INTRODUCTION TO LEVITICUS

Special Introduction to Leviticus
1. I do not believe that every book in the OT is Messianic. Leviticus is not an allegorical or typological study of Christ. Remember, a proper interpretation must be based on
  1. the original author's intent as it related to his day
  2. a NT use or application of Leviticus; Jesus does use Leviticus (i.e., Lev. 19:18) as the place "the second great commandment is given" (cf. Matt. 22:39; also note 19:19).
    He also, at times when speaking to Jews, mentioned the legal procedures of the Mosaic law (i.e., Matt. 8:4 referring to Lev. 13:49; 14). However, the specific procedures and tabernacle structure are not Messianic. It must be acknowledged, however, that the sacrificial system as a whole foreshadows Jesus' substitutionary death (i.e., Isaiah 53; John 1:29; Mark 10:45; 2 Cor. 5:21).
2. The legal and sacrificial elements of Leviticus 1-7 are repetitious. Therefore, I will approach the exegesis as follows:
  1. a detailed outline of the sacrificial procedure (see SPECIAL TOPIC: SACRIFICIAL SYSTEMS OF THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST.)
  2. a list of Special Topics that relate to Leviticus 1-7
  3. brief verse-by-verse exegetical notes
    1. lexical
    2. MSS difficulties
    3. Special Topics
Name of the Book
1. In the Hebrew Text (MT) it is the first word of the book, "and He (YHWH) called."
2. The Talmud (Mishnah) called it "the law of the Priests."
3. From the LXX translation it is "Levitical Book."
4. The Latin Vulgate of Jerome entitled it "Leviticus."
CANONIZATION
1. It is part of the first section of the Hebrew Canon called "The Torah" or "teachings" or "Law."
2. The section is known as the Pentateuch (five scrolls) in the LXX.
3. It is sometimes called "The Five Books of Moses" in English.
4. It includes a continuous account by Moses from creation through Moses' life, Genesis - Deuteronomy.
GENRE - The book is mostly legislation, except for the historical narrative of chapters 8-10.
AUTHORSHIP - Leviticus 1:1 sets the often repeated pattern (35 times) "YHWH said to Moses." See the detailed discussion in the Genesis outline at INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS. Also, see SPECIAL TOPIC: MOSES' AUTHORSHIP OF THE PENTATEUCH.
DATE - Compare Exod. 40:2, 17 with Num. 1:1. This shows that it was given to Moses by God in the 1st month of the 2nd year after the Exodus. See the detailed discussion in the book of Exodus outline at INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS.
SOURCES OF CORROBORATING THE HISTORICAL SETTING - See SACRIFICES IN MESOPOTAMIA AND ISRAEL AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE.
LITERARY UNITS (context)
1. BRIEF OUTLINE:
  1. Chapters 1-16 - How to approach a Holy God?
  2. Chapters 17-26 - How does one continue in communion with a Holy God?
2. The author's own use of an introduction formula, "And the Lord spoke unto Moses (or Aaron) saying. . ."
  1. This may imply that this revelatory material was given orally over a period of time.
  2. The places this formula occurs: Lev. 1:1-3:17; 4:1-5:13; 5:14-19; 5:20-26; 6:1-11; 6:12-16; 6:17-7:21; 7:22-38; 8:1-10:20; 11:1-47; 12:1-8; 13:1-59; 14:1-32; 14:33-57; 15:1-33; 16:1-34; 17:1-16; 18:1-3; 19:1-37; 20:1-27; 21:1-24; 22:1-16; 22:17-25; 22:26-33; 23:1-8; 23:9-22; 23:26-32; 23:33-44; 24:1-23; 25:1-26:46; 27:1-34;
3. EXPANDED OUTLINE:
  1. Removal of Uncleanness, Leviticus 1-16
    1. Laws of Sacrifice, Lev. 1:1-7:38 (see SPECIAL TOPIC: SACRIFICIAL SYSTEMS OF THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST.)
      (1) Burnt offering, Lev. 1:3-17 & 6:8-13
      (2) Meal offering, Lev. 2:1-17 & 6:14-23
      (3) Peace offering, Lev. 3:1-17; 7:33 & 7:11-21
      (4) Sin offering, Lev. 4:1; 5:13 & 6:24-30
      (5) Guilt offering, Lev. 5:14-6:7; 7:1-10
      (a) Unintentional sin against YHWH's covenant, Lev. 4:1-35; 5:14-19
      (b) Intentional sin against a covenant partner, Lev. 5:1-13; 6:1-7
      (Lev. 1:1-6:7 for people; chapters 6:8-7:36 for priests)
    2. Consecration of Priests, Lev. 8:1-10:20
