Leviticus

Introduction

Leviticus stands at the center of the Pentateuch—literally and theologically. Named after the tribe of Levi from whom the priests descended, this book answers the most urgent question arising from Exodus: How can a holy God dwell among sinful people? The glory cloud has descended upon the tabernacle, but now what? Leviticus provides the answer through its intricate system of sacrifices, priesthood, and purity regulations.

Often dismissed as irrelevant ancient ritual, Leviticus is actually essential for understanding biblical theology and the work of Christ. The New Testament book of Hebrews cannot be understood without Leviticus. The vocabulary of atonement, propitiation, sacrifice, and cleansing originates here. Without Leviticus, we cannot fully appreciate what Jesus accomplished on the cross.

The book's central theme is holiness—God's holiness that both attracts and consumes, and the holiness required of His people in response. 'Be holy, for I am holy' echoes throughout, appearing in various forms over fifty times. This holiness is not mere ritual purity but comprehensive consecration affecting every dimension of life—worship, food, relationships, sexuality, business dealings, and social justice.

Structurally, the book moves from sacrifice (chapters 1-7), to priesthood (chapters 8-10), to purity (chapters 11-15), reaches its climax in the Day of Atonement (chapter 16), then applies holiness to practical living (chapters 17-27). This progression shows that access to God requires both substitutionary sacrifice and consecrated living.

Book Outline

• The Sacrificial System (1-7) — The five offerings: burnt offering (total dedication), grain offering (thanksgiving), peace offering (fellowship), sin offering (purification), and guilt offering (restitution). Each addresses a different aspect of the divine-human relationship.
• The Priesthood Established (8-10) — The consecration of Aaron and his sons, their first sacrifices, and the sobering judgment on Nadab and Abihu for offering 'strange fire.' Proper approach to God requires obedience.
• Laws of Purity (11-15) — Clean and unclean animals, purification after childbirth, skin diseases, mildew, and bodily discharges. These laws taught Israel to distinguish between holy and common, clean and unclean.
• The Day of Atonement (16) — The annual ceremony when the high priest entered the Holy of Holies to make atonement for the nation. This is the theological center of Leviticus and the most important day in Israel's calendar.
• The Holiness Code (17-26) — Practical holiness in daily life: dietary regulations, sexual ethics, social justice, Sabbaths and festivals, and the covenant blessings and curses. 'Be holy, for I am holy' permeates this section.
• Vows and Dedications (27) — Regulations for voluntary dedications to the LORD—an appendix showing how devotion can exceed minimum requirements.

Key Themes

• The Holiness of God: Leviticus reveals God's holiness more intensely than any other book. Holiness (Hebrew: qadosh) means 'set apart,' utterly distinct from all creation. God's holiness is not merely one attribute among many but the attribute that qualifies all others. His love is holy love; His justice is holy justice. This holiness demands corresponding holiness from His people.
• Substitutionary Sacrifice: The sacrificial system demonstrates that sin requires death, but God accepts a substitute. The offerer identifies with the animal through laying hands on its head, then the animal dies in the offerer's place. Blood, representing life, makes atonement. This principle finds its fulfillment in Christ, 'the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.'
• The Priesthood and Mediation: Priests bridge the gap between holy God and sinful people. They offer sacrifices, pronounce cleansings, teach the law, and model holiness. Yet even priests must be consecrated and offer for their own sins. Only Christ, the sinless High Priest, can perfectly mediate between God and humanity.
• Clean and Unclean Distinctions: The laws distinguishing clean from unclean taught Israel to make distinctions, to recognize boundaries, and to value holiness in daily life. These distinctions symbolized the separation between Israel and the nations, between sin and righteousness, between life and death. They trained Israel to think theologically about ordinary activities.
• Atonement and Forgiveness: The Hebrew word 'kipper' (atone) means to cover or ransom. Leviticus shows that God Himself provides the means of atonement—'I have given it to you upon the altar' (17:11). Atonement is God's gracious provision, not human achievement. The Day of Atonement demonstrated comprehensive cleansing for all of Israel's sins.
• Sanctification—Holy Living: The Holiness Code (chapters 17-26) applies holiness to every area of life. Sexual ethics, business practices, care for the poor, treatment of neighbors, and festival observance all fall under God's lordship. Holiness is not confined to the sanctuary but extends to the field, the marketplace, and the home.

Key Verses

And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.

For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy... 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.

And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel... and the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited.

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.

Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.

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.

And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people.

Historical Context

Leviticus contains instructions given at Mount Sinai during the month between the erection of the Tabernacle (Exodus 40:17) and Israel's departure from Sinai (Numbers 10:11). The book addresses the immediate need: the glory of God now dwells in the tabernacle, but how can sinful Israel live with a holy God in their midst?

The ancient Near Eastern context illuminates Leviticus. Surrounding cultures had elaborate sacrificial systems, but Israel's differs fundamentally. There is one sanctuary (not many), one God (not a pantheon), and sacrifice is for atonement (not to feed the gods). The ethical dimension of Israel's holiness code—with its concern for justice, the poor, and social righteousness—is unparalleled in ancient literature.

For Israel newly delivered from Egypt, these laws created a distinctive identity. The dietary laws, purity regulations, and ethical requirements set Israel apart from neighboring nations. Holiness meant being different, belonging wholly to Yahweh.

