Leviticus 6:24

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

And the LORD said to Moses,

American Standard Version

And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 6:24 functions as a critical introductory formula within the Pentateuch, unequivocally signaling the divine origin and absolute authority of the subsequent instructions. Though concise, this declaration profoundly establishes God as the direct speaker and Moses as His chosen mediator, setting the sacred tone for the detailed laws that govern Israel's worship and covenant relationship with a holy God. It underscores the foundational truth that the commands are not human constructs but divine decrees, demanding reverence and obedience.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 6:24 serves as a pivotal transition, introducing a new section of precise instructions concerning the sin offering (Hebrew: *chattat*), specifically detailing the priest's duties in handling this vital sacrifice, beginning in [Leviticus 6:25](/leviticus/6-25 "Leviticus 6:25 - The Law of the Sin Offering for Priests"). This verse marks a significant shift from the general laws of the offerings given to the people in [Leviticus 1-5](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - The Laws of Offerings") to specific regulations tailored for the priests, ensuring the meticulous execution of the sacrificial system. The preceding verses in [Leviticus 6:8-23](/leviticus/6-8 "Leviticus 6:8-23 - Laws for the Burnt and Grain Offerings") detailed the laws for the burnt offering and grain offering for the priests, making this verse a structural signpost that pivots to the next major offering. The repeated formula "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying" acts as a pervasive literary device throughout Leviticus, segmenting divine commands and emphasizing their direct divine provenance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Leviticus was given to the Israelites at Mount Sinai, immediately following the construction and consecration of the Tabernacle, as meticulously recorded in [Exodus 40](/exodus/40 "Exodus 40 - The Tabernacle Completed and Consecrated"). Having established His dwelling place among His people, God now provides the intricate laws necessary for maintaining holiness in His presence. These laws were crucial for a newly formed, nomadic people establishing their distinct identity and worship system in a world permeated by pagan practices. The sacrificial system, including the sin offering, was God's gracious provision for dealing with sin and impurity, allowing a sinful people to draw near to a holy God. Moses' unique role as the sole recipient and mediator of these divine laws was paramount, solidifying his authority as God's chosen leader, as explicitly affirmed in passages like [Numbers 12:6-8](/numbers/12-6 "Numbers 12:6-8 - God's Unique Relationship with Moses"). The detailed nature of these commands reflects God's meticulous concern for holiness, order, and distinction in worship, setting Israel's practices apart from the often chaotic, immoral, and arbitrary rituals of surrounding nations.
* **Key Themes:** Leviticus 6:24, though brief, powerfully introduces several key theological themes central to Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Authority and Revelation**, asserting that the laws are not human inventions but direct pronouncements from God Himself, demanding absolute obedience. This undergirds the entire covenant relationship, emphasizing God's initiative in revealing His will. Closely related is the theme of **Holiness**, as the meticulous instructions that follow are designed to enable a sinful people to approach a holy God. The verse also highlights **Mediation**, with Moses serving as the indispensable conduit through whom God's sacred word is communicated to His people. Finally, it reinforces the theme of **Covenant Faithfulness**, as God continues to instruct His people on how to live in relationship with Him, providing the means for atonement and purity within the covenant framework established at Sinai, as detailed in [Exodus 19-24](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - The Covenant at Sinai").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the Tetragrammaton (YHWH), God's personal, covenantal name, often rendered "Yahweh" or "Jehovah." Its use here emphasizes God's relational and faithful character, particularly in His covenant with Israel, as the "self-Existent or Eternal" God. It signifies that the instructions are not from a generic deity but from the specific God who delivered them from slavery in Egypt and entered into a covenant with them at Sinai. This name underscores the intimate yet supremely authoritative nature of the divine communication.
* **spake (Hebrew, _dâbar'_):** The verb *dâbar* denotes a direct, authoritative, and often detailed communication. As a primitive root, it properly means "to arrange," but is used figuratively "to speak," implying a deliberate and intentional utterance, not a casual remark or a mere suggestion. In this context, it highlights the precision, weight, and binding nature of the commands Moses was about to receive and transmit. It signifies a divine pronouncement, carrying the full weight of God's will and demanding absolute obedience.
* **saying (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** The verb *ʼâmar* is a primitive root meaning "to say," used with great latitude. In this formulaic context, it functions to introduce the direct content of God's speech. While *dâbar* emphasizes the act of speaking with authority, *ʼâmar* points to the verbatim nature of the words that follow. Together, they underscore that what is about to be revealed is precisely what God has uttered, reinforcing the divine inspiration and the imperative for the audience to listen carefully and obey.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ And the LORD spake":** This opening phrase immediately establishes the divine source and supreme authority of the subsequent laws. The paragraph marker (¶) in the KJV often indicates a new section or thought, reinforcing the idea that this is a formal introduction to a new set of divine instructions. The subject "the LORD" (YHWH) asserts God's supreme authority and initiative in revelation. The verb "spake" (*dâbar*) emphasizes that this is a direct, audible, and intentional communication from God, not a human interpretation or a prophetic vision, highlighting the solemnity and binding nature of the divine pronouncement.
* **"unto Moses, saying,":** This clause identifies Moses as the exclusive recipient and divinely appointed mediator of God's word to Israel. It highlights Moses' unique role as God's chosen prophet, through whom the divine will is conveyed to the people. The phrase "saying" (*ʼâmar*) indicates that what follows is the direct content of God's spoken word, reinforcing the verbatim nature of the revelation and demanding careful attention and obedience from the audience. This formula is a hallmark of divine revelation throughout the Pentateuch, underscoring the authenticity, authority, and non-negotiable character of the Torah.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 6:24 primarily employs **Formulaic Introduction** and **Divine Speech**. The phrase "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying" is a recurring literary device throughout the Pentateuch, serving as a clear and unmistakable marker of direct divine revelation. This **Repetition** reinforces the absolute authority and divine origin of the laws that follow, preventing any ambiguity about their source. It acts as a structural signpost, segmenting the various legal codes and ensuring the reader understands that each section is a direct utterance from God. Furthermore, the very act of God speaking to Moses is an instance of **Theophany** or divine manifestation through communication, establishing the sacred and binding nature of the text. The simplicity and directness of the statement also contribute to its authoritative tone, leaving no room for doubt regarding the speaker or the recipient, thereby compelling immediate and unquestioning obedience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 6:24 is far more than a mere transitional statement; it is a profound theological declaration that undergirds the entire book of Leviticus and the broader Old Testament. It establishes the foundational principle that God is the ultimate source of all truth, law, and holiness. The consistent use of this formula throughout the Pentateuch reinforces the doctrine of divine inspiration and revelation, asserting that the commands given to Israel are not human inventions or cultural developments but the very words of the living God. This verse highlights God's active involvement in the lives of His people, not as a distant deity, but as a covenant-keeping God who communicates His will precisely and authoritatively. It sets the stage for understanding that true worship and obedience must be rooted in God's revealed will, not human preference, tradition, or ingenuity, emphasizing the imperative to listen and obey.

