About Leviticus
Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy (19:2) - every law in Leviticus flows from this single divine imperative.
"Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy."
Leviticus 19:2
Written
circa 1446-1406 BC
Author
Moses
Genre
Law / Torah
Position
3rd of 66 books - Torah/Pentateuch
Authorship
Written by Moses at Sinai, Leviticus is the most priestly of the five books of Moses. The content was revealed to Moses during the year Israel camped at Sinai after the tabernacle was erected.
Historical Context
Leviticus is entirely set at Sinai immediately after the tabernacle's completion. A newly liberated slave nation needed comprehensive instruction in holiness - how to approach a holy God, maintain covenant purity, and structure communal life in a culture with entirely different values.
Purpose
To instruct Israel how to live as a holy people in God's presence, covering sacrifice, priesthood, purity laws, the Day of Atonement, and the holiness code - all teaching that a holy God requires holy people.
Key Message
Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy (19:2) - every law in Leviticus flows from this single divine imperative.
Book Structure
Interesting Facts
Leviticus 19 contains more commandments than any other single chapter in the Bible.
The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) described in Leviticus 16 remains the holiest day on the Jewish calendar.
The concept of the scapegoat originates here - one goat sacrificed, another symbolically carrying away sin.
Leviticus 19:18 - Love your neighbor as yourself - cited by Jesus as the second greatest commandment.
The Year of Jubilee every 50 years cancelled debts and returned land - a radical social-justice mechanism.
Hebrews in the NT references Leviticus more than any other OT book.