Speak unto Aaron, and to his sons, and unto all the children of Israel, and say unto them, Whatsoever he be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers in Israel, that will offer his oblation for all his vows, and for all his freewill offerings, which they will offer unto the LORD for a burnt offering;

LEVITICUS 22:18KJV
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Leviticus 22:18 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 22:18 mean?

Leviticus 22:18 instructs Moses to tell Aaron, his sons, and all the Israelites—including any foreigners living among them—that anyone who wants to offer a burnt offering to the LORD, whether as a vow or a freewill gift, must follow specific guidelines. The verse sets up who is allowed to bring offerings and under what circumstances, emphasizing that both Israelites and resident foreigners are included.

In this verse, God is speaking to Moses, who is then to relay these instructions to Aaron (the high priest), Aaron’s sons (the priests), and the entire community of Israel. The situation is about regulating worship practices, especially sacrifices made as vows or voluntary gifts. The verse highlights that participation in worship through offerings is not limited by ethnicity or background, as long as the person is living among the Israelites.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 22:18

  • "Strangers" (גֵּר, ger): This word refers to non-Israelites living among the Israelites. Its use here shows that the sacrificial system was open to outsiders who lived within the community, not just ethnic Israelites.
  • "Oblation" (קָרְבָּן, qorban): This term means an offering or gift brought near to God. It covers a range of sacrifices, not just one type, and emphasizes the act of drawing close to God through giving.
  • "Vows" (נֶדֶר, neder) and "Freewill offerings" (נְדָבָה, nedavah): These words distinguish between offerings made as part of a promise (a vow) and those given voluntarily, showing that both types of devotion are recognized.

Why Leviticus 22:18 matters

  • Leviticus 22:18 clarifies that worship and offerings were not exclusive to ethnic Israelites; foreigners living among them could also participate, which is significant for understanding the inclusiveness of Old Testament worship.
  • The verse sets the stage for the following instructions about how offerings must be made, stressing that everyone—native or foreigner—must follow the same standards.
  • This verse helps explain the broader context of Leviticus 22, which is about maintaining holiness and proper conduct in worship, and shows the seriousness with which offerings were to be approached.

Where else these words appear

“offerings” Hebrew H5071 · used in 25 verses

  • Exodus 35:29 The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the LORD, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work, which the LORD had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses.
  • Deuteronomy 12:6 And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks:
  • Ezra 8:28 And I said unto them, Ye are holy unto the LORD; the vessels are holy also; and the silver and the gold are a freewill offering unto the LORD God of your fathers.

“vows” Hebrew H5088 · used in 57 verses

  • Genesis 28:20 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,
  • Numbers 30:6 And if she had at all an husband, when she vowed, or uttered ought out of her lips, wherewith she bound her soul;
  • 2 Samuel 15:8 For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.

“oblation” Hebrew H7133 · used in 78 verses

  • Leviticus 1:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the LORD, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock.
  • Leviticus 7:16 But if the sacrifice of his offering be a vow, or a voluntary offering, it shall be eaten the same day that he offereth his sacrifice: and on the morrow also the remainder of it shall be eaten:
  • Numbers 7:41 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.

“strangers” Hebrew H1616 · used in 83 verses

  • Genesis 15:13 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;
  • Leviticus 25:47 And if a sojourner or stranger wax rich by thee, and thy brother that dwelleth by him wax poor, and sell himself unto the stranger or sojourner by thee, or to the stock of the stranger's family:
  • Deuteronomy 27:19 Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.