overview book of leviticus

Leviticus: How to Coexist with an All-Powerful, Holy God

by Jeffrey Kranz | Jul 1, 2013 | Bible Books

Leviticus is known as a book of rules (which it is). But specifically, it’s a book of rules that the ancient Israelites believed they had to follow in order to be close to their God. That’s why it’s a vital piece of the Torah , the foundation of the rest of Scripture.

You could sum up the book of Leviticus with God’s repeated command: “Be holy, as I am holy.”

Important characters in Leviticus

God (Yahweh) —This isn’t a cop-out. This whole book is about how the nation of Israel needs to live in order to survive living in the presence of such a powerful, holy being.

Moses —He led the Israelites from Egypt to Sinai. At this point in the story, Moses has already passed along many, many laws to the people of Israel on God’s behalf. In Leviticus, Moses continues to list the ways Israel can stay pure enough to live alongside their God.

Aaron —Moses’ older brother and the high priest of Israel, Aaron is a character to keep an eye on throughout the Pentateuch. Leviticus’s narrative elements have a lot to do with Aaron. In this book, Aaron is consecrated as the high priest, but this is also the book in which God kills Aaron’s sons.

Key themes in Leviticus

I like to find a passage in each book of the Bible that sums up what that book is all about. Moses makes it easy for me:

“Thus you are to be holy to Me, for I the LORD am holy; and I have set you apart from the peoples to be Mine.” (Le 20:26)

You can see a piece of art for each book of the Bible here.

“Holy” means “set apart”—but it’s a lot more involved than just being special. God is holy: far greater in love, goodness, power, and justice than humans. Until this point in the Bible, God has been a long way off from the people of earth. Although God has communicated with humans and in some cases even appeared to them privately (think Abraham’s visitors in Genesis 18), he has yet to publicly manifest his presence on earth since the garden of Eden.

But all this has changed. God has made Israel his people: a people that now represent him on earth. He has now established his presence in the tabernacle, a portable holy place where God can dwell in the midst of his new nation.

But if people are going to live in the presence of God, some things will need to change. Because God is so “other” from the world, the people associated with him must become “others” too. God is holy, and his people need to be holy as well.

Cleanliness and uncleanliness

One way that the ancients understood holiness was in terms of whether something was “clean” or “unclean.” This isn’t the same as “good” or “bad.” It’s a sense of purity . Is something aligned with the god we are approaching? Or is it unaligned?

This wasn’t specific to the people of Israel. People of most religions (past and present) have an understanding that there are ways that are appropriate and inappropriate when it comes to interacting with the divine. Those who work and live closest to a divine being are expected to abide by more stringent rules. The rules vary from religion to religion. We even see this within Christianity today: some faith traditions prefer married church leaders, others prefer celibate leaders.

This is a core theme to the book of Leviticus. When someone is operating in alignment with God’s purity laws, they are “clean.” When someone is out of bounds, they are “unclean.” The book of Leviticus has a lot to say about how to stay clean and how to become clean again.

An important thing to note: throughout the Pentateuch, Moses assumes that everyone will be unclean at some point. After all, everybody poops (Dt 23:12–14). The point is to live in a manner that respects the presence of God .

Zooming out: Leviticus in context

Leviticus is right in the middle of the Torah, the first five books of the Bible. It has a reputation for being boring, harsh, and unpopular. (But it’s not the least-popular book of the Bible .)

In Genesis , we saw Israel’s origin story. At the tower of Babel, God and the other divine beings scattered the families of the world into nations with their own languages. A few generations later, God chooses Abraham as the patriarch of his own special nation.

In Exodus , Abraham’s descendants have multiplied, becoming a mighty people group cohabitating with the Egyptians. The Pharaoh enslaves the people for a few centuries until God rescues them. After a dramatic exit from Egypt, God makes a special agreement with Israel, making them his people and himself their only God. The people then build a tabernacle, and the Creator of the world begins dwelling among his people.

That’s why Leviticus is so important. It’s a new normal: Yahweh is publicly living with humans. This hasn’t happened since the Garden of Eden, when God would visit with Adam and Eve. Last time God shared a place with humans, the humans (with help from an evil serpent) messed it up. How can they get it right this time?

Not a lot of story happens in Leviticus . The people stay camped at Mount Sinai throughout the book. It’s not until the book of Numbers that they resume their journey to the promised land—and that journey isn’t completed until the book of Joshua .

Leviticus’ role in the Bible

Leviticus is about holiness (being set apart, separate)—both God’s holiness and the holiness He expects of His people.

Whereas Exodus displays God’s holiness on a cosmic scale (sending plagues on Egypt, parting the Red Sea, etc.), Leviticus shows us the holiness of God in fine detail. God spells out His expectations for His priests and people so that the congregation can appropriately worship and dwell with Him.

The call to holiness in Leviticus resounds throughout Scripture, both the Old and New Testaments. Parts of the Levitical law are fulfilled in Jesus Christ, such as distinctions between clean and unclean foods (Mark 7:18–19), but the call to holiness still stands—Peter even cites Leviticus when he encourages us to be holy in all our behavior (1 Peter 1:15–16).

Quick outline of Leviticus

• How to give offerings (Leviticus 1–7)
• Aaron and sons ordained (Leviticus 8–10)
• Cleanliness laws for the congregation (Leviticus 11–15)
• The Holy Place (Leviticus 16)
• The Holy People (Leviticus 17–27)

Who wrote Leviticus?

That doesn’t necessarily mean Moses penned every single word of this book. However, Moses is the main human character in these books, and since Moses is the one receiving directives from God, the books are usually attributed to him.

You can learn more about the traditional authors of the Bible here .

More books related to Leviticus

• Numbers  (next book of the Bible)
• Exodus (previous)
• Deuteronomy
• Malachi (God addresses His covenant with Levites)

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Listen to Chuck Swindoll’s overview of Leviticus in his audio message from the Classic series God’s Masterwork .

Who wrote the book?

The content of Leviticus relates directly to Exodus, providing evidence that the same hand penned both books. The arguments that support Moses’s writing of Exodus also uphold Moses’s authorship of Leviticus (see the previous chapter). Additionally, we find more than fifty occasions when the text says something like, “The LORD spoke to Moses” (Leviticus 1:1; 4:1; 5:14; 6:1). The New Testament also refers to Moses as the author of passages from Leviticus (Matthew 8:4; Luke 2:22; Hebrews 8:5).

The word Leviticus derives from the tribe of Levi, whose members were set aside by the Lord to be His priests and worship leaders. As a title, the word is translated from the Septuagint, meaning “ ‘pertaining to the Levites,’ and although that tribe as such is not emphasized throughout the book, the priestly subject matter renders the title appropriate.” 1 Its content was originally meant to instruct the new nation of Israel in proper worship and right living, so that they might reflect the character of their divine King.

Where are we?

The Law found in Leviticus was spoken by God to Moses at or near Mount Sinai, where the Israelites camped for some time. Because God delivered these detailed laws after the original Ten Commandments, the most probable date for their revelation is 1446 BC. Whether every law was written down at that time is impossible to determine; it may be that they were codified progressively during the ensuing forty-year wandering.

Why is Leviticus so important?

“The book of Leviticus was the first book studied by a Jewish child; yet is often among the last books of the Bible to be studied by a Christian.” 2 Today’s readers are often put off by the book’s lists of laws regarding diet, sacrifice, and social behavior. But within these highly detailed directives we discover the holiness—the separateness, distinction, and utter “otherness”—of God. And we learn how sin devastates humanity’s relationship with their Creator.

God established the sacrificial system so that His covenant people might enjoy His fellowship through worship; it also allowed for repentance and renewal:

When an Israelite worshiper laid his hand on the animal victim, he identified himself with the animal as his substitute . . . this accomplished a symbolic transfer of his sin and a legal transfer of his guilt to the animal victim. God then accepted the slaughter of the animal . . . as a ransom payment for the particular sin which occasioned it. 3

Many years after Moses wrote Leviticus, Jesus came to offer Himself as the ultimate sacrifice, holy and perfect, once for all, fulfilling the Law and rendering future animal sacrifices unnecessary and void (Hebrews 10:10).

