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OLD TESTAMENT

Leviticus

Web reading editionPDF starts on page 21by Robert D. Price
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Web reading edition: The wording below is drawn from the corrected PDF edition. Formatting has been adapted for easier reading on screens.

Leviticus – An In-Depth Overview (KJV)

Key Verse (KJV):

"For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy..." (Leviticus 11:44)

Basic Information

Author: Moses

Meaning of "Leviticus":

The name comes from the tribe of Levi, from whom the priests were chosen. The Hebrew title is Vayikra, meaning "And He called," referring to God calling Moses from the Tabernacle.

Time Covered:

Only about one month, while Israel is camped at Mount Sinai after the Tabernacle has been completed.

Purpose

Leviticus answers a crucial question left by Exodus: Now that God dwells among His people, how can sinful people approach a holy God? The answer is through:

Main Theme

Holiness

The word "holy" appears repeatedly throughout the book. God is perfectly holy and calls His people to reflect His character.

Christ in Leviticus

Leviticus is filled with foreshadowings of Christ:

The book teaches that forgiveness requires a substitute, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus.

Outline of Leviticus

Chapters 1–7 – The Five Offerings

These sacrifices were central to Israel's worship.

1. Burnt Offering (Chapter 1)

Purpose:

Complete surrender and worship. The entire animal was burned on the altar.

Picture of Christ

Jesus offered Himself completely to the Father without reservation.

Lesson

God deserves total devotion.

2. Meat (Grain) Offering (Chapter 2)

This offering contained:

No blood was shed.

Picture of Christ

Represents Christ's perfect, sinless life and His complete obedience.

3. Peace Offering (Chapter 3)

This offering symbolized fellowship between God and His people.

Picture of Christ

Jesus reconciles sinners to God, making peace through His sacrifice.

4. Sin Offering (Chapter 4)

Offered for sins committed in ignorance.

Picture of Christ

Jesus bore the penalty for our sin.

5. Trespass (Guilt) Offering (Chapters 5–6)

Made when someone sinned against another person or against God. Restitution was required in addition to the sacrifice.

Lesson

True repentance seeks to make wrongs right whenever possible.

Why So Many Sacrifices?

Each sacrifice reveals a different aspect of Christ's work:

Together they point to the complete sufficiency of Jesus' atoning work.

Chapters 8–10 – The Priesthood

Aaron and His Sons Ordained

God consecrates Aaron as the first High Priest and his sons as priests. They are washed, clothed in sacred garments, anointed with oil, and offer sacrifices before beginning their ministry.

Picture of Christ

Jesus is our perfect and eternal High Priest, representing His people before God.

Nadab and Abihu (Chapter 10)

Aaron's sons offer "strange fire" before the LORD. God judges them immediately.

Lesson

God must be worshiped according to His instructions, not according to human invention or preference.

Chapters 11–15 – Laws of Cleanness

These chapters deal with:

These laws distinguished Israel from surrounding nations and emphasized the difference between what is holy and what is common.

Spiritual Lessons

Sin contaminates. God desires purity in every area of life. Many of these ceremonial laws also had practical health benefits, though their primary purpose was theological and covenantal.

Chapter 16 – The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)

This is the central chapter of Leviticus. Once each year, the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies to make atonement for the sins of the nation.

Two Goats

Goat One

Slain as a sin offering. Its blood was taken into the Most Holy Place.

Goat Two (The Scapegoat)

The High Priest confessed Israel's sins over it. It was then sent into the wilderness, symbolically carrying away the people's sins.

Picture of Christ

Jesus both died for our sins and removed them completely.

Chapters 17–22 – Holy Living

These chapters contain laws governing daily life, including:

A well-known command appears in Leviticus 19:18: "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." Jesus later identified this as one of the greatest commandments.

Chapter 23 – The Seven Feasts of the LORD

These feasts commemorate God's work in Israel and also point prophetically to Christ.

1. Passover

Remembers Israel's deliverance from Egypt. Fulfilled by Christ's sacrificial death.

2. Feast of Unleavened Bread

Leaven often symbolizes sin. Points to Christ's sinless life and the believer's call to holiness.

3. Feast of Firstfruits

Celebrates the first harvest. Foreshadows Christ's resurrection as "the firstfruits" of those raised from the dead.

4. Feast of Weeks (Pentecost)

Celebrates the grain harvest. Associated in the New Testament with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2.

5. Feast of Trumpets

A call to gather and prepare. Many see this as anticipating future events associated with God's final dealings with His people.

6. Day of Atonement

Annual national cleansing. Points to Christ's once-for-all sacrifice.

7. Feast of Tabernacles

Commemorates Israel's wilderness journey and God's provision. Looks forward to the joy of God's people dwelling securely with Him.

Chapters 24–27

Lampstand and Showbread

The lampstand was kept burning continually, and fresh bread was placed before the LORD. These symbolize God's continual presence and provision.

Blessings and Curses (Chapter 26)

God promises blessings for obedience and warns of discipline for persistent disobedience. Even in judgment, He remembers His covenant and offers hope of restoration.

Vows and Dedications (Chapter 27)

Instructions are given for vows and things dedicated to the LORD, emphasizing integrity in worship and devotion.

Major People

Unlike Genesis and Exodus, Leviticus focuses more on God's instructions than on narrative events.

Major Doctrines

The Holiness of God

God is morally perfect and completely separate from sin.

Atonement

Sin requires the shedding of blood for forgiveness under the Old Covenant sacrificial system.

Priesthood

A mediator stands between God and His people.

Substitution

An innocent sacrifice bears the penalty that sinners deserve.

Sanctification

God calls His people to be set apart for His service.

Lessons for Christians

Leviticus in the Bible's Story

Leviticus provides the theological framework for understanding sacrifice, priesthood, holiness, and atonement throughout the rest of Scripture. While the New Testament teaches that Christ fulfilled the ceremonial aspects of the Mosaic Law, Leviticus remains invaluable for understanding the seriousness of sin, the holiness of God, and why Jesus' sacrifice was necessary and sufficient.

Looking Ahead to Numbers

Numbers shifts from worship at Mount Sinai to Israel's journey toward the Promised Land. It records the census of the tribes, their organization, repeated episodes of unbelief and rebellion, the sending of the twelve spies, forty years of wilderness wandering, and God's unwavering faithfulness despite Israel's failures. It is a powerful study of faith, obedience, discipline, and perseverance. As we continue, you'll begin to see how each book builds on the previous one, forming one unified story that points to God's redemptive work throughout the Bible.

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