Leviticus

Law · Old Testament · Traditionally Moses · Traditionally 15th or 13th century BCE; modern scholarship dates compilation to the 6th-5th century BCE

Leviticus contains divine laws and rituals delivered to Moses at Mount Sinai, focusing on priestly duties, sacrificial systems, and purity regulations. It establishes guidelines for personal and communal holiness to maintain the presence of God among the Israelites.

27 chapters

• 1Leviticus 1God instructs Moses on how the Israelites should offer voluntary burnt offerings of herd livestock, flock animals, or birds.
• 2Leviticus 2God outlines regulations for grain offerings, specifying the preparation methods, the mandatory use of salt, and the exclusion of leaven.
• 3Leviticus 3This chapter describes the procedures for presenting peace or fellowship offerings of herd or flock animals, reserving all fat for God.
• 4Leviticus 4God details the purification rites and animal sacrifices required to make atonement when different members of the community sin unintentionally.
• 5Leviticus 5Instructions are given for guilt offerings to atone for specific neglected duties, ritual uncleanness, or unintentional misuse of sacred items.
• 6Leviticus 6This chapter outlines restitution laws for various offenses and provides specific instructions for priests regarding burnt, grain, and sin offerings.
• 7Leviticus 7This chapter details instructions for guilt and peace offerings, specifies the priests' shares, and prohibits eating fat or blood.
• 8Leviticus 8Moses consecrates Aaron and his sons as priests through ceremonial washing, vesting, anointing with oil, and offering specific sacrifices.
• 9Leviticus 9Aaron and his sons begin their official ministry by offering sacrifices, and God's glory appears to the community with consuming fire.
• 10Leviticus 10After Nadab and Abihu are consumed by fire for offering unauthorized incense, Moses instructs the remaining priests on proper conduct.
• 11Leviticus 11God outlines the dietary laws for Israel, distinguishing between clean and unclean land animals, sea creatures, birds, and insects.
• 12Leviticus 12This chapter details the purification rituals, waiting periods, and offerings required for a woman after childbirth.
• 13Leviticus 13God provides regulations for priests to diagnose, isolate, and declare clean or unclean various skin diseases and contaminated garments.
• 14Leviticus 14The text details purification rituals for healed skin diseases and regulations for cleansing mildewed houses with specific offerings and procedures.
• 15Leviticus 15God establishes laws regarding ceremonial uncleanness resulting from bodily discharges in both men and women, requiring washing and sacrifices.
• 16Leviticus 16Instructions for the annual Day of Atonement detail purification rituals, animal sacrifices, and sending the scapegoat into the wilderness.
• 17Leviticus 17God mandates centralizing animal sacrifices at the tabernacle and strictly prohibits consuming blood, which holds the life of the flesh.
• 18Leviticus 18God forbids incestuous relationships, adultery, child sacrifice to Molech, same-sex sexual relations, and bestiality to keep the land undefiled.
• 19Leviticus 19Various moral, ritual, and social laws are commanded to guide Israel in holiness, including the requirement to love one's neighbor.
• 20Leviticus 20Severe penalties, including stoning and execution, are prescribed for idolatry, mediums, and various unlawful sexual relationships.
• 21Leviticus 21God commands Moses regarding the holiness of priests, regulating their mourning rites, marriages, and physical requirements for sanctuary service.
• 22Leviticus 22This chapter outlines rules for consuming sacred offerings in a state of purity and details the acceptable qualities for animal sacrifices.
• 23Leviticus 23God establishes the sacred calendar for Israel, outlining regulations for the weekly Sabbath and the various annual religious festivals.
• 24Leviticus 24Regulations for the sanctuary lamp and bread are followed by the execution of a blasphemer and laws governing personal injury.
• 25Leviticus 25God institutes the Sabbatical Year and the Year of Jubilee, providing laws for land rest, property redemption, and debt release.
• 26Leviticus 26God promises blessings for obedience and warns of severe punishments, exile, and eventual restoration if Israel repents.
• 27Leviticus 27This chapter outlines the regulations and valuation scales for redeeming persons, animals, property, and tithes dedicated to Yahweh.