What's the big idea?

The overall message of Leviticus is sanctification. The book communicates that receiving God’s forgiveness and acceptance should be followed by holy living and spiritual growth. Now that Israel had been redeemed by God, they were to be purified into a people worthy of their God. “You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy,” says Leviticus 19:2. In Leviticus we learn that God loves to be approached, but we must do so on His terms.

How do I apply this?

This theme of holiness extends to the church. In the New Testament, 1 Peter 1:15–16 references Leviticus 19:2 when it says: “like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’” Those who are redeemed by the mercies of God offer different sacrifices today; they offer themselves (Romans 12:1).

Like He did with the Israelites, God has redeemed and consecrated Christians. Jesus offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice on our behalf, taking the punishment that we deserved so that we might be forgiven. Those who place their trust in Jesus’s atoning act become God’s children, saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8–9).

If you are His child, then He wants you to reflect His character. He is sanctifying you much like He did the nation of Israel. Does your life echo His? In what ways are you growing more like Christ?

• Raymond B. Dillard and Tremper Longman, III, An Introduction to the Old Testament (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994), 73.
• F. Duane Lindsey, "Leviticus," in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: Old Testament , ed. John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck (Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books, 1985), 163.
• Lindsey, "Leviticus," 166.

Copyright ©️ 2009 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Leviticus overview chart.

View Chuck Swindoll's chart of Leviticus , which divides the book into major sections and highlights themes and key verses.

View a list of Bible maps , excerpted from The Swindoll Study Bible.

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Summary of the Book of Leviticus

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Book of Leviticus NIV

Chapters for leviticus, summary of the book of leviticus.

This summary of the book of Leviticus provides information about the title, author(s), date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the Book of Leviticus.

Author and Date

See Introduction to Genesis: Author and Date of Writing .

Leviticus receives its name from the Septuagint (the pre-Christian Greek translation of the OT) and means "relating to the Levites." Its Hebrew title, wayyiqra', is the first word in the Hebrew text of the book and means "And he [i.e., the Lord] called." Although Leviticus does not deal only with the special duties of the Levites, it is so named because it concerns mainly the service of worship at the tabernacle, which was conducted by the priests who were the sons of Aaron, assisted by many from the rest of the tribe of Levi. Exodus gave the directions for building the tabernacle, and now Leviticus gives the laws and regulations for worship there, including instructions on ceremonial cleanness, moral laws, holy days, the sabbath year and the Year of Jubilee. These laws were given, at least for the most part, during the year that Israel camped at Mount Sinai, when God directed Moses in organizing Israel's worship, government and military forces. The book of Numbers continues the history with preparations for moving on from Sinai to Canaan.

Theological Themes

Leviticus is a manual of regulations enabling the holy King to set up his earthly throne among the people of his kingdom. It explains how they are to be his holy people and to worship him in a holy manner. Holiness in this sense means to be separated from sin and set apart exclusively to the Lord for his purpose and for his glory. So the key thought of the book is holiness (see notes on 11:44 ; Ex 3:5 ) -- the holiness of God and his people (they must revere him in "holiness"). In Leviticus spiritual holiness is symbolized by physical perfection. Therefore the book demands perfect animals for its many sacrifices (chs. 1 - 7 ) and requires priests without deformity (chs. 8 - 10 ). A woman's hemorrhaging after giving birth (ch. 12 ); sores, burns or baldness (chs. 13 - 14 ); a man's bodily discharge ( 15:1-18 ); specific activities during a woman's monthly period ( 15:19-33 ) -- all may be signs of blemish (a lack of perfection) and may symbolize human spiritual defects, which break spiritual wholeness. The person with visible skin disease must be banished from the camp, the place of God's special presence, just as Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden. Such people can return to the camp (and therefore to God's presence) when they are pronounced whole again by the examining priests. Before they can reenter the camp, however, they must offer the prescribed, perfect sacrifices (symbolizing the perfect, whole sacrifice of Christ).

After the covenant at Sinai, Israel was the earthly representation of God's kingdom (the theocracy), and, as its King, the Lord established his administration over all of Israel's life. Israel's religious, communal and personal life was so regulated as to establish them as God's holy people and to instruct them in holiness. Special attention was given to Israel's religious ritual. The sacrifices were to be offered at an approved sanctuary, which would symbolize both God's holiness and his compassion. They were to be controlled by the priests, who by care and instruction would preserve them in purity and carefully teach their meaning to the people. Each particular sacrifice was to have meaning for the people of Israel but would also have spiritual and symbolic import.

For more information on the meaning of sacrifice in general see the solemn ritual of the Day of Atonement (ch. 16 ; see note on 16:1-34 ). For the meaning of the blood of the offering see 17:11 ; Ge 9:4 and notes. For the emphasis on substitution see 16:21 .

Some suppose that the OT sacrifices were remains of old agricultural offerings -- a human desire to offer part of one's possessions as a love gift to the deity. But the OT sacrifices were specifically prescribed by God and received their meaning from the Lord's covenant relationship with Israel -- whatever their superficial resemblances to pagan sacrifices may have been. They indeed include the idea of a gift, but this is accompanied by such other values as dedication, communion, propitiation (appeasing God's judicial wrath against sin) and restitution. The various offerings have differing functions, the primary ones being atonement (see note on Ex 25:17 ) and worship.

The subjects treated in Leviticus, as in any book of laws and regulations, cover several categories:

• The Burnt Offering ( ch. 1 )
• The Grain Offering (ch. 2)
• The Fellowship Offering ( ch. 3 )
• The Sin Offering ( 4:1 ; 5:13 )
• The Guilt Offering ( 5:14 ; 6:7 )
• Additional Regulations for the Offerings ( 6:8 ; 7:38 )
• The Ordination of Aaron and His Sons ( ch. 8 )
• The Ministry of the Priests ( ch. 9 )
• The Death of Nadab and Abihu and Attendant Regulations ( ch. 10 )
• Clean and Unclean Food ( ch. 11 )
• Purification After Childbirth ( ch. 12 )
• Regulations for Skin Diseases ( 13:1-46 )
• Regulations for Mildew ( 13:47-59 )
• Cleansing from Skin Diseases ( 14:1-32 )
• Cleansing from Mildew ( 14:33-57 )
• Discharges That Cause Uncleanness ( ch. 15 )
• The Annual Day of Atonement ( ch. 16 )
• Eating Blood Prohibited ( ch. 17 )
• Unlawful Sexual Relations ( ch. 18 )
• Various Laws for Holy Living ( ch. 19 )
• Punishments for Sin (ch. 20)
• Regulations for Priests ( 21:1 ; 22:16 )
• Acceptable and Unacceptable Sacrifices ( 22:17-33 )
• The Annual Feasts (ch. 23)
• Rules for Oil and Bread in the Tabernacle ( 24:1-9 )
• Punishment for Blasphemy ( 24:10-23 )
• The Sabbath and Jubilee Years ( ch. 25 )
• Covenant Blessings and Curses ( ch. 26 )
• Regulations for Offerings Vowed to the Lord ( ch. 27 )

From the NIV Study Bible, Introductions to the Books of the Bible, Leviticus Copyright 2002 © Zondervan. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

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What is the book of Leviticus about in the Bible? Watch as we explain its major themes and gain a deeper understanding of its place in the biblical story.

God graciously provides a way for people to live in his presence.

God desires to live with Israel, but even Moses is unable to enter the Tabernacle. How can Israel, with all their moral corruption, become God’s covenant partners to bless the nations? Leviticus answers this question in three surprising ways.

The Tabernacle

God made a covenant with Israel and brought his own presence to dwell with them. However, Israel cannot enter his presence because of their corruption. In response, God introduces a set of sacrifices, the priesthood, and purity laws in the book of Leviticus.

Through sacrifice, God made a way for both praise and forgiveness. The ritual sacrifices and feasts allowed Israel to remember and relate to God as his people. In order to represent the people to God and God to the people, God institutes the priesthood, a royal responsibility for Aaron and his sons (who learn the hard way to respect their calling!). God also introduces ritual and moral purity laws to help Israel see how God’s holiness affects every part of life.

