What Does Leviticus 11:1 Mean in the King James?

And the LORD spake unto Moses and to Aaron, saying unto them,

Leviticus 11:1 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The Hebrew root beneath “spake” also names a “word” or “matter,” binding the act of speaking to the substance being spoken.

THE MEANING

Instruction begins with a voice addressing Moses and Aaron; before its content appears, the verse shows the word arriving to hearers. You stand at that threshold too, with the matter of the saying about to unfold.

THE ROOT

וַיְדַבֵּר

vayedabber

GROWS FROM

ד־ב־ר

d-b-r

To speak; as a noun, a word or matter.

“spake” in this verse is vayedabber. The root holds speaking and the matter spoken within one word family. The verse presents instruction as an addressed word carrying substance, not as a detached rule.

ALSO GROWS

davar: Word; matter or affair

דָּבָר

This noun from the same root ties speech to the matter it carries.

dibber: Spoke; addressed

דִּבֶּר

This verbal form names the act in the verse and frames the instruction as direct address.

מֹשֶׁה

Mosheh

GROWS FROM

מ־ש־ה

m-sh-h

Draw out; the biblical naming links Moses with being drawn out of water.

Moses carries the name-nature of one drawn out, as Exodus 2:10 connects his name with being drawn from the water. His name keeps that image of emergence present as he receives the words here.

ALSO GROWS

mashah: To draw out

מָשָׁה

Exodus 2:10 uses this verb in the explanation behind Moses’ name.

Mosheh: Moses; the name linked to being drawn out

מֹשֶׁה

The name carries the story of being drawn from the water rather than standing as a bare label.

THE PATTERN

Instruction takes form through address: a voice reaches hearers before its content becomes a path.

And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them.

Deuteronomy 5:1 · KJVThe spoken instruction reaches its hearers directly and is carried forward into learning and action.

And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.

Acts 10:13 · KJVA voice addresses a named hearer with words that open the next moment of the passage.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

John 10:27 · KJVHearing a voice becomes a relationship that moves into following.

THE THREAD

And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.

Numbers 12:6 · KJV

The same Hebrew root ⁨ד־ב־ר⁩ (d-b-r, speak) appears in Leviticus 11:1 and in “will speak” here. Both verses show revelation arriving as direct address before its message is received.

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