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Leviticus: A Study Outline

From Old Testament Digest, Volume 1 by William MacDonald

Outline based on Old Testament Digest, Volume 1: Genesis–Deuteronomy by William MacDonald. Copyright © 1981 by William MacDonald. Used by permission of the author (as published on plymouthbrethren.org). williammacdonald.org

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Overview of Leviticus

MacDonald calls Leviticus a manual for the priests, as its link with the word 'Levites' suggests. Exodus showed Israel redeemed out of Egypt and made God's own people; Leviticus shows how that people must be kept apart from sin and uncleanness so they can draw near to God in His sanctuary. Holiness is the rule of the camp, taught through offerings, priesthood, purity laws, the Day of Atonement, the feasts, and the laws of land and vows.

Key themes

Christ in Leviticus. For MacDonald the offerings are a many-sided picture of the Person and work of Christ: the burnt offering His spotless devotion to God, the meal offering His perfect life, the peace offering His making peace, and the sin and trespass offerings His bearing our sin and restoring what He never took away. Aaron's priesthood, the Day of Atonement, and the feasts (Passover, Firstfruits, Pentecost and onward) all point ahead to Christ and to God's program through Him.

Read Leviticus in the NET Bible: Leviticus 1 · MacDonald’s full commentary: Leviticus in the Digest

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MacDonald’s Outline of Leviticus

  1. Types of Offerings (Leviticus 1:1–6:7)
    1. Burnt (Leviticus 1:1–17)
    2. Meal (Leviticus 2:1–16)
    3. Peace (Leviticus 3:1–17)
    4. Sin (Leviticus 4:1–5:13)
    5. Trespass (Leviticus 5:14–6:7)
  2. Laws of the Offerings (Leviticus 6:8–7:38)
  3. Consecration of the Priests (Leviticus 8:1–10:20)
    1. Investiture of the priests by Moses (Leviticus 8:1–36)
    2. Offerings presented by Aaron (Leviticus 9:1–24)
    3. Sacrilege of Aaron's sons (Leviticus 10:1–20)
  4. Laws of Purity and Holiness (Leviticus 11:1–15:33)
    1. Clean and unclean foods (Leviticus 11:1–47)
    2. Uncleanness from childbirth (Leviticus 12:1–8)
    3. Leprosy (Leviticus 13:1–14:57)
    4. Uncleanness from bodily issues (Leviticus 15:1–33)
  5. The Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:1–34)
  6. Laws Concerning Sacrifice (Leviticus 17:1–16)
  7. Laws Concerning Personal Conduct (Leviticus 18:1–22:33)
    1. For the people (Leviticus 18:1–20:27)
    2. For the priests (Leviticus 21:1–22:33)
  8. The Feasts of Jehovah (Leviticus 23:1–44)
  9. Instructions Concerning Lamps, Showbread, Blasphemy, etc. (Leviticus 24:1–23)
  10. Sabbatic Year and Jubilee (Leviticus 25:1–55)
  11. Blessings and Cursings (Leviticus 26:1–46)
  12. Vows and Tithes (Leviticus 27:1–34)

1 · The Burnt Offering: Wholly for God

Leviticus 1

The burnt offering, burned entirely on the altar, expressed full surrender to the Lord and pictures Christ offering Himself without spot to God.

  1. The five offerings fall into two groups: three sweet-savour and voluntary, two for sin and required Leviticus 1–7
    1. Sweet-savour: burnt, meal, peace
    2. Sin offerings: sin and trespass
  2. Three grades of burnt offering, matched to what the offerer could afford Leviticus 1:3–17
    1. An unblemished male bullock from the herd Leviticus 1:3–9
    2. An unblemished male sheep or goat from the flock Leviticus 1:10–13
    3. Turtledoves or young pigeons Leviticus 1:14–17
    4. Only gentle, tame creatures; nothing wild came to God's altar
  3. Each animal shows a different side of Christ (following Peter Pell) Leviticus 1:3–17
    1. Bullock: the tireless Servant doing the Father's will
    2. Sheep: the meek One yielding without resistance
    3. Goat: Christ our Substitute
    4. Dove: the heavenly One and the Man of sorrows
  4. The offerer's part: bring it, lean his hand on it, kill it, skin and cut it, wash it Leviticus 1:3–13
    1. Laying on the hand means leaning on it in trust Leviticus 1:4
  5. The priests' part: sprinkle the blood, lay the fire and wood, burn every part but the skin Leviticus 1:5–17
    1. For birds, the priest drained the blood and burned the body whole Leviticus 1:15–17
  6. All on the altar was God's; the priest kept the skin; the offerer got nothing Leviticus 1:9; 7:8
  7. Meaning: total devotion to the Lord, picturing the spotless Lamb consumed at Calvary by divine justice Leviticus 1:9, 13, 17

Cross references

Leviticus 7:8

Lessons

  • Christ gave Himself to God completely; our response is wholehearted surrender to Him.

Related reading

Also discussed in the library

Read MacDonald on Chapter 1 →   Top

2 · The Meal Offering: A Perfect Life

Leviticus 2

The bloodless meal offering thanked God for His good gifts and pictures the flawless, Spirit-filled life of the Savior.

