�� Leviticus — People, Places, and Things (Deep Dive Study)

Book of Leviticus is the third book of the Bible and part of the Law (Torah/Pentateuch). It focuses on holiness, worship, sacrifice, priesthood, and covenant living. Its key theme is found in Leviticus 19:2: “Be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.”

�� PEOPLE IN LEVITICUS

1. Moses

• Mediator between God and Israel.

• Receives instructions from God inside the Tabernacle.

• Functions as covenant leader and lawgiver.

• Continues role established in Book of Exodus.

Spiritual significance: Moses represents divine mediation — a type pointing forward to Christ (Hebrews 3).

2. Aaron

• First High Priest of Israel.

• Oversees sacrificial system.

• Performs Day of Atonement rituals (Leviticus 16).

Key Moment: Consecration of Aaron and his sons (Leviticus 8–9).

3. Nadab and Abihu

• Sons of Aaron.

• Offer “strange fire” before the LORD (Leviticus 10).

• Judged immediately by divine fire.

Theological Theme: God’s holiness demands obedience in worship.

4. The Priests (Sons of Aaron)

• Serve as mediators between God and Israel.

• Responsible for sacrifices, purity laws, teaching Torah.

• Must meet strict holiness standards.

5. The Israelites

• Covenant community.

• Called to be a holy nation (cf. Exodus 19:6).

• Responsible for moral, ceremonial, and civil obedience.

�� PLACES IN LEVITICUS

1. The Tabernacle

• Portable sanctuary constructed in Exodus.

• Central place of sacrifice and divine presence.

• God speaks “from the Tent of Meeting.”

Symbolism: God dwelling among His people.

2. The Tent of Meeting

• Often synonymous with Tabernacle.

• Place where Moses meets with God.

• Sacred access point between heaven and earth.

3. The Holy Place

• Contains lampstand, table of showbread, altar of incense.

• Accessible only to priests.

4. The Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies)

• Contains Ark of the Covenant.

• Entered only once per year by High Priest (Day of Atonement).

5. Outside the Camp

• Location for:

• Disposal of sin offerings

• Quarantine of lepers

• Removal of impurity

Symbolism: Separation from holiness.

6. Mount Sinai

• Though not central in action, laws are given in wilderness period following Sinai covenant.

• Connects Leviticus to Exodus.

�� THINGS IN LEVITICUS

1. The Five Major Offerings

�� Burnt Offering (Leviticus 1)

• Entire animal consumed.

• Symbolizes total surrender.

�� Grain Offering (Leviticus 2)

• Fine flour, oil, frankincense.

• Thanksgiving and dedication.

�� Peace Offering (Leviticus 3)

• Fellowship meal.

• Shared between worshiper and priest.

�� Sin Offering (Leviticus 4)

• Atonement for unintentional sin.

�� Guilt (Trespass) Offering (Leviticus 5)

• Requires restitution plus sacrifice.

2. The Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16)

• Annual national cleansing.

• Two goats:

• One sacrificed.

• One “scapegoat” sent into wilderness.

Hebrew term: Azazel (meaning debated).

3. The Scapegoat

• Bears sins of the people.

• Released into wilderness.

• Powerful foreshadowing of substitutionary atonement.

4. Clean and Unclean Laws

• Dietary laws (Leviticus 11)

• Childbirth purification (Leviticus 12)

• Skin diseases (Leviticus 13–14)

• Bodily discharges (Leviticus 15)

Purpose: Teach separation and spiritual discernment.

5. The Holiness Code (Leviticus 17–26)

Major themes:

• Sexual morality

• Justice

• Care for poor

• Honest business

• Love your neighbor (Leviticus 19:18)

6. The Feasts of the LORD (Leviticus 23)

• Sabbath

• Passover

• Unleavened Bread

• Firstfruits

• Pentecost

• Trumpets

• Day of Atonement

• Tabernacles

These structured Israel’s spiritual calendar.

7. The Sabbatical Year & Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25)

• Every 7th year: land rests.

• Every 50th year: debts forgiven, land returned.

Theme: God owns the land; Israel are stewards.

�� Major Theological Themes

1. Holiness (central theme)

Hebrew word: qadosh (set apart).

2. Atonement

Hebrew: kaphar (to cover).

3. Substitution

Animal dies in place of sinner.

4. Divine Presence

God dwells among covenant people.

5. Covenant Blessings & Curses (Leviticus 26)

Obedience → blessing

Disobedience → exile

�� Literary Structure Overview

1–7: Sacrificial laws

8–10: Priesthood established

11–15: Purity laws

16: Day of Atonement

17–26: Holiness Code

27: Vows & dedications

� Christological Foreshadowing

Though not quoted directly here, Leviticus heavily anticipates:

• Perfect High Priest

• Final sacrifice

• Cleansing from sin

• Access to God

The New Testament book that most interprets Leviticus is Epistle to the Hebrews.

�� Summary Table

Category Core Focus

People Priests, Moses, Israel

Places Tabernacle, Holy of Holies

Things Sacrifices, blood, fire, feasts

Theme Holiness and atonement