LEVITICUS

LEVITICUS 1

LAWS FOR BURNT OFFERINGS 

God gives Moses instructions to share with the Israelites regarding burnt offerings and animal sacrifices. God requires a spotless lamb, one without blemish, similar to the Passover in Exodus 12. God shares these instructions with Moses from the tent of meeting.

In Genesis 3, God used the skin of an animal to cover Adam and Eve in their shame. Now, the Israelites offer animal sacrifices as atonement or covering for their sin. 

If someone is unable to offer cattle, they can offer a goat. If they are unable to offer a goat, they can offer two birds. God wants everyone to be able to participate, regardless of their wealth or status. 

LEVITICUS 2

LAWS FOR GRAIN OFFERINGS 

God gives Moses instructions to share with the Israelites regarding grain offerings. 

The grain offerings are allowed to contain oil, frankincense, and salt, but not honey or leavened bread. Because salt is frequently used to preserve meat and other goods, salt is representative of preserving God’s covenant. 

God has blessed the Israelites with fertile and abundant crops, and they are responding to this provision by offering God a portion of what He has provided.

LEVITICUS 3

LAWS FOR PEACE OFFERINGS 

God gives Moses instructions to share with the Israelites regarding peace offerings. The burnt offering only allows the sacrifice of male animals, but both male and female animals are allowed for a peace offering. The blood of the animals is to be splashed against the sides of the altar and should never be consumed. 

LEVITICUS 4

LAWS FOR SIN OFFERINGS  

God gives Moses instructions to share with the Israelites regarding sin offerings. These offerings are to cover sin from breaking the law, even if it is unintentional. 

During the sacrifice, the priest would dip his finger in blood and then sprinkle it seven times in front of the entrance to the tabernacle. 

LEVITICUS 5

LAWS FOR GUILT OFFERINGS  

God gives Moses instructions to share with the Israelites regarding guilt offerings. When someone becomes unclean, they are required to confess it and bring a sin or guilt offering.

Like in Leviticus 1, we see that God wants all of His people to be able to participate in the offerings, regardless of wealth. 

LEVITICUS 6 + 7

INSTRUCTIONS FOR OFFERINGS OF THE PRIESTS 

God gives Moses instructions to share with the Israelites regarding sins against another person, specifically relating to theft. If someone steals, they are to return 120% of what they have taken. 

The instructions God gave in Leviticus 1-5 are repeated here, specifically for the priests. 

God instructs that the fire of the altar shall never go out; it shall burn continuously. 

LEVITICUS 8

THE ORDINATION OF AARON + HIS SONS 

Moses consecrates and anoints Aaron and his sons as the priests over Israel. The ordination process takes seven days. Similar to the sprinkling of the blood in Leviticus 4, the anointing oil is sprinkled at the altar seven times before the priests. 

LEVITICUS 9

THE PRIESTS BEGIN THEIR MINISTRY 

On the eighth day after his consecration as priest, Aaron makes a sacrifice, as Moses has instructed him. Moses tells Aaron that God will appear to him that day. God’s glory appears before the Israelites, and God consumes the sacrifice with fire. 

LEVITICUS 10

THE DEATH OF NADAB + ABIHU 

Two of the sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, offer up an unannounced offering and are killed. Moses tells Aaron and his other two sons not to mourn over their deaths and instructs them not to drink any wine or strong drink before entering the tabernacle. 

LEVITICUS 11

LAWS FOR CLEAN + UNCLEAN FOOD

God gives Moses instructions to share with the Israelites regarding food laws and clean and unclean animals. They are not allowed to eat animals that have died on their own, possibly because they carry illness or disease. 

Leviticus 11:44 - For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy.

LEVITICUS 12

LAWS FOR PURIFICATION + SACRIFICE AFTER CHILDBIRTH  

God gives Moses instructions to share with the Israelites regarding cleanliness and childbirth. 

After a child is born, a sacrifice is to be made. Similar to Leviticus 1, there is an option for the people who cannot afford a lamb. We see later on that Mary and Joseph brought birds instead of a lamb as a sacrifice for the birth of Christ in Luke 2:24.  

LEVITICUS 13

REGULATIONS ABOUT DEFILING SKIN DISEASES

God gives Moses instructions to share with the Israelites regarding cleanliness and leprous diseases, including rashes, boils, burns, and sores. 

LEVITICUS 14

CLEANSING FROM DEFILING SKIN DISEASES 

God gives Moses instructions to share with the Israelites regarding cleanliness and diseases. He gives specific instructions for cleaning the home of someone with a leprous or other skin disease. 

