LEVITICUS

THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS 18:1). (2) The Levitical Code fits the time of Moses.
Economic, civil, moral, and religious consideration
Leviticus is God’s guidebook for His newly shows it to be ancient. Many of the laws are also related
redeemed people, showing them how to worship, to a migratory lifestyle.
serve, and obey a holy God. Fellowship with God
through sacrifice and obedience show the awesome THE TIME OF LEVITICUS
holiness of the God of Israel, Indeed, “you shall be No geographical movement takes place in
holy, for I the Lord your God am holy’” ( 9:2) Leviticus: the children of Israel remain camped at
Leviticus focuses on the worship and walk the foot of Mount Sinai (25:1, 2; 26:46; 27:34). The
of the nation of God. In Exodus, Israel was new calendar of Israel begins with the first Passover
redeemed and established as a kingdom of priests (Ex. 12:2) and, according to Exodus 40:17, the
and a holy nation. Leviticus shows how God’s tabernacle is completed exactly one year later.
people are to fulfill their priestly calling. Leviticus picks up the story at this point and
The Hebrew title is Wayyiqra, “And He takes place in the first month of the second year.
Called.” The Talmud refers to Leviticus as the “Law Numbers 1:1 opens at the beginning of the second
of the Offerings.” The Greek title appearing in the month. Moses probably wrote much of the Leviticus
offerings Septuagint is Leuitikon, “That Which during that first month and may have put it in its
Pertains to the Levites.” From this word, the Latin final form shortly before his death in Moab, about
Vulgate derived its name Leviticus which was 1405 B.C.
adopted as the English title. This title is slightly THE CHRIST OF LEVITICUS
misleading because the book does not deal with the
Levites as a whole but more with the priests, a The Book of Leviticus is replete with types
segment of Levites. and allusions to the person and work of Jesus
Christ. Some of the more important include: (1) The
THE AUTHOR OF LEVITICUS
five offerings: The burnt offering typifies Christ’s
The kind of arguments used to confirm the total offering in submission to His Father’s will.
Mosaic authorship of Genesis and Exodus also apply to The meal offering typifies Christ’s sinless service.
Leviticus because the Pentateuch is a literally unit. In The peace offering is a type of the fellowship
addition to these arguments, others include the believers have with God through the work of the
following: cross. The sin offering typifies Christ as our guilt-
bearer. The trespass offering typifies Christ’s
External Evidence: (1) A uniform ancient
testimony supports the Mosaic authorship of Leviticus. payment for the damage of sin. (2) The high priest:
(2) Ancient parallels to the Levitical system of trespass There are several comparisons and contrast between
offerings have been found in the Ras Shamra Tablets Aaron, the first high priest, and Christ, our eternal
dating from about 1400 B.C. and discovered on the coast high priest. (3) The seven feast: Passover speaks of
of northern Syria. (3) Christ ascribes the Pentateuch the substitutionary death of the Lamb of God. Christ
(which includes Leviticus) to Moses (cf. Matt. 8:2-4 and died on the day of Passover. Unleavened Bread
Lev. 14:1-4; Matt. 12:4 and Lev. 24:9; see also Luke speaks of the holy walk of the believer (1 Cor. 5:6-
2:22) 8). Firstfruits speaks of Christ’s resurrection as the
Internal Evidence: (1) Fifty-six times in the firstfruits of the resurrection of the believers (1 Cor.
twenty-seven chapters of Leviticus it is stated that God 15:20-23). Christ rose on the day of the Firstfruits.
imparted these laws to Moses (see 1:1; 4:1; 6:1; 24; Pentecost speaks of the descent of the Holy Spirit
after Christ’s ascension. Trumpets, the Day of redeemed people into worship, service, and
Atonement, and Tabernacles speak of events obedience to God, Leviticus falls into two major
associated with the second advent of Christ. This sections: (1) sacrifice (1-17), and (2) sanctification
may be why these three are separated by a long gap (18-27).
from the first four in Israel’s annual cycle.
Sacrifice (1-17): This section teaches that
KEYS TO LEVITICUS God must be approached by the sacrificial offerings
(1-7), by the mediation of the priesthood (8-10), by
Key Word: Holiness – Leviticus centers the purification of the nation from uncleanness (11-
around the concept of the holiness of God, and how 15), and by the provision for national cleansing and
an unholy people can acceptably approach Him and fellowship (16 and 17). The blood sacrifices remind
then remain in continued fellowship. The way to the worshipers that because of sin the holy God
God is only through blood sacrifice, and the walk requires the costly gift of life (17:11). The blood of
with God is only through obedience to His laws. the innocent sacrifice animal becomes the substitute
Key Verses: Leviticus 17:11; 20:7, 8 – “For for the life of the guilty offerer: without shedding of
the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given blood there is no remission” (Heb. 9:22).
it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your Sanctification (18-27): The Israelites serve
souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for a holy God who requires them to be holy as well. To
the soul’” (17:11). be holy means to be “set apart” or “separated”.
“Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy, They are to be separated from other nations unto
for I am the Lord your God. And you shall keep My God. In Leviticus the idea of holiness appears
statutes, and perform them: I am the Lord who eighty-seven times, sometimes indicating
sanctifies you” (20:7, 8). ceremonial holiness (ritual requirements), and other
times moral holiness (purity of life). This
Key Chapter: Leviticus 16 – The Day of sanctification extends to the people of Israel (8-20),
Atonement (“Your Kippur”) was the most the priesthood (21 and 22), their worship (23 and
important single day in the Hebrew calendar as it 24), their life in Canaan (25 and 26) and their
was the only day the high priest entered into the special vows (27). It is necessary to remove the
Holy of Holies to “make atonement for you, to defilement that separates the people from God so
cleanse you, that you may be clean from all your that they can have a walk of fellowship with their
sins before the Lord” (16:30). Redeemer.