  1. The KJV 'meat offering' was really a grain or meal offering; 'meat' meant solid food Leviticus 2:1
  2. Several forms of the offering Leviticus 2:1–16
    1. Uncooked fine flour with oil and frankincense Leviticus 2:1–3
    2. Cakes baked in an oven, on a griddle, or in a pan Leviticus 2:4–7
    3. Roasted kernels of firstfruits grain Leviticus 2:14
    4. A leavened firstfruits offering, never burned on the altar Leviticus 2:12; 23:15–21
  3. No leaven or honey, but always salt, the sign of God's covenant Leviticus 2:11–13
    1. Leaven and honey suggest fermentation and natural sweetness Leviticus 2:11
    2. 'The covenant of salt' also in Numbers 18:19, 2 Chronicles 13:5, Ezekiel 43:24 Leviticus 2:13
  4. The offerer prepared it at home; the priest burned a 'memorial' handful Leviticus 2:2, 8–9; 6:14
  5. The handful and all the frankincense were God's; the priests ate the rest Leviticus 2:3, 10; 7:9–10
  6. Meaning: thanks for God's bounty; a picture of Christ's sinless, fragrant, Spirit-filled life Leviticus 2:1–16
    1. Fine flour: His moral perfection
    2. No leaven: untouched by evil
    3. Frankincense: fragrant to God
    4. Oil: full of the Holy Spirit

Cross references

Numbers 18:19 2 Chronicles 13:5 Ezekiel 43:24

Lessons

  • Every good thing in daily life comes from God's bounty and calls for thanksgiving.

Related reading

Also discussed in the library

Read MacDonald on Chapter 2 →   Top

3 · The Peace Offering: Fellowship Feast

Leviticus 3

The peace offering celebrated peace with God won by atoning blood, a shared meal of joy and fellowship that pictures Christ our peace.

  1. A joyful feast of love and fellowship resting on the atoning blood Leviticus 3:1
  2. Three grades, and either male or female could be offered Leviticus 3:1–17
    1. From the herd Leviticus 3:1–5
    2. A lamb from the flock Leviticus 3:6–11
    3. A goat from the flock Leviticus 3:12–17
  3. The offerer presented, leaned on, and killed the animal, and removed the fat parts for the altar Leviticus 3:1–4, 6–10, 12–15
  4. The priests sprinkled the blood and burned God's portion on the burnt offering Leviticus 3:2, 5, 11
  5. The only offering shared by God, priests, and offerer Leviticus 3:11; 7:15–21, 31–33
    1. God: the fat, kidneys, caul, and fat tail Leviticus 3:11
    2. Officiating priest: right shoulder; the other priests: the breast Leviticus 7:31–33
    3. Offerer: the rest, likely a meal with family and friends Leviticus 7:15–21
  6. Meaning: grateful joy in fellowship with God, or a vow or thanksgiving; a type of Christ who made peace Leviticus 3:1–17
    1. He is our peace and broke down the wall between Jew and Gentile (Ephesians 2:14–17)
    2. He made peace by the blood of His cross (Colossians 1:20)
  7. Fat and blood were the Lord's and must never be eaten Leviticus 3:16–17
  8. The first three offerings were voluntary worship; the next two were required atonement Leviticus 1–5

Cross references

Ephesians 2:14 Colossians 1:20 Ephesians 2:17 Leviticus 7:31–33

Lessons

  • In Christ, God and the sinner meet in peace, and both are satisfied with Him.
  • Peace with God overflows into fellowship with God's people.

Related reading

Also discussed in the library

Read MacDonald on Chapter 3 →   Top

4 · The Sin Offering for Unintentional Sins

Leviticus 4

The sin offering gave a redeemed Israelite forgiveness for sins done unknowingly, and pictures Christ made sin for us and suffering outside the gate.

  1. Meant for people already in covenant with God, not sinners seeking salvation Leviticus 4:1–2
    1. It dealt with unintentional sins, not willful rebellion Leviticus 4:2
    2. Defiant sin had no sacrifice, only death (Numbers 15:30)
  2. The offering's size depended on who had sinned Leviticus 4:3–35
    1. High priest: a young bullock Leviticus 4:3
    2. Whole congregation: a young bullock Leviticus 4:13–14
    3. Ruler: a male goat Leviticus 4:22–23
    4. Common person: a female goat or lamb Leviticus 4:27–32
  3. The offerer brought, leaned on, and killed the animal; its death counted as his own Leviticus 4:4, 15, 24, 29
    1. The elders acted for the congregation Leviticus 4:15
  4. How the priest handled the blood depended on whose sin it was Leviticus 4:5–34
    1. For priest or nation: sprinkled before the veil and on the incense altar Leviticus 4:5–7, 16–18
    2. For ruler or commoner: on the horns of the bronze altar Leviticus 4:25, 30, 34
    3. The fat burned on the altar in every case Leviticus 4:8–10, 19, 26, 31
  5. When blood entered the sanctuary, the body was burned outside the camp; otherwise the priest ate it Leviticus 4:11–12, 21; 6:26, 30
  6. Picture of Christ, who entered by His own blood and suffered outside the city Leviticus 4:12, 21
    1. He entered the holy place once for all (Hebrews 9:12)
    2. We are called to go to Him outside the camp (Hebrews 13:13)
    3. He was made sin for us though He knew no sin
  7. Sin offering: Christ dealing with what we are; trespass offering: with what we have done Leviticus 4–5

Cross references

Hebrews 9:12 Hebrews 13:13 Numbers 15:30

Lessons

  • Even sins of weakness or carelessness need the blood; we should go out to Christ, bearing His reproach.

Related reading

Also discussed in the library

Read MacDonald on Chapter 4 →   Top

5:1-13 · Sin Offerings Within Reach of All

Leviticus 5:1–13

These verses add two more grades of sin offering for particular sins, so that even the poorest Israelite could find forgiveness.

