Leviticus 18:1
Leviticus 18:1 in Multiple Translations
Then the LORD said to Moses,
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,
And the Lord said to Moses,
The Lord told Moses,
And the Lord spake vnto Moses, saying,
And Jehovah speaketh unto Moses, saying,
The LORD said to Moses,
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
Yahweh also said to Moses/me,
Berean Amplified Bible — Leviticus 18:1
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Leviticus 18:1 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יְדַבֵּ֥ר
יְהוָ֖ה
אֶל
מֹשֶׁ֥ה
לֵּ/אמֹֽר
וַ/יְדַבֵּ֥ר
dâbar
H1696
to speak
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms
יְהוָ֖ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
מֹשֶׁ֥ה
Môsheh
H4872
Moses
N-proper
לֵּ/אמֹֽר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Leviticus 18:1
וַ/יְדַבֵּ֥ר
dâbar
H1696
"to speak"
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms
To speak or communicate, like God speaking to Moses in Exodus or a king commanding his people. It can also mean to promise or warn someone.
Definition: : speak/tell/command 1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing 1a) (Qal) to speak 1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to speak 1c2) to promise 1d) (Pual) to be spoken 1e) (Hithpael) to speak 1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight
Usage: Occurs in 1049 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work. See also: Genesis 8:15; Exodus 12:25; Leviticus 23:9.
יְהוָ֖ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
מֹשֶׁ֥ה
Môsheh
H4872
"Moses"
N-proper
Moses, the Israelite leader, was born to Amram and Jochebed and led the Exodus from Egypt. He received the law from God and is considered a key figure in the Bible. Moses means 'drawn' in Hebrew.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Exo.2.10; son of: Amram (H6019) and Jochebed (H3115); brother of: Aaron (H0175) and Miriam (H4813); married to Zipporah (H6855); father of: Gershom (H1647) and Eliezer (H0461H); also called Manasseh at Jdg.18.30(?) § Moses = "drawn" the prophet and lawgiver, leader of the exodus
Usage: Occurs in 704 OT verses. KJV: Moses. See also: Exodus 2:10; Exodus 13:1; Exodus 32:21.
לֵּ/אמֹֽר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
Study Notes — Leviticus 18:1
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Leviticus 18:1 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 18:1
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 18:1
- Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 18:1
- Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 18:1
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Leviticus 18:1
- Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 18:1
Context — Unlawful Sexual Relations
1Then the LORD said to Moses,
2“Speak to the Israelites and tell them: I am the LORD your God. 3You must not follow the practices of the land of Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not follow the practices of the land of Canaan, into which I am bringing you. You must not walk in their customs.Leviticus 18:1 Summary
In Leviticus 18:1, God speaks to Moses, showing that He wants to have a personal relationship with His people. This verse reminds us that God cares about us and wants to guide us, just like He guided the Israelites through Moses. As we read this verse, we can think about how God speaks to us today, such as through the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and through prayer (Philippians 4:6-7). By listening to God's voice and following His guidance, we can live lives that are pleasing to Him and fulfilling for us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did God speak to Moses in this verse?
God spoke to Moses in Leviticus 18:1 to give him instructions and guidance for the Israelites, as seen in Exodus 4:10-12 where God initially called Moses to be His spokesperson. This emphasizes the importance of Moses' role as a leader and intermediary between God and the people.
What is the significance of God speaking to Moses in this context?
The fact that God spoke to Moses in Leviticus 18:1 highlights God's desire for a personal relationship with His people, as expressed in Jeremiah 31:33 where God says He will put His law in their minds and write it on their hearts. This direct communication demonstrates God's care and concern for the Israelites' spiritual well-being.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the chapter?
Leviticus 18:1 serves as an introduction to the instructions that follow in the chapter, where God gives the Israelites guidance on how to live holy lives, separate from the practices of the surrounding nations, as seen in Leviticus 18:2-3. This verse sets the stage for the importance of obeying God's commands in order to be distinct and faithful to Him.
What can we learn from God's method of communication with Moses?
In Leviticus 18:1, we see that God communicates directly with Moses, which teaches us about the value of prayer and listening to God's voice, as encouraged in Psalm 119:145-152. This verse reminds us that God desires to communicate with us and guide us in our lives.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that God speaks to us today, and how can we be more attentive to His voice?
- How does the fact that God spoke to Moses in this verse encourage or challenge you in your own relationship with God?
- In what ways can we, like Moses, be used by God to speak to and guide others?
- What are some practices or habits that we can develop to help us listen more closely to God's voice and follow His guidance?
Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 18:1
And the Lord spake unto Moses,.... He continued speaking to him, after he had delivered to him the laws respecting the day of atonement, and the bringing of the sacrifices to the door of the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 18:1
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, No JFB commentary on this verse.
Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 18:1
Leviticus 18:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,Ver. 1. And the Lord spake.]
Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 18:1
XVIII.(1) And the Lord spake unto Moses.—Unlike the preceding Divine communications, which treated of the ritual and ceremonial pollutions, the enactments which Moses is here commanded to communicate direct to the children of Israel, or their representatives, the elders, affect their moral life—precepts which form the basis of domestic purity, and which are the foundation of human happiness.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Leviticus 18:1
CHAPTER XVIII The people are commanded to avoid the doings of the Egyptians and Canaanites, 1-3. They are to do God's judgments, and to keep his ordinances, that they may live, 4, 5. Marriages with those who are near of kin are prohibited, 6. None to marry with his mother or step-mother, 7, 8; with his sister or step-sister, 9; with his grand-daughter, 10; nor with the daughter of his step-mother, 11; nor with his aunt, by father or mother, 12, 13; nor with his uncle's wife, 14; nor with his daughter-in-law, 15; nor sister-in-law, 16; nor with a woman and her daughter, son's daughter, or daughter's daughter, 17; nor with two sisters at the same time, 18. Several abominations prohibited, 19-23, of which the Canaanites, &c., were guilty, and for which they were cast out of the land, 24, 25. The people are exhorted to avoid these abominations, lest they be treated as the ancient inhabitants of the land were treated, and so cast out, 26-28. Threatenings against the disobedient, 29, and promises to the obedient, 30. NOTES ON CHAP. XVIII
Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 18:1
1. Purity in those connected through the relationship of parent and child. The first Pentad: Kinship of the first degree, Leviticus 18:6-10. The second Pentad: Kinship of the second degree, Leviticus 18:11-15.