Leviticus 17:5
New International Version
This is so the Israelites will bring to the LORD the sacrifices they are now making in the open fields. They must bring them to the priest, that is, to the LORD, at the entrance to the tent of meeting and sacrifice them as fellowship offerings.

New Living Translation
The purpose of this rule is to stop the Israelites from sacrificing animals in the open fields. It will ensure that they bring their sacrifices to the priest at the entrance of the Tabernacle, so he can present them to the LORD as peace offerings.

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
For this reason the Israelites will bring to the LORD the sacrifices they have been offering in the open fields. They are to bring them to the priest at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and offer them as sacrifices of peace offerings to the LORD.

King James Bible
To the end that the children of Israel may bring their sacrifices, which they offer in the open field, even that they may bring them unto the LORD, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest, and offer them for peace offerings unto the LORD.

New King James Version
to the end that the children of Israel may bring their sacrifices which they offer in the open field, that they may bring them to the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of meeting, to the priest, and offer them as peace offerings to the LORD.

New American Standard Bible
This shall be done so that the sons of Israel will bring their sacrifices which they were sacrificing in the open field—so that they will bring them to the LORD at the doorway of the tent of meeting to the priest, and sacrifice them as sacrifices of peace offerings to the LORD.

NASB 1995
“The reason is so that the sons of Israel may bring their sacrifices which they were sacrificing in the open field, that they may bring them in to the LORD, at the doorway of the tent of meeting to the priest, and sacrifice them as sacrifices of peace offerings to the LORD.

NASB 1977
“The reason is so that the sons of Israel may bring their sacrifices which they were sacrificing in the open field, that they may bring them in to the LORD, at the doorway of the tent of meeting to the priest, and sacrifice them as sacrifices of peace offerings to the LORD.

Legacy Standard Bible
The reason is so that the sons of Israel may bring their sacrifices which they were sacrificing in the open field, that they may bring them in to Yahweh, at the doorway of the tent of meeting to the priest, and sacrifice them as sacrifices of peace offerings to Yahweh.

Amplified Bible
This is so that the sons of Israel may bring their sacrifices which they were sacrificing [to idols] in the open field [where they killed them], that they may bring them in to the LORD, at the doorway of the Tent of Meeting to the priest, and sacrifice them as sacrifices of peace offerings to the LORD.

Christian Standard Bible
This is so the Israelites will bring to the LORD the sacrifices they have been offering in the open country. They are to bring them to the priest at the entrance to the tent of meeting and offer them as fellowship sacrifices to the LORD.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
This is so the Israelites will bring to the LORD the sacrifices they have been offering in the open country. They are to bring them to the priest at the entrance to the tent of meeting and offer them as fellowship sacrifices to the LORD.

American Standard Version
to the end that the children of Israel may bring their sacrifices, which they sacrifice in the open field, even that they may bring them unto Jehovah, unto the door of the tent of meeting, unto the priest, and sacrifice them for sacrifices of peace-offerings unto Jehovah.

Contemporary English Version
And so, when you sacrifice an animal to ask my blessing, it must not be done out in a field,

English Revised Version
To the end that the children of Israel may bring their sacrifices, which they sacrifice in the open field, even that they may bring them unto the LORD, unto the door of the tent of meeting, unto the priest, and sacrifice them for sacrifices of peace offerings unto the LORD.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
[This means] that the people of Israel must take the sacrifices they have been making in the open fields and bring them to the LORD. They must bring them to the priest at the entrance to the tent of meeting. The people will sacrifice them as fellowship offerings to the LORD.

Good News Translation
The meaning of this command is that the people of Israel shall now bring to the LORD the animals which they used to kill in the open country. They shall now bring them to the priest at the entrance of the Tent and kill them as fellowship offerings.

International Standard Version
"This statute is required so that the Israelis may bring their sacrifices that they have been sacrificing to the LORD in the open field to the priest at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, where they are to slaughter their peace offering to the LORD.

Majority Standard Bible
For this reason the Israelites will bring to the LORD the sacrifices they have been offering in the open fields. They are to bring them to the priest at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and offer them as sacrifices of peace offerings to the LORD.

NET Bible
This is so that the Israelites will bring their sacrifices that they are sacrificing in the open field to the LORD at the entrance of the Meeting Tent to the priest and sacrifice them there as peace offering sacrifices to the LORD.

New Heart English Bible
This is to the end that the children of Israel may bring their sacrifices, which they sacrifice in the open field, that they may bring them to the LORD, to the door of the Tent of Meeting, to the priest, and sacrifice them for sacrifices of peace offerings to the LORD.