  1. Best seen as further sin offerings, not the trespass offering, since no restitution is required Leviticus 5:1–13
    1. Still closely linked to both sin and trespass offerings
  2. The sins here are grouped by kind, not by the person's rank Leviticus 5:1–4
    1. Refusing to testify when put under oath Leviticus 5:1
    2. Jesus answered when placed under oath (Matthew 26:63–64)
    3. Touching a dead body or human uncleanness, even unknowingly Leviticus 5:2–3
    4. Rash oaths one cannot keep Leviticus 5:4
  3. Three levels of offering, matched to the offerer's means Leviticus 5:6–11
    1. A female lamb or goat Leviticus 5:6
    2. Two doves or pigeons, one for sin and one for burnt offering Leviticus 5:7–10
    3. A tenth of an ephah of flour, without oil or frankincense Leviticus 5:11
  4. No one is shut out from forgiveness; likewise none are excluded from Christ Leviticus 5:11–13
  5. How can flour atone without blood (Hebrews 9:22)? It was burned on top of blood offerings Leviticus 5:11–12
  6. The offerer first confessed his guilt; the priest kept what was not burned Leviticus 5:5, 8, 13

Cross references

Matthew 26:63–64 Hebrews 9:22

Lessons

  • Confession of sin comes before the offering is accepted.
  • God's provision for forgiveness reaches even the poorest.

Related reading

Also discussed in the library

Read MacDonald on Chapter 5:1-13 →   Top

5:14—6:7 · The Trespass Offering: Restoring What Was Taken

Leviticus 5:14–6:7

The trespass offering required full restitution plus a fifth for wrongs against God or neighbor, and pictures Christ restoring more than sin ever stole.

  1. Its distinct mark: restitution had to be made before the offering Leviticus 5:16; 6:4–5
  2. Trespasses against God Leviticus 5:14–19
    1. Holding back what belonged to Him: tithes, firstfruits, firstborn Leviticus 5:15
    2. Unknowingly doing what He forbade Leviticus 5:17
  3. Trespasses against people Leviticus 6:1–7
    1. Cheating a neighbor over a deposit, deal, robbery, or oppression Leviticus 6:2
    2. Lying about a lost item one has found Leviticus 6:3
    3. Also required for the betrothed slave girl, the cleansed leper, the defiled Nazirite Leviticus 19:20–22; 14:10–14; Numbers 6:12
  4. The offering: an unblemished ram (a lamb for leper or Nazirite) Leviticus 5:15, 18; 6:6
  5. The offerer repaid the loss plus 20 percent, then brought and killed the ram Leviticus 5:16; 6:5–6
    1. The added fifth taught that sin is costly and never pays
  6. Priest sprinkled blood and burned the fat; priests ate the meat; offerer got nothing Leviticus 7:2–8
  7. Type of Christ, who restored what He never took (Psalm 69:4) Leviticus 5:16; 6:5
    1. Sin robbed God of glory and man of life and fellowship
    2. God gains more glory through the cross than if sin had never come
    3. We are better off in Christ than in unfallen Adam

Cross references

Psalm 69:4 Numbers 6:12 Leviticus 14:10–14 Leviticus 19:20–22

Lessons

  • True repentance makes things right with those we have wronged, and more.
  • Sin is always unprofitable and costly.

Related reading

Also discussed in the library

Read MacDonald on Chapter 5:14—6:7 →   Top

6:8—7:38 · The Laws of the Offerings

Leviticus 6:8–7:38

This section repeats the offerings for the priests' guidance, stressing their portions, the holiness of the sacrifices, and the clean, fresh fellowship of the peace offering.

  1. The offerings again, in a new order and with more about the priests' share Leviticus 6:8–7:38
  2. Law of the burnt offering: priest's garments, the ashes, and the fire that must never go out Leviticus 6:8–13
    1. Ashes set east of the altar, then carried to a clean place outside the camp Leviticus 6:10–11
  3. Law of the meal offering: eaten unleavened in the court, for it is most holy Leviticus 6:14–23
    1. Whoever touched it became holy and must guard against defilement Leviticus 6:18
    2. The high priest's daily offering, morning and evening, wholly burned Leviticus 6:19–23
  4. Law of the sin offering: most holy, killed at the north side, eaten in the court Leviticus 6:24–30
    1. Blood-splashed garments washed so holy blood would not enter common life Leviticus 6:27
    2. Clay pots broken, bronze pots scoured Leviticus 6:28
    3. The north side of the altar, the place of shadows Leviticus 6:25; 1:11
  5. Trespass offering reviewed; priests' rights to skins and meal portions Leviticus 7:1–10
  6. Law of the peace offering: three motives and the rules for eating Leviticus 7:11–21
    1. Thanksgiving, vow, or freewill offering Leviticus 7:12, 16
    2. Cakes accompanied it; one of each went to the priest Leviticus 7:12–14
    3. Thank offering eaten the same day; others by the second day; leftovers burned Leviticus 7:15–17
    4. Only the clean could eat; communion with God must be kept fresh Leviticus 7:18–21
  7. Fat and blood belonged to God and were never eaten Leviticus 7:22–27
    1. Still the basis of kosher practice today
    2. Medicine now confirms the harm of animal fat (McMillen)
  8. The wave breast and heave shoulder went to the priests Leviticus 7:28–36
    1. Breast speaks of divine affection, shoulder of divine power
  9. God gives much space to the offerings because they show His Son in detail Leviticus 7:37–38
    1. Like facets of a diamond reflecting Christ (Hebrews 9:14)

Cross references

Leviticus 1:11 Leviticus 4:22–5:13 Hebrews 9:14

Lessons

  • Fellowship with God must stay fresh and close to the cross.
  • Those who share in holy things must keep themselves clean.

