Bible Commentaries
Leviticus 17

Verse 1

spake. See note on Leviticus 5:14 .

Verse 2

and unto all the children of Israel. First occurrence of this phrase: see note on Leviticus 5:14 , marking the solemnity of the charge, and the subject.

children. Hebrew sons.

Verse 3

What man soever = Hebrew. 'ish 'ish .

killeth [in sacrifice]. The Figure of speech Ellipsis ( App-6 . d) must be thus supplied. For, although the word is Hebrew. shachat ( App-43 .) and not zabach ( App-43 .), the context (verses: Leviticus 17:7-9 ) shows that only sacrifices in unlawful places are being treated of. There is no contradiction, therefore, of Deuteronomy 12:15 , Deuteronomy 12:21 , where the context shows equally clearly that only food is in question. Compare Leviticus 17:5 .

Verse 4

tabernacle. Hebrew. mishkan. App-40 .

offer = bring near. Hebrew. karab. App-43 .

offering = Hebrew. korban. App-43 .

tabernacle = tent. Hebrew. 'ohel .

Verse 5

offer = slay in sacrifice. Hebrew. zabach. App-43 , thus showing the correct supply of the ellipsis in Leviticus 17:3 .

door = entrance.

Verse 6

burn = burn as incense. Hebrew. katar . App-43 .

sweet savour. See note on Leviticus 1:9 .

Verse 7

no more: implies that they had done so in Egypt to the goat image "Pan". Compare Joshua 24:14 .Ezekiel 20:7 ; Ezekiel 23:3 , &c, and especially 2 Chronicles 11:15 .

offer = slay in sacrifice. Hebrew zabac h . App-43 .

devils. Hebrew. sa'ir. (Only here and 2 Chronicles 11:15 , "devils". In Isaiah 13:21 ; Isaiah 34:14 rendered "satyrs" = an imaginary demon: half-goat, half-man. Septuagint = demons:) from Hebrew root, meaning to shudder. From this "Pan" came the "satyrs", "fauns", and woodland gods of Greece and Rome, and also the "devil" of Christendom.

Verse 8

offereth = offereth up. Hebrew. alah App-43 .

Verse 9

offer = prepare. Hebrew. 'asah. App-43 .

Verse 10

soul = Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

Verse 11

For. This verse, with Luke 24:39 . 1 Corinthians 15:50 and Hebrews 13:20 , forms a strong chain of truth against the "Mass".

make an atonement. See note on Exodus 29:33 .

soul. Hebrew. nephesh, because the soul is the life. Thus a life is substituted for a life. Hence Hebrews 9:22 .

Verse 12

Therefore. Hence Acts 15:20 , Acts 15:29 ; Acts 21:25 .

Verse 13

which hunteth = which shall hunt any hunting. Figure of speech Polyptoton, a necessity with Israel, not sport; for extermination (Exodus 23:29 ) and for food (Genesis 25:27 . Proverbs 12:27 ). Compare 1 Samuel 14:32-34 and Ezekiel 33:25 .

Verse 15

bathe. See note on Leviticus 14:9 . The rigour of this law seen from 1 Samuel 14:32-35 .

Verse 16

iniquity. Hebrew. 'avah. App-44 .