A Quick SnapShot of Leviticus
Author: Traditionally Moses
Focus: WorshipThe Instruction Manual: Part One 1.1-17.16
- The Offerings: 1.1-7.38
- The Ordination of Aaron: 8.1-10.20
- The Ordinances For Cleanness: 11.1-15.33.
- The Observances of the Day of Atonement: 16.1-17.16
The Instruction Manual: Part Two 18.1-27.34
- The Practice of Holiness: 18.1-22.33
- The Participation of Worship: 23.1-25.55
- The Priority of Obedience: 26.1-27.34
Introduction to Leviticus
Leviticus, like Genesis, received its name from the Septuagint. It is an instruction manual for the priests and people concerning the religious life of Israel. This is the book that is most overlooked and most often not read by Christians. The first chapters which discuss the sacrificial system of Judaism are often viewed as repulsive to the modern reader. There are two primary sections in Leviticus. The first gave the Hebrews the instructions needed to find their way to God through sacrifice. The second helps the Hebrew discover how to walk with God in a continual way. While difficult to read, it gives the Christian a basis for understanding the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross.
What Happened: An Expanded Outline of Leviticus
The Instruction Manual: Part One 1.1-17.16
The Offerings: 1.1-7.38
The first few chapters of Leviticus provide instructions about the offerings that were given to God. The first was called The Burnt Offering. It was made to atone for sin; it was the only sacrifice in which the whole animal was burnt—a visual of the need for total dedication. The second was called The Cereal or Meal Offering. It was made to secure or retain good will, often an accompaniment to the burnt or peace offering. The third was The Peace Offering. It was made to render thanks to God; it reestablished fellowship between the sinner and God. It could be a thank offering, a vow offering, or a freewill offering. The fourth was The Sin Offering. It was made to atone for a specific sin. It allowed the offending person to receive forgiveness. When offense against God had occurred, this offering was given. The fifth offering was The Guilt or Trespass Offering. It was made to atone for sin and required restitution. This was offered after an offense toward some social transgression including person or property. Chapter 7 ends with the instructions of how the priests would be supported.
The Ordination of Aaron: 8.1-10.20
These chapters gave instructions about the qualifications of a person who would be a priest. God commanded Aaron and his sons to be a part of this ministry. The priests began their ministry. This section ends with a short story about the death of Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, who died because they did not follow the correct procedure set up for the priests to follow.
The Ordinances For Cleanness: 11.1-15.33
These five chapters instruct the reader about what animals were clean and, therefore, could be eaten and which animals were unclean and could not be eaten. Because childbirth would continue, instructions were given about purification after birth. Next are the directions for what to do about infectious skin diseases and the infection of mildew. If a person had a skin disease, regulations were given to cleanse the person after recovery. There were certain bodily discharges that would cause a person to become unclean. Instructions were given on how to make the person acceptable.
The Observance of the Day of Atonement: 16.1-17.16
This was the most important day in the life of Israel. The priests were given instructions about how to prepare the sacrifice that would serve to atone Israel for their sins—intentional and unintentional. Chapter 17 gives instructions about the significance of the blood of the sacrificial animal.
The Instruction Manual: Part Two 18.1-27.34
The Practice of Holiness: 18.1-22.33
Holiness means to be separated to God. In these chapters Israel was given the instructions of how to live a holy life in their sexuality and various laws that demonstrated respect for the groups that made up society. Punishments for sins are defined. Rules for the priests are discussed. Priests were given a higher standard to live by than were the people in general. Finally, there was a section of instructions about unacceptable sacrifices.
The Participation of Worship: 23.1-25.55
These three chapters gave the worship calendar signifying what days and seasons were sacred to Israel.
The Sabbath
One day in seven in which one was to be separated from the normal daily activities. The Sabbath signified a visual expression of the separation of Israel as the children of God. The Sabbath was practiced weekly.
The Passover
The Passover celebrated the deliverance of Israel from Egypt. Often called the Feast of Unleavened Bread, this feast was practiced once a year usually during March or April.
Firstfruits
The celebration of the firstfruits of the harvest, which was celebrated in April.
The Feast of Weeks or Pentecost
Pentecost celebrated the giving of the covenant by God to Moses on Mount Sinai. Also called the Feast of Harvest, it was celebrated on the 50th day from the Sabbath that begins Passover, which was usually in June.
