The big picture
Leviticus 6 opens in verse 1 with “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,”, reaches its middle movement near verse 15 with “And he shall take of it his handful, of the flour of the meat offering, and of the oil…”, and closes in verse 30 with “And no sin offering, whereof any of the blood is brought into the tabernacle of the…” Repeated or prominent terms include offering, LORD, holy, altar, burnt. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Leviticus · King James Version · 30Leviticus 6:1-8
1–8: The LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Leviticus 6:1–8 opens with “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,” and reaches “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Leviticus 6 develops its own movement around offering, LORD, holy, altar, burnt, with particular weight carried by LORD, thing, trespass.
Deep dive
The movement opens with “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,” By verse 4, the text has turned to “Then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he…” It lands on “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 2 verses with a speech marker, 5 verses naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.
The covenant audience and the reason attached to each command show how worship, holiness, justice, mercy, and communal responsibility belong together. Words such as LORD, thing, trespass, offering, delivered, falsely tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Leviticus 6 develops its own movement around offering, LORD, holy, altar, burnt,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.
Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Moses. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 4: “Then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing…” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.
Words to trace: LORD, thing, trespass, offering, delivered, falsely
Verse-by-verse path
- Leviticus 6:1
“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,” Naming Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- Leviticus 6:2
“If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD , and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to…” The line’s distinctive content terms include neighbour, commit, deceived. Its relationship to verses 1 and 3 shows what work it does in this passage.
- Leviticus 6:3
“Or have found that which was lost, and lieth concerning it, and sweareth falsely; in any of all these that a man…” The line’s distinctive content terms include concerning, doeth, falsely. Its relationship to verses 2 and 4 shows what work it does in this passage.
- Leviticus 6:4
“Then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took violently away, or…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- Leviticus 6:5
“Or all that about which he hath sworn falsely; he shall even restore it in the principal, and shall add the fifth part…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- Leviticus 6:6
“And he shall bring his trespass offering unto the LORD , a ram without blemish out of the flock, with thy estimation…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- Leviticus 6:7
“And the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD : and it shall be forgiven him for any thing of all…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- Leviticus 6:8
“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,” Naming Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Leviticus 6:1-8
King James Version1And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD , and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour;
3Or have found that which was lost, and lieth concerning it, and sweareth falsely; in any of all these that a man doeth, sinning therein:
4Then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten, or that which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he found,
5Or all that about which he hath sworn falsely; he shall even restore it in the principal, and shall add the fifth part more thereto, and give it unto him to whom it appertaineth, in the day of his trespass offering.
6And he shall bring his trespass offering unto the LORD , a ram without blemish out of the flock, with thy estimation, for a trespass offering, unto the priest:
7And the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD : and it shall be forgiven him for any thing of all that he hath done in trespassing therein.
8And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Leviticus 6:9-16
9–16: Command Aaron and his sons, saying, This is the law of the burnt…
Leviticus 6:9–16 opens with “Command Aaron and his sons, saying, This is the law of the burnt offering: It is the burnt…” and reaches “And the remainder thereof shall Aaron and his sons eat: with unleavened bread shall it be eaten…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Leviticus 6 develops its own movement around offering, LORD, holy, altar, burnt, with particular weight carried by altar, offering, burning.
Deep dive
The movement opens with “Command Aaron and his sons, saying, This is the law of the burnt offering: It is the burnt…” By verse 12, the text has turned to “And the fire upon the altar shall be burning in it; it shall not be put out: and the priest…” It lands on “And the remainder thereof shall Aaron and his sons eat: with unleavened bread shall it be…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 2 verses naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.
The covenant audience and the reason attached to each command show how worship, holiness, justice, mercy, and communal responsibility belong together. Words such as altar, offering, burning, burnt, fire, Aaron tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Leviticus 6 develops its own movement around offering, LORD, holy, altar, burnt,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.
Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Aaron, Command. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 12: “And the fire upon the altar shall be burning in it; it shall not be put out: and the priest shall burn wood on it every morning…” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.