SURVEY OF EXODUS

It has been said that it took God only one

night to get Israel out of Egypt, but it took forty
years to get Egypt out of Israel. In Exodus, Israel
redeemed and established as a kingdom of priest
and a holy nation; and in Leviticus, Israel is taught
how to fulfill their priestly call. They have been led
out from the land of bondage in Exodus and into the
sanctuary of God in Leviticus. They move from
redemption to service, from deliverance to
dedication. This book serves as a handbook for the
Levitical priesthood, giving instruction and
regulations for worship. Use to guide a newly
FOCUS SACRIFICE SANCTIFICATION
REFERENCE 1:1------8:1-----------11:1------------16:1---------18:1-----------21:1----------23:1---------25:1-------27:1---------27:34
DIVISION THE CONSECREATION CONSECRATION NATIONAL FOR THE FOR THE IN IN THE THROUGH
OFFERINGS OF THE PRIESTS OF THE PEOPLE ATONEMENT PEOLPE PRIESTS WORSHIP LAND OF VOWS
CANAAN

THE WAY TO GOD THE WALK WITH GOD

TOPIC THE LAWS OF ACCEPTABLE APPROACH TO GOD THE LAWS OF CONTINUED FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD

LOCATION MOUNT SINAI

TIME c. 1 MONTH

OUTLINE OF LEVITICUS

Part One: The Laws of Acceptable Approach to 1. Offerings for the Priest…………..9:1-14
God: Sacrifice (1:1 – 17:16) 2. Offerings for the People………..9:15-21
I. The Laws of Acceptable Approach to God 3. The Lord Accepts the Offerings..9:22-24
……………………………………..1:1-7:38 C. Failure of the Priesthood…………...10:1-20
1. The Sin of Nadab and Abihu…...10:1-11
A. Laws of Approach to God When in 2. The Sin of Eleazar and Ithamar.10:12-20
Fellowship ………………………...1:1-3:17 III. The Laws of Israel
1. The Burnt Offering ……………...1:1-17 Regarding Purity..……………..11:1-15:33
2. The Grain Offering……………... 2:1-16
3. The Peace Offering……………... 3:1-17 A. Concerning Clean and
B. Laws of Approach to God When Out of Unclean Food ………… …………11:1-47
Fellowship…………………………. 4:1-6:7 1. Animals of the Earth …………….11:1-8
1. The Sin Offering ………………4:1-5:13 2. Living Things in the Waters…... 11:9-12
2. The Trespass Offering………... 5:14-6:7 3. Birds of the Air………………..11:13-19
C. Laws of Administering Offering ….6:8-7:38 4. Winged Insects ……………….11:20-23
1. The Burnt Offering……………... 6:8-13 5. The Carcasses of
2. The Grain Offering……………. 6:14-23 the Unclean Animals………….11:24-28
3. The Sin Offering………………. 6:24-30 6. Creeping Things ……………...11:29-38
4. The Trespass Offering………….. 7:1-10
5. The Peace Offering……………. 7:11-36 Part Two: The Laws of Acceptable Walk with God:
6. The Summary of the Offerings.. 7:37, 38 Sanctification (18:1-27:34)
II. The Laws of the Priest.....……... 8:1-10:20
I. The Laws of Sanctification
A. The Consecration of the Priesthood... 8:1-36 for the People …………………...18:1-20:27