The book of Leviticus concludes with a call to covenant faithfulness. Despite the sin and impurity of Israel, God made a way for sin to be covered, allowing Israel to live near God.

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Leviticus is a challenging book, both for new Christians and casual Bible readers. Gone are the fascinating characters and suspenseful stories of Genesis . Gone are the epic Hollywood plagues and miracles found in Exodus .

Instead, the book of Leviticus contains a meticulous and often tedious list of rules and regulations. Yet, if understood properly, the book supplies readers with rich wisdom and practical instruction.

Leviticus opens with the people of God camped at the foot of Mount Sinai after being delivered from slavery in Egypt. The glory of the Lord has filled the wilderness tabernacle and now God tells Moses to teach the people and the priests concerning sacrifices, offerings, feasts, celebrations, and holy days.

Thus, Leviticus is best explained as a guidebook for instructing God's people about holy living and worship. Everything from sexual conduct to the handling of food, to instructions for worship and religious celebrations, is covered in detail in the book of Leviticus. This is because all aspects of our lives--moral, physical, and spiritual--are important to God.

The title of Leviticus comes from the ancient Greek Septuagint , which named the book Leueitikon , meaning "The Book of the Levites." Rather than being about the Levites, the title refers to the usefulness of book's contents to the Levites in their ministry as priests, worship leaders, and teachers of morality.

The central message in the book of Leviticus is that God, who is holy, requires his people to be holy. It also shows that God graciously provides a means of atonement for sin through the sacrificial shedding of blood .

Author of the Book of Leviticus

Traditionally, both Jews and Christians credit Moses as the author of Leviticus.

Date Written

The book of Leviticus was written between 1440-1400 BC, covering events between 1445-1444 BC.

The book was written to the priests, Levites, and the people of Israel for generations to come.

Throughout the book of Leviticus, the people were camped at the foot of Mount Sinai in the desert Peninsula of Sinai. God had just delivered the Israelites from slavery and taken them out of Egypt. Now he was preparing to take Egypt (and slavery to sin) out of them.

Themes in the Book of Leviticus

There are three significant themes in the book of Leviticus:

The Holiness of God: Holiness is spoken of 152 times in the book of Leviticus. It is mentioned here more than any other book of the Bible. God was teaching his people that they were to be set apart or "separated" for holiness. Just like the Israelites, we are to be different from the world. We are to devote every area of our lives to God. But how can we, as sinful people, worship and obey a holy God ? Our sin must be dealt with first. For this reason, Leviticus opens with instructions for offerings and sacrifices .

The Way to Deal With Sin: The sacrifices and offerings detailed in Leviticus were a means of atonement or symbols of repentance from sin and obedience to God . Sin required a sacrifice--a life for a life. The sacrificial offerings had to be perfect, spotless, and without defect. These offerings were a picture of Jesus Christ , the Lamb of God , who gave his life as the perfect sacrifice for our sin, so we would not have to die.

Worship: God showed his people in Leviticus that the way into God's presence, the path into worship, was opened through the sacrifices and offerings made by the priests. Worship then, is about relationship with God and letting him into every part of our lives. This is why Leviticus carefully detailed rules of conduct for practical, daily living.

Today, Christians believe that true worship begins with accepting Jesus Christ's sacrifice for sin. Worship as a Christian is both vertical (toward God) and horizontal (toward men), involving our relationship with God and how we relate with other people.

Key Characters

Moses, Aaron , Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, Ithamar.

Leviticus 19:2 "Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy." (NIV)

Leviticus 17:11 For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life. (NIV)

Outline of the Book of Leviticus

• Instructions for Offerings - Leviticus 1-7.
• Instructions for God's Priests - Leviticus 8-10.
• Instructions for God's People - Leviticus 11-15.
• Instructions for the Altar and the Day of Atonement - Leviticus 16.
• Practical Holiness - Leviticus 17-22.
• Sabbaths, Seasons, Festivals, and Feasts - Leviticus 23-25.
• Conditions for Receiving God's Blessing - Leviticus 26-27.
• Moses and the Ten Commandments Bible Story Study Guide
• Introduction to the Book of Numbers
• Scripture Readings for the Third Week of Lent
• Scripture Readings for Holy Week
• The Book of 2 Chronicles
• What Is the Day of Atonement in the Bible?
• Tabernacle Offerings
• How Often Did People Offer Sacrifices in the Old Testament?
• Explore the Tabernacle in the Wilderness
• Old Covenant vs. New Covenant
• Scripture Readings for the Second Week of Lent
• Christian Symbols Illustrated Glossary
• Does the Bible Actually Say 'Cleanliness Is Next to Godliness?'
• The Gospel Truth About How to Get to Heaven
• What Is the Pentateuch?

Book of Leviticus Summary

Interested in learning more about the book of Leviticus? We've got your answers to authorship, context, purpose and top verses from this book.

Who Wrote the Book of Leviticus?

Leviticus is the third book of the Bible. It is located within the first five books called the Pentateuch. In Jewish tradition, this location is called the Torah and it is mostly agreed upon that Moses penned this book. Evidence of this includes the direct relation of content in Exodus to Leviticus.

The word Leviticus derives from the tribe of Levi. The law given in this book deals specifically with priestly behaviors. The tribe of Levi was chosen by God to become the priests of His people, the Israelites. Scholars believe this book was written over the course of a long period of time, therefore, there are no specific dates listed.

Context and Background of Leviticus

This book is written during the time the Israelites are camped at Mt. Sinai. They have left Egypt and are preparing to embark on the long journey through the wilderness. Up to this point, God has not dwelled among them. He has watched over them and shown His mightiness with the plagues in Egypt and parting of the Red Sea.

But it is at this time that God intends to dwell among His people. The Tabernacle has been built so that God has a place. Before He can enter the Holy of Holies to live among His people, there needs to be some instruction. This divine/human relationship cannot happen unless the Israelites know how to deal with their sin and impurities.

The vast majority of the instruction in Leviticus is toward the tribe of Levi. The Levites were to be the priests of God’s people. The Levitical law lays out the way a priest should live and what is required of their holy appointment.

Main Theme and Purpose of Leviticus

Within the book of Leviticus, there are three main themes. These themes are woven throughout the text in order to assist the Israelites in becoming the people God wanted them to be. The entire purpose of the Levitical law was for the people of Israel to be able to live within the midst of Christ.

The first theme is the most prominent. It is the concept of holiness . To be holy is to be set apart. In Leviticus 20:26 we find God speaking about his people and how they are to be holy because He is holy. They are to be set apart from other nations because they belong to him.

God has not dwelt on the Earth since the Garden of Eden. He has now come back to dwell among the Israelites in the Tabernacle. The words of Leviticus teach the fine details of becoming holy to God’s people. It also opens the eyes of the people of Israel to understand just how holy their God is.

The second theme in Leviticus is how we deal with sin. God is pure and He knows that his people are not. They are sinful and will need to deal with that sin to be in His presence. In the Levitical law, we see blood sacrifices to atone for the sins of the people. This is a picture of Jesus, who will be the ultimate sacrifice in the New Testament. Sin would require a sacrifice, which meant that there would have to be a life for a life.

Lastly, we see the theme of worship. Through the law, God is giving His people a way into His presence. He is laying out what it will take to enter into this divine relationship. The rules in regard to daily living were laid out. Nothing was left to chance. God wanted His people to know exactly what needed to be done. He was designing the perfect plan to be with His people.

What Can We Learn from Leviticus Today?

Leviticus is an Old Testament book that has many modern lessons for us today. The most important lesson in Leviticus has to do with sin. Sin is not a casual event or affair. It is serious and there has to be atonement for it. In the time of Leviticus, that atonement was the sacrifice. There had to be blood spilled. God sent His son, Jesus, to be the ultimate sacrifice. This picture is shown every time an animal had to die as a sacrifice.

In today’s society, sin is not viewed as seriously. We have even given levels to sin and developed a gray area for it. What God was saying in Leviticus is that there is no gray area or level to sin. Sin is sin and we have to repent and turn from it. Jesus already paid the price and for us to be in a relationship with Him, now we must ask for forgiveness.