Related reading

Also discussed in the library

Read MacDonald on Chapter 6:8—7:38 →   Top

8 · Aaron and His Sons Consecrated

Leviticus 8

Moses carries out God's instructions from Exodus for ordaining Aaron and his sons, a priesthood that points to Christ's greater, oath-sealed priesthood.

  1. Moses obeys the commands given in Exodus 28–29 Leviticus 8:1–5
    1. Priests and people assembled Leviticus 8:1–5
  2. Washing, clothing, and anointing Leviticus 8:6–13
    1. Priests washed with water Leviticus 8:6
    2. Aaron dressed as high priest Leviticus 8:7–9
    3. Tabernacle anointed with oil Leviticus 8:10–11
    4. Oil poured on Aaron: the Spirit given without measure to Jesus Leviticus 8:12
    5. Aaron's sons dressed Leviticus 8:13
  3. Sin offering, burnt offering, and ram of consecration offered for them Leviticus 8:14–29
    1. The consecration ram differed in its blood rite and burned portions Leviticus 8:22–28
    2. Moses, as officiant, received the breast Leviticus 8:29
  4. Blood on ear, thumb, and toe: Christ's blood should shape our hearing, serving, and walking Leviticus 8:23–24
  5. Anointed with blood and oil, they ate the offering; the rite repeated seven days Leviticus 8:30–36
  6. What was missing: no oath. Christ alone was made priest with an oath (Hebrews 7:21) Leviticus 8:1–36
    1. His priesthood is permanent and unchangeable (Matthew Henry)

Cross references

Exodus 28–29 Hebrews 7:21

Lessons

  • The blood of Christ should touch what we hear, what we do, and where we go.

Also discussed in the library

Read MacDonald on Chapter 8 →   Top

9 · Aaron Begins His Priestly Ministry

Leviticus 9

On the eighth day Aaron offers for himself and the people, blesses them, and God shows His acceptance with fire from His presence.

  1. On the eighth day the priests begin their duties Leviticus 9:1
  2. Offerings first for themselves, then for the people Leviticus 9:2–4
    1. For the priests: a calf for sin, a ram for burnt offering Leviticus 9:2
    2. For the people: goat, calf and lamb, ox and ram, and a meal offering Leviticus 9:3–4
  3. Aaron obeys fully and lifts his hands to bless the people Leviticus 9:5–22
  4. Fire from the Lord consumes the offering, showing God's acceptance Leviticus 9:24
    1. This fire was to be kept burning on the altar continually

Also discussed in the library

Read MacDonald on Chapter 9 →   Top

10 · Strange Fire: Nadab and Abihu Judged

Leviticus 10

Aaron's sons die for offering strange fire, a solemn warning against approaching God apart from the altar, followed by a dispute over the sin offering.

  1. Nadab and Abihu offer 'strange fire,' perhaps not from the bronze altar Leviticus 10:1
    1. Like trying to come to God some other way than Christ's atoning work
  2. Fire from God consumes them; Aaron must not complain Leviticus 10:2–3
  3. The bodies removed; the priests must not mourn but stay at their post Leviticus 10:4–7
  4. A ban on strong drink for priests hints they may have been drunk Leviticus 10:8–11
  5. Eleazar and Ithamar burn the people's sin offering instead of eating it Leviticus 10:12–20
    1. Blood not taken inside meant the priests should have eaten it Leviticus 10:16–18; 6:26
    2. Aaron explains his fear after the judgment; Moses accepts it Leviticus 10:19–20

Cross references

Leviticus 6:28 Leviticus 8:30

Lessons

  • God must be approached only in His appointed way, through the sacrifice of Christ.

Also discussed in the library

Read MacDonald on Chapter 10 →   Top

11 · Clean and Unclean Food

Leviticus 11

God uses Israel's diet to teach that a holy people must be holy in all of life, with spiritual lessons drawn from the marks of clean creatures.

  1. Chapters 11–15 deal with ritual cleanness: not moral sin, but barriers to worship Leviticus 11–15
  2. Land animals: clean if fully split hoof and chewing the cud Leviticus 11:2–8
    1. Clean: oxen, sheep, goats, deer; unclean: pig, camel, rabbit
    2. Lesson: meditate on the Word and walk a separated life
  3. Water creatures: clean only with fins and scales Leviticus 11:9–12
    1. Scales: the believer's armor; fins: God's power to move through the world
  4. Birds of prey and most insects unclean; locusts and grasshoppers allowed Leviticus 11:13–23
  5. Touching carcasses brings uncleanness until evening Leviticus 11:24–40
    1. Paw-walking animals named specially Leviticus 11:27
    2. Defiled clay pots broken; springs and dry seed stay clean Leviticus 11:32–38
  6. Crawling things forbidden as food Leviticus 11:41–43
  7. The purpose: 'be holy, for I am holy' Leviticus 11:44–47
    1. Jesus later declared all foods clean (Mark 7:18–19; 1 Timothy 4:1–5)
    2. These laws also held sound health principles

Cross references

Mark 7:18–19 1 Timothy 4:1–5

Lessons

  • Feed on God's Word and walk apart from the world's ways.
  • God's people are to be holy in every area of life.

Related reading

Also discussed in the library

Read MacDonald on Chapter 11 →   Top

12 · Purification After Childbirth

Leviticus 12

A mother's ceremonial uncleanness after birth reminds that all are born in sin, while also showing God's tender care for her.

