Leviticus 11 niv clean and unclean food the lord said. It contains the core of the priestly ritual material of the pentateuch and, in fact, the entire old testament. Allen biology dept science dept oglethorpe university babb junior high school atlanta, georgia 30319 forest park, georgia 30054 leviticus 11 presents dietary laws, specifying which animals are clean. Why is leviticus such a hard book for christians to understand and.
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. It has quite literally changed my life, yet i know so little about it. In exodus god saved his people and formed an alliance with them. Book of leviticus go to index of leviticus chapters leviticus 1.
In response, god introduces a set of sacrifices, the priesthood, and purity laws in the book of leviticus. But within these highly detailed directives we discover the holinessthe separateness, distinction, and utter othernessof god. In addition to these concerns, leviticus, comprising as it does the center of the pentateuch, carries forward the narrative of. The book communicates that receiving gods forgiveness and acceptance should be followed by holy living and. The purpose of leviticus is to provide instruction and laws to guide a sinful, yet redeemed people in their relationship with a holy god. Of all the animals that live on land, these are the ones you may eat. In fact, after jesus sacrificed his life on the cross and rose again, the temple was destroyed in ad 70. The vulgate a revision of the old latin rendered the greek heading liber leviticus book of leviticus from which the english is derived 1.
Because the israelites had been held captive in egypt for 400 years, the concept of god had been distorted by the polytheistic, pagan egyptians. Some say the levitical laws were just for the jewish people, while others say they apply to everyone who would worship god. In order to represent the people to god and god to the people, god institutes. The sacrificial system leviticus 117 grace bible church. The book of leviticus is one of the most important books in the old testament. Leviticus describes in detail the system of animal sacrifices that served to remind israel that it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul leviticus 17.
In leviticus we move on to find out what these priests will do and what god expects of the people. Behind the various offerings lies a deep conviction that god is the lord of all creation. Understanding gods word 66 bible books overview brian gugas on. This summary of the book of leviticus provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of leviticus. First, the whole book magnifies the holiness of god and the importance of how carefully we should approach him an issue that is still important for us today.
While the book addresses issues of the levites responsibilities, much more significantly, all the priests are instructed in how they are to assist the people in worship, and the people are informed about how to live a holy life. The book of leviticus, which is a book of moses, is named after levis the priest. Those laws comprise the detailed patternthe blueprintswhich jesus had in his heart to fulfill on the cross. Holiness in this sense means to be separated from sin and set apart exclusively to the lord for his purpose and for his glory.
In general, the first half of the book covers sacrifices and duties of priests, and the second half states principles of personal as well as ritual holiness. Offerings in leviticuswhat they were and why they mattered. The setting of leviticus mainly appears to take place at mt. There is often confusion about the role of the old testament law and how it relates to christians today. The book of leviticus goes into deeper detail about the divinehuman relationship put in place on mount sinai exodus 1940.
The book of leviticus offers some insight into what being holy entails, explaining that it requires consistent action on the part of israel. The purpose is to underline the character of altar priesthood i. Outline of the book of leviticus instructions for offerings leviticus 17. Understanding the book of leviticus for today by ralph drollinger. In leviticus the principles of approaching god are shown. Basically it means set apart, set apart for a special purpose, unique, unusual. Why leviticus is the most important book in the bible time. The book of leviticus is actually a manual, a howto guide for the new priesthood, explaining the duties of priest and people as they worship god at his tabernacle. Sin must be atoned for through the offering of proper sacrifices chapters 810. The purpose of leviticus is to instruct israel concerning how to maintain holiness within the community, so that the lord would continue to dwell among them. In my continuing series on bible study helps, designed especially for those who have committed to read the bible through in a year, beginning on january 1, you should now be starting on the book of leviticus. There is an emphasis in leviticus on the need for personal holiness in response to a holy god. The book begins with god directing moses to speak to the israelites. According to tradition, the laws of ritual purity have no bearing on physical cleanliness.