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Another lesson we find is that blessings will follow obedience . If the Israelites would only strive to obey God’s law, He would bless them. He would give them everything they needed. They would be protected from all dangers. This is true today. If we can read God’s word and follow His instruction, He says that He will bless us too. We will have everything we need and more. His guidance, wisdom, protection, and so much more can be ours if we only obey.

The last big lesson in Leviticus is one that is wrapped in holiness. Being holy is mentioned many times in this book. To be holy is to be set apart and totally committed to God. As God’s people the Israelites were to strive to be holy and pure. Today, we are to do the same. If we are sold out to God, we are striving each day to be holy and pure. God wants a relationship with us that is not shared with anyone or anything else. We must be sold out to Him.

Our Favorite Verses from Leviticus

Leviticus 6:7 , “In this way the priest will make atonement for them before the LORD, and they will be forgiven for any of the things they did that made them guilty."

Leviticus 17:11 , “For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life.”

Leviticus 19:2 , “Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.”

Leviticus 19:12 , “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD." 

Leviticus 20:26 , “You are to be holy to me because, I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own.”

Leviticus 27:30 , “A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD."

Learn Religions : Introduction to the Book of Leviticus, Mary Fairchild 

Simple Lessons from the Bible : Life Lessons from the Book of Leviticus 

ESV Study Bible : The Global Message of Leviticus

Photo credit: © Sparrowstock

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The Book of Leviticus

It is probably no exaggeration to say that among Christians, the Book of Leviticus is one of the most neglected books in the Bible. It is certainly one of the least understood. How many Christians have purposed to read through the entire Bible and made it through Genesis and Exodus only to get bogged down in this seemingly obscure collection of ceremonial laws and rituals? What are we to make of this book? How are these ancient laws about animal sacrifices, and priests, and ceremonial uncleanness relevant to Christians in the 21st century?

For those who have struggled with understanding Leviticus, there is no better resource than Gordon J. Wenham's commentary . Published in 1979 as part of the New International Commentary on the Old Testament series, this commentary has established itself as something of a classic. It is simply one of the best commentaries written on any book of the Bible.

The first part of the commentary is devoted to basic introductory matters. Wenham examines the title of the book, its narrative structure, its sources, its authorship and date, as well as the Hebrew text underlying his translation. Two particularly helpful sections of the Introduction are those titled "The Theology of Leviticus" and "Leviticus and the Christian." Wenham discusses the theology of Leviticus under four main headings: the presence of God, holiness, the role of sacrifice, and the Sinai Covenant.

Under the heading "The Presence of God," Wenham notes that God's presence with His people is an idea that is repeated numerous times in Leviticus. As Wenham notes, "God is preeminently present in worship" (p. 16). But God is also present in the everyday aspects of life. Wenham observes, "Leviticus distinguishes between the permanent presence of God with his people, a presence which is to regulate their whole way of life, and his visible presence in glory which was obvious on special occasions" (p. 17). God's presence in the tabernacle was, of course, the heart of the covenant (cf. Exod. 29:43-45). Wenham explains how this is relevant to the Christian (p. 18):

For the NT Christian, God's presence was made known in the incarnation. Alluding to the OT description of the tabernacle John wrote "the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us. . .; we have beheld his glory" (John 1:14). For Paul every Christian is a walking shrine, a temple for the Holy Spirit in which God is to be glorified (1 Cor. 6:19-20). Like the OT tabernacle the Christian enjoys the permanent presence of the Spirit, but just as the old shrine enjoyed a special manifestation of God's glory from time to time, so the Christian should be filled with the Spirit and display God's glory to the world (cf. Acts 6:15; 7:55-56; 2 Cor. 3; Eph. 5:18).

In the section titled "Holiness," Wenham examines what is commonly recognized as one of the major themes of Leviticus (cf. 11:44-45; 19:2; 20:26). He notes that the terms "holy," "clean," "unclean," and related words are very common throughout the book. He provides a very helpful summary of the meaning and relationship between these terms in Leviticus:

Everything that is not holy is common. Common things divide into two groups, the clean and the unclean. Clean things become holy, when they are sanctified. But unclean objects cannot be sanctified. Clean things can be made unclean, if they are polluted. Finally, holy items may be defiled and become common, even polluted, and therefore unclean. . . . cleanness is a state intermediate between holiness and uncleanness. Cleanness is the normal condition of most things and persons. Sanctification can elevate the clean into the holy, while pollution degrades the clean into the unclean. The unclean and the holy are two states which must never come in contact with each other (pp. 19-20).

Wenham continues in the section "The Role of Sacrifice" to explain how, in Leviticus, sacrificial blood is necessary for cleansing and sanctifying. As he explains, "Sin and disease lead to profanation of the holy and pollution of the clean. Sacrifice can reverse this process" (p. 26). In the previous section, Wenham had observed that the holy and the unclean can never come in contact. Here, he observes, "Sacrifice, by cleansing the unclean, makes such contact possible. The holy God can meet with sinful man" (p. 26).

Under the heading "The Sinai Covenant," Wenham notes the way in which covenantal idea are found throughout Leviticus. "Leviticus explains how covenantal worship should be conducted" (p. 29). It also explains how covenant people should live (p. 29). Chapter 26 of Leviticus even contains a list of blessings and curses showing that it is a covenant document.

The final main section of the Introduction is titled "Leviticus and the Christian." In this section, Wenham explains his understanding of the way in which the Old Testament law relates to the modern church. Wenham states the general principle underlying his commentary as follows: "the principles underlying the OT are valid and authoritative for the Christian, but the particular applications found in the OT may not be" (p. 35). Explaining what this means in terms of Leviticus, he writes:

In one sense then the whole ceremonial law in Leviticus is obsolete for the Christian. We are interested in the sacrifice of Christ, not in animal sacrifice. But in another sense the Levitical rituals are still of immense relevance. It was in terms of these sacrifices that Jesus himself and the early church understood his atoning death. Leviticus provided the theological models for their understanding. If we wish to walk in our Lord's steps and think his thoughts after him, we must attempt to understand the sacrificial system of Leviticus (p. 37).

Following the Introductory materials is the commentary proper. Wenham divides his commentary of the book of Leviticus into four major sections:

I. Laws on Sacrifice (1:1-7:38) II. Institution of the Priesthood (8:1-10:20) III. Uncleanness and its Treatment (11:1-16:34) IV. Prescriptions for Practical Holiness (17:1-27:34)

In dealing with the laws on sacrifice, Wenham discusses each of the major sacrifices in detail, explains its nature and purpose, its place in the Old Testament, and its relation to the New Testament. Wenham points out how the sacrifices in Leviticus remind Christians today of Christ's atoning death, of the serious consequences of sin, and of the forgiveness that is necessary for true worship to occur. He also observes that the pattern of Old Testament sacrifices can provide a pattern for Christian worship today. "Worship should begin with confession of sin, a claiming of Christ's forgiveness, and a total rededication to God's service, before going on to praise and petition" (p. 66).

The second section of the commentary proper covers the institution of the priesthood in Leviticus 8:1-10:20. These chapters cover the ordination of Aaron and his sons, Aaron's first sacrifices, and the judgment of Nadam and Abihu for offering strange fire. Central to these chapters is the idea that "God's greatness and holiness cannot be ignored; he must be acknowledged by our whole being" (p. 150).

Chapters 11-16 of Leviticus deal with uncleanness and its treatment. Chapters 11-15 deal with clean and unclean animals, childbirth, disease, and discharges and how they are to be cleansed. According to Wenham, the distinction between clean and unclean (and sacrificial) animals is largely symbolic paralleling the divisions among mankind: the unclean (those outside the camp); the clean (the majority of ordinary Israelites); and the sacrificial (the priests who are specifically set apart). Regarding childbirth, Wenham believes that it was not the childbirth itself that made a woman unclean, it was the discharge of blood accompanying childbirth (cf. 12:4, 5, 7). Disease, on the other hand, causes uncleanness because it "destroys the wholeness that ought to characterize the creation" (p. 192). Chapter 16 of Leviticus explains the important Day of Atonement ceremony. As Wenham explains, "The aim of these rituals is to make possible God's continued presence among his people" (p. 228). As Hebrews teaches, Jesus Christ ultimately fulfilled the purpose of this ritual through His death on the cross.

