Leviticus
Book Type
Book of Law (or Book of Moses); third book of the Old Testament; third book of the Bible; third book of the five-part Jewish collection known as the Torah. Introduction to the Book of Leviticus
The book of Leviticus continues where Exodus left off. Israel is at Mount Sinai and Yahweh’s presence has entered the tabernacle (Exod 40:34–38). Leviticus begins with Yahweh instructing Moses on the procedures for sacrifices and offerings that he is to pass on to the people of Israel. The biblical law given to Israel at Sinai encompasses Exod 20:1–Num 9:14, including the entire book of Leviticus.Leviticus outlines God’s covenant expectations. Yahweh and the Hebrew people formally entered into a covenant, a contractual agreement, at Sinai (Exod 24:1–8). As God’s chosen people, Israel was expected to live in a way that honored Him. While the book of Leviticus elaborates on many laws about rituals and sacrifices, the true focus of the book is holiness—ensuring that the people maintain a community worthy of God’s special presence. Holiness means being set apart for a purpose. Maintaining holiness involves having the attitude of respect that God’s holiness deserves. In Leviticus, God repeatedly states that His people must be holy because He is holy (e.g., Lev 11:44). Obedience in ritual and ethical matters is essential for the preservation of Israel’s holiness. In this way, Leviticus links worship with ethical livingLeviticus enabled ancient Israel to live in relationship with a holy God. But what do laws governing ancient Israel’s system of worship, with its priests and animal sacrifices, have to do with us? Jesus Christ became our High Priest and ultimate sacrifice, thereby fulfilling many of these requirements. Yet Leviticus is important to us today because it increases our understanding of God’s holiness. God’s demand for those who know him remains the same: “I am the LORD your God.… You must be holy because I am holy” (11:44–45; 1 Pet 1:15–16).The book’s name comes from the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament): “relating to the Levites.” This third section of the Pentateuch deals primarily with the duties of the priests and the service of the tabernacle, but it contains other laws as well. Leviticus gives regulations for worship, laws on ceremonial cleanness, moral laws, and holy days.Theme & Overview
The Israelites receive instructions from God at the base of Mount Sinai concerning how to live as God's holy people.In Leviticus, holiness is not simply goodness; it refers to being dedicated to God and separated from ordinary things. As a result, much of Leviticus is about setting boundaries—such as the categories of “pure” and “impure.” God is holy and separate, yet He invites Israel into relationship. The inner chamber of the tabernacle provides an example of this: Because this sanctuary was God’s holy dwelling place, it was dangerous to enter (16:2). However, with an invitation from God, the high priest (representing all of Israel) could enter into God’s holy presence and make atonement—signifying that the people are now right before God.Leviticus contains regulations for Israel for worship and ethics. But it also sets the stage for some of the most important theological developments of the Bible: sacrifice, priesthood, and maintaining a right relationship with God Himself. Building on the words of the prophets, the New Testament articulates Jesus’ death on the cross as an atonement for all of humanity’s wrongdoings. This act makes it possible for all believers in Jesus to act as priests ministering to one another—because Jesus Himself intercedes today for us as our great high priest in heaven (1 Pet 2:5; Heb 4:14–16).John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016).The book of Leviticus is a further and deeper unfolding of the divine-human relationship codified on Mount Sinai. On the one hand, it assumes that Israel is sinful and impure. On the other hand, it describes how to deal with sin and impurity so that the holy Lord can dwell in the people’s midst.Author
Moses is the traditional author of this book; Leviticus is part of the "Law of Moses."Recipients
Moses wrote Leviticus to the Jewish people during their 40-year wilderness journey in the Sinai Peninsula. Leviticus provides details regarding priests, sacrifices, holy days, and laws the Jewish people were now required to follow as its own nation. The title Leviticus refers to the Levites, the tribe of priests who were responsible for overseeing the practices regarding the law for Israel.Date
