Faith & Reason Nexus

Meaning of Leviticus: “That which pertains to the Levites.” The Hebrew title means “And he called.”
Authorship and Timeframe: Attributed to Moses. Time written: 1445-1444 B.C.
Position in the Bible:

• Leviticus stands as the third book in the Holy Bible.
• It’s the third book in the Old Testament and the Pentateuch (Genesis-Deuteronomy).
• Followed by 63 books in the Bible.

Statistical Overview: Leviticus comprises 27 chapters, 659 verses, and 24,546 words.
Purpose and Audience:

• Leviticus serves as God’s guidebook for His newly redeemed people.
• It instructs the Israelites on how to worship, serve, and obey God.
• Primarily focuses on the priests, a segment of the Levites.

Divine Communication: Throughout the 27 chapters, it’s emphasized 56 times that God imparted these laws to Moses.
Geographical Context: No geographical movement occurs in Leviticus; the Israelites remain at Mt. Sinai.
Narrative Composition: Leviticus contains minimal narrative, predominantly consisting of regulations governing the relationship between God and Israel.

Holiness as a Central Theme:

• A major message is the holiness of God and how sinful man can approach Him.
• The concept of “holiness” appears 87 times in Leviticus.

The Path to God and Sacrificial Offerings:

• To be holy means to be “set apart” or “separated” for God.
• The approach to God involves blood sacrifice (Leviticus 17:11), emphasizing that it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.
• The sacrificial system serves as a reminder that sin requires the costly gift of life, with innocent blood becoming a substitute for guilty life.

Various Offerings in Leviticus:

• Burnt offerings
• Meal offerings
• Peace offerings
• Sin offerings

Leviticus, with its meticulous regulations, unveils a profound understanding of holiness and worship, providing a blueprint for the Israelites to draw near to their God through sacrificial offerings and a life set apart for Him.