  1. After a son: seven days unclean, circumcision on the eighth, then 33 days at home Leviticus 12:2–4
  2. After a daughter: two weeks unclean, then 66 days at home Leviticus 12:5
  3. Then a lamb and a bird, or two birds if poor Leviticus 12:6–8
    1. Mary brought two birds, showing the poverty of Jesus' birth (Luke 2:22–24)
  4. Why uncleanness at a birth? We are all born in sin, except the Lord (Psalm 51:5) Leviticus 12:2
    1. Longer time for a girl may recall creation order and the woman's first sin Leviticus 12:5
  5. God's care shielded the mother when weak and at risk of infection (Williams) Leviticus 12:1–8

Cross references

Luke 2:22–24 Psalm 51:5

Lessons

  • The Son of God entered the world in poverty for our sakes.

Also discussed in the library

Read MacDonald on Chapter 12 →   Top

13 · Diagnosing Leprosy in People and Garments

Leviticus 13

The priest examines skin diseases and contaminated garments, separating the clean from the unclean with careful tests.

  1. Biblical leprosy seems different from today's Hansen's disease Leviticus 13:1–3
    1. Its victims were mobile, not deformed, and sometimes healed
  2. Doubtful cases: seven-day quarantines and re-examination Leviticus 13:4–8
  3. Chronic, arrested, and raw-flesh cases distinguished Leviticus 13:9–17
    1. Fully white, inactive cases declared clean Leviticus 13:12–13, 16–17
  4. Boils, burns, scalp itches, tetter, and baldness each tested Leviticus 13:18–44
    1. Boils Leviticus 13:18–23
    2. Burns Leviticus 13:24–28
    3. Head or beard itch Leviticus 13:29–37
    4. Tetter (eczema) and ordinary baldness not leprous Leviticus 13:38–44
  5. The leper's misery: outside the camp, torn clothes, crying 'Unclean!' Leviticus 13:45–46
  6. Leprosy in garments, likely mold or mildew Leviticus 13:47–59
    1. God's people must be clean outwardly as well as inwardly

Lessons

  • God's people are to be pure outwardly as well as inwardly.

Also discussed in the library

Read MacDonald on Chapter 13 →   Top

14 · Cleansing the Leper and the House

Leviticus 14

The healed leper's cleansing with two birds pictures the death and resurrection of Christ applied to the repentant sinner by the Spirit.

  1. The priest inspects the healed leper outside the camp Leviticus 14:1–3
  2. Two birds with cedar, scarlet, and hyssop Leviticus 14:4–7
    1. Cedar and hyssop: God's judgment on all, from highest to lowest Leviticus 14:4
    2. Scarlet: linked with sin in Isaiah 1:18
    3. One bird killed over running water; the living bird dipped and released Leviticus 14:5–7
  3. Leprosy as a picture of sin, and the birds as Christ's death and resurrection Leviticus 14:4–7
    1. Sin defiles, excludes, and makes miserable
    2. Blood: Christ's blood; running water: the Spirit's regenerating work
  4. Washing, shaving, and waiting seven days before full restoration Leviticus 14:8–9
  5. On the eighth day: trespass, sin, burnt, and meal offerings Leviticus 14:10–20
    1. The poor could bring birds, but still a lamb for trespass Leviticus 14:21–32
  6. Leprosy in a house in Canaan, likely mold or rot Leviticus 14:33–53
    1. Emptied first to spare its contents Leviticus 14:36
    2. Stones removed, or the whole house torn down Leviticus 14:40–45
    3. A cleansing ritual like the leper's if healed Leviticus 14:48–53
  7. Summary of chapters 13 and 14 Leviticus 14:54–57

Cross references

Isaiah 1:18

Lessons

  • When a sinner repents, Christ's death and resurrection are counted to him and God sees him clean.

Also discussed in the library

Read MacDonald on Chapter 14 →   Top

15 · Uncleanness from Bodily Discharges

Leviticus 15

This chapter covers ceremonial uncleanness from natural or diseased bodily discharges and their cleansing.

  1. A man's diseased discharge and its cleansing Leviticus 15:1–15
  2. Emissions of semen, involuntary and voluntary Leviticus 15:16–18
  3. A woman's monthly cycle and abnormal flows of blood Leviticus 15:19–30
  4. Summary of the chapter Leviticus 15:31–33

Also discussed in the library

Read MacDonald on Chapter 15 →   Top

16 · The Great Day of Atonement

Leviticus 16

On Israel's greatest and most solemn day the high priest brought blood into the Most Holy Place and sent away the scapegoat, a yearly covering now surpassed by Christ's complete removal of sin.

  1. Israel's greatest day, on the tenth of the seventh month: a fast, not a feast Leviticus 16:29–31; 23:27–32
    1. Five days before the Feast of Tabernacles
    2. Here 'Holy Place' means the Most Holy Place Leviticus 16:2
  2. Set against the death of Nadab and Abihu: entry only on this day, and with blood Leviticus 16:1–3
  3. Preparation Leviticus 16:3–8
    1. The high priest bathes and wears plain white linen Leviticus 16:4
    2. Bull and ram for himself; two goats and a ram for the people Leviticus 16:3, 5
    3. Lots cast: one goat for the Lord, one for Azazel (scapegoat) Leviticus 16:7–8
  4. Blood brought within the veil Leviticus 16:11–16
    1. Bull killed for himself and his house Leviticus 16:11
    2. Incense cloud covers the mercy seat Leviticus 16:12–13
    3. Bull's blood, then goat's blood, sprinkled on and before the mercy seat Leviticus 16:14–15
  5. Atonement moves outward: Most Holy Place, Holy Place, then the bronze altar Leviticus 16:16–19
  6. The scapegoat bears the people's confessed sins into the wilderness Leviticus 16:20–22
    1. Two goats, two sides of atonement: meeting God's holiness and removing our sins
    2. Sins laid on the goat to be taken away forever Leviticus 16:21
  7. Closing rites Leviticus 16:23–28
    1. Bathing and putting on garments of glory and beauty Leviticus 16:23–24
    2. Two rams offered; sin offerings burned outside the camp, even the skins Leviticus 16:24–27
  8. The high priest entered at least four times, yet on only one day (Hebrews 9:7–12) Leviticus 16:12–15
  9. 'Once every year' shows its weakness; Christ's work removes sin completely Leviticus 16:34
    1. Animal blood cannot take away sins (Hebrews 10:4)