Words to trace: altar, offering, burning, burnt, fire, Aaron
Verse-by-verse path
- Leviticus 6:9
“Command Aaron and his sons, saying, This is the law of the burnt offering: It is the burnt offering, because of the…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- Leviticus 6:10
“And the priest shall put on his linen garment, and his linen breeches shall he put upon his flesh, and take up the…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- Leviticus 6:11
“And he shall put off his garments, and put on other garments, and carry forth the ashes without the camp unto a clean…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- Leviticus 6:12
“And the fire upon the altar shall be burning in it; it shall not be put out: and the priest shall burn wood on it…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- Leviticus 6:13
“The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- Leviticus 6:14
“And this is the law of the meat offering: the sons of Aaron shall offer it before the LORD , before the altar.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- Leviticus 6:15
“And he shall take of it his handful, of the flour of the meat offering, and of the oil thereof, and all the…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- Leviticus 6:16
“And the remainder thereof shall Aaron and his sons eat: with unleavened bread shall it be eaten in the holy place; in…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
Leviticus 6:9-16
King James Version9Command Aaron and his sons, saying, This is the law of the burnt offering: It is the burnt offering, because of the burning upon the altar all night unto the morning, and the fire of the altar shall be burning in it.
10And the priest shall put on his linen garment, and his linen breeches shall he put upon his flesh, and take up the ashes which the fire hath consumed with the burnt offering on the altar, and he shall put them beside the altar.
11And he shall put off his garments, and put on other garments, and carry forth the ashes without the camp unto a clean place.
12And the fire upon the altar shall be burning in it; it shall not be put out: and the priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and lay the burnt offering in order upon it; and he shall burn thereon the fat of the peace offerings.
13The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out.
14And this is the law of the meat offering: the sons of Aaron shall offer it before the LORD , before the altar.
15And he shall take of it his handful, of the flour of the meat offering, and of the oil thereof, and all the frankincense which is upon the meat offering, and shall burn it upon the altar for a sweet savour, even the memorial of it, unto the LORD .
16And the remainder thereof shall Aaron and his sons eat: with unleavened bread shall it be eaten in the holy place; in the court of the tabernacle of the congregation they shall eat it.
Leviticus 6:17-24
17–24: It shall not be baken with leaven. I have given it unto them for their…
Leviticus 6:17–24 opens with “It shall not be baken with leaven. I have given it unto them for their portion of my offerings…” and reaches “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Leviticus 6 develops its own movement around offering, LORD, holy, altar, burnt, with particular weight carried by LORD, offering, baken.
Deep dive
The movement opens with “It shall not be baken with leaven. I have given it unto them for their portion of my…” By verse 20, the text has turned to “This is the offering of Aaron and of his sons, which they shall offer unto the LORD in the…” It lands on “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 2 verses with a speech marker, 6 verses naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.
The covenant audience and the reason attached to each command show how worship, holiness, justice, mercy, and communal responsibility belong together. Words such as LORD, offering, baken, meat, offer, Aaron tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Leviticus 6 develops its own movement around offering, LORD, holy, altar, burnt,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.
Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Aaron, Moses, All. Its number language includes one. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 20: “This is the offering of Aaron and of his sons, which they shall offer unto the LORD in the day when he is anointed; the tenth part…” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.
Words to trace: LORD, offering, baken, meat, offer, Aaron
Verse-by-verse path
- Leviticus 6:17
“It shall not be baken with leaven. I have given it unto them for their portion of my offerings made by fire; it is…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- Leviticus 6:18
“All the males among the children of Aaron shall eat of it. It shall be a statute for ever in your generations…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- Leviticus 6:19
“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,” Naming Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- Leviticus 6:20
“This is the offering of Aaron and of his sons, which they shall offer unto the LORD in the day when he is anointed…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- Leviticus 6:21
“In a pan it shall be made with oil; and when it is baken, thou shalt bring it in: and the baken pieces of the meat…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- Leviticus 6:22
“And the priest of his sons that is anointed in his stead shall offer it: it is a statute for ever unto the LORD ; it…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- Leviticus 6:23
“For every meat offering for the priest shall be wholly burnt: it shall not be eaten.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
- Leviticus 6:24
“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,” Naming Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Leviticus 6:17-24
King James Version17It shall not be baken with leaven. I have given it unto them for their portion of my offerings made by fire; it is most holy, as is the sin offering, and as the trespass offering.
18All the males among the children of Aaron shall eat of it. It shall be a statute for ever in your generations concerning the offerings of the LORD made by fire: every one that toucheth them shall be holy.
19And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
20This is the offering of Aaron and of his sons, which they shall offer unto the LORD in the day when he is anointed; the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a meat offering perpetual, half of it in the morning, and half thereof at night.
21In a pan it shall be made with oil; and when it is baken, thou shalt bring it in: and the baken pieces of the meat offering shalt thou offer for a sweet savour unto the LORD .
22And the priest of his sons that is anointed in his stead shall offer it: it is a statute for ever unto the LORD ; it shall be wholly burnt.
23For every meat offering for the priest shall be wholly burnt: it shall not be eaten.
