What is the meaning of Leviticus 17:8?

Tell them

“Tell them…” (Leviticus 17:8) signals that the instruction comes straight from the LORD through Moses. God is not giving suggestions; He is issuing binding directives.

• Moses acts as God’s mouthpiece (Exodus 19:7; Leviticus 1:1–2).

• The wording shows divine initiative: worship is defined by God, not by personal creativity (Deuteronomy 12:32; 1 Samuel 15:22).

• The command presupposes a hearing heart; God’s people must listen before they can obey (James 1:22).

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if anyone from the house of Israel

The covenant family is singled out first. Every Israelite—priest, elder, or common laborer—stands under the same obligation.

• Holiness is a community project (Leviticus 11:44–45).

• Covenant membership brings both privilege (Romans 3:1–2) and responsibility (Deuteronomy 6:4–5).

• No one is exempt; personal devotion must align with God’s revealed pattern (Leviticus 17:9).

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or any foreigner living among them

God immediately widens the scope, embracing resident aliens.

• One law for native and foreigner underscores God’s impartiality (Exodus 12:48–49; Numbers 15:14–16).

• The inclusion anticipates the gospel opening to the nations (Ephesians 2:13; Isaiah 56:6–7).

• Outsiders who dwell among God’s people are expected to honor the same holy standard; worship is not a matter of ethnicity but of allegiance.

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offers a burnt offering or a sacrifice

Leviticus 17 regulates where and how sacrifices are presented. The point is not to forbid sacrifice but to prevent idolatrous, private shrines.

• “Burnt offering” (Leviticus 1:3–9) symbolizes total surrender—everything ascends in smoke to God.

• “Sacrifice” covers peace offerings and other types brought for gratitude or fellowship (Leviticus 3; Deuteronomy 12:5–6).

• Bringing the animal to the tabernacle guarded the purity of worship, protected against blood misuse (Leviticus 17:10–14), and highlighted that atonement is God’s gift, not human invention (Hebrews 10:1–4; John 1:29).

• Penalty for ignoring this command is being “cut off” (Leviticus 17:9), underscoring how seriously God views the location and manner of atonement.

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summary

Leviticus 17:8 teaches that every act of sacrifice—by Israelite or foreign resident—must be offered exactly as God prescribes and only in the place He designates. The verse underscores divine authority, communal holiness, inclusive invitation, and the centrality of atonement. God alone sets the terms of approach, and obedience is the only faithful response.