How did these symbolic behaviors communicate something powerful about gods holiness dwelling in the midst of israel. It is probably no exaggeration to say that among christians, the book of leviticus is one of the most neglected books in the bible. They are not all the same and the differences point to different aspects about jesus christ. The book opens with an overview of five types of sacrifices that had been going on in israel for years. The first case is the secretion caused by some disease affecting a mans sexual organs. This disease was caused by sin, so he must sacrifice to get back into fellowship with god and man. May 24, 2014 the book of leviticus is the third book of the old testament. The writer did not describe the physical problem in detail.
Enduring word bible commentary leviticus chapter 15. And, if these ceremonial pollutions could not be done away but by sacrifice and offering, something greater and much more valuable must be expected and. Leviticus 15 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary provides notes on all 66 books of the bible, and contain more than 7,000 pages of material. This book is called leviticus, because it treats of the offices, ministries, rites and ceremonies of the priests and levites. The first of these, which occupies the earlier half of the book of leviticus, opens with the laws of sacrifice in ch. In this context it clearly refers to the womans vagina leviticus 15. Leviticus is filled with laws and rules that told the children of israel how to worship god and how to live their lives in a way that was pleasing to god. Behind the various offerings lies a deep conviction that god is the lord of all creation. The levitical offerings and sacrifices preachers institute. Leviticus 17 english standard version esv the place of sacrifice. Uncleanness due to bodily discharges associated with reproduction ch.
The book of leviticus is the third book of the hebrew bible, and the third of five books of the torah or pentateuch. The english name is from the latin leviticus, taken in turn from greek and a reference to the levites, the tribe from whom the priests were. Oct 26, 2011 the book of leviticus is the third book of the hebrew bible, and the third of five books of the torah or pentateuch. What is the book of leviticus most known for answers. Although leviticus does not deal only with the special duties of the levites, it is so named because it concerns mainly the service. In leviticus spiritual holiness is symbolized by physical perfection. Book of leviticus the singapore lgbt encyclopaedia wiki. If we were to state the motto of the book of leviticus, it might best be described as you shall be holy for i, the lord your god, am holy lev. There are four types of bodily discharges mentioned in leviticus 15, and all four rendered one unclean for at least seven days and required sacrifices to be declared clean again. Since capital punishment is the central theme of leviticus chapter 20, it may appear that we are approaching a very sensitive subject. Leviticus 15 commentary james burton coffman commentaries.
Burnt offerings of the herds, flocks, and fowls text. Leviticus receives its name from the septuagint the prechristian greek translation of the ot and means relating to the levites. The hebrew word basar, translated flesh leviticus 15. Bob is a pastorteacher and elder at community bible chapel in richardson, texas, and has contributed many of his bible study series for use by the foundation. However, these offerings are usually, if not always, a subset of the five major offerings. These holidays focused upon the salvation and redemption of man and the worship of god the holidays painted the prophetic picture of salvation, the salvation that god was to bring to man through his son, the lord jesus christ. The book of leviticus contains direct revelation from god through moses to israel.
Its hebrew title, wayyiqra, is the first word in the hebrew text of the book and means and he i. This is how his discharge will bring about uncleanness. While the israelites were sacrificing animals at the time, this was a type picture, illustration of the coming redeemer who was promised as early as genesis 3. The book of leviticus from greek, leuitikos, meaning relating to the levites. The book of leviticus is set in and around the tentlike structure known as the tabernacle, described in detail in the book of exodus. They were gods people and they lived differently that the other nations. Leviticus takes us down into the theological engine of the scriptures to show us how and why the work of the messiah is what it is. This weeks torah portion or bible weekly study began with the sacrifices in the book of leviticus. What are the bodily discharges mentioned in leviticus 15. Therefore the book demands perfect animals for its many sacrifices chs.
Bobdeffinbaugh graduated from dallas theological seminary with his th. The spirit of prophecy is the testimony of jesus revelation 19. Because the offerings in leviticus had their ultimate fulfillment in jesus christ, there is no need for them today hebrews 10. Its main subject matteranimal offerings and ritual impurityseems remote from contemporary concerns. Notice that all the ways a person becomes unclean, are signs of mortality or death. When any man has an unusual bodily discharge, such a discharge is unclean. This is the thing which the lord hath commanded, saying, 3what man soever there be of the house of israel, that killeth an ox, or lamb, or goat, in the camp, or that killeth it out of the camp, 4and bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of. One for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering. The book of leviticus is a book of actual, real sacrifices. No, because it makes way for sacrifices for the poor.
