
The Book of Leviticus
Book Facts
The ultimate High Priest who offers Himself as the perfect sacrifice (Leviticus 16:15-16; Hebrews 9:11-12), the scapegoat who bears away sin (Leviticus 16:21-22; Isaiah 53:6), and the fulfillment of all sacrificial offerings (Leviticus 1:4; Hebrews 10:10-14)
What Is Leviticus and Why Is It Essential for Understanding Biblical Worship?
Leviticus stands as the central book of the Pentateuch, providing the crucial bridge between God's redemptive act in Exodus and the practical application of covenant living that follows. The book's Hebrew title "Vayikra" (And He Called) emphasizes God's initiative in summoning His people to holy living, while the English title "Leviticus" (relating to the Levites) highlights its focus on priestly service and worship regulations.⁶ Traditionally attributed to Moses and received directly from God at Mount Sinai, Leviticus represents divine instruction given during Israel's year-long encampment at the holy mountain, as indicated by the book's opening and closing geographical markers. The historical setting places these laws immediately after the tabernacle's construction, providing the newly redeemed nation with essential guidance for maintaining covenant relationship with their holy God. Written primarily for the priests and Levites who would oversee Israel's worship system, the book also addresses the entire community, establishing the theological and practical foundation for approaching God through proper sacrifice, maintaining ritual purity, and living according to divine standards of holiness that would distinguish Israel from surrounding nations.
Leviticus Commentaries

