Hebrew Word Reference — Leviticus 24:13
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 — Punishment for Blasphemy
Leviticus 24:13 Summary
This verse shows us that God is a personal God who wants to guide and direct us. He spoke to Moses to give him clear instructions on what to do with the man who blasphemed His name (Leviticus 24:11). This reminds us that God is always available to help us and guide us, just like He did with Moses (Psalm 32:8). By seeking God's guidance and direction, we can trust that He will lead us on the right path, as promised in Proverbs 3:5-6.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Lord need to speak to Moses about the blasphemer?
The Lord spoke to Moses to provide clear guidance on how to handle the situation, as the Israelites were uncertain about what to do (Leviticus 24:12). This demonstrates God's desire to lead and direct His people through His appointed leaders, as seen in Exodus 18:13-26.
What is the significance of the Lord speaking to Moses in this verse?
The Lord speaking to Moses emphasizes the personal and direct relationship between God and His leaders, highlighting Moses' role as a mediator between God and the Israelites, as described in Exodus 4:10-16 and Numbers 12:1-10.
How does this verse relate to the concept of divine guidance?
This verse illustrates God's willingness to provide guidance and direction to those who seek it, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Jeremiah 29:12-13. The Lord's instruction to Moses serves as a reminder that God is always available to guide and direct us when we seek His will.
What can we learn from the Lord's direct communication with Moses?
We can learn that God desires a personal relationship with us and is willing to communicate with us, as seen in Jeremiah 33:3 and John 10:27-30. This verse encourages us to seek God's guidance and direction in our lives, just as Moses did.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I can seek God's guidance and direction in my life, just as Moses did?
- How can I cultivate a deeper sense of reverence and respect for God's name, as emphasized in this passage?
- In what ways can I apply the principle of seeking God's will, as seen in Leviticus 24:12, to my own decision-making processes?
- What can I learn from Moses' role as a mediator between God and the Israelites, and how can I apply this to my own relationships with others?
Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 24:13
And the Lord spake unto Moses,.... From off the mercy seat in the holy of holies, where he had promised to meet him and commune with him about anything he should inquire of him, as he did at this time: saying; as follows.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 24:13
And they put him in ward, that the mind of the LORD might be shewed them. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 24:13
(13) And the Lord spake unto Moses.—In none of these instances, however, is it stated how and where Moses made this appeal to God, whether he inquired by means of the Urim and Thummim, or otherwise. As God promised to reveal His will to Moses from the mercy-seat between the cherubim (Exodus 25:22), it is probable that the lawgiver received the Divine directions in the sanctuary.
Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 24:13
10–23. Incident of the blasphemer, and laws arising out of that occurrence or suggested by it. This section closely resembles Numbers 15:32-36, which relates the punishment of the man found gathering sticks on the sabbath day. The blasphemer was only half Israelite; according to Deuteronomy 23:8 children of the Edomites and the Egyptians were admitted into the congregation in the third generation, but after the Return alliances with Egyptians and other ‘strange’ nations were prohibited (Ezra 9, 10; Nehemiah 13) on the ground that from such mixed marriages harmful results to the Jewish faith might be anticipated.