Webster's Bible Translation
To the end that the children of Israel may bring their sacrifices which they offer in the open field, even that they may bring them to the LORD, to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to the priest, and offer them for peace-offerings to the LORD.

World English Bible
This is to the end that the children of Israel may bring their sacrifices, which they sacrifice in the open field, that they may bring them to Yahweh, to the door of the Tent of Meeting, to the priest, and sacrifice them for sacrifices of peace offerings to Yahweh.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
so that the sons of Israel bring in their sacrifices which they are sacrificing on the face of the field, indeed, they have brought them to YHWH, to the opening of the Tent of Meeting, to the priest, and they have sacrificed sacrifices of peace-offerings to YHWH with them.

Young's Literal Translation
so that the sons of Israel do bring in their sacrifices which they are sacrificing on the face of the field, yea, they have brought them in to Jehovah, unto the opening of the tent of meeting, unto the priest, and they have sacrificed sacrifices of peace-offerings to Jehovah with them.

Smith's Literal Translation
So that the sons of Israel shall bring their sacrifices which they sacrificed upon the face of the field, and they brought them to Jehovah at the door of the tent of appointment, to the priest, and they sacrificed them, sacrifices of peace to Jehovah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Therefore the children of Israel shall bring to the priest their victims, which they kill in the field, that they may be sanctified to the Lord before the door of the tabernacle of the testimony, and they may sacrifice them for peace offerings to the Lord.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, the sons of Israel must offer to the priest their victims, which they kill in the field, so that they may be sanctified to the Lord before the door of the tabernacle of the testimony, and so that they may immolate them as peace offerings to the Lord.

New American Bible
This is so that such sacrifices as they used to offer in the open field the Israelites shall henceforth bring to the LORD at the entrance of the tent of meeting, to the priest, and sacrifice them there as communion sacrifices to the LORD.

New Revised Standard Version
This is in order that the people of Israel may bring their sacrifices that they offer in the open field, that they may bring them to the LORD, to the priest at the entrance of the tent of meeting, and offer them as sacrifices of well-being to the LORD.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
To the end that the children of Israel may bring their sacrifices which they offer in the open field, that they may bring them before the LORD to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to the priest, and offer them for peace offerings to the LORD.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
So that the children of Israel will be bringing their sacrifices that they sacrifice for the face of the field and they shall bring them before LORD JEHOVAH to the door of the Time Tent to the Priest and they shall sacrifice them as peace sacrifices to LORD JEHOVAH.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
To the end that the children of Israel may bring their sacrifices, which they sacrifice in the open field, even that they may bring them unto the LORD, unto the door of the tent of meeting, unto the priest, and sacrifice them for sacrifices of peace-offerings unto the LORD.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
That the children of Israel may offer their sacrifices, all that they shall slay in the fields, and bring them to the Lord unto the doors of the tabernacle of witness to the priest, and they shall sacrifice them as a peace-offering to the Lord.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Place of Sacrifice
4instead of bringing it to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting to present it as an offering to the LORD before His tabernacle—that man shall incur bloodguilt. He has shed blood and must be cut off from among his people. 5For this reason the Israelites will bring to the LORD the sacrifices they have been offering in the open fields. They are to bring them to the priest at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and offer them as sacrifices of peace to the LORD. 6The priest will then sprinkle the blood on the altar of the LORD at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and burn the fat as a pleasing aroma to the LORD.…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 12:5-7
Instead, you must seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to establish as a dwelling for His Name, and there you must go. / To that place you are to bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and heave offerings, your vow offerings and freewill offerings, as well as the firstborn of your herds and flocks. / There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your households shall eat and rejoice in all you do, because the LORD your God has blessed you.

Deuteronomy 12:13-14
Be careful not to offer your burnt offerings in just any place you see; / you must offer them only in the place the LORD will choose in one of your tribal territories, and there you shall do all that I command you.

Deuteronomy 12:15-16
But whenever you want, you may slaughter and eat meat within any of your gates, according to the blessing the LORD your God has given you. Both the ceremonially clean and unclean may eat it as they would a gazelle or deer, / but you must not eat the blood; pour it on the ground like water.

Deuteronomy 12:27
Present the meat and blood of your burnt offerings on the altar of the LORD your God. The blood of your other sacrifices must be poured out beside the altar of the LORD your God, but you may eat the meat.

