Leviticus

Leviticus continues the story of Israel encamped at Mount Sinai, receiving from God through Moses a detailed body of laws governing worship, sacrifice, purity, and community life. Traditionally attributed to Moses and considered part of the Torah, this book records the sacred instructions given to the Levitical priests and the broader Israelite community shortly after the construction of the Tabernacle. Its name, drawn from the Latin and Greek traditions, reflects its strong focus on the Levites and their priestly responsibilities before a holy God.

At its heart, Leviticus is a book about holiness and the possibility of sinful people drawing near to a holy God. It introduces the sacrificial system — including burnt offerings, sin offerings, and peace offerings — as the God-appointed means of atonement and restored relationship. The Day of Atonement described in chapter 16 stands as one of Scripture's most profound foreshadowings of Christ's atoning work. The repeated refrain "be holy, for I am holy" (11:44) captures the book's central call: that God's people are to reflect His character in every dimension of life. For Christians, Leviticus finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus, the great High Priest and perfect sacrifice.