Introduction to Leviticus

27 Chapters

1. Author and Time of Writing

Leviticus starts with the words: "And the Lord called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation." Such introductory words appear over 35 times in Leviticus. They emphasize that Moses received these many revelations and communications personally and that he wrote them himself (compare Deut. 31:9). - God spoke out of the TabernacleThe Tabernacle is sometimes also called “the tent of meeting” or “the tent of testimony.” This was the place recognized by God where he dwelt among his people and wanted... of the congregation but also on Mount Sinaï (see chap. 25:1). Thus, Moses was able to write it all down and to communicate it to the people of Israel (compare Jos. 1:7-8).

The Lord Jesus testifies to Moses being the author of Leviticus in Matthew 8:4 (comp. Lev. 13:49; 14:2-32).

2. Purpose of Writing

The book of Leviticus is the book of fellowship (or communion). In Exodus, God saved His people and allied with them. In Leviticus, the principles of approaching God are shown. Therefore, Jehovah speaks primarily out of the TabernacleThe Tabernacle is sometimes also called “the tent of meeting” or “the tent of testimony.” This was the place recognized by God where he dwelt among his people and wanted... of congregation in this book (chap. 1:1).

In the first seven chapters, we will find the offerings the people of Israel should bring to God. They are the expression of fellowship in worshipIn both Hebrew and Greek, the word "worship" can also be translated as "prostrate / bow down" (Ps 95:6). It is more than praise and thanksgiving because, in worship, honor... based on atonementAtonement means that God's righteous wrath against sin has been appeased. This does not mean that God was an enemy of man but that we were enemies of God. Atonement.... Then follow the dedication of the priests who were the mediators of this fellowship in chaps. 8-10. In chaps. 11-15, the hindrances to fellowship are dealt with.

Chapter 16 forms the center of the book: the Great Day of AtonementAtonement means that God's righteous wrath against sin has been appeased. This does not mean that God was an enemy of man but that we were enemies of God. Atonement.... This Great Day of AtonementAtonement means that God's righteous wrath against sin has been appeased. This does not mean that God was an enemy of man but that we were enemies of God. Atonement... is declared the once for all offering of ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... in Heb. 9-10.

Further instructions for the practical cleanness of the people of Israel follow in chaps. 17-22. Chap. 23 describes the seven feasts of Jehovah, which have spiritual and prophetical significance. Then, follow instructions concerning the TabernacleThe Tabernacle is sometimes also called “the tent of meeting” or “the tent of testimony.” This was the place recognized by God where he dwelt among his people and wanted..., the administration of the penal law, the SabbathThe last day of the week that God had set aside as a day of rest in the OT because He rested from His work after the 6-day work of... year, and the year of Jubilee (chaps. 24-26). The book closes with an appendix on vows and sanctified things in chap. 27.

Leviticus corresponds to the Epistle of the Hebrews in the New Testament. The subject of Hebrews is the approaching of men to God as well.

3. Peculiarities

For many Bible readers, the Old Testament sacrifices are difficult to understand. But God Himself had already presented this thought to Adam and Eve when He clothed them with coats of skin (Gen. 3.21). By this means, He showed them that they could not hide their guilty nakedness by their efforts but only by the fact that an animal died for them in their stead.

In Leviticus, God shows His people, Israel, that the blood of the offered animal (which is the signThe Gospel of John tells us about eight signs that the Lord Jesus performed. These signs, which are also miracles, point to something special. They aim to help us grow... of ransoming life) is the only way of atonementAtonement means that God's righteous wrath against sin has been appeased. This does not mean that God was an enemy of man but that we were enemies of God. Atonement... for committed sins (Lev. 17:11). The presentation of offerings, therefore, played an important part in the life of the people of Israel. The two following kinds of offerings are to be distinguished:

One kind was the offerings that were to be repeated at certain times. They picture different aspects of the work of ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... on the cross (for example, the PassoverPassover is translated as "sparing, passing by". It refers, on the one hand, to the Passover feast itself and, on the other, to the sacrifice, the Passover lamb (a foreshadowing..., 1 Cor. 5:7; the Great Day of AtonementAtonement means that God's righteous wrath against sin has been appeased. This does not mean that God was an enemy of man but that we were enemies of God. Atonement..., Heb. 9:6-12).

The other kind of offerings could be brought by the individual Israelite either voluntarily (such as Burnt Meat or Peace OfferingOne of the voluntary sacrifices that an Israelite who wanted to draw near to God was allowed to bring. Special feature: the peace offering was a sacrificial meal through which... in Lev. 1-3) or when they had sinned (sinThe Bible carefully differentiates between sin and sins. • Sin: the evil power at work in man that causes him to engage in sinful activities (Rom 7:17, 18). God pronounced... and trespass offeringAn Israelite had to bring guilt offerings if he • had heard the voice of the curse (Lev 5:1) or • had touched something unclean (e.g. carrion) (Lev 5:2) or... in ch. 4-5). Thereby, various graduations were made. These graduations reflect the personal apprehension of the offering of ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is....

