Introduction to the third book of Moses, Leviticus

The Third Book of the Bible, the Book of Atonement

The title we commonly use for the third book of Moses, “Leviticus,” was adopted from the Latin Vulgate. The Vulgate, in turn, borrowed the term from the Greek “Leueitikon” in the Septuagint.

Leviticus is derived from the Jewish tribe of Levi. No inheritance was set aside for this tribe in the Promised Land; the entire tribe was designated by God to serve as His priesthood.

In order to provide for these priests and their families nonetheless, God instituted the principle of the “tithe.” According to this, the tenth part of every yield from livestock, fruit, and fields of the entire people of Israel was consecrated to God.
Moses and his brother Aaron, who was appointed the first high priest of Israel, were descendants of Levi, one of the twelve sons of Israel/Jacob.

Leviticus can be translated as “the priestly,” and accordingly, the third book of Moses deals primarily with the Levitical (Aaronic) priesthood, which was established when God made a covenant with the people of Israel at Mount Sinai.

The Jews themselves call the third scroll of the Torah “Vayikra” (in English, “And He Called”), after the first words written therein.

The scroll was written by Moses shortly after his second book, Exodus, which recounts the exodus from Egypt.
It can be divided into two major parts. The first part primarily contains instructions for the priestly service involving sacrifices.

This practice of sacrifice may seem archaic to us today, but there are two things we must not forget.
First, the concept of sacrifice has been documented archaeologically among all peoples and in all religions since the dawn of humanity, and we read as early as in Genesis about the sacrifices of Cain and Abel.
Second, we still make sacrifices today just as we have throughout history. Even though we no longer offer animal sacrifices, we donate their equivalent value—our money—to all kinds of projects, often to ease our conscience.

As mentioned, the sacrificial system in Israel primarily served to provide for the material needs of an entire tribe. Furthermore, sacrificial practices did not involve human sacrifice or magical beliefs, as was the case among pagan peoples.

Generally speaking, two types of sacrifices can be distinguished in the Old Testament sacrificial regulations:
A sacrifice to restore the relationship with God that has been destroyed by sin—examples include the guilt offering and the sin offering.
The other sacrifice, to maintain the relationship with God, such as in the worship associated with the grain, burnt, and peace offerings.

All these different types merely point to the perfect sacrifice through the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, who, through His death, rendered all further sacrifices obsolete and opened a way to God for every person.

The second part of the book is also known as the Holiness Code, based on the central statement, “You shall be holy, for I am holy” (Chapter 19, Verse 2).
Here, additional commandments for the entire Jewish people are listed.
These include laws against sexual immorality and idolatry, dietary laws, and the schedule of festivals for Israel.

However, the pinnacle is found in the commandment of love for one’s neighbor, which Jesus also emphasizes as the highest ideal.
In Chapter 19, Verse 18, it says, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Outline of the Book of Leviticus:

Content of Leviticus:

Leviticus chapter 1
Leviticus chapter 2
Leviticus chapter 3
Leviticus chapter 4
Leviticus chapter 5
Leviticus chapter 6
Leviticus chapter 7
Leviticus chapter 8
Leviticus chapter 9
Leviticus chapter 10
Leviticus chapter 11
Leviticus chapter 12
Leviticus chapter 13
Leviticus chapter 14
Leviticus chapter 15
Leviticus chapter 16
Leviticus chapter 17
Leviticus chapter 18
Leviticus chapter 19
Leviticus chapter 20
Leviticus chapter 21
Leviticus chapter 22
Leviticus chapter 23
Leviticus chapter 24
Leviticus chapter 25
Leviticus chapter 26
Leviticus chapter 27