, which were integral to Israel's covenant relationship and their pursuit of holiness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 1:2 serves as the foundational statement for the first major section of the book of Leviticus, which meticulously details the laws concerning offerings (chapters 1-7). This verse immediately follows the book's introductory declaration in [Leviticus 1:1](/leviticus/1-1 "Leviticus 1:1 - God Calls Moses from the Tent of Meeting"), which firmly establishes the divine origin of these commands, spoken directly by the LORD to Moses from the Tent of Meeting. Specifically, [Leviticus 1:2](/leviticus/1-2 "Leviticus 1:2 - Acceptable Offerings for the LORD") introduces the burnt offering (Hebrew: *'olah*), the first and most comprehensive of the five main sacrifices. The subsequent verses in [Leviticus 1](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - The Law of the Burnt Offering") provide exhaustive instructions for this offering, detailing the specific animals permitted, the precise ritual of slaughter, and the essential role of the priest, all building upon the general principle of acceptable offerings laid out in verse 2. This precise literary ordering emphasizes the divine authority and the meticulous nature of Israel's prescribed worship.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Leviticus was delivered to the Israelites during their encampment at Mount Sinai, shortly after their miraculous exodus from Egyptian bondage and the completion of the Tabernacle, as chronicled in [Exodus 40](/exodus/40 "Exodus 40 - The Tabernacle Completed and Filled with God's Glory"). Having been redeemed and established as a covenant people, Israel was now tasked with maintaining fellowship with a holy God who dwelt among them in the Tabernacle. The sacrificial system was the divinely ordained mechanism for this relationship, serving as the primary means for atonement, purification, and communion. While animal sacrifice was a common practice across the ancient Near East, Israel's system was distinct due to its singular focus on the one true God (monotheism), its emphasis on holiness, and its core purpose of atoning for sin. The specified animals—cattle, herd, and flock—were valuable economic assets, signifying that the offering involved a significant personal cost and commitment from the worshiper. This act of bringing a *qorban* (offering) was a tangible expression of devotion, dependence, and obedience to God, distinguishing Israel's worship from the idolatrous and often immoral practices of surrounding pagan nations.

