Leviticus

Old Testament: the Law

Leviticus

About this book

Leviticus tells how the Lord continued to give laws and instructions to Moses. The book's name is related to the word “Levite”, a term referring to a person who belonged to the tribe of Levi. Levites were to be special servants of the Lord at the sacred tent, and the priests came from one of the Levite families. Much of the book deals with the responsibilities of the priests and other Levites, for example, sacrifices, gifts to the Lord, and religious festivals. But this book also contains laws about what animals could be used for food, what materials could be used for clothing, and how to care for the poor.

Most of the book is made up of laws, but it has a few stories telling what happened when the people or priests obeyed or disobeyed God's instructions. God was quick to punish those who rebelled, but he also made this promise to those who would obey him:

I will walk with you—I will be your God, and you will be my people. I am the LORD your God, and I rescued you from Egypt, so that you would never again be slaves. I have set you free; now walk with your heads held high.

(26.12,13)

A quick look at this book

1. Laws about sacrifices (1.1—7.38)

2. Ordaining the priests (8.1-36)

3. Aaron's first sacrifices (9.1-24)

4. Two priests are killed (10.1-20)

5. Laws about what is clean and unclean (11.1—15.33)

6. Laws about the Great Day of Forgiveness (16.1-34)

7. Laws on various subjects (17.1—20.27)

8. Rules for priests to follow (21.1—22.33)

9. Instructions for religious festivals (23.1—25.55)

10. Blessings and punishments (26.1-46)

11. Laws about promises and offerings to the Lord (27.1-34)