      (1) Preparation for anointing, Lev. 8:1-5
      (2) Washing, clothing, and anointing, Lev. 8:6-13
      (3) Anointing sacrifice, Lev. 8:14-32
      (4) Moses gives Aaron instructions, Lev. 9:1-7
      (5) Aaron and sons begin, Lev. 9:8-21
      (6) Aaron blesses the people and YHWH
      (7) The sin of Nadab and Abihu, Lev. 10:1-3
      (8) Their fate and removal, Lev. 10:4-7
      (9) Abstinence from wine while on duty, Lev. 10:8-11
      (10) Priest's part of sacrifices, Lev. 10:12-20
    3. The Clean and Unclean, Leviticus 11-15
      (1) Animals, Leviticus 11 (cf. Deut. 14:6-20)
      (2) Childbirth, Leviticus 12
      (3) Skin diseases, Leviticus 13-14
      (a) In man, Lev. 13:1-46
      (b) In clothes, Lev. 13:47-59
      (c) Purification, Lev. 14:1-32
      (d) In houses, Lev. 14:33-53
      (e) Summary, Lev. 14:54
      (4) Purification from bodily discharges (men and women), Leviticus 15
    4. The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), an annual day of cleansing, Leviticus 16 (this seems to be the climax of chapters 1-16)
      (1) Priestly preparation, Lev. 16:1-4
      (2) Sin offering for the High Priest, Lev. 16:5-10
      (3) The ritual, Lev. 16:23-28
      (4) The annual enactment, Lev. 16:29-34
  2. Restoration of Holiness and Fellowship with God, Leviticus 17-26
    1. The Sacrificial Blood, Lev. 17:1-16
    2. The religious and moral standards, Lev. 18:1-20:27
      (1) Incest
      (2) Sexual sins
      (3) Punishments, Leviticus 20
    3. The Holiness of Priests, Lev. 21:1-22:33
    4. The Holiness of annual feast days, Lev. 23:1-24:23
      (1) Sabbath, Lev. 23:1-3
      (2) Passover and Unleavened Bread, Lev. 23:5-8
      (3) First-fruits, Lev. 23:9-14
      (4) Harvest, Lev. 23:15-24
      (5) Pentecost, Lev. 23:23-25
      (6) Day of Atonement, Lev. 23:26-32 (only fast day)
      (7) Tabernacles (Booths), Lev. 23:33-4
    5. Special Years, Lev. 25:1-55
      (1) Sabbatical, Lev. 25:2-7
      (2) Jubilee, Lev. 25:8-55
      (a) Observance, Lev. 25:8-12
      (b) Effects, Lev. 25:13-34
      (c) Each covenant individual's worth and freedom, Lev. 25:35-55
    6. Covenant Blessing and Cursing, Lev. 26:1-46
  3. Appendix (vows), Lev. 27:1-34
    1. Persons, Lev. 27:1-8
    2. Animals, Lev. 27:9-13
    3. Residences, Lev. 27:14-15
    4. Land, Lev. 27:16-25
    5. Firstlings, Lev. 27:26-27
    6. Devoted thing, Lev. 27:28-39
    7. Tithe, Lev. 27:30-34
MAIN TRUTHS
1. The book of Leviticus is concerned with the legal basis for the civil and religious life of the nation of Israel and the role of the priesthood. It gives guidance for the use of the Tabernacle described in Exodus 25-40.
2. It describes how a sinful man can approach a holy God and also how he maintains fellowship. "Holiness" is the key to the book (cf. Lev. 11:44 [Matt. 5:48]). See SPECIAL TOPIC: HOLY.
3. Wonder of wonders, God desires that His sinful covenant people return to fellowship with Him and He has provided a way, the sacrificial system.
4. YHWH's character is revealed:
  1. In providing a sacrificial system, cf. Leviticus 1-7 (Grace)
  2. In historical acts, cf. Leviticus 8-10 (Justice)
  3. In His continuing presence with the people (Faithfulness)
5. Jesus used Lev. 19:18 as the second of two great commandments that summarize the Law (cf. Matt. 22:36-39; Mark 12:28-31). Jesus knew Leviticus but He quoted Deuteronomy much more often. See SPECIAL TOPIC: PAUL'S VIEWS OF THE MOSAIC LAW and SPECIAL TOPIC: THE MOSAIC LAW AND THE CHRISTIAN.

READING CYCLE ONE ( Guide to Good Bible Reading)

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the entire biblical book at one sitting. State the central theme of the entire book in your own words.

1. Theme of entire book

2. Type of literature (genre)

READING CYCLE TWO

Read the entire biblical book a second time at one sitting. Outline the main subjects and express the subject in a single sentence.

Subject of first literary unit
Subject of second literary unit
Subject of third literary unit
Subject of fourth literary unit
Etc.