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 serves as a pivotal introductory formula, characteristic of the Pentateuch, signaling the divine origin and absolute authority of the subsequent instructions regarding the sin offering. 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 introduces a new section of detailed instructions concerning the sin offering (Hebrew: *chattat*), specifically outlining the priest's duties in handling this 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 Burnt Offering") to specific regulations for the priests, ensuring the proper 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 transitional statement that pivots to the next major offering. The repeated formula "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying" acts as a structural 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 of the Tabernacle, as recorded in [Exodus 40](/exodus/40 "Exodus 40 - The Tabernacle Completed"). 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 nomadic people establishing their identity and worship system in a world filled with 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' role as the sole recipient and mediator of these divine laws was paramount, solidifying his authority as God's chosen leader, as seen 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 and order in worship, distinguishing Israel's practices from the often chaotic and immoral rituals of surrounding nations.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _YHWH_):** This is the Tetragrammaton, 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. 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 authoritative nature of the divine communication.
* **spake (Hebrew, _dabar_):** The verb *dabar* denotes a direct, authoritative, and often detailed communication. It implies a deliberate and intentional utterance, not a casual remark or a mere suggestion. In this context, it highlights the precision and weight 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.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ And the LORD spake":** This opening phrase immediately establishes the divine source 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" (*dabar*) emphasizes that this is a direct, audible, and intentional communication from God, not a human interpretation or a prophetic vision.
* **"unto Moses, saying,":** This clause identifies Moses as the exclusive recipient and 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" indicates that what follows is the direct content of God's spoken word, reinforcing the verbatim nature of the revelation and demanding careful attention from the audience. This formula is a hallmark of divine revelation throughout the Pentateuch, underscoring the authenticity and authority 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.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 6:24 is far more than a mere transitional statement; it is a profound theological declaration. It undergirds the entire book of Leviticus, establishing 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 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 or ingenuity.

* [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. It serves as a powerful reminder of the Bible's divine inspiration, urging us to approach all Scripture with reverence and a willingness to submit to its authority. Just as God spoke directly to Moses, His Word continues to be a living and active source of truth, guidance, and instruction for our lives, shaping our understanding of holiness, worship, and our 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. Our engagement with Scripture should reflect its divine origin, leading to humble listening, diligent study, and faithful obedience. It calls us to recognize that God still speaks 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?**
* **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?**
* **What specific areas of your life 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 or traditions, but direct pronouncements from the Creator of the universe. It establishes the absolute authority and binding nature 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 or cultural norms. 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.

**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 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 and trust, enabling him to receive direct instructions from God and faithfully relay them to the community. This verse reaffirms his divine appointment and the authority inherent in his mediation, ensuring that the laws transmitted through him were indeed God's own words, not his personal interpretations or innovations.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 6:24, with its emphasis on God's direct speech to Moses, foreshadows the ultimate and most complete revelation of God in 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" ([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 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 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 ([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.

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.