Exodus 29:10-11
You are to present the bull at the front of the Tent of Meeting, and Aaron and his sons are to lay their hands on its head. / And you shall slaughter the bull before the LORD at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.

Exodus 29:36-37
Sacrifice a bull as a sin offering each day for atonement. Purify the altar by making atonement for it, and anoint it to consecrate it. / For seven days you shall make atonement for the altar and consecrate it. Then the altar will become most holy; whatever touches the altar will be holy.

Numbers 18:17-18
But you must not redeem the firstborn of an ox, a sheep, or a goat; they are holy. You are to splatter their blood on the altar and burn their fat as a food offering, a pleasing aroma to the LORD. / And their meat belongs to you, just as the breast and right thigh of the wave offering belong to you.

1 Samuel 1:24-25
Once she had weaned him, Hannah took the boy with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine. Though the boy was still young, she brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh. / And when they had slaughtered the bull, they brought the boy to Eli.

1 Kings 8:62-63
Then the king and all Israel with him offered sacrifices before the LORD. / And Solomon offered as peace offerings to the LORD 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep. So the king and all the Israelites dedicated the house of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 7:4-5
Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the LORD. / And King Solomon offered a sacrifice of 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep. So the king and all the people dedicated the house of God.

Ezekiel 20:40-41
For on My holy mountain, the high mountain of Israel, declares the Lord GOD, there the whole house of Israel, all of them, will serve Me in the land. There I will accept them and will require your offerings and choice gifts, along with all your holy sacrifices. / When I bring you from the peoples and gather you from the lands to which you have been scattered, I will accept you as a pleasing aroma. And I will show My holiness through you in the sight of the nations.

Hebrews 13:10-12
We have an altar from which those who serve at the tabernacle have no right to eat. / Although the high priest brings the blood of animals into the Holy Place as a sacrifice for sin, the bodies are burned outside the camp. / And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate, to sanctify the people by His own blood.

Hebrews 9:13-14
For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that their bodies are clean, / how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God!

Hebrews 10:1-4
For the law is only a shadow of the good things to come, not the realities themselves. It can never, by the same sacrifices offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. / If it could, would not the offerings have ceased? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt the guilt of their sins. / Instead, those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, ...

1 Corinthians 10:18-20
Consider the people of Israel: Are not those who eat the sacrifices fellow partakers in the altar? / Am I suggesting, then, that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? / No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons.


Treasury of Scripture

To the end that the children of Israel may bring their sacrifices, which they offer in the open field, even that they may bring them to the LORD, to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to the priest, and offer them for peace offerings to the LORD.

in the open

Genesis 21:33
And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God.

Genesis 22:2,13
And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of…

Genesis 31:54
Then Jacob offered sacrifice upon the mount, and called his brethren to eat bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mount.

and offer them

Leviticus 3:1-17
And if his oblation be a sacrifice of peace offering, if he offer it of the herd; whether it be a male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before the LORD…

Leviticus 7:11-21
And this is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which he shall offer unto the LORD…

Exodus 24:5
And he sent young men of the children of Israel, which offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen unto the LORD.

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Children Congregation Death Door Doorway End Fellowship Field Fields gs Israel Israelites Making Meeting Offer Offerings Open Peace Peace-Offerings Priest Reason Sacrifice Sacrifices Sacrificing Slay Tabernacle Tent
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Leviticus 17
1. The blood of slain beasts must be offered to the Lord at the tabernacle door
7. They must not offer to idols
10. All eating of blood is forbidden
15. and of all that dies by itself, or is torn














This is so that
The phrase "This is so that" introduces a purpose or reason for the commandment that follows. In the Hebrew text, this is often expressed with a conjunction that indicates causality. The purpose here is to ensure that the Israelites' worship practices align with God's instructions, emphasizing obedience and reverence.

the Israelites
The term "Israelites" refers to the descendants of Jacob, also known as Israel. This covenant community was chosen by God to be His people, set apart to live according to His laws. The historical context of Leviticus is the period after the Exodus, where God is establishing a distinct identity and religious practice for His people.

will bring to the LORD
The act of bringing sacrifices "to the LORD" signifies an offering made directly to God. In Hebrew, the word for "bring" often implies a presentation or offering, indicating that these acts are not merely ritualistic but are meant to be acts of worship and devotion to Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel.

the sacrifices
"Sacrifices" in this context refer to offerings made to God, which could include animals or other items. The Hebrew word for sacrifice, "korban," implies something brought near to God. Sacrifices were central to Israelite worship, symbolizing atonement, thanksgiving, and fellowship with God.

they are now making
This phrase indicates a current practice among the Israelites. Historically, before the establishment of centralized worship, sacrifices were often made in various locations. This command seeks to regulate and centralize worship practices to prevent idolatry and ensure proper reverence for God.

in the open fields
The "open fields" represent places outside the designated area for worship. In ancient times, it was common for people to offer sacrifices in various locations, which could lead to syncretism with pagan practices. This command aims to prevent such practices by centralizing worship.

