Leviticus 6:19

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 6:19 functions as a pivotal introductory formula, "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying," signifying a direct and authoritative divine communication from Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel, to His chosen mediator, Moses. This concise yet profound statement consistently signals the commencement of new, precise instructions within the Mosaic Law, particularly detailing the intricate duties and responsibilities of the priesthood concerning the sacred offerings. It profoundly underscores the divine origin and immutable nature of the commands that follow, establishing God's meticulous provision for the proper worship and sanctification of His covenant people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a crucial textual demarcation, immediately preceding a new section of divine instructions regarding the priest's daily grain offering (Leviticus 6:20-23). It follows earlier regulations in [Leviticus 6:14-18](/leviticus/6-14-18 "Leviticus 6:14-18 - The People's Grain Offering") concerning the grain offering presented by the general populace, outlining its preparation, presentation, and the portion designated for the priests. The formula "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying" acts as a clear transition, shifting the focus from general sacrificial laws to highly specific, personal obligations for the priesthood. This emphasis highlights the unique holiness, responsibility, and distinct ritual requirements associated with their consecrated office, ensuring the purity and efficacy of their service before God.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Leviticus 6:19 is situated within the broader narrative of Israel's wilderness sojourn, specifically after the detailed construction and consecration of the Tabernacle, as meticulously recorded in [Exodus 40](/exodus/40 "Exodus 40 - The Tabernacle Completed and Consecrated"). The book of Leviticus itself functions as a divine manual for holiness, given to a newly formed nation recently liberated from Egyptian bondage and brought into a covenant relationship with Yahweh at [Mount Sinai](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - God's Covenant with Israel at Sinai"). Moses, uniquely chosen as God's prophet and mediator, was the sole recipient of these direct divine pronouncements, which collectively formed the comprehensive legal and ritual framework for Israel's life as a holy people set apart for God. This continuous, direct communication underscores God's active involvement in the daily lives and worship practices of His people, establishing a divinely ordained system designed to maintain purity and facilitate communion with a holy God.
* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme of **Divine Authority** is paramount in this verse, as it consistently establishes God as the sole source of all law and instruction in Israel. This directly contributes to the theme of **Holiness**, emphasizing that Israel's separation and purity are not self-derived but are a direct result of God's commands and presence among them. The verse also highlights the theme of **Mediation**, with Moses serving as the indispensable conduit for God's revelation to His people, a role crucial for bridging the gap between a holy God and an unholy people. Furthermore, it reinforces the theme of **Covenant Relationship**, as God's speaking to Moses is an ongoing act within the framework of His covenant with Israel, guiding them in how to live as His treasured possession, as promised in [Exodus 19:5-6](/exodus/19-5-6 "Exodus 19:5-6 - Israel, God's Treasured Possession").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the Tetragrammaton (YHWH), the sacred, personal name of the covenant God of Israel, often rendered "LORD" in English Bibles (using small caps). Derived from a root meaning "to be," it signifies God's self-existence, eternal nature, and covenant faithfulness, as revealed in [Exodus 3:14](/exodus/3-14 "Exodus 3:14 - God Reveals His Name"). Its use here emphasizes that the instructions are not from a generic deity but from the specific, living, covenant-making God who actively engages with His people.
* **spake (Hebrew, _dâbar'_):** The verb `דָּבַר` (dâbar) denotes "to speak," "to declare," or "to command." It often implies authoritative, deliberate, and effective communication, carrying inherent power and truth. When used of God, it signifies a divine utterance that brings into being what it declares or establishes what it commands. This is not casual conversation but a formal, weighty pronouncement of divine will, demanding attention and obedience.
* **Moses (Hebrew, _Môsheh'_):** This name, meaning "drawing out" (of the water), refers to the Israelite lawgiver and prophet. Moses serves as God's chosen mediator and spokesman, uniquely positioned to receive and transmit God's laws to the entire nation of Israel. His inclusion in this formula highlights his unparalleled role in the Old Covenant as the central figure through whom God directly revealed His comprehensive legal and ritual framework.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD":** This opening phrase immediately identifies the ultimate and singular source of the communication: Yahweh, the sovereign, covenant-keeping God of Israel. It unequivocally establishes the divine authority and unchallengeable nature of the forthcoming instructions, leaving no doubt as to their origin.
* **"spake unto Moses":** This specifies the exclusive recipient and mediator of the divine word. Moses is presented as the divinely appointed conduit, uniquely chosen by God to receive and faithfully transmit His laws to the entire nation of Israel. This highlights Moses' unparalleled and indispensable role in the Old Covenant as the prophet through whom God directly revealed His will and established His covenant.
* **"saying,":** This participle (`לֵאמֹר`, _lemor_) functions as an introductory marker for direct discourse, signaling that what immediately follows is the precise, verbatim content of God's speech. It emphasizes the exact and unadulterated nature of the revelation, indicating that the subsequent verses contain the very words or commands that the LORD communicated to Moses, ensuring accuracy and fidelity in transmission.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 6:19 primarily employs **Formulaic Language** and **Repetition**. The phrase "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying" is a highly recurrent introductory formula throughout the Pentateuch, particularly prominent in Leviticus. Its consistent use serves to underscore the divine origin and absolute authority of every command, regulation, and narrative detail that follows. This **Repetition** creates a rhythmic and authoritative cadence, constantly reminding the reader that the entire legal and ritual system is not a human invention but a direct, unmediated revelation from God. Furthermore, this formula functions as a **Divine Speech Act**, where the very act of God speaking brings about or establishes the reality of the commands and their binding nature. The formula itself is a powerful literary device that reinforces the profound theological truth of God's active, direct, and authoritative engagement with His people through His chosen mediator.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This foundational verse powerfully asserts the absolute divine authority behind the entire Mosaic Law. It establishes that the intricate details of worship, sacrifice, and daily living in Leviticus are not human constructs or cultural adaptations, but direct, unadulterated revelations from the sovereign God of Israel. This consistent emphasis on God speaking to Moses highlights the principle of divine initiative in revelation and the necessity of a chosen mediator to convey God's will to humanity. It underscores that true worship and righteous living are always predicated upon God's self-disclosure and His explicit commands, rather than human invention or speculation. The formula reinforces the unique relationship between God and Israel, where God actively governs and guides His people through His spoken word.