The final section of Leviticus covers basic prescriptions for practical holiness. Among the many issues discussed in these chapters are: sacrifice and food, sexual behavior, neighborliness, capital crimes, rules for priests, festivals, rules for the tabernacle, the Sabbath years, and the Year of Jubilee. Wenham offers numerous helpful insights into what Leviticus teaches about all of these issues.

The strengths of Wenham's commentary are many. Many modern commentaries spend an inordinate amount of time examining every obscure detail about the origins of particular words and the various theories concerning the sources of the text. While this information does have its place, many of these commentaries never actually get around to fully explaining what the actual text itself means. Wenham, on the other hand, focuses on expounding the meaning of the canonical text. He does so with clarity and with an engaging style. He also writes as a Christian interpreter and thus explains not only what the text meant in its Old Testament context, but also what its relevance is for the Christian today. Such Old Testament commentaries are a rarity. Wenham's commentary is an outstanding resource and is highly recommended for pastors and all students of Scripture.

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Introduction to Leviticus

As with the other books of the Pentateuch, it is best to see Moses as the source and primary author of Leviticus . In Leviticus , Moses continues the story of Exodus .

Theme and Purpose

The book of Leviticus goes into deeper detail about the divine-human relationship put in place on Mount Sinai ( Exodus 19–40 ). Leviticus assumes that Israel is sinful and impure, and it describes how to deal with sin and impurity so that the holy Lord can dwell among his people.

Problems in Understanding Leviticus

Readers may find Leviticus difficult to understand because they lack firsthand experience of the practices it describes.

Ritual vs. ethical commands. Chapters 1–16 describe various “ritual” regulations, while chs. 17–27 focus on ethical commands. Because the rituals of chs. 1–16 are unfamiliar, they are often seen as being disconnected from the ethical emphasis of the later chapters. It is more accurate, however, to see the entire book as being concerned with Israel’s being holy to the Lord.

Unclean, clean, holy. Leviticus often uses these terms differently than today. Modern readers might think of “clean” vs. “unclean” as being the same as healthy vs. unhealthy. In Leviticus , however, these words do not refer to hygiene. Rather, they describe the types of actions a person may or may not engage in, or the places he may or may not go. For example, those who are unclean may not partake of a peace offering ( 7:20 ). A modern analogy might be registering to vote: a person who is “registered” may vote, whereas a person who is not registered may not vote. The ritually “clean” person is not necessarily more righteous than one who is ritually unclean, just as a person who is registered to vote is not necessarily more righteous than a person who is not.

Even though ritual states and moral states are different, however, the ritual states in Leviticus also seem to symbolize grades of moral purity. By constantly calling the Israelites to ritual purity, the Lord was reminding them of their need for also seeking moral purity ( 20:24–26 ).

NT relevance of commands in Leviticus . What does Leviticus have to do with the church today? The sacrificial system of Leviticus has ceased for the people of God; it has been fulfilled in the coming of Christ (see Heb. 9:1–14, 24–28; 10:1–14 ). However, studying these laws is important because the sacrifices point to different aspects of the meaning of Christ’s sacrifice of himself.

Second, the Holiness Code (chs. 17–27 ) deals with sanctification, that is, how one lives in the covenant community. The NT applies to Christians the same principle stated in Leviticus 11:44 , “be holy, for I am holy” (see 1 Pet. 1:16 ). On the other hand, several details of the Holiness Code concern more symbolic aspects of holiness that are no longer followed in the Christian era (such as laws prohibiting garments with two kinds of cloth, Lev. 19:19 , or prohibiting the shaving of the edges of a beard, 21:5 ). Further, the NT envisions a people of God transcending national boundaries. Therefore, current civil governments need not follow the OT civil laws (such as capital punishment for adultery; 20:10 ), although of course all governments must pursue justice, and Leviticus may certainly help in this regard.

• The holy Lord is present among his people ( Ex. 40:34 ; Lev. 1:1 ). They must therefore admit their sin and impurity and strive for personal holiness.
• In order to approach God, worshipers must be wholehearted in their devotion ( 1:1–6:7; 22:17–30 ).
• Those called to be spiritual leaders, such as priests, bear a heavier responsibility than the laypeople (chs. 4; 21 ). In addition to the outward holiness that the priests receive when they are ordained, they must maintain inward holiness (chs. 8; 9; 10; 21 ).
• As is seen in the Day of Atonement ritual (ch. 16 ), the total cleansing of sins and uncleanness happens only when the innermost part of the tabernacle is purified. Humans, by themselves, can never achieve complete purification from sin.
• Atonement is a gracious act of the Lord ( 17:11 ).
• Five Major Offerings ( 1:1–6:7 )
• Handling of the Offerings ( 6:8–7:38 )
• The Establishment of the Priesthood ( 8:1–10:20 )
• The Laws on Cleanness and Uncleanness ( 11:1–15:33 )
• The Day of Atonement Ritual ( 16:1–34 )
• The Handling and Meaning of Blood ( 17:1–16 )
• The Call to Holiness ( 18:1–22:33 )
• Holy Times ( 23:1–25:55 )
• Blessings and Curses ( 26:1–46 )
• Vows and Dedication ( 27:1–34 )

The Setting of Leviticus

C. 1446 b.c..

The book of Exodus finishes with Moses and Israel having constructed and assembled the tabernacle at the base of Mount Sinai. The book of Leviticus primarily records the instructions the Lord gives to Moses from the tent of meeting, but also includes narratives of a few events related to the tabernacle. (Regarding the date of the exodus, see Introduction to Exodus , and note on 1 Kings 6:1 .)

The Book of Leviticus

The formation of a holy people.

When we finish reading Exodus, we would like to continue on with the story of the journey of the Hebrews through the wilderness after their halt at Sinai. Instead, we come upon a lengthy collection of laws.

Modern critics agree that during the Babylonian Exile some priests (of the tribe of Levi) collected and made part of their final text the liturgical books that had taken shape in the course of time: a ritual for sacrifices, another for the investiture of priests, a set of norms for distinguishing clean from unclean; at some later point, they added the “Law of Holiness” (chs. 17–26 ). It is this body of material that makes up the Book of Leviticus. The various components are not all from the same period: some prescriptions date from the time of Moses and even earlier; in other instances the editors adapt ancient rites to their own present religious concerns. The Law of Holiness, which probably dates from the last years of the monarchy (end of the seventh century) reflects the viewpoints of the Jerusalem priesthood and stands in contrast to the viewpoints found in Deuteronomy, which was published during the same period.

All the laws systematized in Leviticus are regarded as expressing God’s will. They impose on the chosen people a common religious behavior by which this people will show themselves to be the people of the Sinai covenant. The Lord has delivered his own from the land of Egypt and he now expects them to acknowledge his presence and render him the worship due to him.

Sacrifice, which takes numerous forms, is the essential act of worship. It signifies that the children of Israel hand over themselves and their possessions to him who is their supreme protector. It unites them to their God and, by winning his forgiveness, restores this union when sin has broken it. In short, through sacrifice God saves and sanctifies his people. Israel is a priestly people; the priests in their actions symbolize the worship of an entire people.

In addition to moral and liturgical precepts, Leviticus lists various, sometimes quite detailed regulations meant to decide which objects and things hinder a person from drawing near to what is sacred, even though no moral fault might be involved; it was thought that these objects had a baleful power. Like the neighboring peoples, the children of Israel had their prohibitions, but even through these taboos, which were standard in this ancient civilization, they came to know the holiness of God, which is so strongly asserted throughout this book and which came to pervade their entire existence.

In summary, despite the arid lists, the laws that make up Leviticus reveal in their own way that God wills to save the whole person; that nothing in human life is without relevance to holiness; and that holiness is wholly and entirely dependent on God’s initiative.

If readers will be patient enough to read all the pages of this book, tedious though these often are (especially due to the incessant repetition of the same formulas; but that was characteristic of Oriental legislation), they will be able to penetrate, by way of formulas and rites long since obsolete, to the heart of Israel’s religious consciousness. As Christians, these readers will also be able to better understand the value of the sacrifice through which Jesus Christ saved the human race by giving his life for it.

