Leviticus —
Learning to Live as God's Holy People
"Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy."
— Leviticus 19:2 (CSB)
Leviticus begins where Exodus ends. The Tabernacle has been completed, and God now teaches His people how to worship Him and live as a holy nation.
Much of the book contains laws about sacrifices, priests, cleanliness, festivals, justice, and everyday living. At first glance, these instructions may seem distant from our lives today. Yet they reveal something timeless about God's character. They show that God is holy, that sin separates people from Him, and that He desires His people to reflect His goodness in every part of life.
Leviticus is not simply a collection of religious rules. It is an invitation for a redeemed people to live in fellowship with the God who rescued them.
Many readers wonder why Leviticus is part of the Bible. The answer is found in one word: holiness.
God had already rescued Israel from slavery in Egypt. Leviticus explains how His people were to live after they had been redeemed. Their worship, relationships, work, compassion for the poor, care for one another, and pursuit of justice were all meant to reflect the character of the God they served.
Although Christians are not under the Old Covenant sacrificial system, Leviticus helps us understand the seriousness of sin, the value of atonement, and the beauty of a life set apart for God. It also provides the background for many of the teachings we find in the New Testament.
Jesus did not often quote Leviticus directly, but He affirmed some of its most important teachings.
When asked about the greatest commandment after loving God, Jesus quoted Leviticus 19:18:
"Love your neighbor as yourself."
— Matthew 22:39, quoting Leviticus 19:18
Jesus also healed those with skin diseases and instructed them to present themselves to the priests as the Law required, showing His respect for the instructions given through Moses (Matthew 8:4).
Leviticus provides the background for understanding Jesus' ministry. Its sacrifices, priesthood, Day of Atonement, and call to holiness all help us appreciate the work of Christ, who offered Himself once for all and opened the way for us to draw near to God.
Leviticus has been treasured by God's people since ancient times as the third book of the Torah. Together with Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, it forms the foundation of the Hebrew Scriptures.
Jewish tradition has long attributed Leviticus to Moses. Jesus referred to the Law of Moses with authority, and the early church continued to recognize Leviticus as inspired Scripture. While many of its ceremonial laws belonged specifically to Israel under the Old Covenant, the book continues to reveal God's holiness and His desire for His people to live lives that honor Him.
Leviticus teaches that the God who rescues His people also calls them to live holy lives. Through its sacrifices, priesthood, and laws, the book reveals both God's holiness and His desire to dwell among His people. These truths help us understand the work of Jesus Christ, whose perfect sacrifice opened the way for all who trust in Him to draw near to God.
Leviticus’ Place in God's Plan
Creation → Fall → Covenant → Christ → Grace → New Heaven & Earth
Leviticus at a Glance
Author: Traditionally attributed to Moses
Purpose: To teach God's covenant people how to worship Him, live holy lives, and maintain fellowship with Him.
Date Written: Traditionally during Israel's wilderness journey (often dated to the 15th or 13th century BC, depending on the dating of the Exodus).
Historical Setting: Israel is camped at Mount Sinai after the Exodus, where God gives instructions for worship and holy living.
Original Audience: The people of Israel, especially the priests and Levites who served in the Tabernacle.
Original Language: Hebrew
Literary Style: Law, priestly instruction, covenant teaching, and narrative.
Chapters: 27
Key People: Moses, Aaron, Aaron's sons (including Nadab and Abihu)
Key Places: Mount Sinai, the Tabernacle
Earliest Biblical Manuscripts: Portions of Leviticus are preserved among the Dead Sea Scrolls (2nd century BC–1st century AD). Among these is the Paleo-Leviticus Scroll (11QpaleoLev), one of the oldest surviving manuscripts of the book. The oldest nearly complete Hebrew text is found in the Leningrad Codex (AD 1008), with additional early witnesses in the Greek Septuagint.
