Leviticus
ויּקרא

Hebrew Title: way yiqra' = and he called

Among the Jews, it was also called
law of the priests and law-book of sacrificial offerings

 

Introduction and Overview

The following may serve as a useful outline of the whole book of Leviticus:

Chapters 1-16  - Reconciliation with God through Removal of Sin and Impurity

1-7     Laws of sacrifice

8-10   Consecration of Aaron and his sons

11-15  Clean vs. unclean, bodily impurities, removal of defilements

16      Day of Atonement

Chapters 17-25  - Duties and character of a Sanctified People

17-20  Sanctification in food, marriage and morals

21-22  Sanctification of priests and of the sacrifices

23-24  Sanctification of feasts and daily worship

25      Sanctification of the whole land in the sabbaths and jubilee

Chapters 26-27

26      Blessings of obedience and cursings of disobedience

27      Valuations

We can narrow down the occasion of the words and events in Leviticus to a short period of time. Because the book presupposes the existence of the tabernacle, not merely as something that will be built but as something already in use (Lev. 8:35-36, 9:5,  9:23, 10:1ff), we know that the beginning date of the period is subsequent to the setting up of the tabernacle. When did that take place according to Ex. 40:17?

Because Leviticus concludes with the statement, "These are the commandments which the Lord commanded Moses for the sons of Israel at Mount Sinai, we know that the latest possible date is the occasion of the Israelites' departure from Sinai. According to Numbers 10:11-12, when did the Isrealites depart the wilderness of Sinai?

How much time does that allow for the events described in the book of Leviticus?

 

Lesson 1

A number of passages in the Bible are better understood if the reader is familiar with the various sacrifices prescribed in Leviticus and the manner in which they were offered. E.g.,

What was wrong with the practice of Eli's sons? (1 Samuel 2:12-17)

Why does Paul suggests that the priests ate of the things offered on the altar? (1 Cor. 9:13)

Why does Paul suggest that Israelites in general ate the sacrifices and had communion with the altar? (1 Cor. 10:18)

What is meant when it says in Heb. 9:21 that "all things are cleansed with blood"?

Did the priest make atonement for himself and for the people as is stated in Heb. 5:3?

       

The major sections of Leviticus 1-9 can be described as follows

On the following pages, you will find a detailed outline of the first 9 chapters of Leviticus. It may help you as you try to digest what is being said concerning the various sacrifices. On the basis of the first nine chapters, answer the following questions:
  1. Generally speaking, in the case of an animal sacrifice, who was to slay the animal?  (Lev. 1:5, 11, 3:2, etc.)

     
  2. In the case of a burnt offering, who was to skin the animal and cut it into pieces? (1:6)   What was the priest's role? (1:5, 7-9)

     
  3. Animals "from the flock" might be either __________  or __________. (1:10)

     
  4. On what side of the altar was a burnt offering from the flock to be slain? (1:11)

     
  5. What was done with the part of a grain offering that considered the "memorial portion"? (2:9, 6:14-15)

     
  6. Who was permitted to eat the part of a grain offering that was not offered up in smoke? (2:10, 6:14-16)

     
  7. What different methods of cooking might be used in preparing a grain offering? (2:4-7)

     
  8. Every grain offering was to be without what? (2:11)

     
  9. With what was every grain offering to be seasoned? (2:13)

     
  10. Some have argued that the bread used in the Lord's Supper must be salt free because, they say, salt is a leavening agent. What do you think about this idea?

     
  11. In discussing the various offerings, one thing that was repeatedly stipulated was that none of the fat was to be eaten. Instead all the fat and a couple of organs were to be offered up in smoke on the altar. What areas of fat are specifically mentioned, and what organs are specifically mentioned in this connection? (2:3-5, 9-11, 14-17, 4:8-10, 4:26, 31, 35, etc.)

     
  12. The blood of the burnt offering was to be sprinkled around on which altar? (1:5, 11, 15)

     
  13. The blood of the peace offering was to be sprinkled around on which altar? (3:2, 8, 13)

     
  14. The blood of the sin offering for a priest was to be sprinkled seven times where and put on the horns of which altar? (4:3-7) The rest of the blood was to be poured out where?

     
  15. The blood of the sin offering for the whole congregation was to be sprinkled seven times where and put on the horns of which altar? (4:17-19) The rest of the blood was to be poured out where?

     
  16. The blood of the sin offering for a leader was to be put on the horns of  which altar? (4:22-25)  The rest of the blood was to be poured out where?

     
  17. The blood of the sin offering for one of the common people was to be put on the horns of which altar? (4:27-30)  The rest of the blood was to be poured out where?

     
  18. Which sin offerings were forbidden to be eaten by anyone? (6:30)

     
  19. Distinguish between the kinds of things that would require a sin offering (4:2) and the kinds of things that would require a guilt offering (5:1-6, 6:2-5).

     
  20. In the case of a guilt offering, what was required in addition to the sacrifice itself? (5:16, 6:5)

     
  21. How long was the fire to be kept going on the altar of burnt offerings?

     
  22. What was to be done with the ashes from the fire?

     
  23. How long was the burnt offering to remain on the altar?

     
  24. Some of the meat from some of the animal sacrifices could be eaten. Specifically...

    1. Who could eat the right thigh and the breast of the sin offering? (7:28-34, cf. 6:24-30)
       
    2. Where were they to eat it? (sin offering: 6:24-30)
       
    3. Who could eat the meat of the peace offerings offered as thanksgiving? (7:11ff)

     
  25. At Mt. Sinai, God had stipulated much of what we see being described in Leviticus. In particular, Ex. 29 contains the instructions again described in what chapters of Leviticus?  Ex. 28 contains the instructions again described in what chapter of Leviticus?

     
  26. How would you describe Moses' function in the consecration of Aaron and his sons? Note in particular 8:20-21, 29-30

     
  27. For how long were Aaron and his sons to stay within the tent of meeting?

     
  28. What do you suppose the Israelites saw when they saw "the glory of the Lord"?

     
  29. What happened to the offering and the fat portions that were on the altar?
                                         

Now then:

  1. Read 1 Samuel 2:12-17. What was wrong with what Eli's sons were doing?

     
  2. Read 1 Cor. 9:13. What is it that Paul is demonstrating in this context? How do Lev. 6:16, 26 help to illustrate his point?

     
  3. Read 1 Cor. 10:18. What is Paul warning against in this context? How does Lev. 7:6, 15 serve to show the incongruity of Christians participating in idol feasts?

     
  4. In connection with the statement that all things are cleansed with blood in Heb. 9:21, see Lev. 8:15, 19

     
  5. It is said that the priest makes atonement for himself and for the people (Heb. 5:3). We will see this is true when we the Day of Atonement (Lev. 16), but on what particular occasion described in Lev. 9:6-7 do we see Aaron making atonement for himself as well as for the people?
     
  6. And finally, not to be overlooked is the emphasis on sacrifices without defect. In Malachi 1:6-14, the Lord shames his people for offering the "blind" and the "lame and sick." How many times in Leviticus 1-9 do we see it specified that the sacrifices should be animals "without defect" or "unblemished"?