Which the LORD commanded Moses in mount Sinai, in the day that he commanded the children of Israel to offer their oblations unto the LORD, in the wilderness of Sinai.

LEVITICUS 7:38KJV
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Leviticus 7:38 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 7:38 mean?

Leviticus 7:38 explains that the instructions Moses received about offerings were given by the LORD on Mount Sinai, specifically on the day when God commanded the Israelites to present their offerings in the wilderness. This verse marks the origin and authority of the sacrificial laws described earlier in the chapter.

Leviticus 7:38 is a summary statement, clarifying that all the detailed rules about offerings came directly from God (the LORD) to Moses at Mount Sinai. The verse places these commands in a real time and place—the wilderness of Sinai—reminding the reader that these rituals were not invented by people but were given as part of God’s covenant instructions to the people of Israel.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 7:38

  • LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God, emphasizing that these commands come from Israel’s covenant God, not from Moses himself.
  • Commanded (צָוָה, tsavah): This word means to give an order or directive. Its use here stresses that these rituals are not optional or traditional, but are direct instructions from God.
  • Oblations (קָרְבָּן, qorban): This term refers to offerings or gifts brought near to God. It highlights that the offerings are meant to draw the people closer to God, not just fulfill a duty.
  • Wilderness (מִדְבָּר, midbar): Mentioning the wilderness of Sinai roots these commands in a specific historical setting, showing that God’s guidance was given during Israel’s journey, not after they settled in the land.

Why Leviticus 7:38 matters

  • Leviticus 7:38 clarifies that the detailed sacrificial laws were not later inventions or traditions, but were given by God at a specific time and place.
  • The verse connects the laws to the larger story of Israel’s journey, showing that worship and obedience were central even in the wilderness, not just in the Promised Land.
  • By stating the authority and origin of these commands, the verse underscores the seriousness with which the Israelites were to approach their worship and offerings.