Leviticus 17:5

5 This is to the end that the people of Israel may bring their sacrifices that they sacrifice 1in the open field, that they may bring them to the LORD, to the priest at the entrance of the tent of meeting, and sacrifice them 2as sacrifices of peace offerings to the LORD.

Leviticus 17:5 Meaning and Commentary

Leviticus 17:5

To the end that the children of Israel may bring their
sacrifices which they offer in the open field
Which, before the tabernacle was erected, they were used to offer there, as it was lawful for them to do, and on high places, but now unlawful; though sometimes this was dispensed with by the Lord, and was done by some of his prophets, as Samuel, David, and Elijah, though not by priests:

even that they may bring them unto the Lord, unto the door of the
tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest;
by whom they were to be offered, and by him only, and which is a principal reason why they were ordered to be brought thither:

and offer them [for] peace offerings unto the Lord;
which though only mentioned, include all others. These are only taken notice of because most frequent, and because most profitable to the people, having a part of them; wherefore if these were to be brought to the tabernacle, which came the nearest of any to their meals and feasts in their own houses, then much more burnt offerings, and sin offerings, in which the Lord, had so great a concern.

Leviticus 17:5 In-Context

3 If any one of the house of Israel kills an ox or a lamb or a goat in the camp, or kills it outside the camp,
4 and does not bring it to the entrance of the tent of meeting to offer it as a gift to the LORD in front of the tabernacle of the LORD, bloodguilt shall be imputed to that man. He has shed blood, and that man shall be cut off from among his people.
5 This is to the end that the people of Israel may bring their sacrifices that they sacrifice in the open field, that they may bring them to the LORD, to the priest at the entrance of the tent of meeting, and sacrifice them as sacrifices of peace offerings to the LORD.
6 And the priest shall throw the blood on the altar of the LORD at the entrance of the tent of meeting and burn the fat for a pleasing aroma to the LORD.
7 So they shall no more sacrifice their sacrifices to goat demons, after whom they whore. This shall be a statute forever for them throughout their generations.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Leviticus 14:7, 53
  • 2. Leviticus 1:5
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.