The Feast of Trumpets
Called the new moon feast, the trumpet blast officially proclaimed the beginning of a new month. Sacrifices were offered and hard work ceased. It was celebrated in September or October along with the last two feasts.
The Day of Atonement
The Day of Atonement served as a reminder that the daily, weekly, and monthly sacrifices made at the altar were not sufficient to atone for sin. It was celebrated in September or October.
The Feast of Tabernacles
This feast lasted seven days and helped Israel recall its wilderness pilgrimage. Also called the Feast of Ingathering, it was celebrated at the close of the agricultural year.
The Sabbatical Year
This was a time to rest the land. It was to be celebrated every seventh year. It was to provide a visual reminder that the land they had was a gift from God.
The Year of Jubilee
This celebration occurred after seven observances of the Sabbatical year. It was celebrated every 50th year.
The Priority of Obedience: 26.1-27.34
The final two chapters of Leviticus provide instructions about the blessings that will follow the nation if they will obey God, as well as the punishment that will occur if they choose to disobey. Final rules for redeeming what belongs to God are given.
The Jewish Calendar
The Sabbath
First and foremost was the celebration of the Sabbath. It commemorated both Creation (Ex. 20.8–11; cf. Gen. 2.1–3) and Israel’s release from slavery (Deut. 5.12, 15; cf. Ex. 23.12). It was a sign of Israel’s holiness because of its election by God and its relation to him in the Covenant. The relationship is to be set forth in the holiness or “Separation” of Israel on the Sabbath from all work and ordinary occupation (Ex. 35.2–3), from contact with the secular world outside the house (Lev. 23.3).
The New Moon or Feast of Trumpets
Trumpets blast officially proclaiming the beginning of a new month. Sacrifices were offered and hard work ceased.
The Sabbatical Year
Sabbath rest for the land was celebrated every seventh year. It celebrated Israel’s faith that the land was a gift of God to his people. As a double portion of manna appeared on the sixth day (Ex. 16.5), so the promise that in the sixth year the land would bear fruit for three years (Ex. 21.2–6), in which the poor and animals might eat freely and every creditor would cancel the loan he has made to his fellow Israelite (Deut. 15.1–6).
Jubilee
After seven observances of the Sabbatical Year came the Year of Jubilee—the fiftieth year. Its requirements were virtually identical with those of the Sabbatical Year.
The Jewish Calendar by Month
The Julian or civil calendar is based on the cycle of the Earth around the sun. The length of this cycle called the solar year, is very close to 365¼ days.
The Hebrew calendar, on the other hand, is based on the cycle of the moon around the Earth. The length of this cycle, the lunar month, is about 29½ days. Twelve lunar months make therefore about 354 days, which is 11¼ days shorter than the solar year.
In biblical times, the arrival of the new month was determined by watching the phase of the moon. However, in modern times a fixed calendar is used in which the length of the months alternates between 29 and 30 days. Here are the names of the months in the Hebrew calendar:
The names of the months of the Hebrew calendar are:
- Abib or Nisan (Exodus 12:2-37; Exodus 13:4; Nehemiah 2:1; Esther 3:7); March April
- Iyar or Zif (1 Kings 6:1); April May
- Sivan (Esther 8:9); May June
- Tammuz (Ezekiel 8:14); June July
- Ab; July August
- Elul (Nehemiah 6:15); August September
- Ethanim or Tishri (1 Kings 8:2); September October
- Marchesvan or Bul (1 Kings 6:38); October November
- Chisleu (Zechariah 7:1); November December
- Tebeth (Esther 2:16); November December
- Sebat (Zechariah 1:7); January February
- Adar (Esther 3:7). February March
Questions Leviticus Answers
- How do we walk with a loving God?
- How can sinners come into the presence of a living holy God?
- When one has fallen, how can he or she re-enter the presence and protection of God?
Questions for Reflection
- Why do you believe that obedience is a high value with God?
- How does our relationship with God and our relationship with others work together?
- How does one’s “folk theology” about grace work out with our religious work effort?
- Why do you think that we are driven by our work effort to please God?
Helpful Resources
- Exodus and Leviticus for Everyone (The Old Testament for Everyone)
- The Book of Leviticus (New International Commentary on the Old Testament)
- Leviticus As Literature
- The New American Commentary Volume 3A – Leviticus
- Leviticus, Numbers (NIV Application Commentary)