During the 40 years in the wilderness, approximately 1440–1400 BC.Background
The title, Leviticus, comes from a Greek word that means “having to do with the Levites.” The Levites were descendants of Jacob’s son Levi and a tribe of Israel (Gen 34; 49:5–7). Moses—the man who led the Hebrew people out of Egypt—was a Levite, as was Moses’ brother Aaron. The Levites were responsible for maintaining the tabernacle—the sacred tent where God’s presence would dwell among the people.Leviticus is set during the Israelites’ stay at Mount Sinai after the exodus from Egypt (see Exod 19). Most of the book records God explaining His laws to Moses. Many of these laws focus on purity and aim to establish standards for holiness among God’s people. Leviticus is the source for what Jesus identifies as the second most important commandment: loving your neighbor as yourself (Lev 19:18; Matt 22:39).Leviticus continues the great redemptive story that began with the promises made to Abraham (Gen 12, 15, 17) and the liberation of the Israelites from bondage in Egypt. The Israelites had not yet wandered in the wilderness or entered the Promised Land of Canaan. At the writing of this book, Israel was camped at the foot of Mount Sinai. With Moses as his mediator, God had already established his covenant with Israel, declaring the Israelites as his special treasure, royal priesthood, and chosen people (Exod 19:5–6). The people had received the Ten Commandments (Exod 20:1–17), the plans for the Tabernacle (Exod 25–27, 30), and the institution of the priesthood (Exod 28–29). The Tabernacle had been completed and dedicated (Exod 35–40). Here, in Leviticus, God spoke to Moses about his nature, providing instructions about worship and conduct appropriate for Israel as his covenant people.Israel at Sinai. After leaving slavery in EGYPT, Israel camped at MOUNT SINAI for about a year (Exod 19:1; Num 10:11–12). The Lord gave many of his instructions to Israel during this time, including those recorded in the book of Leviticus.
The Purpose & Audience (Reasons for the letter)
You must be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.”—Lev 19:2
Although it is set in an ancient time and culture, Leviticus communicates a timeless and vibrant message: God is holy, and he expects his people to be like him. God’s holiness and his gracious redemption provide both the grounds and the motivation for his people’s own holiness (11:44–45).The priests, as mediators of the covenant, stood between God and the people. The priests interpreted what was holy and how holiness should be expressed in the community. The atoning sacrifices provided the way for the people to have their sins forgiven and to be made right with God (atonement). The non-atoning sacrifices celebrated the people’s relationship with God through gifts and shared meals. While surrounding nations offered sacrifices to their gods to appease them and gain their favor, Israel’s worship was not designed to manipulate God. Rather, the worship prepared and purified the people so they could approach their holy God. Each of the laws, ceremonies, and holy days teaches that God is holy and that he expects his people to be holy, a motif that embraces both Old and New Covenants (see 1 Cor 3:17; 1 Pet 1:15).Forgiveness of sin and reconciliation to God directly relate to how people treat one another. Concern for social justice pervades Leviticus, which sets forth obligations to one’s neighbor, to the poor, and to foreigners. God loves people (Exod 34:6–7), especially the people he calls his own. He expects those in covenant with him to love each other as an expression of his love (cp. Matt 22:39; Mark 12:31; Luke 10:27; Rom 13:9; Gal 5:14; Jas 2:8). Atonement and social justice are closely connected with the holiness that God requires of his people.The message and purpose of Leviticus must be studied in the context of the redemption of Israel from Egypt (Ex 12), the covenant made with Israel (Ex 20–24), and the building of the tent of meeting, or the tabernacle (Ex 25–40). The Lord dwelt among Israel symbolically in the tent of meeting, which stood in the center of the camp’s tribal arrangement. In order for the Lord to reside with Israel, it was imperative that the people maintain a holy character and ethical behavior (Lv 11:44–45; 