The Third Book of Moses Called
LEVITICUS
Author: Traditionally Moses
Date: About 1445 B.C.
Theme: The Sanctity of God and Holiness in Everyday Life
Key Words: Holiness, Offering, Sacrifice
Author. The Book of Leviticus is the third book ascribed to Moses from the Hebrew Scriptures of the Old Testament. In 1:1, the text refers to the word of the Lord, which was spoken to Moses from the tabernacle of meeting; this forms the basis for this entire book of Scripture. The priests and Levites have preserved its contents.
Date. Scholars have dated the Book of Leviticus from the time of Moses’ activities (earlier dating in the fifteenth century B.C. and the later alternative dating in the twelfth century B.C.) to the time of Ezra during the return (sixth century B.C.). Acceptance of Mosaic authorship for Leviticus would date its writing to about 1445 B.C. The book describes the sacrificial system and worship that precedes the time of Ezra and recalls the institution of the sacrificial system. The book contains little historical information that would give an exact date.
Background. The theology of the Book of Leviticus links the idea of holiness to everyday life. It goes beyond the issue of sacrifice though the sacrificial worship and the work of the priests is explained with great care. The concept of holiness affects not only the relationship that each individual has with God, but also the relationship of love and respect that each person must have for his neighbor. The code of holiness permeates the work because each individual must be pure even as God Himself is pure and because the purity of each individual is the foundation of the holiness of the entire covenant community. The teaching of Jesus Christ, “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matt. 7:12), reflects the text of Leviticus 19:18, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Content. In Hebrew the Book of Leviticus was named Vayikra, which means “And He Called.” The Hebrew title is taken from the first word of the book, which was a customary way of naming ancient works. The English title “Leviticus” is derived from the Greek version of the work and means “Matters Pertaining to the Levites.” The title is somewhat misleading because the book deals with many more issues relating to purity, holiness, the whole priesthood, the sanctity of God, and holiness in everyday life. The word “holy” appears more than eighty times in the book.
Sometimes the Book of Leviticus has been viewed as a difficult work to grasp; however, according to early tradition, in Jewish education it was the first book to be taught to children. It deals with God’s character and will, especially in matters of holiness, which the Jewish sages considered to be of primary importance. They felt that before proceeding to other biblical texts, children should first be educated concerning the sanctity of God and the responsibility of each individual to live a holy life. Holiness (Hebrew kedushah) is a key word in Leviticus, describing the sanctity of the divine presence. Holiness is being set apart from the profane, and holy is the opposite of the common or secular.
Another major theme of the Book of Leviticus is the sacrificial system. The Burnt Sacrifice (Hebrew olah) refers to the only sacrifice that is entirely consumed upon the altar, and therefore it is sometimes called the whole offering. The Grain Offering (Hebrew minchah) is a tribute offering made in order to secure or maintain the divine favor, indicating that the fruits of a person’s labor should be dedicated to God. The Peace Offering (Hebrew shelamim) is designed to provide expiation and permits the one who makes the offering to eat the meat of the sacrifice. It was often given on a joyous occasion. The Sin Offering (Hebrew chatta’t) is employed to remove impurity from the sanctuary. The Trespass Offering (Hebrew asham ), also referred to as the Guilt Offering or the Offering of Reparation, is prepared for violation of the sanctity of the property of God or of another person, usually by use of a false oath. The trespass had desecrated the sanctity of God and an offering is required.
In addition to the sacrifices, the liturgical calendar holds a significant place in the Book of Leviticus. The Sabbatical year refers to the emancipation of Israelite slaves, and people in debt, as well as the redemption of the land (see also Ex. 21:2–6; 23:10, 11; Deut. 15:1–11, 12–18). The Jubilee Year refers to the fact that the land of Israel, as well as the people, belongs to God and not to any individual. The land, therefore, must have rest after each period of forty-nine years (Lev. 25:8–17), which teaches God’s ownership. The entire Book of Leviticus is permeated with the sanctity of God, the holiness of His character, and the necessity of the congregation to approach Him in purity of heart and mind.
