Leviticus 22:26

KJV

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI said to Moshe,

Berean Standard Bible

Then the LORD said to Moses,

American Standard Version

And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 22:26 serves as a foundational introductory formula, signaling a direct, authoritative divine communication from the covenant God, YHWH, to His chosen mediator, Moses. This concise declaration acts as a critical transition, establishing the divine origin and binding nature of the detailed regulations that immediately follow concerning the acceptability and purity requirements for sacrificial animals presented to the LORD, thereby underscoring the sanctity of Israel's worship and the meticulousness of God's demands.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 22:26 stands as a pivotal transitional verse within a chapter meticulously detailing the laws concerning holy things and acceptable sacrifices. Prior to this verse, Leviticus 22 outlines the stringent conditions under which priests, who are consecrated to the LORD, may partake of the holy offerings (Leviticus 22:1-16) and the general requirements for animals presented as sacrifices, emphasizing their perfection and freedom from blemish (Leviticus 22:17-25). Verse 26, "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying," functions as a divine preamble, specifically introducing a new set of regulations that further refine the sacrificial laws, particularly regarding the minimum age of sacrificial animals (Leviticus 22:27) and the prohibition against sacrificing an animal and its young on the same day (Leviticus 22:28). This formulaic introduction ensures that the subsequent commands are understood as direct, unadulterated divine mandates, reinforcing their absolute authority within the Israelite cultic system.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Leviticus was given to the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings, shortly after the construction of the Tabernacle at the base of Mount Sinai. This period was crucial for establishing the foundational laws and practices that would govern their relationship with God as a holy nation, distinct from the surrounding pagan cultures. The Tabernacle served as the central point of worship, symbolizing God's presence among His people, and the sacrificial system was the primary means of atonement, communion, and worship. The meticulous details regarding offerings, as found in [Leviticus 1](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - The Burnt Offering") through [Leviticus 7](/leviticus/7 "Leviticus 7 - Further Laws for Offerings"), were designed to instill a profound sense of God's holiness and the seriousness of approaching Him. The recurring phrase, "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying," found throughout the Pentateuch, underscores Moses' unique role as the divinely appointed intermediary between God and His people, ensuring that all laws—from the grand principles of the [Ten Commandments](/exodus/20 "Exodus 20 - The Ten Commandments") to the minute details of ritual purity—were understood as direct revelations from the sovereign God, YHWH, to His covenant people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _YHWH_):** This is the Tetragrammaton, the personal, covenant name of God, often rendered "LORD" in English translations. Its use here emphasizes that the speaker is not a generic deity but the specific God who revealed Himself to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who delivered Israel from Egypt, and who entered into a covenant relationship with them at Sinai. It signifies His faithfulness, sovereignty, and intimate involvement in the details of His people's lives and worship.
* **spake (Hebrew, דָּבַר, _dabar'_):** The verb "dabar" denotes a clear, direct, and authoritative utterance. It implies a deliberate and intentional communication, not a whisper, a suggestion, or a dream. When God "speaks" using this verb, His words carry the weight of command and revelation, demanding attention and obedience. This highlights the binding nature of the instructions that follow.
* **Moses (Hebrew, מֹשֶׁה, _Mosheh'_):** Moses is consistently presented as God's chosen prophet and mediator for the Old Covenant. The repeated mention of his name in this formula emphasizes his unique role as the recipient and conveyor of divine law. It authenticates the message as having come directly from God through His designated channel, ensuring its legitimacy and authority for the Israelite community.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD":** This opening phrase immediately identifies the source of the subsequent commands as YHWH, the sovereign, covenant-keeping God of Israel. It asserts divine authority and underscores that the following regulations are not human constructs but emanate from the Creator and Sustainer of all things, who is intimately involved with His people.
* **"spake unto Moses":** This clause emphasizes the direct, personal, and authoritative nature of the divine communication. God did not merely hint or imply; He "spoke" clearly and explicitly. Furthermore, the communication was directed specifically "unto Moses," affirming his unique and indispensable role as the divinely appointed intermediary through whom God chose to reveal His will to the entire nation of Israel.
* **"saying":** This final word functions as a direct introduction to the content of God's utterance. It indicates that what follows is the verbatim declaration of the LORD, not Moses' interpretation or summary. This reinforces the precise and binding nature of the instructions, demanding strict adherence from the priests and the people.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 22:26 employs several significant literary devices. Foremost is **Formulaic Language**, as "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying," is a recurring phrase throughout the Pentateuch, especially in Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers. This **Repetition** serves to constantly remind the reader of the divine origin and absolute authority of the laws being conveyed, preventing any misapprehension that these are human inventions. It acts as a consistent marker of divine revelation, imbuing each subsequent command with the weight of God's own voice. Furthermore, this phrase functions as a **Divine Speech Act**, where the very act of God speaking brings about the establishment of law and order. It is not merely descriptive but performative, initiating a new segment of divine instruction and emphasizing the direct, personal engagement of God with His people through His chosen mediator.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This foundational verse powerfully underscores the theme of divine revelation and authority. It asserts that the laws governing Israel's worship, purity, and daily life were not human inventions or cultural adaptations but direct, authoritative commands from the sovereign God, YHWH. This constant reminder of God's active involvement in establishing the moral and ceremonial order for His people highlights His meticulous care for holiness and His desire for a precise, reverent relationship. Moses' consistent role as the recipient of these divine utterances further emphasizes the principle of divine mediation, through whom God communicates His will to humanity. The very structure of God's revelation, introduced by such clear statements, reflects His own perfect and holy character, demanding order and precision in the people's approach to Him.

