Then the LORD
The phrase "Then the LORD" introduces the divine origin of the instructions that follow. The Hebrew word for "LORD" here is "YHWH," the sacred and personal name of God, often rendered as Yahweh. This name signifies God's eternal, self-existent nature and His covenant relationship with Israel. The use of "LORD" underscores the authority and holiness of the commands that are about to be given. It reminds us that the laws in Leviticus are not merely human constructs but divine mandates from the Creator Himself.

called to Moses
The Hebrew verb for "called" is "qara," which implies a summoning or invitation. This calling is not just a casual conversation but a divine appointment. Moses, as the mediator between God and Israel, is being summoned to receive instructions that will guide the Israelites in their worship and daily living. This highlights the unique role of Moses as a prophet and leader, chosen by God to communicate His will to the people. It also reflects the personal nature of God's communication with His chosen servants.

and spoke to him
The act of speaking indicates a direct and clear communication from God to Moses. The Hebrew word "dabar" is used here, which means to speak or declare. This emphasizes the clarity and authority of God's message. It is a reminder that God is not distant or silent but actively involved in guiding His people. The spoken word of God is powerful and transformative, providing direction and purpose.

from the Tent of Meeting
The "Tent of Meeting," also known as the Tabernacle, was the sacred space where God dwelled among His people. It was a portable sanctuary that accompanied the Israelites during their wilderness journey. The Tent of Meeting symbolizes God's desire to be present with His people and to establish a relationship with them. It serves as a precursor to the Temple in Jerusalem and ultimately points to the incarnation of Christ, where God dwells among humanity. The location of this communication underscores the holiness and reverence required in approaching God.

saying
The word "saying" introduces the specific instructions that God is about to give. It indicates that what follows is a direct quotation from God, carrying His authority and requiring obedience. This sets the stage for the detailed laws and regulations that will be outlined in the book of Leviticus. It serves as a reminder that God's words are not to be taken lightly but are to be received with reverence and a willingness to obey.

(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). He therefore, 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 ...


Then the LORD
יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

called to
וַיִּקְרָ֖א (way·yiq·rā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

Moses
מֹשֶׁ֑ה (mō·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver

and spoke
וַיְדַבֵּ֤ר (way·ḏab·bêr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

to him
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

from the Tent
מֵאֹ֥הֶל (mê·’ō·hel)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 168: A tent

of Meeting,
מוֹעֵ֖ד (mō·w·‘êḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4150: Appointed time, place, or meeting

saying,
לֵאמֹֽר׃ (lê·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 559: To utter, say


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OT Law: Leviticus 1:1 Yahweh called to Moses and spoke (Le Lv Lev.)