About This Book
Leviticus, named after the Levitical priesthood, serves as God's instruction manual for Israel's worship and holy living. The book opens with detailed regulations for the five main offerings: burnt offerings representing complete dedication, grain offerings expressing thanksgiving, peace offerings celebrating fellowship with God, sin offerings for unintentional sins, and trespass offerings for specific violations. These sacrifices point to the seriousness of sin and the necessity of blood atonement. God then describes the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests, who mediate between God and His people.
Tragic consequences follow when Aaron's sons offer unauthorized fire, teaching that God must be approached on His terms. Extensive laws distinguish between clean and unclean animals, conditions, and practices, teaching Israel to differentiate between holy and common. The Day of Atonement is established as an annual cleansing for the nation's sins, with the high priest entering the Most Holy Place to make atonement. God provides laws governing moral purity, including regulations about sexual conduct, social justice, and treatment of the vulnerable.
The concept of holiness permeates the book, with the command 'Be holy, for I am holy' serving as its theme. God outlines blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, along with regulations for vows and tithes. Leviticus reveals that God is holy and requires His people to be holy, that sin must be atoned for through blood sacrifice, and that every aspect of life—worship, diet, sexuality, and relationships—falls under God's authority.