* **Key Themes:** Leviticus 1:2 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Holiness and Human Access**. The verse immediately establishes that a holy God can only be approached on His own terms, through specific, divinely appointed means. This underscores the vast chasm between a holy God and sinful humanity, and the necessity of a mediator or a prescribed ritual to bridge that gap. Another key theme is **Obedience and Covenant Faithfulness**. The detailed instructions for offerings, beginning with this verse, are not suggestions but divine commands, emphasizing that Israel's covenant relationship with God is predicated on their faithful adherence to His revealed will. Furthermore, the selection of valuable animals highlights the theme of **Costly Worship and Personal Devotion**. The offering was to be a significant personal sacrifice, not merely a token gesture, reflecting the worshiper's sincerity and the high value placed on their relationship with God. This theme resonates throughout the sacrificial laws, from the burnt offering in [Leviticus 1](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - The Burnt Offering") to the Day of Atonement in [Leviticus 16](/leviticus/16 "Leviticus 16 - The Day of Atonement").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Speak (Hebrew, _dâbar'_):** This primitive root (H1696) signifies "to arrange," but is primarily used figuratively in the sense of "to speak," "to command," or "to declare." In Leviticus 1:2, it emphasizes the authoritative and intentional nature of God's communication. These are not mere suggestions but direct, divinely ordained instructions, highlighting God's active involvement in establishing the parameters of worship and His covenant relationship with Israel. The use of "speak" underscores that the entire sacrificial system is a revelation from God, not a human invention.
* **Offering (Hebrew, _qorbân'_):** Derived from the verb *qârab* (H7126), meaning "to draw near" or "to approach," this term (H7133) is central to the purpose of the sacrifices. A *qorbân* is "something brought near the altar," signifying a sacrificial present. It is more than just a gift; it is a divinely appointed means by which sinful humanity can "draw near" to a holy God, establishing or restoring fellowship and communion. The term itself encapsulates the very essence of the sacrificial system: bridging the gap between God and humanity.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** The use of the sacred, covenant name of God, YHWH (H3068), often rendered "LORD" in English translations, is profoundly significant. It identifies the recipient of these offerings not as a generic deity or an impersonal force, but as the personal, self-existent, and covenant-keeping God of Israel. This is the same God who revealed Himself to Moses at the burning bush ([Exodus 3:14](/exodus/3-14 "Exodus 3:14 - I AM WHO I AM")), redeemed Israel from slavery, and entered into an exclusive covenant relationship with them. The offerings are therefore directed towards a specific, relational God who demands and provides the means for holy fellowship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them":** This opening phrase functions as a divine command formula, emphasizing the direct, authoritative, and public nature of these instructions. God is communicating through Moses to the entire community of Israel, indicating that these laws are binding upon all His people. It highlights the universal applicability of the sacrificial system within the covenant and the importance of precise adherence to divine directives.
* **"If any man of you bring an offering unto the LORD":** The conditional "If any man" (or "anyone") indicates that while the sacrificial system itself was a national divine mandate, the act of an individual bringing a specific offering was often a voluntary decision. This clause highlights personal initiative and responsibility in worship, allowing individuals to respond to God's holiness and grace through acts of atonement, thanksgiving, or fellowship, yet always within the divinely prescribed framework. It underscores that worship is an active, personal engagement.
* **"ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, [even] of the herd, and of the flock":** This clause specifies the acceptable sources for the offerings. Only clean, domesticated animals were permitted: large animals like oxen from the "herd" (bâqâr), and smaller animals like sheep or goats from the "flock" (tsôʼn). This precise specification underscores God's demand for purity, value, and adherence to His specific standards for worship, prohibiting arbitrary or foreign forms of sacrifice. It also implies that the offering should be a significant, valuable possession of the worshiper, representing a genuine cost and commitment.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 1:2 employs several significant literary devices that underscore its theological weight. The most prominent is the **Divine Command Formula**, specifically "Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them." This direct imperative, frequently used throughout the Pentateuch, establishes the absolute authority and divine origin of the instructions, leaving no doubt that these are God's non-negotiable requirements for His people. This formula also implies a **Hierarchical Communication**, from God to Moses, and then from Moses to the entire community, emphasizing the structured nature of divine revelation. Furthermore, the verse demonstrates **Specificity and Precision** in its enumeration of acceptable animal types ("of the cattle, [even] of the herd, and of the flock"). This meticulous detail is characteristic of Levitical law and serves to eliminate ambiguity, ensuring that worship is conducted exactly as God intends, without human improvisation or deviation. This literary choice highlights the seriousness with which God views proper worship and the necessity of adhering strictly to His revealed will.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 1:2 establishes the foundational principle that approaching a holy God necessitates a divinely ordained means, involving sacrifice and strict adherence to God's specific terms. This verse highlights profound theological themes such as divine authority, human responsibility in worship, and the indispensable nature of a costly offering. It underscores that true worship is not arbitrary or based on human preference but must align precisely with God's revealed will, setting a precedent for all subsequent acts of devotion and obedience within the covenant. The very concept of "drawing near" to God through an offering foreshadows the ultimate and perfect means of access to God that would later be provided.

* [Exodus 29:38-42](/exodus/29-38-42 "Exodus 29:38-42 - The Daily Burnt Offering")
* [Deuteronomy 12:32](/deuteronomy/12-32 "Deuteronomy 12:32 - Do Not Add To or Subtract From God's Commands")
* [Hebrews 10:1-4](/hebrews/10-1-4 "Hebrews 10:1-4 - The Law as a Shadow of Good Things to Come")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the Old Testament sacrificial system has been perfectly fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the profound principles embedded in Leviticus 1:2 remain profoundly relevant and instructive for believers today. This verse teaches us that our approach to God must be intentional, reverent, and conducted according to His revealed will, not our own preferences, convenience, or cultural norms. Just as the Israelites were commanded to bring their most valuable animals, we are called to offer God our best—our time, our talents, our financial resources, and indeed, our very lives as "living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God" ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Present Your Bodies as a Living Sacrifice")). True worship, in its essence, involves a cost—a willing surrender of what is precious to us, offered in recognition of God's supreme worth, His absolute sovereignty, and our complete dependence upon Him. Our access to God is now through Christ's finished work, but the call to approach Him with purity of heart, intentionality, and a spirit of costly devotion endures, shaping how we live our lives in response to His grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the divine command in Leviticus 1:2, emphasizing God's specific requirements for worship, inform our understanding of worship practices and personal devotion in the New Covenant?**
* **In what practical ways can we, as New Covenant believers, offer "costly" sacrifices to God today that reflect the spirit of the Old Testament offerings, even without literal animal sacrifices?**
* **How does the principle of "drawing near" to God through a prescribed offering in Leviticus 1:2 deepen our appreciation for the unparalleled access to God we now have through Jesus Christ?**

