Law · Old Testament
Leviticus
c. 1445 BC
- Section
- Law · Old Testament
- Events span
- c. 1445 BC
- Written
- c. 1446–1406 BC critical view: The Priestly (P) source, compiled after the exile
- Author
- Moses critical view: The Priestly (P) writers, compiled after 586 BC
Leviticus gives Israel the laws for approaching a holy God: the system of sacrifices, the ordination of the priesthood, the Day of Atonement, and a code of clean and holy living. Its refrain is “Be holy, for I am holy.”
Key themes
- Holiness
- Atonement and sacrifice
- Clean and unclean
- The priesthood
- God dwelling among his people
Structure & key laws
- Laws for the five offerings: burnt, grain, peace, sin, and trespass
- Aaron and his sons are ordained as priests and begin their ministry
- Nadab and Abihu offer unauthorized fire before the LORD and are struck dead
- Laws of clean and unclean foods
- Laws for purification, childbirth, skin diseases, and mildew
- The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur): the high priest and the scapegoat cleanse the nation
- The Holiness Code: laws on blood, sexual morality, and "love thy neighbour as thyself"
- Penalties, priestly regulations, and the appointed feasts of the LORD
- The sabbatical year, the Jubilee, and blessings and curses; laws on vows and tithes
“Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.”