Welcome to Bible Gateway’s weekly Look at the Book series of short blog posts and infographics introducing you to the books of the Bible. This post will shine a light on Leviticus, sometimes considered one of the most challenging books in the Bible.
Scroll to the bottom if you’d prefer to see (and save) this article as an infographic. You’ll also find a handy 30-day reading guide. Or, for a challenge, you can do it in one week using the 7-day reading guide below.
Summary
Leviticus is essentially the rulebook for Israel’s priests (the Levites). All the laws spring from God’s covenant with his chosen people. The Hebrews had grown up in slavery, so these laws were part of the process God used to mold them into the people they needed to be before they entered into the Promised Land. These laws were about relationships with one another and with their God.
- Category: Law
- Theme: Holiness
- Timeline: 1445 BC
- Written: 1450-1400 BC, traditionally attributed to Moses
Key Verse
“You are to be holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own.” — Leviticus 20:26 (NIV)
Offers You Can’t Refuse
There are five main types of offerings in Leviticus:
- Burnt (Lev. 1): Most common sacrifice, designed as a gift to please God.
- Grain (Lev. 2): Providing hospitality and paying to tribute to their covenant Lord.
- Fellowship (Lev. 3): Celebrates reconciliation, and the only offering where the offeror participates in the eating of the offering.
- Sin (Lev. 4): Blood of the sacrifice acts as a detergent to purify people from their sins.
- Guilt (Lev. 5-6): Sacrifices to make reparations for wronging another person in the community.
7 Day Reading Guide
(See 30-day guide below.)
- Day 1: Leviticus 1-4
- Day 2: Leviticus 5-7
- Day 3: Leviticus 8-12
- Day 4: Leviticus 13-16
- Day 5: Leviticus 17-21
- Day 6: Leviticus 22-24
- Day 7: Leviticus 25-27
Consider
In ancient times, Leviticus was the first Biblical book with which Jewish children began their education.
Access the rest of the series here. Browse Bible studies for each book of the Bible. Or right-click on the infographic below to download and save the image for your reference.
Chris Fann is the Senior Digital Marketing Manager for Harper Christian Resources. He loves the smell ofa baseball glove, coffee, and old books. He lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan with his wife, 2 teenage boys, and their dog, Freya.