19:2; Dt 23:14; 1Pt 1:15–16). The decrees in Leviticus instructed the people in regulating this holy relationship through atonement and ritual cleansing. The sacrifices, the ordination of the holy priests, the purity laws, and the code for holy living made the benevolence of the Lord a reality through the forgiveness of sin and ceremonial purification. The purpose of Leviticus was to instruct Israel in holiness so that the Lord might abide among them and bless them. Five key words capture the message of Leviticus:HOLINESS: The chief idea in Leviticus is the holiness of God. The priests were to teach the people to differentiate “between the holy and the common, and the clean and the unclean” (10:10). The term holy describes special persons (priests), places (tents), or things (offerings) that are captivated by or share in God’s holy presence. Thus the holiness of everything and everyone is contingent upon the Holy One who alone is inherently holy. Anything that compromises this exclusive relationship profanes (treats as common) the person or thing and thereby offends God, who is apart and “who sets … apart” (makes holy; 22:16).CLEAN: Clean and unclean are ritual terms that pertain to physical substances. Any item that was a departure from its normal state was unclean. This included certain foods, skin diseases, bodily emissions, and contamination. Consequently, rites of purgation (“cleansing”) were a feature of daily life and a constant reminder of the inadequacy of the people to maintain their relationship with God apart from his provision.SACRIFICE: The sacrifices were holy gifts presented to the Lord. They also made atonement and provided stipends for the priests and communal meals. The three voluntary offerings were the burnt, grain, and fellowship sacrifices; the required offerings were the sin and guilt offerings. Special, additional instructions for sacrifices applied to special events.ATONEMENT: The term atone (Hb kipper) means “to reconcile two estranged parties”; theologically, God is the aggrieved party and must be appeased by the offender (26:14–45). The Lord provided the means by which the affront could be remedied and forgiven (4:20; 19:22). Genuine remorse and confession of sin, not just ritual performance, were required (5:5; 16:21; 26:40–42; Hs 6:6; Mc 6:8; Mt 9:13).PRIESTS: The Lord appointed only Aaron and his sons was priests to serve in his house (8:30; cp. Ex 28:1, 41); the Levites were the priests’ assistants in caring for the tabernacle (Nm 8:13, 19, 22). It was the priest who made atonement on the guilty person’s behalf (Lv 4:20) as well as for himself (16:6, 24). Their role of protecting the holiness of God, the sanctity of the tent, and the Israelite people is illustrated by the intercessory action of Aaron, who “stood between the dead and the living” (Nm 16:48).
CONTRIBUTION TO THE BIBLE
Leviticus is often neglected because Christians have misunderstood its message and purpose. This was not true of Jesus, who designated “love your neighbor as yourself” (19:18) as the second greatest commandment (Mt 22:39). The apostle Paul considered these words the summation of the Mosaic commandments (Rm 13:9; Gl 5:14; cp. Jms 2:8). The writer of Hebrews relied on the images of Leviticus in describing the person and role of Jesus Christ: sacrifice, the priesthood, and the Day of Atonement (Heb 4:14–10:18). Studying Leviticus gives us a deeper devotion to Jesus Christ, a stronger worship of God, and a better understanding of daily Christian living.Key Verses (ESV)
Leviticus 1:4: "He shall lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him." Leviticus 17:11: "For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life."Leviticus 19:18: "You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD."Key Passages (NLT)
