Title: The original Hebrew title translated, ‘ And He Called '; the Talmud refers to Leviticus as the “ Law of the Priests ”, and the “ Law of the Offerings ”. The Greek title appearing in the Septuagint translates, “ That Which Pertains to the Levites ”. It was from this title in the Septuagint that the Latin Vulgate derived the name Leviticus.

Author: The third book of Moses.

The book is closely associated with Exodus and Numbers in historical continuity, but differs from them in that the purely historical element is secondary to the legal and ritual issues. The emphasis of the book is on the priests of the tribe of Levite, rather than the entire tribe as a whole.

Central Theme: Divine Laws for approaching God.

Leviticus 19:2 "Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel , and say to them: 'You shall be holy, for I the L ord your God am holy.”

 

Brief Outline:

•  Chapters 1-10: Ways of access to God (offerings and priests).

•  Chapters 11-22: Special laws governing Israel .

•  Chapter 23: The five feasts.

•  Chapters 24-27: General instructions.

 

Hebrews 10:1 “For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect.”

With the coming of the Messiah, a person's relationship to God is no longer found in relation to the symbolic order of Leviticus. However, the law presents us with symbols that are still applicable and enlightening today. Here in Hebrews, we have an Apostolic comparison of the Levitical order as a “ shadow of the good things to come ”.

The New Testament book of Hebrews uses the laws and rituals in Leviticus to shed light on the significance of Christ's work. The book of Leviticus invites us to approach the law with a view to find images and symbols that enhance our appreciation of the way to God in Christ.

 

Two other images surface as important themes within the pages of the book. Holy and common (clean and unclean); holiness described as that which has been sanctified via cleansing (set apart for God), and common is described as that which is defiled or un-clean and cannot be presented before God.