* [Exodus 19:9](/exodus/19-9 "Exodus 19:9 - God Speaks to Moses")
* [Numbers 1:1](/numbers/1-1 "Numbers 1:1 - God Speaks to Moses in the Wilderness")
* [Deuteronomy 5:4](/deuteronomy/5-4 "Deuteronomy 5:4 - God Speaks Face to Face")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific sacrificial laws of Leviticus are part of the Old Covenant, the principle embedded in Leviticus 22:26—that God speaks and we are to listen and obey—remains profoundly relevant for believers today. This verse calls us to recognize the divine origin and authority of all Scripture, understanding that the Bible is not merely a collection of human ideas but the inspired Word of God, breathed out by Him for our instruction, correction, and training in righteousness. Just as God spoke directly to Moses, He continues to reveal His will to us through His written Word, inviting us into a deeper relationship founded on His truth. Our approach to Scripture, therefore, should be marked by reverence, humility, and a sincere desire to hear and respond to God's voice. This means diligently studying His Word, meditating on its truths, and allowing it to shape our thoughts, attitudes, and actions, trusting that His commands are always for our ultimate good and His glory. It reminds us that true worship is not merely emotional expression but a response of obedience to the God who has spoken.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does recognizing the divine origin of Scripture impact your approach to reading and studying the Bible?**
* **In what practical ways can you cultivate a posture of deeper listening and obedience to God's voice as revealed in His Word?**
* **What does the precision of God's instructions in Leviticus teach us about His character, and how might that influence our own pursuit of holiness?**

### FAQ

**Why is the phrase "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying" repeated so frequently in the Pentateuch?**

Answer: The frequent repetition of this formula serves several crucial purposes. First, it consistently underscores the **divine origin and absolute authority** of the laws and instructions that follow. It leaves no doubt that these are not human inventions or cultural customs, but direct revelations from YHWH Himself. Second, it highlights **Moses' unique role as God's chosen mediator** for the Old Covenant. He was the primary channel through whom God communicated His will to the nation of Israel, authenticating the message as coming through God's designated prophet. Third, it provides **structural demarcation** within the text, signaling a new section of divine discourse or a shift in the topic of God's instructions, much like a chapter heading or a speaker tag in a script. This stylistic choice reinforces the meticulous, ordered nature of God's revelation and His desire for clarity in His communication with His people, as seen throughout the giving of the Law from [Exodus 20](/exodus/20 "Exodus 20 - The Ten Commandments") through [Deuteronomy 34](/deuteronomy/34 "Deuteronomy 34 - The Death of Moses").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 22:26, with its declaration that "the LORD spake unto Moses, saying," profoundly foreshadows the ultimate and perfect revelation of God in Jesus Christ. While God spoke through prophets like Moses in various times and ways in the Old Testament, [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken Through His Son") declares that "in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son." Jesus is not merely a messenger, but the very Word of God incarnate, the full and final embodiment of divine revelation ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God") and [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). Moses mediated the Old Covenant law, which revealed God's holiness and humanity's sin, leading to a system of sacrifices that pointed forward to a greater atonement. Christ, however, is the ultimate Mediator of a new and better covenant ([Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - Christ, the Mediator of a Better Covenant")), whose perfect sacrifice on the cross fulfills all the Old Testament types and shadows ([Hebrews 10:1-10](/hebrews/10-1 "Hebrews 10:1-10 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). Thus, the authoritative voice that spoke to Moses now speaks to us most clearly and completely through the person and work of Jesus, inviting us not to a system of ritualistic obedience but to a relationship of grace and truth found in Him ([John 1:17](/john/1-17 "John 1:17 - Grace and Truth Came Through Jesus Christ")).

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.