Then the LORD said to Moses,This phrase indicates a direct communication from God to Moses, a common occurrence in the Pentateuch, highlighting Moses' unique role as a prophet and leader of Israel. The LORD, represented by the tetragrammaton YHWH, is the covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal and unchanging nature. This divine communication underscores the authority and sacredness of the instructions that follow. Moses, as the mediator of the Old Covenant, is a type of Christ, who is the mediator of the New Covenant (
Hebrews 9:15). The setting is likely during the Israelites' wilderness journey, a period of divine revelation and instruction for the newly formed nation. This phrase sets the stage for the specific laws and regulations that God is about to impart, which are crucial for maintaining holiness and proper worship among the Israelites.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who is holy and requires holiness from His people.
2.
MosesThe prophet and leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His laws and commandments to the people.
3.
IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, who are to live according to His laws and statutes as given through Moses.
Teaching Points
Holiness of GodGod’s instructions to Moses underscore His holiness and the need for His people to approach Him with reverence and purity.
Role of MediatorMoses acts as a mediator between God and the Israelites, prefiguring Christ as the ultimate mediator between God and humanity.
Obedience to God’s CommandsThe passage highlights the importance of obedience to God’s commands as a reflection of our relationship with Him.
Continuity of God’s WordThe consistency of God’s message from the Old Testament to the New Testament shows His unchanging nature and the fulfillment of His promises.
Priestly ResponsibilityThe priests had a special role in maintaining the sanctity of worship, reminding us of our own responsibilities as a "royal priesthood" in Christ.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Leviticus 22:1?
2.How does Leviticus 22:1 emphasize the importance of holiness among the priests?
3.What does Leviticus 22:1 teach about God's expectations for spiritual leaders today?
4.How can we apply the principles of Leviticus 22:1 in our daily lives?
5.What connections exist between Leviticus 22:1 and New Testament teachings on holiness?
6.How does Leviticus 22:1 guide us in maintaining reverence for God's commands?
7.What is the significance of God speaking directly to Moses in Leviticus 22:1?
8.How does Leviticus 22:1 reflect the holiness required of the priests?
9.Why is the communication between God and Moses important in Leviticus 22:1?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 22?
11.What is the Bible's view on poverty?
12.Who is the author of Leviticus?
13.Why does Jesus openly criticize ritual hand-washing (Mark 7:1–13) if it has clear roots in Old Testament law?
14.How does the acceptance of ritually unclean participants in 2 Chronicles 30:17–20 fit with strict purification laws found elsewhere in the Old Testament?What Does Leviticus 22:1 Mean
Then• The word “Then” roots this verse in a real timeline. God is not speaking into a vacuum; He is continuing an unfolding conversation that began in the previous chapter where priests were instructed about holiness (Leviticus 21).
• Scripture’s flow reminds us that obedience in one area often leads directly to fresh revelation in the next (seeExodus 40:34–38, where after Moses finishes the tabernacle, the LORD’s glory immediately fills it).
• The sequence underscores that God’s directions are orderly; He builds precept upon precept (Isaiah 28:10).
the LORD• “The LORD” (YHWH) is the covenant name, emphasizing God’s personal, faithful relationship with Israel (Exodus 3:14–15).
• Because He is holy, His instructions carry absolute authority; they are not suggestions (Leviticus 11:44).
• The same LORD who delivers sacrificial laws in Leviticus is the One who declares, “I am the LORD, and I do not change” (Malachi 3:6), giving us confidence that His standards are consistent and trustworthy.
said• God speaks. He is not silent or hidden; He communicates His will clearly (Hebrews 1:1–2).
• Divine speech creates obligation. When the LORD “said,” Israel was expected to listen and obey (Deuteronomy 6:4–9).
• His spoken word carries life and power—“By the word of the LORD the heavens were made” (Psalm 33:6)—so these instructions have creative and transformative force.
to Moses• Moses stands as the mediator between God and the people (Exodus 19:3–8). The LORD entrusts him to relay holy standards accurately.
• This reinforces Moses’ prophetic role; unlike later prophets who often began, “Thus says the LORD,” Moses receives direct speech first, then passes it on (Numbers 12:6–8).
• Moses’ mediating work foreshadows the ultimate Mediator, Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5), who perfectly reveals the Father to us (John 1:17–18).
summaryLeviticus 22:1 might appear simple—“Then the LORD said to Moses”—yet each word is loaded with meaning. The verse anchors God’s latest instructions in a precise timeline (“Then”), highlights the personal covenant God who speaks (“the LORD”), stresses the binding power of His revelation (“said”), and identifies the ordained mediator who will transmit that word to God’s people (“to Moses”). Together they affirm that a holy, unchanging God communicates clearly and authoritatively through His chosen servant, calling His people into responsive obedience.
XXII.(1)And the Lord spake unto Moses.--In this chapter the laws regulating the conduct of the priests in their holy ministrations are continued. As the last chapter concluded with the permission to disqualified priests to eat of the sacrifices, this chapter opens with conditions under which even the legally qualified priests must not partake of the offerings.
Verses 1-9. - In the previous chapter, the priests have been commanded to avoid occasions of ceremonial defilement, but there are times in which they must be unclean. At these times they are here instructed that they must abstain from their priestly functions, and not even eat of the priests' portions until they have been cleansed. The command to
Aaron and to his sons, that they separate themselves from the holy things of the children of Israel, in verse 2, must be read in the light of the following verses, and understood to mean that they are
to separate themselves from the holy things when they are unclean. The different forms of uncleanness which are to produce this effect are enumerated in verses 4-6. In most cases the uncleanness would not last beyond sunset on the day on which it was incurred, but occasionally, as when a priest became a leper, a permanent disqualification would be caused, or one that lasted for a considerable length of time. The law with respect to abstaining from holy things while unclean is to be of permanent obligation. Whoever disobeys it is to be
cut off from God's presence; that is, he is to be excluded from the sanctuary by being deprived of his priestly office. Verse 8 repeats the prohibition of eating flesh containing blood.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Then the LORDיְהוָ֖ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelsaidוַיְדַבֵּ֥ר(way·ḏab·bêr)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696:To arrange, to speak, to subduetoאֶל־(’el-)Preposition
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, toMoses,מֹשֶׁ֥ה(mō·šeh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872:Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver
Links
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OT Law: Leviticus 22:1 Yahweh spoke to Moses saying (Le Lv Lev.) 
