Leviticus 8:5

KJV

And Moses said unto the congregation, This [is] the thing which the LORD commanded to be done.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Moses {H4872} said {H559} unto the congregation {H5712}, This is the thing {H1697} which the LORD {H3068} commanded {H6680} to be done {H6213}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Moshe said to the community, "This is what ADONAI has ordered to be done."

Berean Standard Bible

And Moses said to them, “This is what the LORD has commanded to be done.”

American Standard Version

And Moses said unto the congregation, This is the thing which Jehovah hath commanded to be done.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 8:5 serves as a foundational declaration by Moses to the assembled congregation, asserting that the elaborate consecration rituals for Aaron and his sons, which are about to unfold, are not human inventions but direct, authoritative commands from the LORD. This verse underscores the divine origin and non-negotiable nature of Israel's worship system, establishing a precedent for all subsequent acts of service and devotion to God. It highlights God's sovereignty over the priesthood and the meticulous detail of His revealed will for His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 8:5 is situated at the very beginning of a crucial section detailing the ordination of Aaron and his sons into the priesthood. The preceding verses, [Leviticus 8:1-4](/leviticus/8-1 "Leviticus 8:1-4 - The Command to Consecrate Aaron and His Sons"), describe the LORD's explicit instructions to Moses to gather the entire congregation at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting, along with the necessary items for the consecration. Moses' statement in verse 5 acts as a public affirmation and a solemn introduction to the series of sacred rites that follow in [Leviticus 8:6-36](/leviticus/8-6 "Leviticus 8:6-36 - The Consecration Rituals"), including washing, anointing, dressing, and offering sacrifices. This verse thus functions as a pivotal transition, validating the upcoming ceremonies as divinely ordained rather than mere human tradition, setting the stage for the establishment of the Aaronic priesthood as God's chosen channel for mediation and worship.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting for Leviticus 8:5 is the newly constructed Tabernacle, which served as the central place of worship for the Israelites in the wilderness. Following the detailed instructions for its construction in [Exodus 25-40](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25-40 - Tabernacle Construction and Dedication"), the book of Leviticus outlines the laws and rituals for proper worship within this sacred space. The consecration of priests was a monumental event, establishing a divinely appointed system for approaching God, handling sacred things, and mediating between God and the people. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, priests often derived their authority from kings or ancestral lines, but Israel's priesthood was uniquely established by direct divine command, emphasizing God's absolute sovereignty. Moses, as God's chosen mediator, plays a critical role, similar to his function in delivering the Law at [Mount Sinai](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - The Giving of the Law at Mount Sinai"), by communicating God's will to the entire assembly, ensuring that the people understood the divine authority behind these foundational religious institutions.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Commanded (Hebrew, _tzavah'_):** This verb, stemming from the root צוה (tsavah), signifies a strong, authoritative, and binding directive. It is not a suggestion or a request but an order that demands strict obedience. In the context of divine commands, it emphasizes the absolute sovereignty of God and the non-negotiable nature of His instructions. The use of _tzavah_ here underscores that the entire consecration process is a matter of divine decree, not human ingenuity or preference, thereby imbuing the rituals with ultimate spiritual weight and legitimacy.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yahweh'_):** This is the covenant name of God, יהוה (YHWH), revealed to Moses at the burning bush ([Exodus 3:14](/exodus/3-14 "Exodus 3:14 - I AM WHO I AM")). Its presence in this verse is highly significant, indicating that the command originates from the personal, covenant-keeping God of Israel. It highlights that the establishment of the priesthood is an act of God's faithfulness to His covenant people, providing them with the means to approach Him and maintain their relationship with Him according to His holy standards. The authority is not generic but specific to the God who has chosen and redeemed Israel.
* **Thing (Hebrew, _davar'_):** The Hebrew word דבר (davar) is rich in meaning, often translated as "word," "matter," "affair," or "thing." In this context, it refers to the specific, concrete instruction or matter at hand—the entire process of consecrating Aaron and his sons. By using "this... the thing," Moses emphasizes the particularity and definitiveness of the divine instruction. It is not a vague concept but a precise set of actions that God has ordained, demanding meticulous execution. This reinforces the idea that every detail of the ritual is purposeful and divinely sanctioned.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Moses said unto the congregation":** This opening clause highlights Moses' indispensable role as God's chosen mediator and spokesperson. His address to "the congregation" (עדה, _edah_), meaning the entire assembly of Israel, signifies the public and communal nature of this divine revelation. The consecration of the priesthood was not a private affair but a foundational event for the entire nation, requiring their witness and understanding of its divine origin. Moses' voice carries the authority of God Himself, ensuring the people grasp the gravity and legitimacy of what is about to transpire.
* **"This [is] the thing":** This phrase serves as an emphatic declaration, pointing directly to the specific, detailed instructions for the consecration ceremony that are about to be performed. The demonstrative "this" underscores the immediate and tangible nature of the divine command. It is a clear and unambiguous statement that what they are witnessing and about to participate in is not arbitrary or humanly conceived, but a precise "thing" or "matter" (דבר, _davar_) that has been meticulously laid out by a higher authority.
* **"which the LORD commanded to be done":** This concluding clause is the theological lynchpin of the verse, unequivocally attributing the authority and origin of the entire consecration process to "the LORD" (יהוה, _Yahweh_). The verb "commanded" (צוה, _tzavah_) reinforces the absolute and binding nature of the divine directive. It signifies that these rituals are not optional or subject to human alteration, but are God's explicit will for how His people are to approach Him and how their spiritual leaders are to be set apart. This statement legitimizes the priesthood and the sacrificial system as divinely instituted, demanding faithful adherence.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Leviticus 8:5 is **Authoritative Declaration**. Moses, acting as God's direct representative, issues a clear and unambiguous statement that the upcoming consecration rituals are not of human design but are divinely mandated. This declaration serves to underscore the absolute **Divine Authority** behind the entire Levitical system, imbuing every subsequent action with sacred weight. There is also an element of **Emphasis** through the direct and concise statement "This [is] the thing which the LORD commanded to be done," which highlights the non-negotiable nature of God's instructions. The verse functions as a **Preparatory Statement**, setting the solemn and reverent tone for the detailed ceremonies that follow, ensuring that the congregation understands the ultimate source and sanctity of the priestly office.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 8:5 profoundly establishes the principle that true worship and service to God must always be rooted in divine command, not human innovation or preference. This verse highlights God's absolute sovereignty over the means by which humanity can approach Him, demonstrating His meticulous care in providing a pathway for fellowship and atonement. It underscores the importance of obedience as a foundational aspect of faith, where the legitimacy of spiritual leadership and the efficacy of sacred rituals derive entirely from God's revealed will. The meticulous details of the consecration underscore God's holiness and the necessity of proper, divinely sanctioned mediation for sinful humanity to draw near to a holy God.

