And the Lord spake unto Moses ,.... It maybe after some intermission, or pause made; for some here begin a new chapter, and indeed a new section here begins in the Hebrew copies: saying ; as follows: read more
And the Lord spake unto Moses - At this verse the Jews begin the 25th section of the law; and here, undoubtedly, the 6th chapter should commence, as the writer enters upon a new subject, and the preceding verses belong to the fifth chapter. The best edited Hebrew Bibles begin the 6th chapter at this verse. read more
(See note on Le Leviticus 1:3 .) The further ritual of the burnt offering is exhibited in the particular instance of the lamb sacrificed every evening ( Exodus 29:33 ). In other cases the ritual was to be the same. Instead of It is the burnt offering, because of the burning upon the altar all night unto the morning, the reading should be, It, the burnt offering (viz. the evening sacrifice), shall burn upon the hearth upon the altar all night unto the morning. The priest is to wear... read more
The law of the burnt offering. With this paragraph the Jews begin the twenty-fifth section of the Law; and, as a new subject is here introduced, this ought to have been the commencement of the chapter. In some of the best editions of the Hebrew Bible, the paragraph preceding this is properly made the sequel of the fifth chapter, and the sixth commences with this. The burnt offering was treated of before, viz. in the first chapter, with more particular reference to ceremonies relating to... read more
Three principles of piety. We gather from this clause— I. THAT HOLINESS BECOMES THE HOUSE OF GOD . It seems generally agreed that the linen garments, in which the priests were to be robed when engaged in sacrificial acts ( Leviticus 6:10 ), signified the purity of heart which should characterize the worshipper of God (see Exodus 28:42 ; Ezekiel 44:19 ). Certainly it is only the "pure in heart" who can hope to "see God," either by faith here or in beatific vision... read more
The priests' ritual. Hitherto the command had been, "Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them" ( Leviticus 1:2 ; Leviticus 4:2 ); Command Aaron and his sons;" the reason being that the injunctions which follow are specially addressed to the future priesthood. I. PRECISION OF THE POSITIVE RULES AND REGULATIONS GIVEN TO THE AARONIC PRIESTHOOD . Nothing is left to the individual's origination, all is ruled for him—every act that he performs, and... read more
Quench not the Spirit. Cf. Ephesians 4:30 ; I Thessalonians Ephesians 5:19 . We have here sundry sacrificial laws enabling us the better to understand the details of the preceding sacrifices; but the cardinal idea in them all, as we shall now see, is that which heads this homily, "Quench not the Spirit." And— I. THE FIRE OF THE BURNT OFFERING WAS TO BE CAREFULLY PRESERVED , SO THAT IT SHOULD NEVER GO OUT . This necessitated a regular removal of... read more
Instructions on the offerings for the priests. Leviticus 6:13 , "The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out." I. THE PERPETUITY OF RELIGIOUS OBLIGATION . 1 . As springing out of the relation between man and God, as underlying the whole of human existence. "In him we live, and move, and have our being." 2 . The all-embracing love of God. The fire came originally from him, and must be kept up to betoken his ceaseless care of his... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Leviticus 6:8-13
Hitherto we have had the instructions which Moses was directed to give to the people concerning the sacrifices; but here begin the instructions he was to give to the priests; he must command Aaron and his sons, Lev. 6:9. The priests were rulers in the house of God, but these rulers must be ruled; and those that had the command of others must themselves be commanded. Let ministers remember that not only commissions, but commands, were given to Aaron and his sons, who must be in subjection to... read more