Charles Ellicott Commentary Leviticus 17:5

Charles Ellicott Commentary

Leviticus 17:5

1819–1905
Anglican
Charles Ellicott
Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott Commentary

Leviticus 17:5

1819–1905
Anglican
SCRIPTURE

"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." — Leviticus 17:5 (ASV)

So 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 from 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 previously been in the habit of offering in the open fields to heathen deities, and which, in the 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. (Leviticus 14:53, and other similar verses.)

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