1. Consecration Commanded by God..8:1-5
2. Cleansing the Priest with Water……..8:6 A. Laws of Sexual Sin ………………...18:1-30
3. Special Garments………………….8:7-9 B. Laws of Social Order……………… 19:1-37
4. Anointing with Oil ……………..8:10-13 C. Laws of Penalties …………………..20:1-27
5. Consecrating with Blood ………8:14-30 1. The Penalty for
6. The Priest Are to Remain in the Worshiping Molech……………...20:1-5
Tabernacle ……………………..8:31-36 2. The Penalty for
B. The Ministry of the Priesthood………9:1-24 Consulting Spirits………………..20:6-8
 3. The Penalty for Cursing Parents…...20:9

4. The Penalty For Committing Sexual Sins

………………………………...20:10-21
5. The Purpose of the Laws of B. Results of the Obedience and Disobedience
Sanctification of the People…...20:22-27 in the Land of Canaan ……………..26:1-46
1. Basic Requirements
II. The Laws of Sanctification for the of Obedience…………………….26:1, 2
Priesthood……………………….21:1-22:33 2. Conditions and Results
of Obedience …………………...26:3-13
A. Prohibited Practices of the Priests …21:1-15 3. Conditions and Results
1. Laws Concerning Priests……….21:1-15 of Disobedience……………… 26:14-39
2. Laws Concerning the High Priests 4. The Promise of Restoration …..26:40-46
………………………………...21:10-15
B. People Prohibited from the Priesthood V. The Laws of Sanctification
…………………………………….21:16-24 Through Vows…………………… 27:1-34
C. Things Prohibited of the Priesthood..22:1-16
D. Sacrifices Prohibited of the A. The Special Consecrating
Priesthood…………………………22:17-30 of Acceptable Things……………….27:1-25
E. The Purpose of the Laws of the 1. Consecration of Person…………..27:1-8
Priesthood…………………………22:31-33 2. Consecration of Animals……….27:9-13
3. Consecration of Houses………27:14, 15
III. The Laws of Sanctification 4. Consecration of Fields………...27:16-25
in Worship……………………...23:1-2:4-23 B. Things Excluded
from Consecration………...………27:26-34
A. Laws of Sanctified Feasts 1. Firstborn Clean Animals….…..27:26, 27
of Worship …………………………23:1-44 2. Devoted Things……………….27:28, 29
1. The Weekly Sabbath ……………12:1-3 3. Tithes………………………….27:30-33
2. Yearly Feasts …………………..23:4-44 C. The Conclusion of Leviticus………….27:34
a. Passover……………………..23:4, 5
b. Unleavened Bread…………...23:6-8
c. Firstfruits…………………...23:9-14
d. Pentecost………………….23:15-22
e. Trumpets…………………..23:23-25
f. Day of Atonement………...23:26-32
g. Tabernacles………………..23:33-44
B. Laws of the Sanctified
Elements of Worship ………………..24:1-9
1. Oil for the Lamps………………...24:1-4
2. The Showbread…………………..24:5-9
C. Law of the Sanctified
Name of God……………………...24:10-23

IV. The Laws of Sanctification in the Land of

Canaan ………………………….25:1-26:46

A. Laws of the Sanctification of the Land of

Canaan ……………………………..25:1-55
1. Law of the Sabbath Year ……….25:1-7
2. Law of the Year of Jubilee……..25:8-55