Aug 05, 2018 commonly read as a mindnumbing list of obscure and legalistic rules, leviticus actually reveals the lords gracious plan for how his sinful people can approach a perfectly holy god. Following the exciting stories of genesis and exodus leviticus seems to bog down in arcane rules and regulations for israelite worship. This is an adjective suggesting the complete title the levitical book or the book pertaining to the levites 2. Jan 19, 2019 speculation is always part of a story. This takes place within the story of the israelites exodus after they escaped egypt and reached mt. The whole purpose was for israels priests to meet with god. What is the purpose for the book of leviticus answers. Leviticus contains the old testament laws about sacrifices, purity, and atonement. The book of leviticus opens with god calling moses from the tabernacle. The key personalities of leviticus include moses, aaron, nadab, abihu eleazar, and ithamar. In this book, aaron is consecrated as the high priest, but this is also the book in which god kills aarons sons. Like the sun, gods presence is good, but dangerous.
It is full of fine treasure and is worthy of continuous study until the day i go home. Introduction leviticus used to be the first book that jewish children studied in. The book of leviticus is the third book of the torah and of the old testament. Leviticus is composed of two basic genres narrative history and law. The ritual sacrifices and feasts allowed israel to remember and relate to god as his people. C that is, if you accept the exodus as having taken place in the year 1440 b. This puts a more exact date on the time of its writing as 1439 b. The final verse in the last chapter gives a summary statement of the whole book. Scholars call lev 1726 the holiness code, a detailed set of ethical and ritual laws including rules on sexual purity that every israelite must follow to be. This whole book is about how the nation of israel needs to live in order to survive living in the presence of such a powerful, holy being. Because the offerings in leviticus had their ultimate fulfillment in jesus christ, there is no need for them today hebrews 10. Jehovahs witnesses have a book named all scripture is inspired of god and beneficial that describes each book of the bible. 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 of leviticus was specifically directed to the nation of israel.
Leviticus 11 new international version niv clean and unclean food. This is the third book of the old testament immediately following the book of exodus wherein the hebrews have escaped the control and influence of the egyptians. The various sacrifices anticipate the coming of jesus christ. Commonly read as a mindnumbing list of obscure and legalistic rules, leviticus actually reveals the lords gracious plan for how his sinful people can approach a perfectly holy god. The book of leviticus stresses the fact that god is holy and his people are to be holy. In general, it appears that this chapter is a collection of old materials, which with some later additions, was appended to the book of leviticus after the latter was virtually completed, and that the tochechah was intended as the original. Leviticus and the true sacrifice this article provides a good introduction to leviticus, showing how even the least interesting ceremonial books of the old testament foreshadow christ. The overall message of leviticus is sanctification. Leviticus 8 portrays the fulfillment of gods commands pertaining to the ordination of aaron and his sons, as detailed in exodus chapter 29. Jul 01, 20 leviticuss narrative elements have a lot to do with aaron. Leviticus with book summary versebyverse bible commentary.
The book of exodus narrates how moses led the israelites i. Dec 11, 2009 the book of leviticus, which is a book of moses, is named after levis the priest. Leviticus is one of the most intensely theological books of the old testament. To create an essence as a validity, one must use the tools of reality to foster believability. What was the purpose of the writing of leviticus in the bible.
The purpose of these laws was to address spiritual and physical cleanliness. What was the purpose of the writing of leviticus in the. These are the commandments which the lord commanded moses for the children of israel on mount sinai leviticus 27. Understand gods wordthe book of leviticus provides readers with an indepth look into the basics of the mosaic law in a way that. Understanding the book of leviticus for today download study. This book is a set of rules that god gave to moses, so that his hebrew children could learn how to live pleasing unto god. The reason that we struggle with this book is that we do not understand its purpose. Why the leviticus 11 diet plan may work for you charisma. The book of leviticus primarily discusses laws that relate to the levites hence leviticus. But in leviticus 11 and deuteronomy 14, the lord gave instructions through moses about how to eat healthily.