The Book of Leviticus may be divided as follows:

I: A Ritual for Sacrifices ( 1:1—7:38 )

A: Regulations for the Children of Israel ( 1:1—6:7 )

B: Regulations for the Priests ( 6:8—7:38 )

II: Consecration of the Priesthood ( 8:1—10:20 )

III: Norms Concerning Ritual Purity ( 11:1—16:34 )

IV: The Law of Holiness ( 17:1—26:46 )

V: Redemptive Offerings ( 27:1-34 )

14 If, instead, one’s offering to the LORD is a burnt offering of birds, he is to present a turtledove or a young pigeon. 15 Then the priest shall bring it to the altar, twist off its head, and burn it on the altar; its blood should be drained out on the side of the altar. 16 And he is to remove the crop with its contents a and throw it to the east side of the altar, in the place for ashes. 17 He shall tear it open by its wings, without dividing the bird completely. And the priest is to burn it on the altar atop the burning wood. It is a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

32 If, however, he brings a lamb as a sin offering, he must bring an unblemished female. 33 And he is to lay his hand on the head of the sin offering and slaughter it as a sin offering at the place where the burnt offering is slaughtered. 34 Then the priest is to take some of the blood of the sin offering with his finger, put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and pour out the rest of its blood at the base of the altar. 35 And he shall remove all the fat, just as the fat of the lamb is removed from the peace offerings, and he shall burn it on the altar along with the offerings made by fire to the LORD. In this way the priest will make atonement for him for the sin he has committed, and he will be forgiven.

17 If someone sins and violates any of the LORD’s commandments even though he was unaware, he is guilty and shall bear his punishment. 18 He is to bring to the priest an unblemished ram of proper value from the flock as a guilt offering. Then the priest will make atonement on his behalf for the wrong he has committed in ignorance, and he will be forgiven. 19 It is a guilt offering; he was certainly guilty d before the LORD.”

28 The clay pot in which the sin offering is boiled must be broken; if it is boiled in a bronze pot, the pot must be scoured and rinsed with water. 29 Any male among the priests may eat it; it is most holy. 30 But no sin offering may be eaten if its blood has been brought into the Tent of Meeting to make atonement in the Holy Place; it must be burned.

20 And when Moses heard this explanation, he was satisfied.

46 This is the law regarding animals, birds, all living creatures that move in the water, and all creatures that crawl along the ground. 47 You must distinguish between the unclean and the clean, between animals that may be eaten and those that may not.’   ”

59 This is the law concerning a mildew contamination in wool or linen fabric, weave, or knit, or any leather article, for pronouncing it clean or unclean.”

54 This is the law for any infectious skin disease, for a scaly outbreak, 55 for mildew in clothing or in a house, 56 and for a swelling, rash, or spot, 57 to determine when something is clean or unclean. This is the law regarding skin diseases and mildew. h ”

And all this was done as the LORD had commanded Moses.

15 And any person, whether native or foreigner, who eats anything found dead or mauled by wild beasts must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean until evening; then he will be clean. 16 But if he does not wash his clothes and bathe himself, then he shall bear his iniquity.”

29 Therefore anyone who commits any of these abominations must be cut off from among his people. 30 You must keep My charge not to practice any of the abominable customs that were practiced before you, so that you do not defile yourselves by them. I am the LORD your God.”

37 You must keep all My statutes and all My ordinances and follow them. I am the LORD.”

24 Moses told this to Aaron and his sons and to all the Israelites.

44 So Moses announced to the Israelites the appointed feasts of the LORD.

23 Then Moses spoke to the Israelites, and they took the blasphemer outside the camp and stoned him. So the Israelites did as the LORD had commanded Moses.

46 These are the statutes, ordinances, and laws that the LORD established between Himself and the Israelites through Moses on Mount Sinai.

34 These are the commandments that the LORD gave to Moses for the Israelites on Mount Sinai.

Christ is our standard

Book of Leviticus Summary by Chapter (1-27): Concise and Comprehensive

Welcome, beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, to this heartwarming book of Leviticus summary by chapter. The Book of Leviticus is the third book of the Old Testament. Through its pages, we see God’s blueprint for the holiness of His people and the sacrificial system. This post will provide a concise and enlightening summary of the book of Leviticus chapter by chapter.

Read also: The Book of Exodus Summary by Chapter (1-40): Concise and Comprehensive

Table of Contents

The book of leviticus summary by chapter, chapter 1: the burnt offering.

In the first chapter, God calls to Moses from the Tabernacle and begins to give him detailed instructions regarding offerings. The burnt offering is a voluntary act of devotion to God and includes animals such as bulls, sheep, goats, or birds. The person offering the sacrifice must lay their hands on the animal’s head, symbolizing the transfer of sin. The animal is then slaughtered, and the priest will sprinkle its blood against the altar.

The burnt offering was wholly consumed by fire, symbolizing complete dedication to God. The offering had to be a male without defect, showing that only the best is to be offered to God. The pleasing aroma of the burnt offering symbolizes God’s acceptance of the sacrifice as an atonement for sin.

Chapter 2: The Grain Offering

Chapter 2 of Leviticus focuses on grain offerings, which were also voluntary. This offering is composed of fine flour, olive oil, and frankincense. A portion of it was burned on the altar as a “memorial portion,” and the remaining part was given to the priests as food.

The grain offering did not involve shedding blood and was considered a gift offering to God. It symbolized the dedication of the fruit of one’s labor to God, and like the burnt offering, it was to be of the highest quality. It was also a recognition that all provisions and blessings are from God.

Chapter 3: The Fellowship Offering

In Chapter 3, we learn about the fellowship offering, which was also known as the peace offering. This offering could be from the herd or flock, and either male or female, but it must be without defect. This offering was unique because it was shared among the altar, the priests, and the person making the offering.

The fellowship offering symbolized peace and fellowship with God. The sharing of the meat between the altar, the priest, and the offeror indicated communion and a state of peace between God and the worshipper. It served as a thankful recognition of God’s mercy and provision.

Chapter 4: The Sin Offering

Chapter 4 introduces the sin offering, which was mandatory for sins committed unintentionally. Different offerings were required for different people or groups, such as the high priest, the community, a leader, or a regular person. It involved the laying on of hands and the sprinkling of blood to purify and make atonement.

The sin offering was crucial for maintaining a relationship with God despite human imperfection. It represented the seriousness of sin and the need for atonement. Blood was central in this offering as it symbolized life, and thus, giving life back to God as a form of restitution for sin.

Chapter 5: The Guilt Offering

Leviticus Chapter 5 deals with the guilt offering, which was similar to the sin offering but pertained to unintentional sins that required a repayment. These included sins against holy things or sins against a neighbor. This offering involved an animal sacrifice and often a monetary repayment.

The guilt offering highlighted the idea of restitution in addition to atonement. It was not only about seeking forgiveness but also about making amends for the wrong done. This reflects the principle of restoration and responsibility in one’s relationship with God and with fellow human beings.

Chapter 6: Additional Laws for Offerings

Chapter 6 revisits and expands on the offerings discussed in the earlier chapters. It details additional instructions for burnt offerings, grain offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings. The chapter emphasizes the importance of following the prescribed rituals and the responsibilities of the priests in these offerings.

This chapter accentuates the perpetual nature of some offerings, like the burnt offering, which was to be kept burning at all times. For the priests, it outlines their share in the offerings and how they are to be consumed. This highlights the consecrated status of the priests and their critical role in mediating between the people and God.

Chapter 7: More on Sacrificial Offerings

Chapter 7 continues from Chapter 6 and provides more details on the sacrificial offerings, particularly the guilt and fellowship offerings. It outlines the portions that belong to the priests and what should be consumed by the offeror. It also reiterates the prohibition of eating fat and blood.

The emphasis on not consuming blood resonates with the notion that life belongs to God. This chapter further underlines the significance of offerings as acts of worship and the importance of adherence to God’s commandments in expressing devotion and maintaining communion with Him.