* [Exodus 24:12](/exodus/24-12 "Exodus 24:12 - Moses Receives the Tablets of the Law"): Just as Moses received the Law directly from God, so too are the instructions for the priesthood directly from the LORD, emphasizing divine origin.
* [Deuteronomy 6:25](/deuteronomy/6-25 "Deuteronomy 6:25 - Righteousness Through Obedience"): This verse connects obedience to God's commands with righteousness, echoing the principle that doing "the thing which the LORD commanded" is essential for a right relationship with Him.
* [Hebrews 8:5](/hebrews/8-5 "Hebrews 8:5 - Heavenly Pattern for Earthly Worship"): The New Testament affirms that the Old Testament worship system, including the priesthood, was a "copy and shadow of what is in heaven," reinforcing the idea that these earthly commands were divinely patterned and not arbitrary.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 8:5 serves as a timeless reminder that our approach to God, our worship, and our service must be grounded in His revealed will, not our own preferences or cultural trends. In an age where personal expression often takes precedence, this verse calls us back to a humble submission to divine authority. It challenges us to examine the foundations of our faith practices: Are they truly commanded by the LORD, or are they traditions of men? For those in spiritual leadership, it underscores the immense responsibility to faithfully communicate and uphold God's commands, recognizing that their authority is derived from their adherence to His Word, just as Moses' authority was. Ultimately, this verse invites us to trust in God's wisdom and provision, acknowledging that He alone establishes the means by which we can draw near to Him, and that His ways are always precise, intentional, and for our ultimate good.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life and worship do I prioritize personal preference over God's revealed commands?**
* **How does understanding the divine origin of the Old Testament priesthood inform my understanding of spiritual authority today?**
* **What specific "things" has the LORD commanded in the New Covenant that I need to more faithfully "do" in my daily life?**

### FAQ

**Why was it so important for Moses to declare that the LORD commanded these things?**

Answer: It was crucial for Moses to declare this because it established the divine authority and legitimacy of the entire consecration process for Aaron and his sons. In ancient cultures, religious rituals could be human inventions or traditions. By stating "This [is] the thing which the [LORD commanded to be done](/leviticus/8-5 "Leviticus 8:5 - The LORD's Command to Moses")," Moses made it clear that these elaborate ceremonies for the priesthood were not arbitrary human ideas but direct, authoritative directives from God Himself. This ensured that the people understood the sanctity and non-negotiable nature of the priesthood and the sacrificial system, thereby fostering reverence, obedience, and trust in God's provision for their spiritual life. It also reinforced Moses' role as God's faithful mediator, authenticating his leadership and the divine origin of the Mosaic Law.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 8:5, with its emphasis on the divine command for the establishment of the Aaronic priesthood, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament priesthood was divinely instituted, it was a shadow pointing to the reality to come ([Hebrews 10:1](/hebrews/10-1 "Hebrews 10:1 - The Law as a Shadow of Good Things to Come")). Jesus is the Great High Priest, consecrated not by human hands or elaborate rituals, but by God Himself, "appointed by God as high priest after the order of Melchizedek" ([Hebrews 5:10](/hebrews/5-10 "Hebrews 5:10 - Christ, a High Priest According to the Order of Melchizedek")). The "thing which the LORD commanded to be done" in the Old Covenant was a temporary provision, a means to foreshadow the perfect sacrifice and eternal mediation of Christ. Jesus perfectly fulfilled all that the Levitical system anticipated, offering Himself as the once-for-all sacrifice for sin ([Hebrews 9:26](/hebrews/9-26 "Hebrews 9:26 - Christ's Once-for-All Sacrifice")) and entering the true Tabernacle in heaven ([Hebrews 9:24](/hebrews/9-24 "Hebrews 9:24 - Christ's Entrance into Heaven")). Thus, the divine authority behind the Old Covenant priesthood culminates in the person and work of Christ, who is the ultimate "thing" God commanded to be done for humanity's salvation and access to God ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")).

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.