It is the middle volume of what we call the pentateuch, the authorship of which is traditionally ascribed. To guide the israelites in the ways of holiness, so they would be set apart from the. The book of leviticus was written to elevate gods holiness and impress us with the great value and fantastic provision of entering his presence. Overview of the book of leviticus third millennium ministries. A story is usually a life based event, or events, that can be objective, subjective, or both. Thus the book of leviticus is a kind of parenthesis within the ongoing story of redemptive history, placed there to explain israels specific obligations within the mosaic covenant. It contains laws about worship in general and rules and customs on ceremonies in consecrations and sacrificial offerings. You will also find options for commentaries on leviticus that help pastors, teachers, and readers with application of the bible, commentaries that approach the scripture versebyverse, classic christian commentaries, and much more. Prayer helps you overcome anything life throws at you. New testament writers quote the book of leviticus over 15 times. The book begins 17 with descriptions of the different types of sacrifice. 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.
It lies in the center of the pentateuch, between exodus and numbers. The book of leviticus was the first book studied by a jewish child. Therefore, we may conclude that leviticus has not become the most important book because yhvh encoded his name in it, but he inscribed his name because this is the most important book of the bible. What is the background and purpose of the book of leviticus. The book of leviticus was written between 1440 and 1400 b. The purpose of leviticus is to provide instruction and laws to guide a sinful, yet redeemed. The purpose of the sin offering was to cleanse the tabernacle from human defilement. Leviticus is a book about the rites of jewish liturgy. Let me briefly summarize the major contribution of each chapter. Although leviticus is basically a book of laws, it also contains some narrative chapters 89, 10.
In addition to these concerns, leviticus, comprising as it does the center of the pentateuch, carries forward the narrative of exodus cf. The levitical dietary laws in the light of modern science. Understanding the book of leviticus for today by ralph. Dec 28, 2019 the book of leviticus is like that set of blueprints. Numbers numbering or census gives history of israel as a nation her forty years in the wilderness, her journey to the promised land, the census of her people and the inheritance of each tribe. For the most part they cohere as a system and attempt to inculcate a way of life in the book s hearers and readers. Daring to delight in leviticus the gospel coalition.
Scholars attribute the composition of leviticus to two primary sources, the priestly source p of chapters 116, and the holiness source h of chapters 1726. This article explains the purpose of this obscure book. If you have trouble mustering up the excitement to read through leviticus, you are not alone. L eviticus, the third book of the bible, old testament and pentateuch is a mystery to many people. Thus, leviticus is best explained as a guidebook for instructing gods people about holy living and worship. Book of leviticus overview insight for living ministries. It is awesome that i can have this book in my hands. Central to the book of leviticus is the concept of atonement. Leviticus assumes that israel is sinful and impure, and it describes how to deal with sin and impurity so that the holy lord can dwell among his people. Thus, leviticus became the most important book of the bible and the torah, the words of yhvh, became the foundation of the faith. Leviticus contains the vital laws and statutes that were to be preserved by the priesthood so that the people of israel would always remember gods purpose and plan for them. Most of its chapters consist of gods speeches to moses, which god commands moses to repeat to the israelites.
The installation and ministry of aaron and his sons chs. Leviticus is a book that is still important to us that live in the new testament age of grace for several reasons including the following. God gave the book of leviticus to a people already redeemed. The book of leviticus is the book of fellowship or communion. The central message in the book of leviticus is that god, who is holy, requires his people to be holy. Therefore jehovah speaks primarily out of the tabernacle of congregation in this book chap. I like to find a passage in each book of the bible that sums up what that book is all about. For the most part they cohere as a system and attempt to inculcate a way of life in the books hearers and readers. It is probably no exaggeration to say that among christians, the book of leviticus is one of the most neglected books in the bible. 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 with concerns of the priests, who are of the tribe of levi. Leviticus, theology of definition and meaning bible dictionary.