Leviticus 19:1

Study note

Setting — The LORD speaks directly to Moses at the opening of a new legislative block, immediately preceding the command to address the Israelite congregation. This moment positions Moses as the authorized receiver of instructions destined for the community.

The words — The Hebrew verb וַיְדַבֵּר (va/y.da.Ber) marks a formal, authoritative speech act, anchored by the divine name יְהוָה (Yah.weh). The prepositional phrase אֶל־מֹשֶׁה (el-Mo.Sheh) specifies the human recipient, establishing the chain of transmission.

The thread — This structural formula recurs throughout the Pentateuch whenever Yahweh delivers covenantal legislation through Moses, including the immediate follow-up in Leviticus 19:2 where the addressed command expands to the whole congregation.

Why it lands — The text requires the reader to track the precise flow of divine instruction from speaker to mediator to audience. It demands faithful transmission of the subsequent commands without alteration or personal interpretation.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.