Bible Commentaries
Leviticus

Outline of Leviticus

A Manual of Worship at the Tabernacle

I. Directions Regarding the Offering of Sacrifices, Leviticus 1-7

1. The Five Offerings , Leviticus 1:1-7

Burned, Leviticus 1:1-17

Meal, Leviticus 2:1-16

Peace, Leviticus 3:1-17

Sin, Leviticus 4:1-35

Trespass, Leviticus 5:1-7

2. The Laws Regarding the Disposal of Each of These Offerings , Leviticus 6:8-38

II. The Consecration of Aaron and His Sons to the Priesthood, Leviticus 8-10

1. Their Consecration by Moses , Leviticus 8:1-36

2. Aaron’s Offerings for Himself and the People , Leviticus 9:1-24

3. Sin of Nadab and Abihu and the Law as to Eating Holy Things , Leviticus 10:1-20

III. Laws Regarding Ceremonial Purity, Leviticus 11-16

1. Clean and Unclean Beasts, Fishes and Fowls , Leviticus 11:1-47

2. The Purification of Women and Their Offerings , Leviticus 12:1-8

3. Leprosy-Laws, Signs, Sacrifices , Leviticus 13:1-59 ; Leviticus 14:1-57

4. Cleansing from Bodily Uncleannesses , Leviticus 15:1-33

5. The Great Annual Atonement for Sin , Leviticus 16:1-34

IV. The Laws of Holiness and Sacred Festivals, Leviticus 17-26

1. Various Laws Regarding Holiness of Life , Leviticus 17-22, 24

2. The Yearly Religious Festivals , Leviticus 23:1-44

Passover

First-Fruits

Trumpets

Tabernacles

3. Sabbatical Tear and Year of Jubilee , Leviticus 25:1-55

4. Blessings for Obedience; Chastisement for Disobedience , Leviticus 26:1-46

V. Appendix on Vows, Tithes and Things Devoted, Leviticus 27:1-34

Introduction

This name was also given by the Greek translators, and is the equivalent of the opening Hebrew word. The book treats of the laws relating to the ritual, services and sacrifices of the Hebrew religion, the superintendence of which was in the hands of the Levitical priesthood. It is principally concerned with the duties of the priests.

The book falls into four principal sections and an appendix:

1. The Laws as to Sacrifices, including the five offerings and the connection of the priests with each of these offerings: Leviticus 1:1-17 ; Leviticus 2:1-16 ; Leviticus 3:1-17 ; Leviticus 4:1-35 ; Leviticus 5:1-19 ; Leviticus 6:1-30 ; Leviticus 7:1-38

2. The Institution of the Priesthood: Leviticus 8:1-36 ; Leviticus 9:1-24 ; Leviticus 10:1-20

3. The Laws Relating to Purification, including the great Day of Atonement: Leviticus 11:1-47 ; Leviticus 12:1-8 ; Leviticus 13:1-59 ; Leviticus 14:1-57 ; Leviticus 15:1-33 ; Leviticus 16:1-34

4. The Laws Concerning Holiness and Sacred Festivals: Leviticus 17:1-16 ; Leviticus 18:1-30 ; Leviticus 19:1-37 ; Leviticus 20:1-27 ; Leviticus 21:1-24 ; Leviticus 22:1-33 ; Leviticus 23:1-44 ; Leviticus 24:1-23 ; Leviticus 25:1-55 ; Leviticus 26:1-46

5. An Appendix on Vows, Tithes and Things Devoted: Leviticus 21:1-24

Several passages plainly indicate the Wilderness as the place of writing, as Leviticus 19:23 . Others that the settlement in Canaan had taken place, as Leviticus 18:27 . The former were probably in the first draft by Moses, while Samuel and others were doubtless responsible for recording further enactments.

e-Sword Note: The following material was presented at the end of Leviticus in the printed edition

Outline

(a) For whose special guidance was this book first intended?

(b) What value has it for us?

(c) For each of its four chief sections give the principal word suggesting the contents of that section.

Introduction

(d) How does the title of the book fit its subject matter?

(e) What indications are there that additions have been made to the book as originally written?

Leviticus 1-26

Each question applies to the paragraph of corresponding number in the Comments .

1. What might be used for a burned-offering? Why burned whole upon the altar?

2. What did the meal-offering suggest or teach? Why accompanied by oil and incense, but never by leaven or honey?

3. Why could priest and worshiper share with God in the peace-offering?

4. How were sins of priests and people, even though ignorantly committed, to be atoned for?

5. What must both ruler and common man do to be freed from sin?

6. How did the trespass-offering differ from the sin-offering?

7. When was restitution required as well as an offering?

8. Why must the fire be kept ever burning on the altar?

9. Why was the flesh of sin- and trespass-offerings regarded as “most holy”?

10. Why could the offerer have his share in the eating of the peace-offering? But was forbidden to do so if he had touched anything unclean?

11. Why was the priests’ portion waved or heaved before God?

12. How were Aaron and his sons consecrated for their priestly service?

13. How was the blood of the ram of consecration used and what did this signify?

14. What was necessary before the “glory of the Lord” appeared unto the people?

15. What was the sin of Nadab and Abihu, and why was it so severely punished?

16. What distinction was made between animals that could and others that could not be used for food? Why does this law not apply to us?

17. Why was a mother to present an offering after childbirth?

18. Why was such great care taken in testing for leprosy?

19. How did the ceremonial prescribed for the restoration of a healed leper typify cleansing from sin by the death and resurrection of Christ?

20. How was the same truth taught in the ceremonial of the great Day of Atonement?

21. How was atonement made once each year for the sins of the whole nation?

22. Why was the eating of flesh with blood forbidden?

23. Why are regular religious observances necessary?

24. What were the two great festival periods of the Jewish year?

25. How and why was the Feast of Tabernacles observed?

26. What is the teaching of the candlestick and the showbread in the Tabernacle?

27. How did the land get its Sabbath rest?

28. How did the Year of Jubilee benefit the poor?

29. What did the Year of Jubilee teach regarding redemption?

30. What gracious promises did God make on condition of obedience?

31. What was to be the fate of the stubborn?