INTRODUCTION TO LEVITICUS

Special Introduction to Leviticus

I do not believe that every book in the OT is Messianic. Leviticus is not an allegorical (see Special Topic: Alexandrian School of Biblical Interpretation) or typological study (see Special Topic: Typology) of Christ. Remember, a proper interpretation must be based on
1. the original inspired author's intent as it related to his day
2. NT use or application of Leviticus
  1. Jesus does use Leviticus (i.e. Lev. 19:18) as the place "the second great commandment" is given (cf. Matt. 22:36-40).
  2. Jesus' dialogue with the rich, young ruler in Matt. 19:16-29; Mark 10:17-30; Luke 18:18-20
  3. Jesus 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).

The book gives the procedures that Levitical priests are to follow.
Special Topic: Levitical Priests

The legal and sacrificial elements of Leviticus 1-7 are repetitious. Therefore, I will approach the exegesis as follows:

a detailed outline of the sacrificial procedure (see Special Topic: Sacrificial Systems of the ANE)
a list of Special Topics that relate to Leviticus 1-7
brief verse-by-verse exegetical notes
1. lexical
2. MSS difficulties (see
  Special Topic: Masoretic Text
  Special Topic: Septuagint
  Special Topic: Textual Criticism
3. Special Topics
For a good discussion of the genre of Laws, see
1. Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart, How To Read the Bible For All Its Worth, pp. 163-180
2. D. Brent Sandy and Ronald Giese, Cracking OT Codes, chapter 6, "Law," by Richard E. Averbeck, pp. 113-138

Name of the Book

In the Hebrew Text (MT) it is the first word of the book, "and He (YHWH) called."
The Talmud (Mishnah) called it "the law of the Priests."
From the LXX translation it is "Levitical Book."
The Latin Vulgate of Jerome entitled it "Leviticus."

CANONIZATION

It is part of the first section of the Hebrew Canon called "The Torah" or "teachings" or "Law" (see Special Topic: Hebrew Canon).
The section is known as the Pentateuch (five scrolls) in the LXX.
It is sometimes called "The Five Books of Moses" in English.
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 (Special Topic: Historical Narrative).

AUTHORSHIP ‒ Leviticus 1:1 sets the often repeated pattern (35 times) "YHWH said to Moses" (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 in INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS

SOURCES OF CORROBORATING THE HISTORICAL SETTING ‒ See Special Topic: Sacrifices in Mesopotamia and Israel and their Significance.

LITERARY UNITS (context)

BRIEF OUTLINE:
1. Chapters 1-16 - How to approach a Holy God? See
  Special Topic: Holy
  Special Topic: The Holy One
2. Chapters 17-26 ‒ How does one continue in communion with a Holy God?
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;
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 ANE
    
    (1) Burnt offering, Lev. 1:3-17 & 6:8-13; Special Topic: Burnt Offerings
    
    (2) Meal offering, Lev. 2:1-17 & 6:14-23; Special Topic: Grain Offering
    
    (3) Peace offering, Lev. 3:1-17; 7:33 & 7:11-21; Special Topic: Peace Offering
    
    (4) Sin offering, Lev. 4:1; 5:13 & 6:24-30; Special Topic: Sin Offering
    
    (5) Guilt offering, Lev. 5:14-6:7; 7:1-10; Special Topic: Guilt Offering
    
    (a) Unintentional sin against YHWH's covenant, Lev. 4:1-35; 5:14-19; Special Topic: Unintentional Sins
    
    (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 (Special Topic: Historical Narrative)
    
    (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 (Special Topic: Wine and Strong Drink)
    
    (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 (Special Topic: Food Laws)
    
    (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
    Special Topic: Feasts of Israel, I. E. 2.
2. Restoration of Holiness and Fellowship with YHWH, Leviticus 17-26
  1. The Sacrificial Blood, Lev. 17:1-16 (Special Topic: Blood)
  2. The religious and moral standards, Lev. 18:1-20:27
    
    (1) Incest
    
    (2) Sexual sins
    (Special Topic: Human Sexuality)
    
    (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 (Special Topic: Sabbath)
    
    (2) Passover and Unleavened Bread, Lev. 23:5-8 (Special Topic: Passover)
    
    (3) First-fruits, Lev. 23:9-14
    
    (4) Harvest, Lev. 23:15-24
    
    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
    (Special Topic: Feasts of Israel, II. B., C.)
    
    (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 (Special Topic: Tithing)

MAIN TRUTHS

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.
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.
Wonder of wonders, God desires that His sinful covenant people return to fellowship with Him and He has provided a way, the sacrificial system.
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)
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