Introduction to 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 living.

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).

Structure

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.

Outline

• 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)

Themes

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).

Further Reading

The Pentateuch

Leviticus 26 and the New Testament

Leviticus, Book of CLBD