Leviticus 22:30

KJV

On the same day it shall be eaten up; ye shall leave none of it until the morrow: I [am] the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

On the same day {H3117} it shall be eaten up {H398}; ye shall leave {H3498} none of it until the morrow {H1242}: I am the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

It must be eaten on the same day it is offered; leave none of it till morning; I am ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

It must be eaten that same day. Do not leave any of it until morning. I am the LORD.

American Standard Version

On the same day it shall be eaten; ye shall leave none of it until the morning: I am Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 22:30 concludes a series of regulations concerning the "sacrifice of thanksgiving" (peace offering), mandating its complete consumption on the day of its offering and prohibiting any portion from remaining until the following morning. This command underscores the divine insistence on immediate obedience, the preservation of ritual purity, and the profound reverence due to God's holy things, culminating in the powerful declaration of Yahweh's sovereign authority over His people and their worship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 22 details the stringent requirements for priests regarding their personal holiness and their handling of holy offerings. The chapter begins by emphasizing that priests must be ritually clean to approach God and consume holy food, lest they profane God's holy name and die ([Leviticus 22:1-9](/leviticus/22-1 "Leviticus 22:1-9 - Holiness of Priests")). It then outlines who among a priest's household may eat the holy offerings ([Leviticus 22:10-16](/leviticus/22-10 "Leviticus 22:10-16 - Who May Eat Holy Things")). The latter half of the chapter, from [Leviticus 22:17](/leviticus/22-17 "Leviticus 22:17 - Acceptable Sacrifices") onward, shifts focus to the animals themselves, specifying that only unblemished animals are acceptable for sacrifice. Within this section, [Leviticus 22:29](/leviticus/22-29 "Leviticus 22:29 - Sacrifice of Thanksgiving") specifically addresses the "sacrifice of thanksgiving," a type of peace offering, which was a voluntary offering made to express gratitude. Verse 30, therefore, provides the culminating instruction for this particular offering, ensuring its proper and timely consumption, thereby maintaining its sanctity and the integrity of the worship act.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The ancient Near East, including Israel, placed great importance on sacrificial rituals as a means of interacting with the divine. These rituals were often highly structured, with specific rules governing the type of offering, the manner of presentation, and the disposal of the sacrificial elements. For Israel, these laws were not merely cultural practices but divine commands, establishing a unique covenant relationship with Yahweh. The command to consume the thanksgiving offering "on the same day" was crucial for several reasons. Practically, it prevented the meat from spoiling in a warm climate, which would render it ceremonially defiled and unfit for consumption by holy people. Theologically, it emphasized the sacredness and immediacy of the act of worship. Unlike some other offerings that could be eaten over two days (e.g., the peace offering in [Leviticus 7:16](/leviticus/7-16 "Leviticus 7:16 - Peace Offering Regulations")), the thanksgiving offering, being an expression of immediate gratitude, required immediate and complete consumption. This principle of promptness and purity is also seen in the instructions for the [Passover lamb in Exodus 12:10](/exodus/12-10 "Exodus 12:10 - Passover Lamb Instructions"), where any remaining meat was to be burned. The concluding phrase, "I am the LORD," is a recurring divine self-attestation throughout Leviticus, serving as a powerful reminder of God's absolute authority and the non-negotiable nature of His commands, distinguishing Israel's worship from that of surrounding nations.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **"On the same day" (Hebrew, _bəyōm hū'_):** This phrase emphasizes immediacy and strict temporal limitation. For the "sacrifice of thanksgiving," it underscores that the act of gratitude and communion with God through the meal was to be a complete, present experience, without lingering or procrastination. It highlights a divine demand for promptness in fulfilling one's vows or expressions of thanks.
* **"I [am] the LORD" (Hebrew, _ʾănî YHWH'_):** This is a profound and frequently repeated divine self-attestation in Leviticus, appearing over 40 times. It serves as a covenant formula, asserting God's absolute authority, sovereignty, and faithfulness. It signifies that the preceding commands are not human suggestions but divine decrees from the covenant God of Israel, Yahweh, who is holy and demands holiness from His people. It functions as a theological seal, reinforcing the non-negotiable nature of the law.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"On the same day it shall be eaten up;":** This clause sets a strict temporal boundary for the consumption of the thanksgiving offering. It mandates that the entire edible portion of the sacrifice must be consumed within the same day it is offered. This ensures that the offering remains ritually pure and that the act of communal feasting, which was part of the peace offering, is completed promptly.
* **"ye shall leave none of it until the morrow:":** This is a negative prohibition, reinforcing the previous positive command. It explicitly forbids any part of the offering from being kept overnight. This prevents spoilage, which would render the meat defiled, and also emphasizes the complete devotion and immediate fulfillment required in the act of worship. It signifies that the offering is fully dedicated to God and consumed in His presence, leaving no remnants for later, potentially less reverent, use.
* **"I [am] the LORD.":** This concluding declaration is a powerful statement of divine authority. It serves as the ultimate ground for the command, reminding the Israelites that these regulations are not arbitrary but issue directly from Yahweh, their covenant God. It underscores His holiness, His sovereignty over their lives, and His expectation of their complete and immediate obedience in all matters of worship and life.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Command** is central, as the verse issues direct, imperative instructions regarding the handling of the sacrifice. This is reinforced by **Repetition** of the concept of "same day" through both a positive command ("eaten up") and a negative prohibition ("leave none... until the morrow"), creating emphasis and leaving no room for misinterpretation. The concluding phrase, "**I am the LORD**," functions as a powerful **Divine Attestation** or **Signature Formula**. This recurring phrase throughout Leviticus serves as a **Theological Marker**, asserting God's ultimate authority and sovereignty as the source of the law. It acts as a **Chiasm** or **Inclusio** when seen in the broader context of Leviticus, often bookending sections of law and reminding the reader of the divine origin and non-negotiable nature of the commands. The entire verse, within its context, also uses **Symbolism**, where the physical act of timely consumption symbolizes spiritual principles of immediate obedience, purity, and complete devotion to God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 22:30, though specific to ancient sacrificial practice, profoundly illustrates enduring theological truths. It underscores God's demand for holiness and purity in worship, emphasizing that our approach to Him must be marked by reverence and intentionality. The immediate consumption of the offering speaks to the importance of prompt and complete obedience to divine commands, leaving no room for procrastination or casualness regarding sacred duties. Furthermore, the declaration "I am the LORD" serves as a foundational reminder of God's absolute sovereignty and the ultimate authority behind all His instructions, calling His people to a life fully submitted to His will.

