To the end that the children of Israel may bring their sacrifices, which they offer in the open field, even that they may bring them unto the LORD, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest, and offer them for peace offerings unto the LORD.

LEVITICUS 17:5KJV
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Leviticus 17:5 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 17:5 mean?

Leviticus 17:5 instructs the Israelites to bring their animal sacrifices to the entrance of the tabernacle, rather than offering them out in the open fields, so that these offerings can be properly presented to the LORD as peace offerings through the priests. This command was meant to centralize worship and ensure sacrifices were made in the way God had directed.

In this verse, God is speaking through Moses to the people of Israel while they are in the wilderness, giving them specific rules about how and where sacrifices should be made. The focus is on bringing every sacrifice to the tabernacle, the designated place of worship, instead of performing rituals elsewhere. This helps prevent unauthorized or improper worship and keeps the community united in how they approach God.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 17:5

  • "Bring" (יָבִיא, yavi) means to carry or present something, emphasizing that the Israelites were to physically bring their sacrifices to a specific place, not just offer them anywhere.
  • "Sacrifices" (זֶבַח, zevach) refers to animal offerings, especially those meant for fellowship or peace, highlighting the kind of offering in view here.
  • "Field" (שָׂדֶה, sadeh) points to open, uncontrolled spaces outside the camp, stressing that sacrifices were not to be made in private or random locations.
  • "Tabernacle" (אֹהֶל, ohel) and "congregation" (מוֹעֵד, moed) together refer to the meeting tent where God’s presence dwelled and where the community gathered, underscoring the importance of a central, holy place for worship.

Why Leviticus 17:5 matters

  • Leviticus 17:5 clarifies that sacrifices were not a private matter but a communal act, to be done in the presence of God and the community at the tabernacle.
  • This verse helps prevent the Israelites from adopting local or pagan sacrificial practices by requiring all offerings to be made in the way God commanded.
  • The instruction connects to the broader section in Leviticus that stresses holiness, order, and the proper way to approach God, setting Israel apart from surrounding nations.

Where else these words appear

“peace” Hebrew H8002 · used in 84 verses

  • Exodus 20:24 An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.
  • Leviticus 9:22 And Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them, and came down from offering of the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and peace offerings.
  • Judges 20:26 Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came unto the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the LORD, and fasted that day until even, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.

“offer” Hebrew H2076 · used in 127 verses

  • Genesis 31:54 Then Jacob offered sacrifice upon the mount, and called his brethren to eat bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mount.
  • 1 Samuel 2:13 And the priests' custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand;
  • 2 Chronicles 15:11 And they offered unto the LORD the same time, of the spoil which they had brought, seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep.