Hebrew Word Reference — Leviticus 22:17
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Context — Worthy Offerings
Leviticus 22:17 Summary
In Leviticus 22:17, God speaks directly to Moses, showing us that He values communication with His people. This verse is a reminder that God wants to speak to us and guide us, just as He did with Moses. As we read in Psalm 119:105, God's word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, guiding us in our journey with Him. By listening to God's voice, we can learn to trust and obey Him, just as Moses did, and experience the joy of a deepening relationship with our loving Father (John 10:27).
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is God speaking to Moses in Leviticus 22:17?
God is speaking to Moses to give him instructions to pass on to the priests and the people of Israel, as seen in Exodus 4:12 and Numbers 12:2, where God communicates with Moses to guide the Israelites.
What is the significance of God speaking directly to Moses?
God speaking directly to Moses emphasizes the importance of the instructions that follow, as seen in Leviticus 1:1, where God speaks to Moses from the tabernacle, and in Deuteronomy 5:4, where God speaks directly to the Israelites.
How does this verse relate to the surrounding context?
This verse serves as a transition to a new set of instructions from God to Moses, concerning the presentation of offerings, as seen in Leviticus 22:18-19, where God provides guidelines for burnt offerings.
What can we learn from God's direct communication with Moses?
We can learn that God values direct communication with His people, as seen in Jeremiah 33:3, where God invites us to call to Him, and in Revelation 3:20, where Jesus stands at the door and knocks, waiting for us to open it to Him.
Reflection Questions
- What does it mean for God to speak to us today, and how can we hear His voice?
- How can we, like Moses, be attentive to God's instructions and pass them on to others?
- What are some ways we can apply the principle of God's direct communication with Moses to our own lives and relationships with Him?
- How does the fact that God speaks to us impact our understanding of His character and love for us?
Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 22:17
And the Lord spake unto Moses,.... At the same time; for having said many things concerning the holiness of priests, whose business it was to offer sacrifices, he adds various things concerning the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 22:17
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, No JFB commentary on these verses.
Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 22:17
(17) And the Lord spake unto Moses.—The laws about the physical features and ceremonial purity of the priests, who are to be devoted to the services of the altar, are now followed by kindred precepts about the animals which are to be offered upon the altar.
Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 22:17
17–25. Directions as to the quality of offerings This passage retains clear signs of a remarkably composite character. Leviticus 22:17-18 a indicate (‘unto Aaron, and to his sons,’ ‘unto all etc.’) that what follows is a blending of directions referring to priests and to the people. But further, Leviticus 22:21 presents what is virtually a repetition of the directions in Leviticus 22:18-20, while the differences in phraseology between the two point to diversity of origin. We notice further that the classes of offerings dealt with differ, viz. Burnt-Offerings and Peace-Offerings respectively, while each of these have the same sub-divisions, i.e. Vows and Freewill-Offerings, the former passage making no reference to other classes of Burnt-Offerings, such as the Sin-Offerings and Guilt-Offerings (4, 5), and the latter ignoring the third species, viz. Thank-Offering (see Leviticus 22:29), included (Leviticus 7:12) under the genus Peace-Offering. Moreover, within the parallelism (Leviticus 22:18-20 as compared with Leviticus 22:21) there are marked differences in phraseology (e.g. ‘of the beeves, of the sheep, or of the goats,’ Leviticus 22:19, ‘of the herd or of the flock,’ Leviticus 22:21). For other differences see Oxf.
Hex., which further points out the frequent changes in number and person in 18a–20 as indicating successive editorial revisions.