What is the meaning of Leviticus 21:16?

Then

• The term marks a fresh moment in a real historical sequence, bridging the earlier priestly purity rules (Leviticus 21:1-15) to the new topic of physical qualifications.

• It reminds us that God unfolds His will step-by-step; the whole book follows this pattern (see Leviticus 1:1; 16:1; 22:1).

• Just as in Exodus 40:34-38 the cloud moved “then” Israel moved, here God speaks “then” His people adjust—underscoring personal obedience in real time.

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the LORD

• The covenant name signals the same unchanging, holy God who said, “I am the LORD your God” (Leviticus 19:4) and who later declares, “I, the LORD, do not change” (Malachi 3:6).

• Because He is holy (Leviticus 19:2) He demands holiness from His priests; the coming verses spell out what that looks like.

• His sovereignty is absolute; when the LORD commissions, His word is final—echoed in Isaiah 45:5-6 and reaffirmed in 1 Peter 1:15-16.

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said

• God speaks clearly and authoritatively; Scripture is not merely human insight but divine speech (2 Peter 1:21).

• “So is My word that goes out from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty” (Isaiah 55:11), assuring us that the instructions that follow are effective and binding.

• Hebrews 1:1-2 shows this same pattern of God speaking in times past and ultimately through His Son—every utterance worthy of trust.

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to Moses

• Moses stands as the appointed mediator (Numbers 12:7-8), receiving revelation for an entire nation.

• God’s choice of Moses authenticates the law’s authority; Jesus later confirms Moses’ credibility (John 5:46-47).

• The detail anticipates Christ, the greater Mediator (Hebrews 3:1-6; 1 Timothy 2:5), yet without diminishing Moses’ genuine historical role.

• What Moses hears next (Leviticus 21:17-24) guards the sanctity of priestly service, pointing to the flawless High Priest to come (Hebrews 4:14-16).

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summary

Leviticus 21:16, though brief—“Then the LORD said to Moses,”—anchors the ensuing regulations in real history, divine authority, clear revelation, and appointed mediation. It signals that the holy, unchanging God is about to speak, obliging His people to listen and obey, while foreshadowing the perfect Priest who will one day fulfill every requirement on their behalf.