* [Exodus 12:10](/exodus/12-10 "Exodus 12:10 - Passover Lamb Instructions")
* [Leviticus 19:2](/leviticus/19-2 "Leviticus 19:2 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy")
* [Deuteronomy 12:7](/deuteronomy/12-7 "Deuteronomy 12:7 - Eating Before the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 22:30 calls us to a profound reflection on our own walk with God. While the specific sacrificial system has been fulfilled in Christ, the underlying principles of immediate obedience, reverence for God's holiness, and complete devotion remain timeless. Do we approach our spiritual duties, our worship, and our acts of service with the same urgency and intentionality that God demanded of the Israelites? Are we quick to respond to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, or do we procrastinate, allowing the "morrow" to steal the opportunities for present obedience and gratitude? This verse challenges us to consider whether we are truly giving our "best" to God, consuming our spiritual blessings and opportunities fully, or if we are holding back, leaving remnants for a later, perhaps less fervent, time. It reminds us that God is "the LORD," the sovereign authority, and our lives are to be lived in joyful, immediate submission to His perfect will, honoring Him in every aspect.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I tend to procrastinate in obedience to God's known will?**
* **How does the command for immediate consumption of the offering challenge my own approach to spiritual disciplines or acts of worship?**
* **What does "leaving none until the morrow" symbolize for my commitment to God's call on my life today?**
* **How does recognizing "I am the LORD" impact my willingness to obey even when it's difficult or inconvenient?**

### FAQ

**Why was it so important to eat the offering on the same day and not leave any until the morrow?**

Answer: This command was crucial for both practical and theological reasons. Practically, in the warm climate of ancient Israel, meat would quickly spoil, becoming a source of defilement. Theologically, the immediate consumption of the "sacrifice of thanksgiving" ([Leviticus 22:29](/leviticus/22-29 "Leviticus 22:29 - Sacrifice of Thanksgiving")) emphasized the sacredness and immediacy of the act of worship and gratitude. It ensured ritual purity, prevented the offering from becoming profane, and underscored the complete and timely fulfillment of one's vow or expression of thanks to God. It was a demonstration of reverence and prompt obedience to divine instruction, a principle also seen with the [Passover lamb in Exodus 12:10](/exodus/12-10 "Exodus 12:10 - Passover Lamb Instructions").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 22:30, with its stringent demands for immediate consumption and purity, finds its ultimate fulfillment and transformation in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament sacrifices, including the thanksgiving offering, were shadows pointing to the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice of Christ. He is the ultimate [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), whose body was offered and fully consumed on the cross, leaving nothing incomplete or defiled. In Christ, the need for repeated, perishable offerings is abolished, for His sacrifice is eternally sufficient ([Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). Furthermore, the principle of immediate obedience and complete devotion, sealed by "I am the LORD," is perfectly embodied by Jesus, who always did the will of His Father ([John 4:34](/john/4-34 "John 4:34 - Jesus' Food is Doing God's Will")). For believers, our "sacrifice of thanksgiving" is now spiritual: offering our bodies as living sacrifices ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices")), offering praise through the fruit of our lips ([Hebrews 13:15](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15 - Sacrifice of Praise")), and living lives of immediate, complete obedience to the Holy Spirit, empowered by the indwelling Christ. We are called to "eat" of Him, the [Bread of Life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life"), daily and fully, without delay or reservation, knowing that in Him, all God's demands for holiness and perfect worship are met.

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 19:7

And if it be eaten at all on the third day, it [is] abominable; it shall not be accepted.

Exodus 16:19

And Moses said, Let no man leave of it till the morning.

Exodus 16:20

Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses; but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and stank: and Moses was wroth with them.

Leviticus 7:15

And the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving shall be eaten the same day that it is offered; he shall not leave any of it until the morning.

Leviticus 7:18

And if [any] of the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings be eaten at all on the third day, it shall not be accepted, neither shall it be imputed unto him that offereth it: it shall be an abomination, and the soul that eateth of it shall bear his iniquity.