Similarly, the Christians are called upon to bring spiritual and material [1] offerings and even to present their bodies as a living sacrificeA sacrifice/offering to God (or deities in pagan religions) that differed in occasion, purpose, and form. The most important sacrifices required by the Old Testament law include burnt offerings, grain.... All this is acceptable to God by offering ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... only (compare 1 Pet. 2:5; Phil. 4:18; Rom. 12:1).

4. Overview of Contents

I. Leviticus 1-7: The five different Offerings / Sacrifices

• Chapter 1 The Burnt OfferingThe sacrifices described in the Old Testament show the ground and means of approach to God. They are all typical and foreshadow Christ, who has fulfilled them all. The basic... (1 Pet. 2:5)

• Chapter 2 The Meat Offering (or: 'Meal Offering')

• Chapter 3 The Peace OfferingOne of the voluntary sacrifices that an Israelite who wanted to draw near to God was allowed to bring. Special feature: the peace offering was a sacrificial meal through which... (1 Cor. 10:16-18)

• Chapter 4 The Sin OfferingThe Israelite had to bring a sin offering if he had done "something against any of the commandments of the Lord in anything which ought not to be done" (Lev... (1 John 2:1-2)

• Chapter 5 The Trespass OfferingAn Israelite had to bring guilt offerings if he • had heard the voice of the curse (Lev 5:1) or • had touched something unclean (e.g. carrion) (Lev 5:2) or...

• Chapter 6 The Laws for Burnt-, Meat- and Sin OfferingThe Israelite had to bring a sin offering if he had done "something against any of the commandments of the Lord in anything which ought not to be done" (Lev...

• Chapter 7 The Laws for Trespass- and Peace OfferingOne of the voluntary sacrifices that an Israelite who wanted to draw near to God was allowed to bring. Special feature: the peace offering was a sacrificial meal through which...

II. Leviticus 8-10: Consecration and HolinessIt generally denotes something separate from the ordinary or even evil. Holiness is, above all, an attribute of God; He is glorious in holiness, He sits on his throne of... of the Priests

• Chapter 8 The Consecration of the Priests (1 Pet. 2:5+9 / Rev. 1:6)

• Chapter 9 The 8th Day of the Consecration of the Priests

• Chapter 10: The SinThe Bible carefully differentiates between sin and sins. • Sin: the evil power at work in man that causes him to engage in sinful activities (Rom 7:17, 18). God pronounced... of Nadab and Abihu

III. Leviticus 11-15: Laws of Cleanness for the People of Israel

• Chapter 11 Clean Food

• Chapter 12 Cleanness at Childbirth

• Chapter 13-14 LeprosyLeprosy is a serious disease for which there used to be no cure in biblical times. It initially led to spots, but then to the death of limbs and finally...

• Chapter 15 Uncleanness with Man or Woman (2 Cor. 7:1-2)

IV. Leviticus 16: The Great Day of AtonementAtonement means that God's righteous wrath against sin has been appeased. This does not mean that God was an enemy of man but that we were enemies of God. Atonement...

V. Leviticus 17-22: Practical Cleanness and HolinessIt generally denotes something separate from the ordinary or even evil. Holiness is, above all, an attribute of God; He is glorious in holiness, He sits on his throne of...

• Chapter 17 The Value of the Blood (1 Pet. 1:19)

• Chapter 18 Moral Uncleanness

• Chapter 19-20 Different Instructions for HolinessIt generally denotes something separate from the ordinary or even evil. Holiness is, above all, an attribute of God; He is glorious in holiness, He sits on his throne of...

• Chapter 21-22 PositionThe Christian position cannot be separated from Christian practice, but a distinction must be made. "Position" means how God sees us now. In the eyes of God, we are "in... and Condition of the Priests

VI. Leviticus 23: The Feasts of Jehovah

VII. Leviticus 24-27: The HolinessIt generally denotes something separate from the ordinary or even evil. Holiness is, above all, an attribute of God; He is glorious in holiness, He sits on his throne of... of the People of God

• Chapter 24 The Candlestick in the SanctuaryName for the house or room that represented the dwelling place of God in the midst of his people in the OT. Used in the OT to describe and characterize...: Blasphemy among the People of God

• Chapter 25 The SabbathThe last day of the week that God had set aside as a day of rest in the OT because He rested from His work after the 6-day work of... Year and the Year of Jubilee

• Chapter 26 Obedience and Disobedience

• Chapter 27 Vows and Sanctified Things

[1] Such as communication of material goods (Heb.13:16)