Bible Commentary

Leviticus 17:5

The Pulpit Commentary on Leviticus 17:5

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

To the end that the children of Israel may bring their sacrifices. This passage tells us the purpose of the previous command: it is to prevent sacrifices being sacrificed (the word is twice used in the original) in the open field, or anywhere else than in the court of the tabernacle.

It follows that the command refers to sacrifice, not to mere slaughtering. Clark, taking the opposite view of the command, is obliged to change the translation, sacrifices which they offer in the open field, into "beasts for slaughter which they now slaughter in the open field" ('Speaker's Commentary'); but he has no authority for doing so.

Zabach means always, in the Pentateuch, to slay in sacrifice. These field sacrifices, when offered to the Lord in the proper place and with the proper ceremonies, would become peace offerings unto the Lord.

Recommended reading

More for Leviticus 17:5

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

Matthew Henry on Leviticus 17:1-9Leviticus 17:1-9 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryAll the cattle killed by the Israelites, while in the wilderness, were to be presented before the door of the tabernacle, and the flesh to be returned to the offerer, to be eaten as a peace-offering, according to the la…Directions Concerning Sacrifices. (b. c. 1490.)Leviticus 17:1-9 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleDIRECTIONS CONCERNING SACRIFICES. (B. C. 1490.) This statute obliged all the people of Israel to bring all their sacrifices to God's altar, to be offered there. And as to this matter we must consider, I. How it stood be…The Pulpit Commentary on Leviticus 17:1-9Leviticus 17:1-9 · The Pulpit CommentarySacrifice is not in itself enough; there must be uniformity in the manner in which it is offered, and identity of place in which it is made. The seven first chapters of the Book of Leviticus have given a minute statemen…The Pulpit Commentary on Leviticus 17:1-16Leviticus 17:1-16 · The Pulpit CommentaryGrace before meat. Cf. 1혻Corinthians 10:31. From the perfect atonement God provides, we are invited next to turn to the morality he requires. And no better beginning can be made than the acknowledgment of God in connect…The Pulpit Commentary on Leviticus 17:1-16Leviticus 17:1-16 · The Pulpit CommentaryStatutes concerning blood. The sacredness of blood is everywhere marked in Scripture. The chapter before us contains some of the more important statutes concerning it. I. IN RESPECT TO THE BLOOD OF SACRIFICE. 1. It must…The Pulpit Commentary on Leviticus 17:1-7Leviticus 17:1-7 · The Pulpit CommentaryOne place of sacrifice. It is of the essence of law to be impartial. Its precepts apply to all without distinction. "Aaron and his sons and all the children of Israel" are here included in the scope of the Divine comman…
commentaryMatthew Henry on Leviticus 17:1-9All the cattle killed by the Israelites, while in the wilderness, were to be presented before the door of the tabernacle, and the flesh to be returned to the offerer, to be eaten as a peace-offering, according to the la…Matthew HenrycommentaryDirections Concerning Sacrifices. (b. c. 1490.)DIRECTIONS CONCERNING SACRIFICES. (B. C. 1490.) This statute obliged all the people of Israel to bring all their sacrifices to God's altar, to be offered there. And as to this matter we must consider, I. How it stood be…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Leviticus 17:1-16EXPOSITION This chapter finds its natural place here as the supplement of all that has gone before. The first part of the book contains the institution or regulation of the sacrificial system (chapters 1-7). This chapte…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Leviticus 17:1-7Features of Christian service. It is open to question whether the prohibition (Leviticus 17:3, Leviticus 17:4) extends to all animals killed for feed, or only to those slain in sacrifice. The former view is, in my judgm…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Leviticus 17:1-16Grace before meat. Cf. 1혻Corinthians 10:31. From the perfect atonement God provides, we are invited next to turn to the morality he requires. And no better beginning can be made than the acknowledgment of God in connect…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Leviticus 17:1-9Sanctity of animal life. All God's people commanded to observe restrictions as to the shedding of blood. Door of the tabernacle connected with the sphere of common life; thus religion and its duty threw sacredness over…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Leviticus 17:1-7One place of sacrifice. It is of the essence of law to be impartial. Its precepts apply to all without distinction. "Aaron and his sons and all the children of Israel" are here included in the scope of the Divine comman…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Leviticus 17:1-9Sacrifice is not in itself enough; there must be uniformity in the manner in which it is offered, and identity of place in which it is made. The seven first chapters of the Book of Leviticus have given a minute statemen…Joseph S. Exell and contributors