Cross references

Hebrews 9:7–12 Hebrews 10:4 Leviticus 23:27–32

Lessons

  • Rejoice that Christ's sacrifice does not merely cover sins for a year but takes them away forever.

Related reading

Also discussed in the library

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17 · One Place of Sacrifice; The Life in the Blood

Leviticus 17

Sacrifices must be offered only at the tabernacle door, and blood must never be eaten, because the life is in the blood and God gave it for atonement.

  1. Animals could be killed for food, but sacrifices only at the tabernacle door Leviticus 17:1–9
    1. Forbids open-field offerings like those to the goat-god Pan Leviticus 17:7
    2. 'Devils' means 'hairy ones,' goat-demons Israel may have served in Egypt Leviticus 17:7; Isaiah 13:21; 34:14
  2. Eating blood forbidden: it is for atonement, not food Leviticus 17:10–14
    1. 'The life of the flesh is in the blood': a key verse to memorize Leviticus 17:11
    2. Atonement is life for life; no forgiveness without shed blood
    3. Sin's penalty is not excused but transferred to a substitute
  3. Cleansing for one who unknowingly ate unbled meat; punishment if refused Leviticus 17:15–16

Cross references

Isaiah 13:21 Isaiah 34:14

Lessons

  • Forgiveness comes because the penalty was paid by a substitute whose life was poured out.

Also discussed in the library

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18 · Sexual Purity and Forbidden Relationships

Leviticus 18

God forbids the incest, perversion, and idolatrous practices of Egypt and Canaan, showing that morals flow from what people believe about God.

  1. Israel must leave behind the ways of Egypt and Canaan Leviticus 18:1–5
  2. Marriage with close relatives forbidden Leviticus 18:6–18
    1. Mother, stepmother, sister, granddaughter, aunt, in-laws, and more Leviticus 18:7–18
    2. Brother's widow later allowed in levirate marriage (Deuteronomy 25:5) Leviticus 18:16
    3. Medicine confirms the harm of close-kin marriage
  3. Other sins banned: adultery, Molech worship, homosexuality, bestiality Leviticus 18:19–23
    1. Molech, god of the Ammonites, received children by fire Leviticus 18:21
  4. Why: the land vomited out the Canaanites for these things Leviticus 18:24–30
    1. Impurity and idolatry go together; morality is the fruit of theology
    2. Their deep corruption explains God's severe judgment on them

Cross references

Deuteronomy 25:5

Lessons

  • A person's conduct grows out of what he believes about God.

Also discussed in the library

Read MacDonald on Chapter 18 →   Top

19 · Be Holy: Laws for Everyday Life

Leviticus 19

Because the Lord is holy, His people must reflect Him in worship, honesty, kindness to the weak, love for neighbor, and separation from pagan ways.

  1. The foundation of holiness: 'I the Lord your God am holy' Leviticus 19:2
  2. Echoes of the Ten Commandments Leviticus 19:3–4, 11–12
    1. Honor parents; keep the sabbath; no idols Leviticus 19:3–4
    2. No stealing, lying, or false oaths Leviticus 19:11–12
  3. Care for the poor and the weak Leviticus 19:9–10, 13–14
    1. Leave field corners and gleanings Leviticus 19:9–10
    2. Pay wages promptly; never mock the deaf or trip the blind Leviticus 19:13–14
    3. Reverence for God shown by respect for others Leviticus 19:32; 25:17
  4. Justice and love toward one's neighbor Leviticus 19:15–18
    1. No favoritism or slander Leviticus 19:15–16
    2. Deal openly with offenses instead of nursing hatred Leviticus 19:17
    3. Love your neighbor: the Law summed up (Galatians 5:14; Mark 12:31) Leviticus 19:18
  5. Lessons in separation: no mixed breeding, seed, or fabric Leviticus 19:19
    1. God is a God of separation from sin and defilement
  6. Other laws: the betrothed slave girl, fruit trees, pagan customs, honest weights Leviticus 19:20–37
    1. Fruit withheld three years, given to God the fourth Leviticus 19:23–25
    2. No sorcery, pagan cuts or marks, mediums Leviticus 19:26–31
    3. Honor the aged; welcome strangers; trade honestly Leviticus 19:32–37

Cross references

Galatians 5:14 Mark 12:31 Deuteronomy 6:4–5

Lessons

  • Handle problems with others openly before they turn into bitterness and sin.
  • We show our reverence for God by how we treat the weak, the old, and the poor.

Also discussed in the library

Read MacDonald on Chapter 19 →   Top

20 · Penalties for Grave Sins

Leviticus 20

God sets the punishments, mostly death, for the sins named in chapters 18 and 19, longing for a holy people set apart from the nations.