Leviticus project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks read. There are many instructions for sacrifice throughout the pentateuch, but leviticus chapters 17 is completely dedicated to the 5 levitical offerings which were the main sacrifices used in the rituals. In the offerings of leviticus, the brazen altar, where the sacrifices were burned, was symbolically seen as gods tablewhere he was eating. The thought is that the offering is gods foodlike this is what strengthens him, energizes him, and satisfies him. The four types of discharge are 1 a chronic male discharge verses 115, 2.
Verses 1618, contain regulations governing an occasional emission. The five offerings of leviticus 17 chart and brief outline. Leviticus 15 new international version niv discharges causing uncleanness. These other offerings include those made for a vow called votive, thank offerings, drink offerings, heave offerings, and wave offerings. Although leviticus does not deal only with the special duties of the levites, it. As sacrifices had been from the very beginning the principal medium by which men entered into fellowship with god, the creator, preserver, and governor of the world, to supplicate and appropriate his favour and grace, so. This book explores how the sacrificial rituals and. Whether you are preparing to lead a small group, or study alone you will find many options open to you. It contains laws about worship in general and rules and customs on ceremonies in consecrations and sacrificial offerings. Leviticus 17, new living translation nlt the bible app.
Burnt offering, grain offering, fellowship offering, sin offering, and guilt offering. God gave the book of leviticus to a people already redeemed. Leviticus 17 esv the place of sacrifice and the lord. In practice then, though not in theory, leviticus is treated as though it does not really belong to the canon of scripture. And when he who has a discharge is cleansed of his discharge, then he shall count for himself. The book of leviticus starts off with gods instructions to moses concerning the various types of offerings that were to be made in different situations. What are the bodily discharges mentioned in leviticus 15, and why did they make a person unclean. In fact, after jesus sacrificed his life on the cross and rose again, the temple was destroyed in ad 70. This is not the place to go into detail, but i will give a summary. Leviticus is a difficult book for a modern person to read with reverence and appreciation. Leviticus used to be the first book that jewish children studied in the synagogue. From chapter 17, sacrifice and offerings are laid out for priests and individuals in detail.
Sin offering of ignorance for the priest, the congregation, for a ruler, or any of the people text. The book of leviticus opens with god calling moses from the tabernacle. In these five offerings we have a most wonderful presentation in typical language of types and shadows of the person and work of the lord jesus christ, the true lamb of god which taketh away the sin of the world john 1. Offerings in leviticuswhat they were and why they mattered. While the book addresses issues of the levites responsibilities, much more significantly, all the priests are instructed in how they are to assist the people in worship, and the people are informed about how to live a holy life. The other sacrifices in the old testament were either offerings for sin, or peace offerings. In the modern church it tends to be the last part of the bible anyone looks at seriously. Although leviticus does not deal only with the special duties of the levites, it is so. Actually, i do not believe that our text has very much to say regarding the contemporary debate over.
Laws, rites, and sacrifices are revealed for cleansing those who have a discharge and other types of uncleanness. Leviticus chapters 17 free bible commentary in easy english. So the key thought of the book is holiness see notes on 11. The english name is from the latin leviticus, taken in turn from greek and a reference to the levites, the tribe from whom the priests were drawn. Yet almost half of the 6 mitzvot of the torah are found in this book, the text with which young children traditionally began their jewish education. Leviticus 15 the lord spoke to moses and aaron, saying. These passages also describe how to use the altar for the sacrifices and the offerings to god. The book of leviticus is traditionally associated with moses, but most scholars now attribute it almost entirely to the priestly source, who probably wrote around the time of the babylonian exile. You remember that when the leper was cleansed he had to go through a much more rigorous ceremony which included several offerings. Net bible and the priest is to make one a sin offering and the other a burnt offering.
The five offerings of leviticus 17 chart and brief. Intro to leviticus biblica the international bible society. It was in terms of these sacrifices that jesus himself and the early church. The book of leviticus is the third book of the old testament. I have given you the blood on the altar to purify you, making you right with the lord. The hebrew word for the book is wayiqraa, which, according to strongs a primitive root definition comes from qara, and which has the sense of calling a person by name. The sin offering leviticus 4 the trespass offering leviticus 5 other offerings are mentioned in the mosaic law. Leviticus is filled with laws and rules that told the children of israel how to worship god and how to. Net bible and the priest is to make one of them a sin offering and the other a burnt. Introduction one sure way to start an argument is to introduce a very controversial topic into the conversation. All these offerings taken together give us a full view of christ and his great sacrificial work on the cross of calvary. How many christians have purposed to read through the entire bible and made it through genesis and exodus only to get bogged down in this seemingly obscure collection of ceremonial laws and rituals. The beauty of book by book is that it offers not only great biblical depth, but also flexibility of approach to study. God invites israel to live in close proximity to his holy presence.
222 644 1484 481 507 1536 581 1133 1209 1203 1005 245 663 262 560 859 834 877 960 1208 1157 486 566 89 537 497 314 631 1336 1088 1044