Then the LORD called to MosesThis phrase indicates a direct communication from God to Moses, emphasizing the divine origin of the instructions that follow. The LORD, represented by the tetragrammaton YHWH, is the covenant name of God, highlighting His personal relationship with Israel. Moses, as the leader and mediator of the Israelites, is often the recipient of God's commands. This calling signifies the continuation of the divine guidance that began in Exodus, where Moses was chosen to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. The calling of Moses also prefigures the role of Christ as the ultimate mediator between God and humanity, as seen in
1 Timothy 2:5.
and spoke to him
This phrase underscores the verbal communication between God and Moses, a common method of divine revelation in the Old Testament. The act of speaking indicates clarity and authority, ensuring that Moses receives precise instructions. This communication is foundational for the laws and rituals that will be established in Leviticus. It reflects the intimate relationship between God and His chosen leaders, similar to how God spoke to the prophets. In the New Testament, Jesus is described as the Word made flesh (John 1:14), embodying God's ultimate communication to humanity.
from the Tent of Meeting
The Tent of Meeting, also known as the Tabernacle, was a portable sanctuary where God dwelled among the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness. It served as the central place of worship and sacrifice, symbolizing God's presence and holiness. The location of this communication highlights the importance of the Tabernacle as the meeting point between God and His people. The Tent of Meeting foreshadows the incarnation of Christ, who "tabernacled" among us (John 1:14), and the future establishment of God's eternal dwelling with humanity inRevelation 21:3.
saying,
This introductory word sets the stage for the specific instructions that follow. It indicates that what is about to be communicated is of divine origin and carries the weight of God's authority. The use of "saying" is a common biblical formula that introduces direct speech, ensuring that the message is received as God's own words. This mirrors the way Jesus often prefaced His teachings with "Truly, I say to you," emphasizing the truth and authority of His message.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal, self-existent nature and His relationship with Israel.
2.
MosesThe prophet and leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt and to receive the Law.
3.
Tent of Meeting (Tabernacle)A sacred place where God’s presence dwelled among the Israelites, serving as the central place of worship and communication with God.
Teaching Points
God's Initiative in CommunicationGod takes the initiative to communicate with His people, demonstrating His desire for a relationship with them. This reminds us to be attentive to God's voice in our lives today.
The Role of MediatorsMoses serves as a mediator between God and the Israelites, foreshadowing Christ as our ultimate mediator. We are encouraged to rely on Christ for our relationship with God.
The Importance of Sacred SpacesThe Tent of Meeting was a designated place for encountering God. We should create and honor spaces in our lives dedicated to worship and communion with God.
Obedience to Divine InstructionsThe instructions given to Moses were to be followed precisely. This teaches us the importance of obedience to God's Word in our daily lives.
God's Presence Among His PeopleThe presence of God in the Tent of Meeting signifies His desire to dwell among His people. We are reminded of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in believers today.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Leviticus 1:1?
2.How does Leviticus 1:1 emphasize God's communication with Moses for Israel's guidance?
3.What significance does the "Tent of Meeting" hold in Leviticus 1:1?
4.How does God's call to Moses in Leviticus 1:1 relate to Exodus 40:34-35?
5.How can we seek God's guidance today, as Moses did in Leviticus 1:1?
6.What role does obedience play in responding to God's call, as seen in Leviticus 1:1?
7.What is the significance of God speaking directly to Moses in Leviticus 1:1?
8.How does Leviticus 1:1 establish the authority of the laws given in Leviticus?
9.Why does God choose to speak from the Tent of Meeting in Leviticus 1:1?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 1?
11.Are blemished offerings acceptable in religious practices?
12.When was Leviticus written?
13.Who is the author of Leviticus?
14.Who is the author of Leviticus?What Does Leviticus 1:1 Mean
Then the LORD called- God Himself initiates the conversation. The sacrificial laws that follow are not human invention but divine revelation.
-Exodus 19:3 recounts a similar moment: “the LORD called to him from the mountain”.
- When the LORD calls, lives change—think of1 Samuel 3:4 (Samuel) orActs 9:4 (Saul).
- The reliability of Scripture rests on this truth: God speaks first; we respond.
to Moses- The call is directed to a specific covenant mediator. Moses is chosen, prepared, and commissioned.
-Exodus 3:4 shows the beginning of that calling at the burning bush.
-Deuteronomy 34:10 affirms, “No prophet has arisen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face.”
- God’s choice of one man highlights both His sovereignty and His grace toward an entire people.
and spoke to him- Revelation becomes articulation; God’s voice turns divine intention into intelligible words.
-Numbers 12:6–8 stresses the clarity of God’s communication with Moses—“mouth to mouth”.
-2 Timothy 3:16 reminds us that “All Scripture is God-breathed,” underscoring the trustworthiness of what Moses records.
