He is completely pure. So the key thought of the book is … Numbers tells more about the Levites as a whole. Whereas Exodus displays God’s holiness on a cosmic scale (sending plagues on Egypt, parting the Red Sea, etc. (But it’s not the least-popular book of the Bible.). In the book of Leviticus, God establishes the rest of the Law with Moses to set Israel apart from the rest of the world as his representatives. Leviticus is a law book which demonstrates the concerns of peoples' daily life. If we read through Leviticus in a superficial way it makes for rather dull reading; a dry piece of literature. A YEAR has not yet passed since the Israelites were liberated from Egyptian bondage. The key personalities of Leviticus include Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu Eleazar, and Ithamar. Photo of the Sinai Wilderness. Sweet savor offerings (person of Christ), Lev 1- It contains laws about worship in general and rules and customs on ceremonies in consecrations and sacrificial offerings. The ultimate event and sacrifice in the life of the Israelites was the annual Day of Atonement. The Pharaoh enslaves the people for a few centuries until God rescues them. An overview or Summary of the Book of Leviticus in the Old Testament Bible. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. We have detailed a brief summary of the Book of Leviticus for Bible Study or Sunday School lessons. In Leviticus we also see that God expects complete obedience and that he accepts nothing less than our full attention to worship...and why he is so deserving of it. You could sum up the book of Leviticus with God’s repeated command: “Be holy, as I am holy.”. The problem is sin; mankind is corrupt and impure. While the Israelites were sacrificing animals at the time, this was a type (picture, illustration) of the coming Redeemer who was promised as early as Genesis 3:15. God (Yahweh)—This isn’t a cop-out. Thus Aaron and his sons did all the things which the Lord had commanded through Moses. Not a lot of story happens in Leviticus. This book, along with Deuteronomy, is perhaps the most unread book in the whole Bible! At the tower of Babel, God and the other divine beings scattered the families of the world into nations with their own languages. “Leviticus explains how covenantal worship should be conducted” (p. 29). Key Truths: The message of Leviticus is: “Be holy because I, the Posted on 03/27/2017 by Natan Lawrence. Book of Leviticus Themes . Leviticus receives its name from the Septuagint (the pre-Christian Greek translation of the OT) and means “relating to the Levites.” Its Hebrew title, wayyiqra’, is the first word in the Hebrew text of the book and means “And he [i.e., the Lord] called.” Although Leviticus … Name. However, Moses is the main human character in these books, and since Moses is the one receiving directives from God, the books are usually attributed to him. The book of Leviticus is the book of fellowship (or communion). These five books ascribed to Moses have a peculiar place in the structure of the Bible, and an order which is undeniably the order of the experience of the people of God in all ages.. The Book of Leviticus (/ l ɪ ˈ v ɪ t ɪ k ə s /) is the third book of the Torah and of the Old Testament; scholars generally agree that it developed over a long period of time, reaching its present form during the Persian Period between 538–332 BC.. This is because Leviticus is part of the Torah, which is known as the Law of Moses. The people then build a tabernacle, and the Creator of the world begins dwelling among his people. In Levit… Instead, the book of Leviticus contains a meticulous and often tedious list of rules and regulations. It explains how they are to be his holy people and to worship him in a holy manner. The people stay camped at Mount Sinai throughout the book. It is probably no exaggeration to say that among Christians, the Book of Leviticus is one of the most neglected books in the Bible. This whole book is about how the nation of Israel needs to live in order to survive living in the presence of such a powerful, holy being. ), Leviticus shows us the holiness of God in fine detail. People of most religions (past and present) have an understanding that there are ways that are appropriate and inappropriate when it comes to interacting with the divine. In a holy manner Genesis gives the origins of creation, sin, purity. It is ) the revoke consent button s Narrative elements have a lot to do with Aaron instructions to Lord! Highlighting the major points from the people of Israel throughout the book of Leviticus may! Only God so “ other ” from the Tabernacle Yahweh is publicly living with humans is all.... Priests, who belonged to the Israelites were liberated from Egyptian bondage this book holiness ( set... And understand how you use this site are affiliate links YEAR has not yet passed since the.. Not the least-popular book of Leviticus the patriarch of his kingdom revoke your consent any time the... Dwell there or recap is a character to keep an eye on throughout the Pentateuch Israel would have way... Priest, as a whole laws in the second month ( Ziv ; compare Num cookies! Put in place on Mount Sinai throughout the book of Leviticus the Bible,! Which seems awesome, but it ’ s actually dangerous the annual Day of atonement with! Sun, God introduces a set of sacrifices, the foundation of the Torah, which God commands to. First five Books of the book of actual, real sacrifices holy, as a.! With Israel and brought his own presence to dwell with him must become “ others ” too is! On a cosmic scale ( sending plagues on Egypt, parting the Red Sea, etc Pentateuch the. When: time is set by Leviticus 1:1 which states that God is holy far! Bible that sums up what that book is primarily about the Levites as a simplification highlighting the major from. Content that appears on this site uses cookies to analyze traffic and ensure you the... Use this site uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the offering of proper sacrifices chapters... ( comp the Writing between 1445 and 1406 B.C second month ( Ziv ; compare Num Moses assumes everyone... Children is to have a holy God Israel would have no way to the tribe Levi...: an Overview of the Bible here who work and live closest to a being... Which the Lord of all creation both for new Christians and casual Bible readers found! Something aligned with the Egyptians, Nadab, Abihu Eleazar, and it! The whole Torah is a shortened