Leviticus 23:23

ยถ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

And the LORD {H3068} spake {H1696} unto Moses {H4872}, saying {H559},

ADONAI said to Moshe,

The LORD also said to Moses,

And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,

Commentary

Leviticus 23:23 serves as a concise introductory phrase, signaling the commencement of new divine instructions from the LORD to Moses. This verse is a common formula found throughout the Pentateuch, emphasizing the direct and authoritative source of the laws, statutes, and ordinances given to the Israelites.

Context of Leviticus 23:23

This verse immediately precedes God's detailed commands concerning the autumn festivals, specifically the Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah), the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), and the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot). Chapter 23 of Leviticus is dedicated entirely to outlining the "Feasts of the LORD" (mo'adim Adonai), which were divinely appointed times for Israel to gather, worship, and remember God's mighty acts and covenant promises. These festivals served as a liturgical calendar, shaping the religious and social life of the nation.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Authority: The phrase "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying" underscores that the subsequent instructions are not human inventions but direct revelations from God Himself. This establishes the absolute authority and binding nature of the commands given to Israel.
  • Mediated Revelation: Moses functions as the divinely appointed mediator between God and the people of Israel. God chose to communicate His will through Moses, who then conveyed it to the entire congregation, as seen in Exodus 19:9.
  • God's Initiative: This introductory phrase highlights God's active involvement in the lives of His covenant people. He initiates communication, providing guidance and establishing the framework for their worship and daily living.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase behind "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying" is vayyedabber Adonai el-Moshe lemor (ื•ึทื™ึฐื“ึทื‘ึตึผืจ ื™ึฐื”ื•ึธื” ืึถืœึพืžึนืฉึถืื” ืœึตึผืืžึนืจ). This is a highly significant and frequently used formula in the Pentateuch, appearing hundreds of times. The verb dabber (ื“ึทึผื‘ึตึผืจ) implies a declarative, authoritative speaking, often in the context of giving commands or instructions. It emphasizes that what follows is the direct, spoken word of God, not merely a thought or inspiration.

Practical Application

While a simple introductory verse, Leviticus 23:23 reminds us of several enduring truths:

  • The Importance of God's Word: It reaffirms that the foundation of our faith and practice must be rooted in God's direct revelation. All subsequent commands and principles in the Bible derive their authority from this divine origin.
  • God Desires to Communicate: This verse illustrates God's ongoing desire to communicate His will and character to humanity. Just as He spoke to Moses, He continues to speak through His inspired Word, the Bible, which is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16).
  • Listening and Obeying: The repetition of this formula throughout the Old Testament serves as a constant call to attention and obedience. It challenges us to listen carefully to what God says and to respond with faithful action.
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Cross-References

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