* [Exodus 24:12](/exodus/24-12 "Exodus 24:12 - God Calls Moses to Receive the Law")
* [Deuteronomy 5:4-5](/deuteronomy/5-4-5 "Deuteronomy 5:4-5 - God Spoke Face to Face with Moses")
* [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God's Progressive Revelation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 6:19, though brief, carries profound implications for our understanding of God and our relationship with Him. It reminds us that God is not silent but is a God who actively communicates His will and nature to humanity. The meticulous detail that follows such pronouncements in Leviticus reveals a God who cares deeply about how His people approach Him, how they live, and how they express their devotion. For believers today, this verse calls us to cultivate a posture of attentive listening to God's Word, recognizing its divine origin and authoritative claim on our lives. It encourages us to seek understanding of His character—His holiness, His orderliness, and His desire for a pure relationship—as revealed in Scripture. Just as ancient Israel relied on Moses' mediation and the written law, we are called to rely on the ultimate revelation of God in Christ and the written Word He has provided, trusting that His instructions are for our good, our sanctification, and His eternal glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the repeated phrase "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying" shape our understanding of the Bible's authority and inspiration?**
* **In what ways does God "speak" to us today through His Word, His Spirit, and His providence, and what is our responsibility in listening and responding?**
* **How does recognizing God's initiative in revelation (He speaks first) impact our approach to prayer, worship, and spiritual disciplines?**

### FAQ

**Why is this seemingly simple introductory phrase repeated so often in Leviticus and the Pentateuch?**

Answer: This repetition serves several critical theological and literary purposes. Theologically, it constantly reinforces the divine origin and absolute authority of the laws and instructions that follow. It emphasizes that these are not human inventions or cultural traditions, but direct, verbatim commands from Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. This underscores the immutable nature of the Mosaic Law, establishing its foundational and non-negotiable status for the covenant community. Literarily, it acts as a clear textual marker, segmenting different sections of divine revelation and providing a consistent, rhythmic framework for the narrative of God's communication with His people. It ensures that the reader never loses sight of the ultimate source of the Mosaic Law, thereby enhancing its gravitas and solemnity. This formula highlights God's active presence and meticulous involvement in the detailed life of His covenant community, from grand theological principles to minute ritualistic procedures, as seen throughout [the book of Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "The Book of Leviticus").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Leviticus 6:19 points to Moses as the unique mediator of God's Word in the Old Covenant, it ultimately foreshadows the perfect and final mediation of Jesus Christ. Just as the LORD spoke directly to Moses, God has now "spoken to us by his Son" ([Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God's Final Revelation in Christ")). Jesus is not merely a messenger but the very Word of God incarnate ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God"), [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), the ultimate and complete revelation of God's character and will. The meticulous instructions given through Moses, including those concerning the grain offering that follows Leviticus 6:19, pointed to the need for a perfect offering and a consecrated priesthood. Christ fulfills both roles: He is the perfect sacrifice, 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")), and the Great High Priest who mediates a new and better covenant ([Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - Christ, the Mediator of a Better Covenant")). Thus, the divine communication initiated in Leviticus 6:19 finds its ultimate and glorious culmination in the person and work of Jesus, through whom God has spoken His final, saving word to humanity, establishing a perfect and eternal means of fellowship.

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.