Literary Style

Leviticus is primarily legal literature, consisting of detailed ritual instructions. The dominant form is divine speech: 'And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying...' This formula emphasizes that these laws originate with God, not Moses.

The structure is chiastic, with the Day of Atonement (chapter 16) at the center, emphasizing its theological importance. The first half deals with approaching God (sacrifice, priesthood, purity); the second half deals with living before God (holiness in daily life).

Key literary features include:

• Repetition of 'I am the LORD' (over 45 times) emphasizing divine authority
• Case law format: 'If... then...' addressing specific situations
• Lists organizing related materials (offerings, unclean animals, forbidden relationships)
• The covenant formula: 'I will be your God, and you shall be my people'

The language is technical and precise, reflecting the seriousness of approaching the holy God. Every detail matters because God Himself is the audience of worship.

Theological Significance

Leviticus establishes doctrines essential to biblical theology:

The Holiness of God: Leviticus presents God's holiness as both transcendent (He is utterly other) and ethical (He requires righteousness). His holiness is dangerous to sinners yet graciously accommodated through sacrifice.

Atonement Theology: Leviticus provides the vocabulary and concepts for understanding Christ's death. The principles established here—substitution, blood sacrifice, the transfer of sin, propitiation—are fulfilled in the cross.

The Nature of Sin: Sin is portrayed as defilement requiring cleansing, as guilt requiring payment, as breach of covenant requiring restoration. Different sacrifices address different aspects of sin's reality.

Grace in Law: The sacrificial system itself is a gift of grace. God provides the means of atonement—'I have given it to you upon the altar.' Sinners do not invent a way to God; God provides the way.

The Priesthood: Human priests mediate between holy God and sinful people, yet their own sinfulness limits their effectiveness. This points to the need for a perfect priest.

Comprehensive Holiness: Holiness is not merely cultic but extends to every area of life. The God who prescribes sacrifice also prescribes just weights, fair treatment of workers, and care for the poor.

Christ in Leviticus

Leviticus provides the richest Old Testament background for understanding Christ's work:

The Burnt Offering: Christ's complete dedication to God's will, 'a sweet savour unto the LORD.' His life was wholly offered to the Father.

The Grain Offering: Christ's perfect humanity, fine flour without leaven (sin) or honey (corruption), seasoned with salt (preservation).

The Peace Offering: Christ is our peace, reconciling us to God and enabling fellowship at His table.

The Sin Offering: Christ became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). He bore the penalty outside the camp.

The Guilt Offering: Christ paid the full restitution we owed plus more—His sacrifice fully satisfies divine justice.

The Day of Atonement: Hebrews 9-10 expounds this in detail. Christ is both the High Priest who enters the true Holy of Holies (heaven) and the sacrifice whose blood achieves eternal redemption. He is both goats—the one slain and the one that carries sin away.

The High Priest: Christ is the sinless High Priest who needs no sacrifice for Himself and whose ministry never ends.

The Blood: 'Without shedding of blood is no remission' (Hebrews 9:22). Christ's blood accomplishes what animal blood could only symbolize.

Relationship to the New Testament

Leviticus profoundly shapes New Testament theology:

• Hebrews: This epistle is essentially a commentary on Leviticus, showing Christ's superiority to the Levitical system. Better covenant, better sacrifice, better priest, better promises.

• 1 Peter 1:15-16: Peter quotes Leviticus 19:2: 'Be ye holy; for I am holy,' applying it directly to the church.

• John 1:29: 'Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world'—Levitical sacrificial imagery applied to Jesus.

• Romans 3:25: Christ is set forth as a 'propitiation' (hilasterion—the mercy seat), using Day of Atonement vocabulary.

• Mark 1:44: Jesus tells the healed leper to offer what Moses commanded, showing respect for Levitical law in its proper context.

• Acts 10: Peter's vision of clean and unclean animals signals the end of ceremonial distinctions in the new covenant era.

• Revelation: The heavenly worship draws on Levitical imagery—the altar, the incense, the priests in white robes, the Lamb that was slain.

Practical Application

Leviticus speaks powerfully to contemporary believers:

God's Holiness Demands Reverence: We cannot approach God casually. Though Christ has opened access, God remains holy. Worship should reflect awe before the living God.

Sin Is Serious: The elaborate sacrificial system shows that sin is not trivial. It costs blood. It required the death of God's Son. We should not take sin lightly.

Christ's Sacrifice Is Complete: What animal sacrifices could only symbolize, Christ accomplished once for all. We need not add to His work. The repetition of Levitical sacrifices emphasized their insufficiency; Christ's once-for-all sacrifice demonstrates His sufficiency.

Holiness Encompasses All of Life: The Holiness Code teaches that our faith should affect business ethics, sexual conduct, care for the poor, and treatment of neighbors. No area of life falls outside God's concern.

Love of Neighbor: 'Love thy neighbor as thyself' appears first in Leviticus. Jesus identified it as the second greatest commandment. Holiness toward God expresses itself in love toward others.

Gratitude Motivates Obedience: The offerings were not bribes but responses to grace. We obey not to earn salvation but to express gratitude for salvation received.

Identity Through Distinction: Just as Israel's laws created a distinct people, Christians are called to be distinct—in the world but not of it, holy as God is holy.