Jack W. Hayford, Spirit Filled Life Study Bible
LEVITICUS
Author: Traditionally Moses
Date: About 1445 B.C.
Theme: The Sanctity of God and Holiness in Everyday Life
Key Words: Holiness, Offering, Sacrifice
Author. The Book of Leviticus is the third book ascribed to Moses from the Hebrew Scriptures of the Old Testament. In 1:1, the text refers to the word of the Lord, which was spoken to Moses from the tabernacle of meeting; this forms the basis for this entire book of Scripture. The priests and Levites have preserved its contents.
Date. Scholars have dated the Book of Leviticus from the time of Moses’ activities (earlier dating in the fifteenth century B.C. and the later alternative dating in the twelfth century B.C.) to the time of Ezra during the return (sixth century B.C.). Acceptance of Mosaic authorship for Leviticus would date its writing to about 1445 B.C. The book describes the sacrificial system and worship that precedes the time of Ezra and recalls the institution of the sacrificial system. The book contains little historical information that would give an exact date.
Background. The theology of the Book of Leviticus links the idea of holiness to everyday life. It goes beyond the issue of sacrifice though the sacrificial worship and the work of the priests is explained with great care. The concept of holiness affects not only the relationship that each individual has with God, but also the relationship of love and respect that each person must have for his neighbor. The code of holiness permeates the work because each individual must be pure even as God Himself is pure and because the purity of each individual is the foundation of the holiness of the entire covenant community. The teaching of Jesus Christ, “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matt. 7:12), reflects the text of Leviticus 19:18, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Content. In Hebrew the Book of Leviticus was named Vayikra, which means “And He Called.” The Hebrew title is taken from the first word of the book, which was a customary way of naming ancient works. The English title “Leviticus” is derived from the Greek version of the work and means “Matters Pertaining to the Levites.” The title is somewhat misleading because the book deals with many more issues relating to purity, holiness, the whole priesthood, the sanctity of God, and holiness in everyday life. The word “holy” appears more than eighty times in the book.
Sometimes the Book of Leviticus has been viewed as a difficult work to grasp; however, according to early tradition, in Jewish education it was the first book to be taught to children. It deals with God’s character and will, especially in matters of holiness, which the Jewish sages considered to be of primary importance. They felt that before proceeding to other biblical texts, children should first be educated concerning the sanctity of God and the responsibility of each individual to live a holy life. Holiness (Hebrew kedushah) is a key word in Leviticus, describing the sanctity of the divine presence. Holiness is being set apart from the profane, and holy is the opposite of the common or secular.
Another major theme of the Book of Leviticus is the sacrificial system. The Burnt Sacrifice (Hebrew olah) refers to the only sacrifice that is entirely consumed upon the altar, and therefore it is sometimes called the whole offering. The Grain Offering (Hebrew minchah) is a tribute offering made in order to secure or maintain the divine favor, indicating that the fruits of a person’s labor should be dedicated to God. The Peace Offering (Hebrew shelamim) is designed to provide expiation and permits the one who makes the offering to eat the meat of the sacrifice. It was often given on a joyous occasion. The Sin Offering (Hebrew chatta’t) is employed to remove impurity from the sanctuary. The Trespass Offering (Hebrew asham ), also referred to as the Guilt Offering or the Offering of Reparation, is prepared for violation of the sanctity of the property of God or of another person, usually by use of a false oath. The trespass had desecrated the sanctity of God and an offering is required.
In addition to the sacrifices, the liturgical calendar holds a significant place in the Book of Leviticus. The Sabbatical year refers to the emancipation of Israelite slaves, and people in debt, as well as the redemption of the land (see also Ex. 21:2–6; 23:10, 11; Deut. 15:1–11, 12–18). The Jubilee Year refers to the fact that the land of Israel, as well as the people, belongs to God and not to any individual. The land, therefore, must have rest after each period of forty-nine years (Lev. 25:8–17), which teaches God’s ownership. The entire Book of Leviticus is permeated with the sanctity of God, the holiness of His character, and the necessity of the congregation to approach Him in purity of heart and mind.
Jack W. Hayford, Spirit Filled Life Study Bible
