Leviticus continues the theme found in exodus that god is holy and his people should be holy too. Although leviticus does not deal only with the special duties of the levites, it is so named because it concerns mainly the service. The book of leviticus new international commentary on the old testament. The hebrew title is and he called from the first word of the book and reminds that gods call is to holiness 11. It was a free will offering surrender of life and will to god 1. The subjects treated in leviticus, as in any book of laws and regulations, cover several categories. In exodus god saved his people and formed an alliance with them. To guide the israelites in the ways of holiness, so they would be set apart from the world and receive blessings instead of judgment as they lived near the special presence of their holy god. Watch our overview video on the book of leviticus, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. The key personalities of leviticus include moses, aaron, nadab, abihu eleazar, and ithamar. The purpose of leviticus is to provide instruction and laws to guide a sinful, yet redeemed.
Leviticus with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Thats why its a vital piece of the torah, the foundation of the rest of scripture. The ritual sacrifices and feasts allowed israel to remember and relate to god as his people. These passages also describe how to use the altar for the sacrifices and the offerings to god. Leviticus bible study outlinecontents by chapter and verse. Yet, if understood properly, the book supplies readers with rich wisdom and practical instruction. From chapter 17, sacrifice and offerings are laid out for priests and individuals in detail. The book opens and concludes at the same geographical spot, mount sinai, where god gave the law. The book is records practices for the priests who were from the tribe of levi and laws concerning all the israelites. Chapters 17 outline the offerings required of both the laity and the priesthood. Thus, leviticus is best explained as a guidebook for instructing gods people about holy living and worship.
Leviticus, the third book of the pentateuch takes its name from levi one of the twelve sons of jacob. The book of leviticus is the book of fellowship or communion. In leviticus the principles of approaching god are shown. Leviticus receives its name from the septuagint the prechristian greek. Leviticus 17 through moses, the lord gives instructions concerning the offering of various sacrifices, including burnt offerings, meat or meal offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, and trespass offerings. In leviticus, israels holy god invites them to live in his presence. The first part of the book of leviticus deals with offerings and the one that was. Get an animal, kill it, sprinkle the blood around, cut the dead animal into pieces, and burn it for a sweet savor unto the lord. This is filled out by a discussion of the sin offering as it is to be observed by various classes of individuals. The name leviticus was given to the third book of the pentateuch by the ancient greek translators because a good part of this book deals. In response, god introduces a set of sacrifices, the priesthood, and purity laws in the book of leviticus.
Many christians tend to skim over the book, or neglect to read it altogether because they see it as irrelevant. He died on the cross as our sacrifice for sins during this feast in israel. Nadab and abihu, for offering strange fire, are burnt by fire. But specifically, its a book of rules that the ancient israelites believed they had to follow in order to be close to their god. Central to the book of leviticus is the concept of atonement. 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. Its hebrew title, wayyiqra, is the first word in the hebrew text of the book and means and he i. Leviticus is a remarkable book, as the contents are considered in the light of the new testament. Key words and themes leviticus records gods design for the sacrificial system of israel.
Exodus concludes with the tabernacle constructed and the glory of the lord filling it. 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. The book begins with the burnt offering and concludes with redemption. Because the israelites had been held captive in egypt for 400 years, the concept of god had been distorted by the polytheistic, pagan egyptians. The book of leviticus new international commentary on the old testament wenham, gordon j. For the casual reader leviticus is a difficult book to wade through seemingly endless details about laws, statutes, feast days, festivals, and sacrifices can be more than a little boring. The five offerings and the law of them, chapters 17 a. Where exodus tells the story of israel becoming a nation and the building of the tabernacle, leviticus deals with the detailed instructions for carrying out of.
Leviticus is the third book of five in the pentateuch. All of us have heard preaching about christ being our passover. In the main the book follows a topical outline and may be divided into eight sections, which follow one another quite logically. Gods laws and regulations about priests and offerings, holy days, festivals, the sabbath. Therefore jehovah speaks primarily out of the tabernacle of congregation in this book chap. The book of leviticus was written between 1440 and 1400 b. Instead, the book of leviticus contains a meticulous and often tedious list of rules and regulations. Detailed outline of the book of leviticus offerings. Intro to leviticus biblica the international bible society.
The book of leviticus new international commentary on the. The bible book of leviticus with full chapters, footnotes and bible commentary to aid your bible search, reading, and study. Following is our overview and outline of leviticus. Summary of the book of leviticus the story of the bible. However, the book contains vital background information. This book is about as dull as anything possibly could be to the average christian and you wont find very many classes or individuals reading and studying the book of leviticus. Chapters 810 describe the consecration of aaron and his sons to the priesthood. Narrated by actor john rhysdavies gimli, the lord of the rings biblical theology taught by pastorauthor dr.
This is because leviticus is part of the torah, which is known as the law of moses. The setting of leviticus mainly appears to take place at mt. These bible book outlines are intended to assist you as you study gods wor d. Levi family was chosen by god to act as priests and assistants in the tabernacle. Outline of the book of leviticus the book of leviticus is socalled because it describes the roles of the priests and levites, among other laws that god gave to moses on mount sinai. The book opens with an overview of five types of sacrifices that had been going on in israel for years. We hope that you will come to know and love him deeply. In the book of leviticus the children of israel were marking time at mount sinai. The first offerings of aaron, for himself and the people.
Bible book number 3leviticus watchtower online library. It was written to draw the israelites to the understanding of the infinite holiness of god, and that he desires them to act in a holy manner toward himself. Slavery of israel in egypt, exo 1 kjv nkjv nlt niv esv csb nasb. Aaron and his sons are forbidden to mourn for them. As you read the pages of scripture, ask yourself, what does this passage tell me about god. The animals body was consumed entirely in the fire b. Through sacrifice, god made a way for both praise and forgiveness. Book of leviticus outline summary online bible nwt. General the first of seven feasts of israel, listed in leviticus 23, is the passover. Leviticus receives its name from the septuagint the prechristian greek translation of the ot and means relating to the levites. Large amounts of the pentateuch first five books of the old testament, if not all, are believed to have been written by moses. The book of leviticus is socalled because it describes the roles of the priests and levites, among other laws that god gave to moses on mount sinai. What kinds of blood sacrifices are there, and how must they be offered. In this section five types of offerings are discussed.