Leviticus 7:22

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

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

ADONAI said to Moshe,

Then the LORD said to Moses,

And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,

Commentary

Context

Leviticus 7:22 serves as a pivotal introductory statement, a common formula found throughout the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers. It signals a new section of divine revelation and command being delivered to Moses. In the broader context of Leviticus chapter 7, this verse specifically precedes further detailed instructions concerning the various peace offerings, sin offerings, and trespass offerings that the Israelites were to present. While the previous verses (7:11-21) discussed aspects of the peace offering, this particular declaration sets the stage for the crucial prohibition against eating the fat and the blood of sacrificial animals, which begins in verse 23.

Key Themes

  • Divine Authority and Revelation: The phrase "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying" unequivocally establishes God as the ultimate source of the laws and ordinances given to Israel. It underscores the divine authority behind every command and instruction.
  • Moses' Role as Mediator: This recurring phrase highlights Moses' unique and privileged position as God's chosen prophet and mediator, through whom the divine will was communicated directly to the people of Israel. This pattern of revelation is foundational to the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai.
  • The Foundation of the Law: Every law, every ritual, and every dietary restriction in Leviticus is presented as a direct utterance from God. This emphasizes that Israel's entire national and religious life was to be built upon God's explicit word, not human invention or tradition.

Linguistic Insight

The Hebrew phrase translated "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying" is "vaydabber YHWH el-Mosheh lemor" (ื•ึทื™ึฐื“ึทื‘ึตึผืจ ื™ึฐื”ื•ึธื” ืึถืœึพืžึนืฉึถืื” ืœึตึผืืžึนืจ). The verb "dabber" (ื“ึธึผื‘ึทืจ) implies a direct, often forceful or authoritative, verbal communication. The inclusion of "lemor" (ืœึตึผืืžึนืจ), meaning "saying" or "to say," further emphasizes that the following words are the very words God spoke, not merely an interpretation or summary by Moses. This linguistic precision reinforces the divine origin and authoritative nature of the subsequent commands.

Significance and Application

While Leviticus 7:22 itself is an introductory phrase, its significance lies in what it represents: the continuous and direct communication of God's will to humanity. For the ancient Israelites, it was a constant reminder that their laws, their worship, and their very identity were divinely ordained. For believers today, this verse, like many others, reinforces several crucial truths:

  • God is a Communicating God: He desires to make His will known to His people.
  • The Authority of Scripture: The Bible's laws and principles are not human constructs but divinely inspired and authoritative. They are His words for us.
  • Importance of Listening and Obedience: Just as Moses listened and conveyed, and Israel was expected to obey, we too are called to listen to God's word and live in accordance with His revealed will. This verse sets the stage for understanding the strictness and importance of the commands that follow, particularly those concerning purity and sanctity of life through the prohibition of blood and fat.
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Cross-References

No cross-references found.