Leviticus (Preview)

25 Jun 2026 - Theology

Leviticus (Preview)

Date: 1446-1406 BC
Author: Moses
Audience: Ancient Israelites

Ancient Eastern Weddings:

1. Betrothal (Cup of the Covenant) - Genesis 12
2. Groom leaves to prepare the house - Exodus 1-12
3. Arrival of the bridegroom - Exodus 12
4. Bride is consecrated - Exodus 19:10-15
5. Shofar is sounded (bride’s entrance) - Exodus 19:16
6. Gather under the chuppah - Exodus 19:17
7. Presentation of the ketubah - Exodus 20-23
8. Exchange of wedding gifts - Exodus 25-40, Leviticus
9. Consummation of the marriage - Exodus 40
10. “Honeymoon” year (Deuteronomy 24:5)

If God’s covenant with His chosen people can be compared to a wedding (see Exodus 19), the book of Leviticus is considered to be a part of the wedding gifts exchanged between God and the people. The law in Leviticus is not an oppresive set of rules we must follow, but a gift that allows us to be in right relationship with the God who loves us.

The purpose of the Book of Leviticus is to show the calling of God’s people (particularly the Levites) to minister before Him. The book serves as the moral and ethical law for the Israelites, containing civil, sanitary, ceremonial, moral, and religious regulations. While the Tabernacle was constructed in the book of Exodus, it is here in the book of Leviticus that the people of Israel learn what to do with it.

The Israelites are unique in history in that they received their laws before their entry into the land. Normally, first comes the land, and only later, the laws. In the case of the Israelites, first came the laws, and only afterwards, a generation later, the land.

The Torah itself (Genesis to Deuteronomy) is structured like a chiasm with the climax in the middle. Leviticus is the central book of the Torah, making it the most important book of the five. It is no accident that for many centuries, it was customary to make it the first book to be taught to Jewish children when they began their education.

While the book translated in English is called “Leviticus”, the Hebrew name for the book is “Vayikra”, meaning “He called”, the first words of the book in Hebrew. All Hebrew names for books of the Bible are taken from the first significant word/s of their respective books.

Leviticus 1:1-2 - “And the Lord called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel…”

In other ancient religions, such as ancient Egypt, priests kept their laws and rituals secret from the people, and thus they were thought by the people to have magic powers. But here in Leviticus, the Lord commands Moses to speak to all the Israelite people. The priestly laws are given to all of us.

Exodus 19:6 - “And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.”

All people of Israel are to be a “kingdom of priests”. This does not say that Israel is to be a kingdom that has priests, but a kingdom of priests - meaning the entire kingdom is meant to be priests.

Roles of a priest:

• Put God on display (be different from the world)
• Help people navigate their atonement (using the law as a guide but pointing them to Christ)
• Intercede on behalf of others (stand in the gap between God and the world)
• Distribute resources to those in need (charity and service)

References

1. The Hebrew - Greek Key Study Bible (KJV Version)
2. When Was Each Book of the Bible Written? - Bible Gateway
3. The Torah Portion-by-Portion by Rabbi Seymour Rossel (2007)
4. The BEMA Podcast, Episode 25: A Kingdom of What?