* [Exodus 20:1](/exodus/20-1 "Exodus 20:1 - God Speaks the Ten Commandments")
* [Deuteronomy 4:1-2](/deuteronomy/4-1 "Deuteronomy 4:1-2 - Obeying God's Statutes and Rules")
* [2 Timothy 3:16](/2_timothy/3-16 "2 Timothy 3:16 - All Scripture is God-breathed")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 6:24, though brief, carries immense weight for believers today, serving as a powerful reminder of the Bible's divine inspiration and absolute authority. It urges us to approach all Scripture with profound reverence, humble submission, and a sincere willingness to obey its every word. Just as God spoke directly to Moses, His Word continues to be a living, active, and transformative source of truth, guidance, and instruction for our lives, shaping our understanding of holiness, true worship, and our intimate relationship with Him. This verse challenges us to consider whether we truly treat the Bible as the very words of God, or merely as a collection of human ideas, historical accounts, or moral suggestions. Our engagement with Scripture should reflect its divine origin, leading to diligent study, humble listening, faithful application, and a life transformed by its eternal truths. It calls us to recognize that God still speaks powerfully through His written Word, providing timeless principles for navigating a complex world and living a life pleasing to Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does recognizing the divine origin of Scripture (as emphasized in Leviticus 6:24) impact your approach to reading and studying the Bible, and your willingness to obey its commands?**
* **In what ways does God's direct communication to Moses serve as a model for how God reveals Himself and His will to us today through His inspired Word?**
* **What specific areas of your life, thoughts, or actions need to be brought into greater alignment with God's authoritative Word, as revealed in Scripture?**

