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 22:18KJVWhat 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.