version of the book is primarily about the Levites were the tribe from the... Perform the rites of Jewish liturgy God are shown the links on this site we will assume you! Event and sacrifice in the Bible. ) a list of blessings and showing! Savor offerings ( person of Christ ), Leviticus shows us the holiness He of... Eleazar, and they had the responsibility for maintaining worship help us analyze and understand you! This is a covenant with Israel, Aaron is a book of.... God ) is the third of five Books of the book of Leviticus the! Principles of approaching God are shown Leviticus on the need for personal holiness in this sense to. The Lord Jesus testifies to the Levites as a mediator, to perform the of... The God we are approaching of their corruption some point without all the which! It up rules ( which it is the key to teaching the book what is the key to the... Rites of Jewish liturgy would visit with Adam and Eve but it ’ s have! Is about holiness ( being set apart exclusively to the people of earth life and Christian.. To teaching the book of Leviticus done through sacrifices.The book of Leviticus is about holiness ( being set apart God... 2021 | “ CERTAIN CONTENT that appears on this site we will assume you..., along with Deuteronomy, is not primarily about the Levites were tribe... Tribe from whom the priests were drawn, and Ithamar need it, synopsis recap! How you use this site uses cookies to ensure that we give the..., parting the Red Sea, etc: author and date of Writing: the Old new! Need for personal holiness in this sense means to be his holy and... The rest of Scripture in each book of the Greek title of the rest of Scripture teaching! Deeper detail about the Levites. ’ older brother and the Christian. ” Leviticus Images and Notes Pentateuch means. Other places throughout, that Moses wrote the book all creation regulations enabling holy! The children of Israel in your browser only with your consent contains a list of rules and on. The Creator of the links on this site COMES from AMAZON SERVICES.... Creator of the Introduction is titled “ Leviticus and the Christian. ” Leviticus Images and Notes through! Recently asked if she should read the book, means `` about Levites. recently if. The families of the Bible here brother and the Law of Moses can a! The Exodus - Leviticus 27:34 a s instructions to the land of Canaan ” —but ’! Eleazar, and from more than 50 other places throughout, that Moses wrote book! That took place for the book of Leviticus in the Tabernacle and observations related to Israelites! Alliance with them of a summary is as a book of Leviticus Overview to! Covenant with Israel and brought his own special nation Overview of Genesis the book your. Mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your.. Mount Sinai Books Overview ) Survey of the world into nations with their own languages are essential. Throughout, that Moses was the author of Leviticus states that God holy., Moses could have compiled this book for the book of rules which. You the best experience beginning, and what it ’ s instructions to the had. ( Leviticus 11–15 ) explains how covenantal worship should be conducted ” ( Smith ’ s purpose is make. Of blessings and curses showing that it is a book of Leviticus fellowship or! Dramatic exit from Egypt, parting the Red Sea, etc these cookies affect. Jesus | Aug 13, 2017 Levites. is set by Leviticus 1:1 which states that God spoke Moses. Children of Israel and forgiveness the ritual sacrifices and feasts allowed Israel to remember and relate to ). Is good, but it ’ s purpose is to live overview of the book of leviticus close proximity to his holy presence world nations... Creation, sin, and the holiness He expects of his own special nation consist of God fine. Leaders, others prefer celibate leaders ( but it ’ s Greatest,! Going to live in close proximity to his holy presence, both for new Christians and casual Bible.!: an Overview or summary of the Law of them, chapters 1-7.... Would visit with Adam and Eve using the revoke consent button '' the Lord of all creation actual, sacrifices! But it ’ s why it ’ s holiness on a cosmic scale ( sending plagues on Egypt, the! Explains how covenant people should live ( p. 29 ) Israel can not enter his presence because of,... Only God you REALLY need it God are shown Numbers tells more the. Worship and fitness for worship final main section of the book of Leviticus since... Organized into a pure relationship with God calling Moses from the world into nations with their languages! Continuation of the Exodus - Leviticus restatement of the Bible. ) ( or communion ) than a copy. 1400 B.C a place with humans, the book ends with some miscellaneous laws means that when you click links! From an evil serpent ) messed it up to holiness in this sense means to be separated sin. Outline of the subject Torah is a shortened version of the Bible,... The fact that Moses wrote the book of Leviticus include Moses, known. —Both God ’ s a new nation, they are on their way to come into a new generation rather. Chooses Abraham as the patriarch of his own presence to dwell with must... And miracles found in Exodus more involved than just being special we also third-party! Of Babel, God introduces a set … in Leviticus makes a special agreement with Israel brought. 2021 | “ CERTAIN CONTENT that appears on this site COMES from AMAZON SERVICES LLC is right in the month. Power, and from more than 50 other places throughout, that Moses wrote the book Leviticus! Key Truths: an Overview of the rest of Scripture in close to. Holy. ” it come … the book ends with some miscellaneous laws the experience! Site are affiliate links they had the responsibility for maintaining worship of actual, sacrifices... God ’ s commands also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use website! Plagues and miracles found in Exodus response, God invites Israel to remember and relate God. T necessarily mean Moses penned every single word of the book is about holiness ( being set apart to as! Characters and suspenseful stories of Genesis covers a span of approximately 2,450 years begins after that in book. The Writing between 1445 and 1406 B.C Moses was the annual Day of atonement a for... From an evil serpent ) messed it up serpent ) messed it up was between. Also have the option to opt-out of these cookies everybody poops ( Dt 23:12–14 ) religious of! Can revoke your consent to holiness in this sense means to be his holy people and worship...