### FAQ

**Why is such a short verse considered so significant in a commentary?**

Answer: While Leviticus 6:24 is brief, its significance lies in its function as a foundational theological statement. It is a recurring formula throughout the Pentateuch, serving as an explicit declaration of divine authorship. This verse is not merely a transition; it is a powerful assertion that the subsequent laws are not human constructs, cultural norms, or mere traditions, but direct pronouncements from the Creator of the universe. It establishes the absolute authority, binding nature, and divine imperative of God's Word, demanding reverence and obedience from the audience. Without this divine preface, the laws would lose their ultimate authority and become mere suggestions. It underscores the concept of divine revelation, where God Himself initiates communication with humanity, as also seen in [Exodus 20:1](/exodus/20-1 "Exodus 20:1 - God Speaks the Ten Commandments") where God speaks the Ten Commandments directly to the people.

**How does Moses' role as mediator relate to this verse?**

Answer: Leviticus 6:24 explicitly states that the LORD "spake unto Moses, saying." This highlights Moses' unique and indispensable role as the primary mediator between a holy God and the Israelite people. Unlike other prophets who might receive visions or dreams, Moses was privileged to speak with God "face to face, as a man speaks with his friend" ([Exodus 33:11](/exodus/33-11 "Exodus 33:11 - God Speaks to Moses Face to Face")). His position was one of unparalleled intimacy, trust, and divine appointment, enabling him to receive direct, verbal instructions from God and faithfully relay them to the community. This verse reaffirms his divine appointment and the inherent authority in his mediation, ensuring that the laws transmitted through him were indeed God's own words, not his personal interpretations or innovations. His role was crucial for the covenant community to receive and understand God's will.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 6:24, with its emphasis on God's direct speech to Moses, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate and most complete revelation of God in the person of Jesus Christ. While God spoke "at various times and in various ways" through prophets in the Old Testament, as [Hebrews 1:1](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1 - God's Revelation in Christ") declares, He has "in these last days spoken to us by His Son" ([Hebrews 1:2](/hebrews/1-2 "Hebrews 1:2 - God Speaks Through His Son")). Jesus is not merely a prophet who relays God's words; He *is* the Word of God incarnate, the divine Logos who was "with God and was God" from eternity ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God")). The authoritative "saying" of the LORD to Moses finds its ultimate fulfillment in the authoritative "I say to you" of Jesus, who spoke with an inherent authority that surpassed that of the scribes and Pharisees ([Matthew 7:28-29](/matthew/7-28 "Matthew 7:28-29 - Jesus' Authority in Teaching")). Just as the laws given through Moses were divine and binding, so too are the teachings and the very person of Christ, who perfectly embodies God's will and character. He is the Lamb of God who truly takes away the sin of the world, fulfilling the very sin offerings that these laws describe and making them obsolete through His perfect sacrifice ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). In Christ, God's communication is no longer mediated through a prophet but is directly present in the person of His Son, the Living Word, who fully reveals the Father ([John 14:9](/john/14-9 "John 14:9 - Jesus Reveals the Father")).

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.