Chapter 8: The Ordination of Aaron and His Sons

In Chapter 8 , the focus shifts to the priesthood, with a detailed account of the ordination of Aaron and his sons. Moses follows God’s instructions in anointing them with oil and blood, and dressing them in holy garments. They also offer sacrifices as part of the ordination process.

The ordination of Aaron and his sons symbolizes their consecration and dedication to serving God on behalf of the people. The rituals, garments, and anointing emphasize the gravity and sacredness of their duties as priests.

Chapter 9: Aaron’s First Offerings

Chapter 9 narrates Aaron’s first acts as a priest. He performs burnt offerings and sin offerings for himself and the people. The chapter culminates with the glory of the Lord appearing to all the people, and fire coming out from His presence to consume the offerings on the altar.

This chapter marks the commencement of the priestly ministry of Aaron and his sons. The appearance of the Lord’s glory and the divine fire consuming the offerings signify God’s approval and acceptance of the priesthood and the offerings. It’s a powerful affirmation of the establishment of the priestly service.

Chapter 10: The Death of Nadab and Abihu

In Chapter 10, tragedy strikes as Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, offer unauthorized fire before the Lord. This results in divine fire consuming them. Aaron and his remaining sons are commanded not to mourn but to continue their priestly duties. The chapter also includes additional instructions regarding the consumption of holy offerings.

The deaths of Nadab and Abihu serve as a stark reminder of the sacredness of approaching God and the seriousness with which His commandments must be taken. Their deaths underscore the weightiness of the priestly role and the absolute respect for God’s holiness.

Chapter 11: Clean and Unclean Animals

Chapter 11 lays down the dietary laws concerning clean and unclean animals. It lists the specific animals that can be eaten and those that must be avoided. It also details the distinctions between clean and unclean creatures in the water, air, and land.

The dietary laws played a significant role in setting the Israelites apart from other nations. By adhering to these laws, they maintained ritual purity and demonstrated their obedience and allegiance to God.

Chapter 12: Purification After Childbirth

In Chapter 12 , the laws concerning purification after childbirth are outlined. After giving birth, a woman is considered ceremonially unclean for a period of time and must eventually offer a sacrifice to be purified.

This chapter demonstrates the importance of rituals in restoring purity. While childbirth is not considered sinful, the blood associated with it is viewed as ritually impure. The purification process signifies the restoration of the woman’s relationship with the community and God.

Chapter 13: Laws About Skin Diseases

Chapter 13 deals with the identification and handling of skin diseases, especially leprosy. It details the role of the priest in examining the affected person and declaring them unclean if necessary. The chapter also discusses the signs and symptoms that should be used to determine the status of the disease.

This chapter highlights the importance of maintaining physical and ritual cleanliness within the community. The laws were not only about religious purity but also had practical implications for containing the spread of contagious diseases.

Chapter 14: Cleansing from Infectious Skin Diseases

Chapter 14 outlines the procedures for the cleansing of a person healed from skin diseases. This involves a series of rituals, including offerings and the application of blood and oil by a priest.

The cleansing process serves as a public declaration that the person is healed and is ritually pure to reenter the community. It signifies the restoration and renewal of the person’s social and religious life.

Chapter 15: Discharges Causing Uncleanness

In Chapter 15, the focus is on bodily discharges and their impact on ritual purity. The chapter outlines the various discharges that render a person unclean and the procedures for purification.

This chapter again underscores the significance of maintaining purity within the Israelite community. The laws regarding discharges touch on both hygiene and the concept of holiness in everyday life.

Chapter 16: The Day of Atonement

Chapter 16 is central to Leviticus, as it details the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur. This sacred day involves fasting and the offering of sacrifices for the sins of the entire nation. The high priest plays a crucial role, entering the Holy of Holies to make atonement before God.

The Day of Atonement is the culmination of the sacrificial system, as it addresses the sins of the whole community. It symbolizes the mercy and forgiveness of God and the necessity for collective atonement and humility before Him.

Chapter 17: Eating Blood Forbidden

This chapter reiterates the prohibition against consuming blood. It establishes that sacrifices must only be made at the tabernacle, to prevent the Israelites from making sacrifices to goat idols.

The emphasis on not consuming blood reflects the sacredness of life. The centralization of sacrifices at the tabernacle was intended to maintain the holiness and purity of the sacrificial system.

Chapter 18: Unlawful Sexual Relations

Chapter 18 of Leviticus enumerates various laws governing sexual relationships. It lists specific relationships that are forbidden and considered abominations.

These laws were vital in defining the structure and morality of the Israelite community. They were set to ensure the sanctity of family relationships and the moral conduct of individuals.

Chapter 19: Various Laws

Chapter 19 is a diverse collection of laws that guide everyday living, including respecting parents, observing the Sabbaths, and not practicing divination. It also includes the famous command to “love your neighbor as yourself.”

This chapter is fundamental in outlining how the Israelites were to live as a holy and set-apart community. The laws emphasize justice, compassion, and integrity as reflections of God’s character.

Chapter 20: Punishments for Sin

Chapter 20 specifies the penalties for various sins, especially those related to idolatry and sexual immorality. The punishments are severe, reflecting the seriousness with which God views disobedience and rebellion against His commandments.

This chapter serves as a stern warning and establishes a sense of accountability among the Israelites. It underscores the notion that living as God’s chosen people comes with the responsibility to uphold His statutes, and failing to do so has dire consequences.

Chapter 21: Rules for Priests

In Chapter 21, the focus shifts back to the priests and their conduct. The chapter outlines specific regulations regarding their behavior, marriages, and physical condition. It emphasizes that priests must be without defect to serve in the priesthood.

The strict rules for priests highlight their unique and sacred role in Israelite society. As mediators between God and the people, it was imperative for them to maintain the highest standards of purity and holiness.

Chapter 22: Acceptable Offerings

Chapter 22 continues with regulations concerning the priests, particularly about the offerings they can accept or eat. The offerings must be without defect, and the priests themselves must be in a state of purity to partake in or handle them.

This chapter reinforces the importance of holiness and purity in offerings and those who administer them. It reflects God’s perfection and the principle that only the best is worthy of being offered to Him.

Chapter 23: Feasts of the Lord

Chapter 23 outlines the sacred feasts and festivals that the Israelites are commanded to observe. These include the Sabbath, Passover, Feast of Weeks, Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and Feast of Tabernacles.

These feasts serve several purposes, such as commemorating God’s acts of deliverance, celebrating the harvest, and providing opportunities for collective worship. They are central to the Israelite’s identity and their relationship with God.

Chapter 24: Olive Oil and Bread Set Before the Lord

Chapter 24 contains instructions about the regular offering of bread and olive oil in the Tabernacle. A section of this chapter also includes a story of a blasphemer who is stoned, and the proclamation of the law of retaliation (an eye for an eye).

The continual offering of bread and olive oil symbolizes sustained fellowship and reliance on God. The latter part of the chapter emphasizes the gravity of blasphemy and the principle of justice in the community.

Chapter 25: The Year of Jubilee

Chapter 25 introduces the concepts of the Sabbath Year and the Year of Jubilee. During these times, the land was to be given rest, slaves were to be freed, and property returned to its original owners.

The Sabbath Year and the Year of Jubilee reflect themes of rest, liberation, and restoration. They represent a periodic renewal of the social order and a reminder of God’s provision and justice.

Chapter 26: Blessings and Curses

Chapter 26 sets forth the blessings that will follow if the Israelites obey God’s commands, and the curses that will befall them if they disobey. The blessings are abundant, while the curses are severe and far-reaching.

This chapter serves to motivate the Israelites to follow God’s laws by outlining the direct consequences of their actions. It reflects God’s justice and His desire for His people to choose obedience and blessing.

Chapter 27: Laws on Vows

The final chapter, Chapter 27, deals with the laws regarding vows, specifically vows that assign monetary value to people, animals, houses, and land dedicated to the Lord.

This chapter highlights the gravity of making vows to God. It establishes that when a person makes a vow, they are bound to it, and it must be fulfilled. This underscores the importance of integrity and devotion in one’s relationship with God.

