What makes Leviticus special?

The name of this book in the Hebrew Scriptures is taken from the first word of the book, which is translated in English as "The LORD spoke." "Leviticus" is the name given to this book in the Greek version of the Old Testament (the Septuagint). It is related to "Levites," the descendants of Levi who had special assigned duties in Israel's priesthood. But this book mentions the Levites only once (25:32-34), and most of the duties described in the book were to be done by the priests from Aaron's family, who actually performed the sacrifices. The Levites did the basic work of preparing sacrifices, cleaning the holy place, and carrying the sacred objects used in Israel's worship service from place to place.

Why was Leviticus written?

Leviticus is also known by the name it is given by Jewish rabbis, "the Priest's Manual." Much of Leviticus reads like a "how-to" manual for carrying out the sacrifices and cleansing rituals that set Israel apart as God's holy people. But it also emphasizes the "why" of doing these rituals. God's overwhelming love and concern for Israel was made clear in the exodus from Egypt. And the laws that were given at Sinai provided further evidence that God cared for Israel. They were given as a protective umbrella or foundation for the Israelite people. If the people remained true to God and observed the laws and rituals God commanded, they would have a good life. But if they turned away from God, followed idols, or refused to live within the protective bounds of the Law, they could expect suffering and even death.

It is important to keep this "why" of Leviticus in mind while reading the detailed responsibilities of the priests. These responsibilities included making sure that proper sacrifices were offered to God, teaching the people what was clean and unclean, and making arrangements for Israel's yearly religious festivals. The book also contains laws about which animals could be used for food, what materials could be used for clothing, how the people were to treat one another, and what the penalties were for sinning against God and against a neighbor.

Leviticus emphasizes the role of Israel's priests as the chosen representatives of the people before God. In their ritual acts of sacrifice the priests offer thanks to God, seek God's blessings and forgiveness, and announce people clean who have been ritually unclean. The priests are the key links in the chain that holds God and God's people together.

What's the story behind the scene?

Leviticus is the third book in the Pentateuch, the name Christians use for the first five books of the Old Testament. It follows Exodus, which describes the laws God gave at Mount Sinai and provides instructions for building the sacred tent of meeting and all the holy objects that were to be used in worship. Leviticus provides a detailed look at the everyday activities of the priests and God's people as they are settled in camp. Numbers, the book that follows Leviticus, describes God's people on the move.

Leviticus as it exists today probably combines material from the time of Moses with teachings about God's Law that reflect the settled life of Israel in Canaan many years after Moses' death. By then, the people were no longer worshiping in the movable sacred tent that they had used for so many years in the Sinai desert and in Canaan, but were worshiping the LORD in the glorious temple built by Solomon in Jerusalem around 950 B.C. Even so, much of the religious practices described in Leviticus continued to be carried out by priests in the temple.

How is Leviticus constructed?

The following outline divides the book into two main sections with a number of important divisions.

Israel: Community sacrifice and cleanness (1:1--16:34)

• Five kinds of sacrifices (1:1--7:38)
• The ordination and work of Israel's priests (8:1--10:20)
• Cleaning out impurity (11:1--16:34)

Israel: God's holy people (17:1--27:34)

• Laws for all God's people (17:1--20:27)
• Laws for the priests and religious festivals (21:1--25:55)
• Keeping promises: The blessings of obedience (26:1--27:34)