What is the meaning of Leviticus 25:1?

Then the LORD said

- “Then” roots the verse in real time, flowing directly from the preceding laws (Leviticus 24); God’s revelation comes in history, not myth (cf. Exodus 19:1-3).

- “the LORD” (Yahweh) underscores that the instructions that follow are God’s own words, binding and authoritative (Leviticus 1:1; Isaiah 45:18).

- Scripture repeatedly portrays the Lord as a God who speaks clearly to guide His people (Deuteronomy 4:12; Hebrews 1:1-2). Because He is truthful (Numbers 23:19), every word can be trusted and obeyed.

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to Moses

- God addresses Moses personally, highlighting Moses’ unique prophetic role (Exodus 3:4; Numbers 12:6-8).

- Moses serves as mediator, receiving divine revelation for Israel, a pattern later fulfilled perfectly in Christ, the greater Mediator (Deuteronomy 18:15; 1 Timothy 2:5).

- The personal “to Moses” reminds us that God’s instructions are delivered through chosen servants, yet they remain God’s voice, not merely human opinion (2 Peter 1:21).

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on Mount Sinai

- The location ties these commands to the covenant setting first established in Exodus 19-24. Sinai is where Israel heard God’s voice, saw His glory, and entered a covenant sealed with blood (Exodus 19:18-20; 24:8-12).

- Mentioning Sinai here frames the coming Sabbath-year and Jubilee laws (Leviticus 25) as covenant obligations, not optional advice (Leviticus 7:37-38).

- Sinai also foreshadows the heavenly Zion where God will dwell with His redeemed people forever (Hebrews 12:18-24), encouraging us to live in covenant faithfulness today.

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summary

Leviticus 25:1 grounds the entire chapter in God’s authoritative revelation: the Lord Himself spoke, He addressed His chosen mediator Moses, and He did so at covenant-defining Mount Sinai. Because these words come from the truthful, covenant-keeping God, they carry enduring authority and invite our wholehearted trust and obedience.