- Because God speaks, His people can listen, learn, and obey with confidence.
from the Tent of Meeting- The location matters: the newly erected Tabernacle signifies God dwelling among His people (Exodus 25:8).
-Exodus 40:34–35 describes the cloud filling the Tent, a visible sign of holy presence.
- The Tent stands between a holy God and a sinful people, foreshadowing Christ who “tabernacled among us” (John 1:14).
- Worship and instruction flow from the place where God chooses to meet humanity.
saying- A simple word that anticipates commandments to follow. God’s speech is purposeful, never idle (Isaiah 55:11).
-Leviticus 1:2 immediately continues, “Speak to the Israelites and tell them…,” showing the chain of communication: God → Moses → people.
-Matthew 4:4 echoes the principle: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
- What God says sets the agenda for worship, life, and community.
summaryLeviticus 1:1 opens with God’s initiative, calling Moses and speaking plainly from His dwelling among the Israelites. Each phrase underscores a foundational truth: the Lord reaches out first, appoints a mediator, communicates clearly, draws near to His people, and delivers life-giving words. This verse is the doorway to the entire sacrificial system, grounding every instruction that follows in the authority, presence, and grace of the living God.
(1)
And the Lord called . . . and spake.--Rather,
And he called unto Moses, and the Lord spake, &c.(See
Leviticus 8:15.) At the end of the previous book we are told that when the tent of meeting was completed, the Lord showed His approbation of it by covering the outside of the edifice with a heaven-sent cloud, and by filling the inside with His glory (
Exodus 40:34-38).
Hetherefore, who had filled the sanctuary with his glory now "called unto Moses," thus indicating by "And he called," which are one word in the original, the intimate connection between the two books. The ancient Jewish synagogue already pointed out the fact that this unusual phrase, "And he called unto Moses," is used as an introductory formula on the three different occasions when the Lord made a special communication to this great law-giver. Thus when the Lord first communicated to Moses that He was about to deliver the Israelites from Egypt, "He called unto him" from the burning bush (
Exodus 3:4). When the Lord was about to give to Moses the Ten Commandments for the people of Israel, "He called unto him" from the top of Sinai (
Exodus 19:3;
Exodus 19:20); and now when the Lord is about to give to His chosen people, through His servant Moses, the laws by which their Divine worship is to be regulated, "He called unto him" from the tent of meeting (
Leviticus 1:1). . . .
Verse 1. -
And the LORD called unto Moses. The first word of the verse, in the original
Vayikra, meaning "and called," has been taken as the designation of the book in the Hebrew Bible. The title Leviticon, or Leviticus, was first adopted by the LXX., to indicate that it had for its main subject the duties and functions appertaining to the chief house of the priestly tribe of Levi. The word "and" connects the third with the second book of the Pentateuch. God is spoken of in this and in the next book almost exclusively under the appellation of "the LORD" or "Jehovah," the word "Elohim" being, however, used sufficiently often to identify the two names. Cf.
Leviticus 2:13, 19:12.
And spake unto him. The manner in which God ordinarily communicated with a prophet was by "a vision" or "in a dream;" but this was not the case with Moses; "My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house; with him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently" (
Numbers 12:8). The Levitical code of laws, therefore, was delivered to Moses in his ordinary mental state, not in trance, or dream, or ecstasy.
Out of the tabernacle of the congregation. The tabernacle had just been set up by Moses (
Exodus 40:16). It derives its name
of the congregation, or rather
of meeting, from being the place where God met the representatives of his people (see
Numbers 16:42). Hitherto God had spoken from the mount, now he speaks from the mercy-seat of the ark in the tabernacle. He had symbolically drawn near to his people, and the sacrificial system is now instituted as the means by which they should draw nigh to him. All the laws in the Book of Leviticus, and in the first ten chapters of the Book of Numbers, were given during the fifty days which intervened between the setting up of the tabernacle (
Exodus 40:17) and the departure of the children of Israel from the neighbourhood of Mount Sinai (
Numbers 10:11).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Then the LORDיְהוָה֙(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelcalled toוַיִּקְרָ֖א(way·yiq·rā)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7121:To call, proclaim, readMosesמֹשֶׁ֑ה(mō·šeh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872:Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiverand spokeוַיְדַבֵּ֤ר(way·ḏab·bêr)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696:To arrange, to speak, to subdueto himאֶל־(’el-)Preposition
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, tofrom the Tentמֵאֹ֥הֶל(mê·’ō·hel)Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 168:A tentof Meeting,מוֹעֵ֖ד(mō·w·‘êḏ)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4150:Appointed time, place, or meetingsaying,לֵאמֹֽר׃(lê·mōr)Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 559:To utter, say
Links
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OT Law: Leviticus 1:1 Yahweh called to Moses and spoke (Le Lv Lev.) 