  1. Molech worshipers stoned; God Himself would cut them off if the people did not Leviticus 20:1–5
  2. Death for mediums, cursing parents, adultery, incest, and sodomy Leviticus 20:6–13
    1. Both guilty parties put to death
  3. Burning, bestiality, and other unlawful unions Leviticus 20:14–21
    1. Some offenses punished by childlessness Leviticus 20:19–21
    2. Levirate marriage after a brother's death (Deuteronomy 25:5) Leviticus 20:21
  4. God's heart: a holy, separated people enjoying the land Leviticus 20:22–26
  5. Mediums and wizards to be stoned Leviticus 20:27

Cross references

Deuteronomy 25:5

Lessons

  • God longs for a people set apart from the world's corruption to enjoy His blessing.

Also discussed in the library

Read MacDonald on Chapter 20 →   Top

21 · Holiness Required of the Priests

Leviticus 21

Priests, and especially the high priest, must keep a higher standard in mourning, marriage, and physical fitness, picturing Christ our spotless High Priest.

  1. Chapters 16–17 and 21–22 are addressed to Aaron and his sons Leviticus 21:1
  2. Ordinary priests: limits on mourning and marriage Leviticus 21:1–9
    1. Defilement by the dead only for near kin (Numbers 19:14) Leviticus 21:1–4
    2. No pagan mourning marks Leviticus 21:5
    3. Not to marry a harlot or divorced woman Leviticus 21:7
    4. A priest's daughter turned harlot to be burned Leviticus 21:9
  3. The high priest: no customary mourning, must marry a virgin of his people Leviticus 21:10–15
  4. Physical defects barred a son of Aaron from serving, not from eating Leviticus 21:16–23
    1. Unblemished priests pictured Christ our unblemished High Priest

Cross references

Numbers 19:14

Also discussed in the library

Read MacDonald on Chapter 21 →   Top

22 · Holy Food and Acceptable Sacrifices

Leviticus 22

Only clean priests and their households may eat the holy food, and only unblemished animals may be offered to the Lord.

  1. An unclean priest must keep away from the holy food until cleansed Leviticus 22:1–9
    1. Bathe and wait until evening Leviticus 22:6–7
  2. Who could eat the priests' food Leviticus 22:10–13
    1. Not strangers or hired servants; yes bought slaves Leviticus 22:10–11
    2. A widowed or divorced, childless daughter back home could eat Leviticus 22:13
  3. Eating holy food unknowingly: repay plus a fifth Leviticus 22:14–16
  4. Offerings must be without blemish Leviticus 22:17–25
    1. Deformed animals allowed only as freewill offerings Leviticus 22:23
    2. No defective animals accepted even from strangers Leviticus 22:25
  5. Other rules: at least eight days old; not mother and young the same day; thank offering eaten same day Leviticus 22:26–30

Also discussed in the library

Read MacDonald on Chapter 22 →   Top

23 · The Feasts of the Lord

Leviticus 23

Israel's yearly calendar of holy days traces, in type, God's program from the cross and resurrection through Pentecost, the church age, Israel's regathering and repentance, to the Millennium.

  1. The weekly sabbath: the only weekly holy day of rest Leviticus 23:3
  2. Passover: redemption from Egypt; Christ our Passover (1 Corinthians 5:7) Leviticus 23:5
  3. Unleavened Bread: seven days with all leaven removed Leviticus 23:6–8
    1. A life rid of malice, marked by sincerity and truth (1 Corinthians 5:8)
    2. Pierced, striped matzo pictures the sinless, wounded Messiah
  4. Firstfruits: the barley sheaf waved, picturing the risen Christ (1 Corinthians 15:20) Leviticus 23:9–14
    1. His resurrection guarantees ours
  5. Weeks (Pentecost): two leavened loaves, picturing the Spirit's coming and the church Leviticus 23:15–21
    1. The only offering made with leaven Leviticus 23:17
    2. Jew and Gentile made one new man (Ephesians 2:15)
  6. The long gap before the next feast may picture the present church age Leviticus 23:22
  7. Trumpets: Israel regathered; perhaps also the Rapture Leviticus 23:23–25
    1. Ten days of self-examination before Atonement
  8. Day of Atonement: Israel's future national repentance (Zechariah 12:10; Zechariah 13:1) Leviticus 23:26–32
    1. No work allowed: salvation is not by our deeds (Titus 3:5) Leviticus 23:28–31
    2. 'Afflict your souls' means to fast Leviticus 23:27, 29
  9. Tabernacles: living in booths; final harvest and millennial rest Leviticus 23:33–44
    1. Also called Ingathering (Exodus 23:16)
    2. At this feast Jesus offered living water (John 7:37–38)
    3. To be kept again in Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:16)
  10. The feasts tied spiritual and daily life together; bounty meant rejoicing before God Leviticus 23:1–44

Cross references

1 Corinthians 5:7–8 1 Corinthians 15:20 Ephesians 2:15 Zechariah 12:10 Titus 3:5 John 7:37–38 Zechariah 14:16 Exodus 23:16

Lessons

  • No human works can remove sins; Christ's work alone saves.
  • Times of plenty should be times of rejoicing before the Lord who provides.

Related reading

Also discussed in the library

Read MacDonald on Chapter 23 →   Top

24 · Lamp, Showbread, and the Blasphemer

Leviticus 24

After the yearly feasts come the daily lamp and weekly showbread, then the stoning of a blasphemer, which shows that God's law applied to all alike.