Le 1:1–5The Lord called to Moses from the Tabernacle and said to him, “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. When you present an animal as an offering to the Lord, you may take it from your herd of cattle or your flock of sheep and goats. “If…Le 17:1–15Then the Lord said to Moses, “Give the following instructions to Aaron and his sons and all the people of Israel. This is what the Lord has commanded. “If any native Israelite sacrifices a bull or a lamb or a goat anywhere inside or outside the camp…Le 19:2–3“Give the following instructions to the entire community of Israel. You must be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy. “Each of you must show great respect for your mother and father, and you must always observe my Sabbath days of rest. I am the Lord your God.Le 19:17–18“Do not nurse hatred in your heart for any of your relatives. Confront people directly so you will not be held guilty for their sin. “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.Le 20:25–26“You must therefore make a distinction between ceremonially clean and unclean animals, and between clean and unclean birds. You must not defile yourselves by eating any unclean animal or bird or creature that scurries along the ground. I have identified them as being unclean for you.Structure & Outline 1
Leviticus can be divided into six sections. The first section (Lev 1–7) gives instructions for various sacrifices. The second section (chs. 8–10) narrates the establishment of the priesthood as Aaron and his sons are ordained, and God’s glory fills the tabernacle, Israel’s portable tent-shrine (compare Exod 28–29). In Leviticus 10, two of Aaron’s sons are punished for offering worship to God inappropriately. Even the priests need to recognize the importance of obedience in Yahweh’s presence. The third section (chs. 11–15) contains regulations about ritual purity and impurity. This section includes the dietary laws about what animals are suitable for food and what animals must not be eaten (ch. 11). The rules about how to handle skin diseases are also found in this part of Leviticus (chs. 13–14). Jesus acknowledges these laws when He heals a leper, telling the man to visit the priests and follow the proper rituals for purification (Matt 8:1–4).The fourth section (Lev 16) gives instructions for the annual Day of Atonement, when special sacrifices were offered to cleanse the Israelites of their sins. On this day alone, the high priest could enter the holy of holies (most holy place), the inner chamber of the tabernacle. The fifth section (chs. 17–26) is a “holiness code.” By following this system of ethics—which reflected God’s own holiness—the Israelites confirmed their covenant with God and showed themselves to be His holy people. The sixth section (ch. 27) gives instructions about vows and is patterned more like the earlier chapters of the book (chs. 1–16). It appears to have been placed there to avoid ending the book with the list of curses in Leviticus 26. • Laws concerning sacrifices (1:1–7:38) • The consecration of priests (8:1–10:20) • Laws concerning purity (11:1–15:33) • The Day of Atonement (16:1–34) • Laws concerning holiness (17:1–26:46) • Laws about vows (27:1–34)Outline 2
This book consists of 27 chapters, covering four major themes. The first theme includes laws regarding the five major offerings God commanded the Israelites to practice: burnt, grain, peace, sin, and trespass offerings. From 1:1—6:7 the laws are presented to the people. In 6:8—7:38 the laws regarding these sacrifices are presented to the priests.The second major theme is the origin of the Jewish priesthood in chapters 8—10. In chapter 8, Aaron and his sons are ordained as the priests of the Jewish people. In chapter 9, these priests offer their first sacrifices. Chapter 10 then describes the account of Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu dying before the Lord for their unauthorized sacrifices.The third major theme includes laws regarding uncleanness (Leviticus 11—16). This includes laws regarding unclean animals (Leviticus 11), as well as laws regarding uncleanness related to child bearing (Leviticus 12). In chapter 13, Moses lists a variety of unclean diseases or disorders, with chapter 14 addressing steps of cleansing regarding these issues. Chapter 15 addresses unclean discharges. Chapter 16 then shifts to the tabernacle and how to keep it pure from all uncleanness, giving specific instructions regarding what is known as Yom Kippur or the Day of Atonement.The fourth major theme addresses practical guidelines for holy living (Leviticus 17—27), addressing 11 total topics. These are sacrifices and food (Leviticus 17), sexual behavior (Leviticus 18), treatment of neighbors (Leviticus 19), serious crimes (Leviticus 20), priestly regulations (Leviticus 21—22), festivals (Leviticus 23), the tabernacle's holiness (Leviticus 24:1–9), various civil punishments (Leviticus 24:10–23), special years of Sabbath and Jubilee (Leviticus 25), blessings and curses (Leviticus 26), and voluntary gifts or vows (Leviticus 27).