They must bring them
The imperative "must bring" underscores the necessity and non-negotiable nature of this command. It reflects God's authority and the importance of obedience in the covenant relationship. The Israelites are called to follow God's instructions precisely.

to the priest
The role of "the priest" is crucial in the sacrificial system. Priests acted as mediators between God and the people, ensuring that sacrifices were offered correctly and in accordance with God's laws. This highlights the importance of proper mediation in worship.

at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting
The "entrance to the Tent of Meeting" was the designated place for sacrifices and worship. The Tent of Meeting, or Tabernacle, was the portable sanctuary where God's presence dwelled among His people. This location signifies the centrality of God's presence in worship.

and offer them as sacrifices of peace offerings
"Peace offerings" were a type of sacrifice that symbolized fellowship and reconciliation with God. The Hebrew term "shelamim" implies wholeness or completeness, reflecting the peace and communion between God and the worshiper. These offerings were expressions of gratitude and fellowship.

to the LORD
The phrase "to the LORD" reiterates the ultimate recipient of the sacrifices. It emphasizes that worship is directed solely to Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. This focus on the LORD underscores the exclusivity of worship and the rejection of idolatry.

(5) To the end that the children of Israel may bring.--The reason why these three kinds of animals, when intended for private food, are to be brought to the precincts of the sanctuary, and are there to be offered first as a peace offering to the Lord, is to prevent the Israelites sacrificing them to the demons in the open fields.

Which they offer in the open field.--The first part of this verse is better rendered, In order that the children of Israel may bring in [i.e., within the precincts of the sanctuary] their sacrifices which they are sacrificing on the face of the field; that is, which they have heretofore been in the habit of offering in the open fields to heathen deities, and which, in future, they might be inclined to do again. The phrase "open field "denotes the space outside the encampment, in contradistinction to the enclosed place where the Israelites sojourned. (See Leviticus 14:7; Leviticus 14:53, &c.)

Even that they may bring them . . . unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.--Better, and bring them . . . to the entrance of the tent of meeting.

Verse 5. - 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.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
For this reason
לְמַעַן֩ (lə·ma·‘an)
Conjunction
Strong's 4616: Purpose -- intent

the Israelites
בְּנֵ֣י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

will bring
יָבִ֜יאוּ (yā·ḇî·’ū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to the LORD
לַֽיהוָ֗ה (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

the sacrifices
זִבְחֵיהֶם֮ (ziḇ·ḥê·hem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 2077: A slaughter, the flesh of an animal, a sacrifice

they
הֵ֣ם (hêm)
Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

have been offering
זֹבְחִים֮ (zō·ḇə·ḥîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 2076: To slaughter for sacrifice

in
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the open
פְּנֵ֣י (pə·nê)
Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

fields.
הַשָּׂדֶה֒ (haś·śā·ḏeh)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7704: Field, land

They are to bring
וֶֽהֱבִיאֻ֣ם (we·hĕ·ḇî·’um)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural | third person masculine plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

them to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the priest
הַכֹּהֵ֑ן (hak·kō·hên)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3548: Priest

at
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the entrance
פֶּ֛תַח (pe·ṯaḥ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6607: An opening, door, entrance way

to the Tent
אֹ֥הֶל (’ō·hel)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 168: A tent

of Meeting
מוֹעֵ֖ד (mō·w·‘êḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4150: Appointed time, place, or meeting

and offer
וְזָ֨בְח֜וּ (wə·zā·ḇə·ḥū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 2076: To slaughter for sacrifice

them
אוֹתָֽם׃ (’ō·w·ṯām)
Direct object marker | third person masculine plural
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

as sacrifices
זִבְחֵ֧י (ziḇ·ḥê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 2077: A slaughter, the flesh of an animal, a sacrifice

of peace
שְׁלָמִ֛ים (šə·lā·mîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8002: A sacrifice for alliance or friendship, peace offering

to the LORD.
לַֽיהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel


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OT Law: Leviticus 17:5 This is to the end that (Le Lv Lev.)
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