  1. Daily and weekly ministries in the sanctuary Leviticus 24:1–9
    1. Pure oil for the golden lampstand Leviticus 24:1–4
    2. Twelve loaves on the table; frankincense was the Lord's Leviticus 24:5–9
  2. A man of mixed parentage stoned for cursing God Leviticus 24:10–16, 23
    1. One law for everyone in the camp Leviticus 24:22
    2. Blasphemy, like murder, a capital crime Leviticus 24:14–17
    3. The law the Jews used against Jesus (John 19:7) Leviticus 24:16
  3. Compensation and the principle of 'eye for eye' Leviticus 24:17–21
    1. Just retribution limits punishment to the wrong done
  4. Israel as God intended (the lamp and bread) and as it became (the blasphemer) Leviticus 24:1–16

Cross references

John 19:7

Related reading

Also discussed in the library

Read MacDonald on Chapter 24 →   Top

25 · Sabbath Year and Year of Jubilee

Leviticus 25

The sabbatic year and the Jubilee remind Israel that both the land and the people belong to the Lord and can never be sold forever.

  1. Chapters 25–27 were given from Mount Sinai Leviticus 25:1; 26:46; 27:34
  2. Every seventh year the land rests; its growth is free for all Leviticus 25:2–7
  3. The fiftieth year, the Jubilee: liberty, rest, and land returned Leviticus 25:8–17
    1. Begun on the Day of Atonement Leviticus 25:9
    2. Prices fell as Jubilee drew near Leviticus 25:15–17
    3. Verse 10 is on the U.S. Liberty Bell Leviticus 25:10
    4. Like the Lord's coming: wealth loses value, so use it for Him now
  4. God promised a triple harvest in the sixth year Leviticus 25:18–22
  5. The land is the Lord's; three ways to redeem it Leviticus 25:23–28
    1. By a near kinsman Leviticus 25:25
    2. By the seller himself Leviticus 25:26–27
    3. Automatically at Jubilee Leviticus 25:28
  6. Rules for houses in walled cities, villages, and Levite cities Leviticus 25:29–34
  7. Kindness to poor Israelites Leviticus 25:35–55
    1. No interest or profit on loans to them Leviticus 25:35–38
    2. A poor brother served as a hired man, not a slave Leviticus 25:39–46
    3. One sold to a foreigner could always be redeemed Leviticus 25:47–55
  8. Both the people and the land belong to God Leviticus 25:23, 55

Lessons

  • As the Lord's coming draws near, earthly wealth loses value; invest it in His work now.
  • Recognize the Lord as rightful Owner of all we have.

Also discussed in the library

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26 · Blessings for Obedience, Warnings for Disobedience

Leviticus 26

God promises rich blessing for obedience and increasingly severe chastening for disobedience, always aimed at bringing His people to repentance.

  1. Warning gets twice the space of blessing Leviticus 26:1–46
    1. Chastening aims at repentance, not revenge Leviticus 26:40–42
  2. Blessings for keeping His commands Leviticus 26:1–13
    1. Rain, harvest, peace, safety, victory Leviticus 26:4–8
    2. Fruitfulness and God's own presence Leviticus 26:9–13
    3. He broke their yoke and made them walk upright Leviticus 26:13
  3. Judgments for disobedience, growing step by step Leviticus 26:14–39
    1. Note the stages in verses 14, 18, 21, 24, 28 Leviticus 26:14–28
    2. Famine so severe it led to cannibalism (2 Kings 6:29; Lamentations 4:10) Leviticus 26:26, 29
  4. Exile while the land enjoys its missed sabbaths Leviticus 26:34–35
    1. Fulfilled in the seventy years in Babylon (2 Chronicles 36:20–21)
  5. A way back through confession; God remembers His covenant Leviticus 26:40–46

Cross references

2 Kings 6:29 Lamentations 4:10 2 Chronicles 36:20–21

Lessons

  • God's discipline is meant to bring His people back to Him.

Also discussed in the library

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27 · Vows, Devoted Things, and Tithes

Leviticus 27

Rules for redeeming people, animals, houses, and fields vowed to the Lord, the difference between sanctified and devoted things, and the tithe.

  1. Voluntary vows of persons, animals, houses, or fields could be paid in money Leviticus 27:1–2
    1. Vowed things went to the priests (Numbers 18:14)
  2. A table of values for vowed persons, by age and sex Leviticus 27:3–8
    1. The poor paid what the priest set Leviticus 27:8
  3. Animals: clean ones offered, not swapped; unclean redeemed plus a fifth Leviticus 27:9–13
  4. Houses and fields redeemed at the priest's value plus a fifth Leviticus 27:14–25
    1. Field values tied to seed and years until Jubilee Leviticus 27:16–18
    2. Unredeemed fields became the priests' at Jubilee Leviticus 27:20–21
  5. Firstborn could not be vowed; devoted things could not be redeemed Leviticus 27:26–29
    1. Sanctified things could be bought back; devoted things were final
  6. The tithe of crops and flocks is the Lord's Leviticus 27:30–33
    1. Every tenth animal passing under the rod, no switching Leviticus 27:32–33
    2. The Levites' tithe (Numbers 18:21–24); a second tithe in Deuteronomy 14:22–29

Cross references

Numbers 18:14 Numbers 18:17 Numbers 18:21–24 Deuteronomy 14:22–29

Also discussed in the library

Read MacDonald on Chapter 27 →   Top

Further reading on Leviticus

In the Faithful Men Library

On plymouthbrethren.org

Every library book that cites Leviticus: Scripture index — Leviticus

Outline based on Old Testament Digest, Volume 1: Genesis–Deuteronomy by William MacDonald. Copyright © 1981 by William MacDonald. Used by permission of the author (as published on plymouthbrethren.org). williammacdonald.org