Leviticus 6

Passage overview

Numbers 6 presents two major themes: the Nazirite vow and the priestly blessing, often called the Aaronic blessing. The chapter shows both voluntary dedication by individuals and God’s gracious blessing over the whole community.

1verseThe LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

2verse“If anyone sins, and commits a trespass against the LORD, and deals falsely with his neighbor in a matter of deposit, or of bargain, or of robbery, or has oppressed his neighbor,

3verseor has found that which was lost, and lied about it, and swearing to a lie—in any of these things that a man sins in his actions—

4versethen it shall be, if he has sinned, and is guilty, he shall restore that which he took by robbery, or the thing which he has gotten by oppression, or the deposit which was committed to him, or the lost thing which he found,

5verseor any thing about which he has sworn falsely: he shall restore it in full, and shall add a fifth part more to it. He shall return it to him to whom it belongs in the day of his being found guilty.

6verseHe shall bring his trespass offering to the LORD: a ram without defect from the flock, according to your estimation, for a trespass offering, to the priest.

7verseThe priest shall make atonement for him before the LORD, and he will be forgiven concerning whatever he does to become guilty.”

8verseThe LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

9verse“Command Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the law of the burnt offering: the burnt offering shall be on the hearth on the altar all night until the morning; and the fire of the altar shall be kept burning on it.

10verseThe priest shall put on his linen garment, and he shall put on his linen trousers upon his body; and he shall remove the ashes from where the fire has consumed the burnt offering on the altar, and he shall put them beside the altar.

11verseHe shall take off his garments, and put on other garments, and carry the ashes outside the camp to a clean place.

12verseThe fire on the altar shall be kept burning on it, it shall not go out; and the priest shall burn wood on it every morning. He shall lay the burnt offering in order upon it, and shall burn on it the fat of the peace offerings.

13verseFire shall be kept burning on the altar continually; it shall not go out.

14verse“‘This is the law of the meal offering: the sons of Aaron shall offer it before the LORD, before the altar.

15verseHe shall take from there his handful of the fine flour of the meal offering, and of its oil, and all the frankincense which is on the meal offering, and shall burn it on the altar for a pleasant aroma, as its memorial portion, to the LORD.

16verseThat which is left of it Aaron and his sons shall eat. It shall be eaten without yeast in a holy place. They shall eat it in the court of the Tent of Meeting.

17verseIt shall not be baked with yeast. I have given it as their portion of my offerings made by fire. It is most holy, as are the sin offering and the trespass offering.

18verseEvery male among the children of Aaron shall eat of it, as their portion forever throughout your generations, from the offerings of the LORD made by fire. Whoever touches them shall be holy.’”

19verseThe LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

20verse“This is the offering of Aaron and of his sons, which they shall offer to the LORD in the day when he is anointed: one tenth of an ephah of fine flour for a meal offering perpetually, half of it in the morning, and half of it in the evening.

21verseIt shall be made with oil in a griddle. When it is soaked, you shall bring it in. You shall offer the meal offering in baked pieces for a pleasant aroma to the LORD.

22verseThe anointed priest that will be in his place from among his sons shall offer it. By a statute forever, it shall be wholly burned to the LORD.

23verseEvery meal offering of a priest shall be wholly burned. It shall not be eaten.”

24verseThe LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

25verse“Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, ‘This is the law of the sin offering: in the place where the burnt offering is killed, the sin offering shall be killed before the LORD. It is most holy.

26verseThe priest who offers it for sin shall eat it. It shall be eaten in a holy place, in the court of the Tent of Meeting.

27verseWhatever shall touch its flesh shall be holy. When there is any of its blood sprinkled on a garment, you shall wash that on which it was sprinkled in a holy place.

28verseBut the earthen vessel in which it is boiled shall be broken; and if it is boiled in a bronze vessel, it shall be scoured, and rinsed in water.

29verseEvery male among the priests shall eat of it. It is most holy.

30verseNo sin offering, of which any of the blood is brought into the Tent of Meeting to make atonement in the Holy Place, shall be eaten. It shall be burned with fire.

Regulations of the Nazirite Vow (Verses 1–21)

Verses 1–21 describe the Nazirite vow. A Nazirite was a man or woman who voluntarily set themselves apart to the LORD for a defined period. During the vow, the person was to abstain from wine, strong drink, and grape products; avoid cutting the hair; and avoid contact with the dead. These visible practices marked a period of special dedication. When the period ended, the vow was completed through the prescribed offerings.

The Aaronic Blessing (Verses 22–27)

Verses 22–27 give the priestly blessing that Aaron and his sons were to speak over Israel. The blessing asks that the LORD would protect His people, show them favor, and grant them peace. It is a text that has remained meaningful across many worship traditions.

  • The LORD bless you and keep you;
  • the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
  • the LORD lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.

Meditation Points

  • Voluntary dedication: The Nazirite vow invites reflection on the value of freely chosen devotion.
  • Holiness and distinction: The outward practices point to a deeper intention to live set apart before God.
  • The gift of blessing: The priestly blessing reminds the community that protection, grace, and peace come from God.

Apply It to Yourself

  • Consider whether there is a specific practice through which you can intentionally focus on God.
  • Review whether your words, habits, and choices reflect the values you claim to live by.
  • Practice blessing others through words that seek their peace and good.

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