Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the LORD, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock.
Speak unto the children of Israel. If the subject of communication were of a temporal nature, the Levites were excluded; but if it were a spiritual matter, the whole tribes were comprehended under this name (Deuteronomy 27:12-14).
If any man ... The directions given here relate solely to voluntary or free-will offerings-those rendered over and above such as, being of standing and universal obligation, could not be dispensed with or commuted for any other kind of offering, (Exodus 29:38; Leviticus 23:37; Numbers 28:3; Numbers 28:11-27; etc.)
Bring your offering ... - i:e., those animals that were not only tame, innocent, and gentle, but useful, adapted for food, and consequently costly sacrifices. This rule excluded horses, dogs, swine, camels, and asses-which were used in sacrifice by some pagan nations-beasts and birds of prey, as also hares and deers.