Read also: The Book of Numbers Summary by Chapter (1-36): Concise and Comprehensive

Conclusion: Summary of the Book of Leviticus in a Paragraph

The Book of Leviticus, the third book in the Old Testament, serves as a manual for the Israelites’ worship and community life, centering on the holiness of God and the call for His people to emulate this holiness. It meticulously outlines sacrificial offerings, dietary laws, rituals for purification, moral and ethical conduct, and the sacred feasts, thereby providing a comprehensive guide for the Israelites in both their religious practices and everyday living. Through its detailed regulations, Leviticus emphasizes the significance of purity, atonement, reverence, and moral integrity in nurturing a profound and devoted relationship with God.

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Written by Paul J Bucknell on February, 24, 2020

A Book Study of Leviticus: An Overview of Leviticus

Someone recently asked if she should read the Book of Leviticus. I understand what she meant. Would you? If someone in the 21st century started reading through Leviticus, they might quickly turn their attention elsewhere when encountering such unfamiliar people, ceremonies, and events.

The Important Placement of Leviticus

The Book of Leviticus, however, is essential. First, consider that it is God’s Word—it has a place in the Bible. God had His words recorded down. 

Second, Leviticus was not treated as its own book but is the center section of the one large volume—the centerpiece of the Torah (Law)—the first five books of the Old Testament. (Another term, Pentateuch, comes from the Latin of two words: five and books.) The Jews treat the Torah as one book and would not be able to separate Leviticus and treat it as less important. So though we esteem the creation, flood, and Exodus, and giving of the Law accounts as essential, we are presented with this book that is harder to grasp. The chart below displays its prime placement.

Those living in the modern world demand relevance in their lives. However, the abundance of knowledge in this age can misdirect our conclusions. We dismiss things without understanding their impact on our lives and view them as less significant than viewing a movie or chatting with a friend. Again, if God treats it as essential, we must too—even if it is harder to process.

Leviticus records the critical part where God establishes His relationship with human beings, namely those who keep His covenant. I agree, the New Covenant, sealed with Jesus’ blood, makes Leviticus look old and irrelevant. In some ways, this is true. The New Testament surpasses the Old but does not dismiss the Old Testament scriptures (2 Tim 3:16-17). 

The Ways Leviticus Helps Us

Treat what God declares holy as holy. Make a placeholder in your mind and life for the Book of Leviticus. It will serve you well in these ways:

• Leviticus shows what God counts as the most fundamental. The Torah’s theme centers on developing a people for God. Due to their evident sin, they need practical help to live rightly before God.
• Leviticus provides the critical background to understand and appreciate the New Testament properly. Without Leviticus, for example, we would not treat sacrifices so essential (though they are mentioned elsewhere in the Law).
• Leviticus’ prohibitions set boundaries for our lives: holy and unholy, which can break through some poor and unholy mindsets and habits.
• Leviticus develops more respect for what Jesus has done on the cross. We can only maintain a relationship with God through Jesus’ sacrifice by which one can be forgiven and calls us to live holy lives before Him.
• Leviticus’ central message is vital. Besides the many details on the necessity of living in a community with God, the Lord provides key verses that shape our Christian lives.

Leviticus, Centered on Salvation

Leviticus, situated in the more prominent Torah and after forming a people for God in Exodus, calls them holy and properly treats their sin as God directs. Leviticus records God’s measures to keep His people holy and close to Him, despite their sins. In a sense, Leviticus pre-shadows Romans 3-5 and beyond, where God, through Christ, wonderfully cares for all that we could not do through the Law and the sacrifices. 

“You shall not profane My holy name, but I will be sanctified among the sons of Israel; I am the Lord who sanctifies you” (Leviticus 22:32).

Think of the Book of Leviticus as a beautiful holy centerpiece. Holiness serves a critical place because it has to do with how God keeps His people close to Him without destroying them. 

The priesthood, for example, can get closer to God only if they maintain certain rigorous life adjustments. The intimacy with God, however, no matter who they are, priests or not priests, need prescribed sacrifices. Not only this, they are to live out their lives, not as the world but as God instructs them. Leviticus uses the root word sanctify seven times; the root word “holy” is used 76 times!

They are special to God, and so God makes way for them to live closer in His presence. In the New Testament, we read of two teachings: justification and salvation. Justification centers on how God uses Christ’s sacrifice to cleanse us of our sins. Sanctification speaks of our required behavior to live close to God, if we don’t suffer extra harm.

The Book of Leviticus clearly states that the only way to maintain one’s relationship with God is in the Old Testament. It states the extra effort our Lord took to install measures in the Jewish society so that they could know God and live in His blessing. The Jewish people could not have kept close to God without the priestly line and sacrifices. And so, similarly, today, without Christ, no one can live in fellowship with God (1 John 2:1-2). 

Assignment for Gaining an Overview of Leviticus

• Read quickly through the Book of Leviticus. As you do, fill in the chart mentioned below.
• Download the attached chart to help you focus on Leviticus’ content. (Copy as you wish.)
• As you speedily read through the chapters, watch for any significant verses from Leviticus. These will help you remember its importance. You will find them repeated throughout the book.
• In the large top section, under the appropriate chapter number, write the topics addressed in each chapter, or provide a chapter title. If you don’t find any, feel free to skip that chapter. Don’t get hung up on this bottom section.
• Lastly, write down one point of application or importance for each chapter in the bottom section. If it is a chapter on gaining forgiveness for some sin, then write that and thank the Lord for what He has done through Jesus the Messiah for you, whether Jew or non-Jew (i.e., Gentile, nations). in Christ, you have complete forgiveness without many offerings—Jesus is your onetime sacrifice. Reading the Book of Hebrews helps develop this importance.

Summary  for Leviticus

This understanding builds an appreciation for God’s work for His undeserving people so we can wonderfully fellowship with the holy and living God.

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Summary Of Leviticus

An overview or Summary of the Book of Leviticus in the Old Testament Bible. Leviticus is the third book of the Pentateuch which means ‘ Law ‘

When: Time is set by Leviticus 1:1 which states that God spoke to Moses. This places the writing between 1445 and 1406 B.C.

Who: It is made clear from the beginning, and from more than 50 other places throughout, that Moses wrote the book.

People & Places:

Moses; Aaron; Nadab; Abihu.

Sound-Bites:

Thus Aaron and his sons did all the things which the Lord had commanded through Moses. (Ch.8:36)

“For the life of the flesh is in the blood…” (Ch.17:11)

“Do not turn to idols or make for yourselves molten gods; I am the Lord your God.” (Ch.19:4)

“I will also walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people.” (Ch.26:12)

The Messianic Link:

Messiah is typified in the sacrifices & offerings

He is the High Priest

The scapegoat of Ch.16; who takes away the sins of the people

Summary of The Book:

• The tribe of Levi chosen as the priests to the nation of Israel
• Israelites are called to holiness and to obey the laws of God
• Instructions on bodily cleanliness, sacrifices and offerings to God
• Celebrations feasts days are set, as is the year of Jubilee
• Punishments to fit crimes of all kinds are laid out in detail

The book of Leviticus (meaning, relating to the Levites) is written to instruct the people on Holiness, and just what it takes to be considered acceptable in the eyes of God.

A book on instruction regarding sacrifice and bodily cleanliness, peace offerings, grain offerings, guilt offerings and many more are all covered in this book.

Punishments to suit the individual crimes are all set out, including the punishment for immoral relationships (Ch.18) idolatry (Ch.19) and human sacrifice.

Notes & Quotes:

This book, along with Deuteronomy, is perhaps the most unread book in the whole Bible! (Being as it is, full of rules and regulations that seem alien to modern day Christians; and in many ways this is indeed so.)

Nevertheless it plays an important role in the understanding of the need for a Messiah or saviour, as it points out just how impossible it is to be acceptable to God without the intervention of our own High Priest—Jesus.

Excerpt (permissions granted) from TheBibleBrief. A Bible summary book on Amazon.

You might also be interested in Exodus

One thought on “ Summary Of Leviticus ”

Thank you James. I am a Christian studying Leviticus in order to grow since we Christians are really Judeo-Christians. This has been such a blessing to me. In our class we use a work book which is a great asset, Shalom, James. Louise

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Guide to Leviticus

Explore Leviticus chapter by chapter, or see the Guide to Leviticus above to get an overview of the book.

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