24And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Leviticus 6:25-30
25–30: Speak unto Aaron and to his sons, saying, This is the law of the sin…
Leviticus 6:25–30 opens with “Speak unto Aaron and to his sons, saying, This is the law of the sin offering: In the place…” and reaches “And no sin offering, whereof any of the blood is brought into the tabernacle of the congregation…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Leviticus 6 develops its own movement around offering, LORD, holy, altar, burnt, with particular weight carried by holy, offering, place.
Deep dive
The movement opens with “Speak unto Aaron and to his sons, saying, This is the law of the sin offering: In the place…” By verse 27, the text has turned to “Whatsoever shall touch the flesh thereof shall be holy: and when there is sprinkled of the…” It lands on “And no sin offering, whereof any of the blood is brought into the tabernacle of the…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 1 stated contrast, 1 verse naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.
The covenant audience and the reason attached to each command show how worship, holiness, justice, mercy, and communal responsibility belong together. Words such as holy, offering, place, blood, burnt, congregation tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Leviticus 6 develops its own movement around offering, LORD, holy, altar, burnt,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.
Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Aaron, All, Speak, Whatsoever. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 28: “But the earthen vessel wherein it is sodden shall be broken: and if it be sodden in a brasen pot, it shall be both scoured, and…” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.
Words to trace: holy, offering, place, blood, burnt, congregation
Verse-by-verse path
- Leviticus 6:25
“Speak unto Aaron and to his sons, saying, This is the law of the sin offering: In the place where the burnt offering…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- Leviticus 6:26
“The priest that offereth it for sin shall eat it: in the holy place shall it be eaten, in the court of the tabernacle…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- Leviticus 6:27
“Whatsoever shall touch the flesh thereof shall be holy: and when there is sprinkled of the blood thereof upon any…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- Leviticus 6:28
“But the earthen vessel wherein it is sodden shall be broken: and if it be sodden in a brasen pot, it shall be both…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- Leviticus 6:29
“All the males among the priests shall eat thereof: it is most holy.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- Leviticus 6:30
“And no sin offering, whereof any of the blood is brought into the tabernacle of the congregation to reconcile withal…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
Leviticus 6:25-30
King James Version25Speak unto Aaron and to his sons, saying, This is the law of the sin offering: In the place where the burnt offering is killed shall the sin offering be killed before the LORD : it is most holy.
26The priest that offereth it for sin shall eat it: in the holy place shall it be eaten, in the court of the tabernacle of the congregation.
27Whatsoever shall touch the flesh thereof shall be holy: and when there is sprinkled of the blood thereof upon any garment, thou shalt wash that whereon it was sprinkled in the holy place.
28But the earthen vessel wherein it is sodden shall be broken: and if it be sodden in a brasen pot, it shall be both scoured, and rinsed in water.
29All the males among the priests shall eat thereof: it is most holy.
30And no sin offering, whereof any of the blood is brought into the tabernacle of the congregation to reconcile withal in the holy place, shall be eaten: it shall be burnt in the fire.
Questions to keep in mind while reading
- Identify the people addressed and the covenant setting.
- Distinguish rescue, worship, holiness, justice, and community responsibility.
- Read commands in their literary and covenant context before making a modern application.
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.
Questions beneath the surface
- What account of God, human freedom, responsibility, and the good life emerges from Leviticus 6?
- Which tension does the chapter refuse to resolve quickly?
- What changes when the chapter is read as part of the whole canon rather than as an isolated moral story?
- Where might a sincere reader confuse a familiar tradition with something the text states directly?
Questions for serious personal contemplation
These open-ended questions make room for tension, honest response, prayer, and conclusions that remain accountable to the chapter.
Observe without rushing
What part of Leviticus 6 makes you stop, feel unsettled, or feel surprised, and why?
Which detail in the passage would be easiest to overlook? How does that detail change your understanding?
Where do you see tension between what happens and this focus: Leviticus 6 develops its own movement around offering, LORD, holy, altar, burnt?
What important question does the passage leave open instead of resolving quickly?
Examine your inner life honestly
Which person, response, fear, or desire in the passage feels most like your own life right now?
What assumption about God, other people, or yourself does this text challenge?
Which part would you rather soften, avoid, or explain away too quickly? What might that reaction reveal?
If this Scripture could ask you one direct question, what do you think it would ask?
Respond with wisdom and courage
What do you need to remember, confess, grieve, thank God for, or trust after reading this passage?
How might another faithful person read this situation differently without ignoring the text?
What obedient response would be costly, uncomfortable, or slow, yet still faithful to Scripture?
What question will you carry into prayer this week, and which verses will you keep in front of you?
