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Home › Berean Standard Bible  › Leviticus 21  › Leviticus 21:16

Leviticus 21:16

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Leviticus 21:16 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Then the LORD said to Moses,

King James Version KJV

¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

American Standard Version ASV

And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,

Bible in Basic English BBE

And the Lord said to Moses,

Free Bible Version FBV

The Lord told Moses,

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And the Lord spake vnto Moses, saying,

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And Jehovah speaketh unto Moses, saying,

World English Bible WEB

The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:

Translation for Translators T4T

Yahweh also said to Moses/me,

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Leviticus 21:16

BAB
Word Study

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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 21:16 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 21:16

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 21:16

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Leviticus 21:16 Summary

This verse shows that God is speaking directly to Moses, which means that what God is about to say is very important. God wants to make sure that Moses understands and follows His instructions, just like He wants us to follow His commands in our own lives (John 14:15). By listening to God's voice and obeying His commands, we can show our love and respect for Him, and live a life that is pleasing to Him (1 John 2:3-6). As we read this verse, we can remember that God is a personal and loving God who desires to guide and instruct us, just like He did with Moses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does God speak directly to Moses in this verse?

God speaks directly to Moses to emphasize the importance of the instructions that follow, as seen in Leviticus 21:16, and to reinforce Moses' role as a leader and mediator between God and the people, as mentioned in Exodus 4:10-12 and Numbers 12:2.

What is the significance of the phrase 'Then the LORD said to Moses'?

This phrase indicates a new section or a shift in focus, and it highlights God's direct communication with Moses, which is a common pattern throughout the book of Leviticus, such as in Leviticus 4:1 and Leviticus 18:1.

How does this verse relate to the preceding verses about the high priest's marriage?

This verse serves as a transition to a new set of instructions, but it also reinforces the idea that God is the one who sanctifies the priests, as mentioned in Leviticus 21:15, and that He has specific requirements for their role, as seen in Leviticus 21:17-18.

What can we learn about God's character from this verse?

This verse shows that God is a personal and communicative God, who desires to guide and instruct His people, as seen in Deuteronomy 32:4 and Psalm 103:7-8, and that He values obedience and holiness, as emphasized in Leviticus 11:44-45 and 1 Peter 1:15-16.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean for God to 'say' something to us, and how can we be attentive to His voice in our lives?
  2. How does the idea of God's direct communication with Moses encourage or challenge me in my own relationship with God?
  3. In what ways can I apply the principle of God's sanctification, mentioned in Leviticus 21:15, to my own life and pursuits?
  4. What are some ways that I can honor God's desire for holiness and obedience in my daily choices and actions?

Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 21:16

And the Lord spake unto Moses,.... After he had spoken to him of the holiness of the priests, that they should not defile themselves, neither with the dead nor with impure marriages, he proceeded to

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 21:16

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Any blemish. Since visible things exert a strong influence on the minds of men, any physical infirmity or malformation of body in the ministers of religion,

Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 21:16

(16) And the Lord spake unto Moses.—In the preceding part of this chapter the priests were forbidden voluntarily to disfigure themselves, or to disqualify themselves and their descendants for their sacred office by illegal alliances. The legislator, therefore, now passes on to other blemishes, which, though not voluntarily contracted, likewise disqualify the priests for performing sacerdotal duties in the sanctuary.

Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 21:16

16–24. Physical disqualifications for a priest

Barnes' Notes on Leviticus 21:16

He was not treated as an outcast, but enjoyed his privileges as a son of Aaron, except in regard to active duties. Leviticus 21:20 A dwarf - One who is small and wasted, either short, as in the text, or slender, as in the margin.

Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 21:16

IN THE PRIESTS, Leviticus 21:1 to Leviticus 22:16.Jehovah, having given general statutes to conserve the purity of Israel, now proceeds to legislate for the priests, whose character and conduct are
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