LEVITICUS 15

BODILY DISCHARGES CAUSING UNCLEANLINESS 

God gives Moses instructions to share with the Israelites regarding bodily discharge and impurity. In scripture, unclean does not mean the same as sinful. Bodily fluids or menstruation are not shameful or wrong but express our humanity and imperfections. 

LEVITICUS 16

THE DAY OF ATONEMENT 

God gives Moses instructions to share with Aaron about the Day of Atonement. Once a year, Aaron is to make an offering that covers his sin and the sin of the Israelites. He is to bring two male goats, one as a sacrifice to God and the other as the scapegoat. 

The Day of Atonement is the one day of the year that the high priests are allowed to enter the holy of holies where the presence of God dwells. There are special garments that are to be worn on this day. This day is now known as Yom Kippur. 

LEVITICUS 17

EATING BLOOD IS FORBIDDEN 

God tells Moses that sacrifices are not meant to be made anywhere besides the tabernacle. Similar to the laws of Leviticus 3, God instructs the Israelites not to consume any blood. 

LEVITICUS 18

UNLAWFUL SEXUAL RELATIONSHIPS 

God gives Moses laws for sexual relationships, including incest and bestiality.  

LEVITICUS 19

VARIOUS LAWS FOR RIGHTEOUS LIVING 

God gives a variety of laws for treating people fairly, taking care of the less fortunate, and being set apart as God’s people. God instructs the Israelites to not fully gather their harvest and to leave some to be collected by those in need. 

This chapter contains the famous law, love your neighbor as yourself, which Jesus later quotes in Matthew 22:39 as one of the two greatest commandments. Although God cares about actions and behaviors, he cares more about our hearts and love for one another. 

Leviticus 19:2 - Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, “You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.”

LEVITICUS 20

PUNISHMENT FOR SIN 

God gives instructions and laws prohibiting child sacrifice, sexual immorality, and clairvoyance. God has chosen the Israelites to be his people and has set them apart for himself. God desires a relationship with the Israelites, despite their sinful nature. 

Leviticus 20:8 - Keep my statutes and do them; I am the Lord who sanctifies you.

LEVITICUS 21 + 22

LAWS FOR THE PRIESTS 

God gives instructions for the priests, calling them into a holy way of life. God requires those who are leaders in the faith to maintain purity and cleanliness. 

God gives instructions for what sacrifices are acceptable, saying they must be spotless and without blemish or deformity. 

LEVITICUS 23

THE APPOINTED HEBREW FESTIVALS 

God gives Moses instructions for seven holidays and festivals that honor God. 

• Sabbath: Weekly 

• Passover or Feast of Unleavened Bread: Annual  

• Feast of Firstfruits or Feast of Harvest: Annual  

• Feast of Weeks or Week of Weeks (Now known as Pentecost): Annual 

• Feast of Trumpets (Now known as Rosh Hashanah): Annual 

• Day of Atonement (Now known as Yom Kippur): Annual  

• Feast of the Booths or Feast of Ingathering: Annual 

LEVITICUS 24

LAWS + PUNISHMENT REGARDING BLASPHEMY 

God gives instructions for the twelve loaves of bread inside the tabernacle as well as a lamp that requires pure oil. 

God provides laws for blasphemy, murder, and causing harm. This passage is the origin of the phrase “an eye for an eye.” 

LEVITICUS 25

THE SABBATH YEAR + YEAR OF JUBILEE 

God gives instructions for the Sabbath Year, every seven years, and the Year of Jubilee, every fiftieth year. During this time, slaves are freed, debts are canceled, and possessions are reclaimed. These holidays serve as a way to remember God’s faithfulness and celebrate His abundant goodness!

LEVITICUS 26

REWARD FOR OBEDIENCE + PUNISHMENT FOR DISOBEDIENCE 

God tells Moses that if the Israelites follow God’s commands, they will be a blessed nation. But if the Israelites forget God’s commands and turn away from Him, they will be punished and cursed. 

God is faithful in His covenant with Abraham and wants the Israelites to respond in faithfulness as well. 

Leviticus 26:12 - And I will walk among you and will be your God, and you shall be my people.

LEVITICUS 27

LAWS ABOUT VOWS + THE INTRODUCTION OF TITHING 

God gives laws about making and keeping vows of dedication related to people, animals, and land. The phrase “tithe” is introduced in this chapter, meaning a tenth of the possessions are given to God.