Book of Leviticus and Ceremonial Law
Comparing Hebrew and English in Leviticus
Moses was the author of Leviticus, the third book of the Bible, where he documents the ceremonial laws of worship as spoken to him by God. In some instances God addresses Moses and Aaron, and once just to Aaron. In all cases of laws being revealed they are given to Moses, thus his title the lawgiver and prophet, or spokesperson for God. The first 9 chapters cover a variety of laws regarding offerings and the priesthood.
Many of the statutes and ordinances of the Old Testament, including the rituals of offerings, were made void in the dispensation of grace. Rather than spend time on each chapter, this initial study of Leviticus will offer insight into Hebrew words or phrases of the original manuscripts and a closer look at meanings that may not be obvious from the King James Version (KJV) 1611 English translation.
Hebrew Words in Leviticus and English Translation
One phrase repeated often describing offerings is animals "without blemish" which translates from the Hebrew word "tamiym" (taw-MEEM), or without spot, perfect, undefiled. This is the same Hebrew word used in Genesis 6:9 to describe Noah and translated there to "perfect". As pointed out in a previous study, this reference to Noah did not mean perfect in the moral sense, but physically perfect in pedigree. The bloodline from Adam to Noah was not polluted by the intermarriage of fallen angels, thus keeping perfect the genealogy leading to the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Violations of the requirement of offerings using animals without blemish are just one of many rebellious and stiff necked sins committed in the Old Testament. Rather than return perfect gifts to God, Who owns the universe and everything in it, some persons brought lame, wounded, or sick offerings with obvious blemish.
Another word encountered often and translated to "meat" is the Hebrew "minchah" (min-KHAW), and by modern English it might be better translated as "meal". Instances of the word "bread" are sometimes literal, yet more often it is a general reference to all types of food, also.
The word "salt" appears for the first time in the Bible in Leviticus 2:13 as follows:
And every oblation of thy meat offering shalt thou season with salt; neither shalt thou suffer the salt of the covenant of thy God to be lacking from thy meat offering: with all thine offerings thou shalt offer salt. Leviticus 2:13 (KJV)
The translation needs no further explanation, yet the significance of salt does. In ancient times salt was a symbol of covenants between parties and the agreement was permanent. Salt was shared as a symbol to seal the agreement, yet unlike salt the contract could not be dissolved.
Next to consider is the word "turtles" which occurs 3 times in the Bible in Leviticus 12:8, 15:29, and Numbers 6:10, and in all cases as offerings. The Hebrew word "tor" (TORE) translated as turtles does not refer to the familiar hard shelled reptile, but a bird and it means the turtledove. The sacrifice offerings did not include turtles. The word tor is properly translated to turtledove in Leviticus 12:6, as well as Genesis 16:9 (offering) and Psalms 74:19 (term of endearment).
As an aside, in talking about the Bible with a friend from Israel who lives in the US, he has some difficulty understanding the Bible in Hebrew because many of the words are primitive and not in common usage. Here's an example.
Strange and Stranger from Hebrew and Strange Fire
Two words from primitive Hebrew roots are translated into English as strange and stranger. The Hebrew zur (ZOOR) which translates to "strange" means to turn aside in search of a place to stay, or lodging, and infers a traveler or foreigner which makes them strange. The word geyr (GARE) translated to "stranger" means literally a guest, so again by implication this means a foreigner or stranger. In ancient times, a further definition of the Hebrew word for "strange" meant profane.
In the beginning of Leviticus chapter 10 the reference to "strange fire" being offered by the eldest sons of Aaron takes on the meaning "profane" as they offered common fire to burn incense instead of the holy fire prescribed by God.
And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. Leviticus 10:1 (KJV)
And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD. Leviticus 10:2 (KJV)
This act must certainly have been a disturbing lesson for Aaron to witness as the chief priest, and seeing his sons die instantly for violating this ceremonial law. Readers may not realize this fact, but it was their first day on the job after being consecrated as priests. Soon after in verse 9, and as previously mentioned, God speaks to Aaron alone which is the only time in Leviticus compared to the other times when speaking to just Moses, or Moses and Aaron. Here's what God told Aaron:
Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations: Leviticus 10:9 (KJV)
Some scholars presume this immediate comment by God directed to Aaron implies his sons were guilty of more than just using strange fire. As of verse 9 Nabab and Abihu have been carried out of the tabernacle "in their coats" for burial by relatives, so they are not the "sons" mentioned in verse 9. The statute about drinking on the job was for Aaron and his surviving sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, and future generations of priests.
Does God have your attention? Taking the English version of the Bible back to the original manuscripts and Hebrew of the Old Testament provides deeper insight into the mysteries of the Bible. The rules and covenants broken often in the Old Testament were replaced by the new covenant when God offered His Son as a sacrifice for the atonement of sin.
This salvation by grace, freely given, replaces much of the law in the Old Testament and certainly the ceremonial offerings, yet it does not void all Old Testament law. The Ten Commandments are one exception that still apply. An example of optional laws that are not mandatory but worth consideration in modern times will be featured in the next study article.
Article Source: www.ultimateriddles.com/leviticus-bible-lesson-01.html.
About the Author: Jim Degerstrom is an author who works in a faith based business offering custom website design and graphic art services, and documents Bible studies at his Ultimate Riddles Spiritual Journey website and blogs about spiritual growth on his Ultimate Riddles Spiritual Study blog from Kissimmee, Florida USA.
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