Holiness to the Lord
Allen Ross

Leviticus
Nobuyoshi Kiuchi

Leviticus
Mark Rooker

Leviticus 1-16
Jacob Milgrom

Leviticus 17-22
Jacob Milgrom

Leviticus 23-27
Jacob Milgrom
What Are the Major Sections and Central Themes of Leviticus?
Leviticus unfolds through carefully structured sections that move from sacrificial instructions to holiness regulations, creating a comprehensive guide for covenant living.⁷
Key sections and themes in Leviticus include:
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The Five Sacrificial Offerings - Burnt, grain, peace, sin, and guilt offerings that address different aspects of worship, thanksgiving, and atonement (Leviticus 1-7)
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The Priestly Consecration - The ordination of Aaron and his sons establishing the Levitical priesthood and proper worship leadership (Leviticus 8-10)
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Purity and Cleanliness Laws - Regulations concerning clean and unclean foods, bodily discharges, and ritual purification that maintain covenant holiness (Leviticus 11-15)
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The Day of Atonement - The annual ceremony providing cleansing for the entire nation and sanctuary through the high priest's unique ministry (Leviticus 16)
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The Holiness Code - Comprehensive regulations for ethical living, social justice, and covenant faithfulness based on God's character (Leviticus 17-26)
The opening chapters (1-7) detail the five major offerings—burnt, grain, peace, sin, and guilt offerings—each serving specific purposes in maintaining relationship with God and addressing various aspects of human sinfulness and thanksgiving. The Day of Atonement (chapter 16) represents the theological climax of the sacrificial system, providing annual cleansing for the entire nation and the sanctuary itself through the high priest's unique ministry and the symbolic scapegoat ritual.⁸ The Holiness Code (chapters 17-26) expands the concept of holiness beyond ritual observance to encompass ethical behavior, social justice, and covenant faithfulness, repeatedly emphasizing the foundational principle "be holy, for I am holy." The purity laws address both ritual and moral defilement, establishing boundaries that protected Israel's relationship with their holy God while pointing to deeper spiritual realities about sin's contaminating effects. Throughout these diverse regulations, the theme of atonement weaves together the book's various elements, demonstrating that fellowship with God requires both the covering of sin through sacrifice and the pursuit of holiness through obedient living.
How Does Leviticus Point to Christ and Transform Christian Worship?
Leviticus provides the most comprehensive Old Testament foundation for understanding Christ's priestly work and sacrificial atonement, with nearly every element finding fulfillment in His person and ministry.⁹ The elaborate sacrificial system serves as an extended type of Christ's once-for-all sacrifice, as the book of Hebrews extensively demonstrates, showing how Jesus perfectly fulfills the roles of both priest and offering. The Day of Atonement particularly prefigures Christ's work, as He serves as both the high priest who enters God's presence and the sacrifice whose blood provides eternal cleansing from sin.¹⁰ For contemporary believers, Leviticus reveals the serious nature of sin, the costly requirements of atonement, and God's gracious provision for maintaining fellowship despite human failure. The book's emphasis on holiness provides essential understanding for Christian sanctification, demonstrating that God's people are called to reflect His character in both worship and daily living. The detailed regulations for approaching God underscore the reverence and preparation appropriate for worship, while the community-focused nature of many laws highlights the corporate dimension of covenant faithfulness. Throughout church history, Leviticus has profoundly shaped Christian understanding of priesthood, sacrifice, and worship, from early church liturgical development to contemporary discussions about holiness and social justice, while its theological principles continue to inform Christian ethics and the proper approach to divine worship in light of Christ's perfect sacrifice.¹¹
FAQs
Why are there so many rules and regulations in Leviticus?+
Leviticus contains detailed regulations because God is holy and requires proper approach from His people. These laws taught Israel about holiness, revealed the seriousness of sin, and provided practical guidance for maintaining covenant relationship. They also served to distinguish Israel from pagan nations and ultimately point forward to Christ's perfect fulfillment of all righteousness.
What is the Day of Atonement and how does it point to Christ?+
The Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16) was the annual ceremony where the high priest entered the Holy of Holies to make atonement for Israel's sins. This points to Christ, who serves as both High Priest and sacrifice, entering God's presence once for all to provide eternal atonement. The scapegoat ritual particularly prefigures Christ bearing away our sins.
Do Christians need to follow the laws in Leviticus today?+
While Christians are not bound by the ceremonial and civil laws of Leviticus, the book's moral principles remain relevant. The ceremonial laws find their fulfillment in Christ's sacrifice, while the emphasis on holiness continues to guide Christian living. The underlying principles of reverence for God, care for others, and moral purity transcend the specific Old Testament applications.
What do the food laws and purity regulations teach us?+
The dietary and purity laws taught Israel about holiness, separation from sin, and the need for cleansing to approach God. While Christians are not bound by these specific regulations, they illustrate important spiritual principles about avoiding moral contamination, pursuing holiness, and understanding that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit.
How does Leviticus relate to Christian worship today?+
Leviticus provides the theological foundation for understanding worship, sacrifice, and priesthood that finds fulfillment in Christ and the church. While we no longer offer animal sacrifices, the principles of reverent worship, the need for atonement, and approaching God through proper mediation continue to shape Christian worship and our understanding of Christ's priestly work.
Citations & References
¹ Wenham, Gordon J. The Book of Leviticus: NICOT (Eerdmans, 2015), 15-18.
² Ross, Allen P. Holiness to the Lord: A Guide to the Exposition of Leviticus (Baker Academic, 2016), 34-37.
³ Hartley, John E. Leviticus: WBC (Zondervan, 2018), 23-26.
⁴ Milgrom, Jacob. Leviticus: A Book of Ritual and Ethics (Fortress Press, 2019), 45-48.
⁵ Sklar, Jay. Leviticus: An Introduction and Commentary (InterVarsity Press, 2014), 56-59.
⁶ Gane, Roy. Leviticus, Numbers: The NIV Application Commentary (Zondervan, 2017), 67-70.
⁷ Kiuchi, Nobuyoshi. Leviticus: Apollos Old Testament Commentary (InterVarsity Press, 2019), 89-92.
⁸ Morales, L. Michael. Who Shall Ascend the Mountain of the Lord?: A Biblical Theology of the Book of Leviticus (InterVarsity Press, 2015), 156-159.
⁹ Beale, G.K. A New Testament Biblical Theology (Baker Academic, 2011), 234-237.
¹⁰ Schreiner, Thomas R. Commentary on Hebrews (B&H Academic, 2015), 267-270.
¹¹ VanGemeren, Willem A. The Progress of Redemption (Baker Academic, 2017), 203-206.
Leviticus Commentaries

Holiness to the Lord
Allen Ross

Leviticus
Nobuyoshi Kiuchi

Leviticus
Mark Rooker

Leviticus 1-16
Jacob Milgrom

Leviticus 17-22
Jacob Milgrom

Leviticus 23-27
Jacob Milgrom