The Book of Leviticus, the third book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament, occupies a central place in the Pentateuch. It provides detailed instructions for Israel's worship and ethical conduct. Seen as a vital link between God's promise to Abraham and the establishment of Israel as a holy nation, Leviticus emphasizes the holiness of God and the necessity for His people to live in a manner reflecting this holiness. The detailed legal and ritual guidelines presented in Leviticus are thus seen not only as historical mandates for ancient Israel but also as reflections of God's unchanging moral principles.

Central themes in Leviticus include the holiness of God, the concept of atonement, and the importance of purity. The sacrificial system, described in meticulous detail, foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, making Leviticus crucial to understanding the Christian gospel. This book also reinforces the idea of a holy community, where social justice, care for those in need, and ethical behavior are integral to religious life.

Leviticus is more than a historical or cultural artifact; it is a theological document important for understanding God's nature, humanity's sinfulness, and the pathway to reconciliation and holiness.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the Book of Leviticus is to provide a comprehensive guide for holy living for the Israelites, exemplified both in ritual and ethical practices. It serves as a manual for priests and laypeople, detailing how to conduct sacrifices and maintain ceremonial purity. There is a significant emphasis on God's holiness and the need for His people to reflect this holiness in their lives. It underscores the principles of atonement and sanctification, teaching about the nature of sin and the means for its expiation. Leviticus ultimately foreshadows the coming of Christ and His ultimate sacrifice, offering a foundation for understanding redemption and the relationship between God and His people.

AUTHOR:Leviticus is traditionally attributed to Moses. His writing of the book would be during the Israelites' sojourn in the wilderness, where he received it directly from the Lord through divine revelation.

ADDRESSEE: The primary addressee of the Book of Leviticus is the nation of Israel, specifically the Israelites encamped at Mount Sinai during their exodus from Egypt. This audience comprises the priests (Levites) and the general Israelite community. The book serves as a divine guide for their conduct, worship practices, and communal living, instructing them on maintaining holiness and a right relationship with God.

DATE: Leviticus is traditionally dated to the 15th century BC, coinciding with the Israelites' sojourn in the wilderness following their exodus from Egypt. This dating aligns with the belief in Mosaic authorship, suggesting that Moses wrote Leviticus as part of the Pentateuch during this period, with the laws and instructions being given directly by God to Moses on Mount Sinai.

MAJOR THEMES: 

Overall, the Book of Leviticus concerns the Holiness of God and His people. It emphasizes the holiness of God and the call for His people to be holy. This theme permeates the book, but is especially prominent in Leviticus 11:44-45, 19:2, and 20:26, where God commands, “Be holy, for I am holy.” The book itself should be considered under the following divisions.

Sacrificial System, Leviticus 1-7: These chapters outline offerings like burnt offerings, grain offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings, highlighting the necessity of atonement for sin and the importance of approaching God on His terms.

Priesthood and the High Priest, Leviticus 8-10: The role and duties of the priests, particularly the High Priest, in these chapters. This underscores the mediatory role of the priests between God and His people, a role fulfilled ultimately in Jesus Christ according to New Testament theology.

Purity and Impurity, Leviticus 11-15: Laws concerning purity and impurity, including dietary restrictions, are presented to call attention to the need for separation from sin and the importance of cleanliness before God.

Day of Atonement, Leviticus 16: This chapter describes the Day of Atonement, the most sacred day in the Israelite calendar. It represents the comprehensive atonement for the sins of the people and the High Priest's unique role in this process.

Holiness Code, Leviticus 17-24: Often referred to as the Holiness Code, these provide instructions on various aspects of life, emphasizing that every part of life is under God's authority. These chapters cover moral, social, and religious laws, highlighting themes such as love for neighbor and justice.

Sabbatical and Jubilee Years, Leviticus 25: This chapter discusses the Sabbatical year and the Year of Jubilee. These economic and social regulations emphasize trust in God's provision and the equitable treatment of others, reflecting God's concern for social justice and care for the poor.

Blessings and Curses, Leviticus 26: This chapter outlines blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, underscoring the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where faithfulness to God's law brings blessing, and disobedience brings judgment.

Honoring Divine Commitments, Leviticus 27: This concerns the fulfillment of vows made to God. It reflects the seriousness with which vows and dedications are regarded and the importance of maintaining integrity and commitment in one's relationship with God.

KEY VERSES: The following verses encapsulate some of the central themes of Leviticus, including the call to holiness, the significance of blood in atonement, the ethical mandate to love one’s neighbor, and the special relationship between God and His people.

  • Leviticus 11:45 - “For I am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.”
  • Leviticus 17:11 - “For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.”
  • Leviticus 19:18 - “Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.”
  • Leviticus 20:26 - “And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine.”
  • Leviticus 26:12 - “And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people.”

CHAPTER CONTENT:

  1. Burnt Offerings
  2. Grain Offerings
  3. Fellowship Offerings
  4. Sin Offerings
  5. Guilt Offerings
  6. More on Offerings and the Priests’ Portions
  7. Offerings Concluded and Summarized
  8. Ordination of Aaron and Sons as Priests
  9. Aaron’s First Offerings
  10. Nadab and Abihu and Their Wrongful Offerings
  11. Clean and Unclean Food 
  12. Purification After Childbirth 
  13. Skin Diseases 
  14. Cleansing from Skin Diseases 
  15. Discharges Causing Uncleanness 
  16. The Day of Atonement 
  17. Forbidden Sacrifices and Blood 
  18. Unlawful Sexual Relations 
  19. Various Moral, Social, and Religious Laws 
  20. Punishments for Sin 
  21. Rules for Priests 
  22. Unacceptable Sacrifices 
  23. Appointed Festivals 
  24. Oil and Bread Set Before the Lord 
  25. The Sabbath Year and the Year of Jubilee 
  26. Blessings and Curses 
  27. Regulations Concerning Vows and Dedications