### FAQ
**Why did God require animal sacrifices in the Old Testament?**

Answer: God required animal sacrifices primarily as a divinely ordained means of atonement for sin and a way for His people to "draw near" to Him in a holy relationship. The shedding of innocent blood symbolized the grave penalty for sin and powerfully foreshadowed the ultimate, perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. These offerings also served various other purposes, including expressing thanksgiving, making vows, seeking purification, and fostering communion with God, all within a meticulously detailed system that taught Israel profound truths about the seriousness of sin, the holiness of God, and the necessity of substitutionary atonement. The precise instructions, like those in [Leviticus 1:2](/leviticus/1-2 "Leviticus 1:2 - Acceptable Offerings for the LORD"), ensured that worship was conducted according to His specific terms, not human invention or preference.

**Are Christians still required to bring offerings like those described in Leviticus 1:2?**

Answer: No, Christians are not required to bring animal sacrifices. The entire Old Testament sacrificial system, including the burnt offerings described in [Leviticus 1](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - The Law of the Burnt Offering"), was a shadow and a type pointing to the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ. As the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), Jesus fulfilled all the requirements of the Law, offering Himself "once for all" on the cross, thereby making a complete and sufficient atonement for sin ([Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Christ's Sacrifice Once for All")). Therefore, believers now approach God directly and confidently through Christ's atoning work, offering spiritual sacrifices of praise, thanksgiving, and lives dedicated to His service ([Hebrews 13:15](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15 - Offering the Sacrifice of Praise")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 1:2, with its meticulous instructions for bringing an acceptable offering to the LORD, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The very concept of "drawing near" to God through a *qorbân* (offering) is perfectly and finally realized in Christ, who is our singular and perfect means of access to the Father. While the Old Covenant required the costly sacrifice of an unblemished animal "of the herd, and of the flock," these were but types and shadows of the infinitely more precious sacrifice of the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Jesus, being without blemish or spot, offered Himself "once for all" on the cross, making a complete and sufficient atonement for sin ([Hebrews 9:26](/hebrews/9-26 "Hebrews 9:26 - Christ's One Sacrifice")). Through His perfect offering, we are no longer limited by animal sacrifices or the need for a Levitical priesthood; instead, we have "boldness to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus" ([Hebrews 10:19](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19 - Access to God Through Jesus' Blood")). Thus, Leviticus 1:2, in its demand for a prescribed, costly, and pure offering, powerfully anticipates the person and work of Christ, who perfectly fulfilled every requirement of the law and opened the way for all to draw near to God in Spirit and truth ([John 4:24](/john/4-24 "John 4:24 - God is Spirit, and His Worshipers Must Worship in Spirit and in Truth")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Leviticus 22:18

Speak unto Aaron, and to his sons, and unto all the children of Israel, and say unto them, Whatsoever [he be] of the house of Israel, or of the strangers in Israel, that will offer his oblation for all his vows, and for all his freewill offerings, which they will offer unto the LORD for a burnt offering;

Leviticus 22:19

[Ye shall offer] at your own will a male without blemish, of the beeves, of the sheep, or of the goats.

Romans 12:6

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, [let us prophesy] according to the proportion of faith;

Genesis 4:3

¶ And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.

Ephesians 5:2

And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

Genesis 4:5

But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

1 Chronicles 16:29

Give unto the LORD the glory [due] unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.