Bible Commentary

Introduction to Leviticus Chapter 22 Leviticus chapter 22 continues the “Holiness Code” (Leviticus 17-26), focusing specifically on the holiness required of priests when handling and consuming sacred offerings, and the holiness required of the offerings themselves. While chapter 21 addressed the personal purity and physical qualifications of priests, chapter 22 details the conditions under which […]

Introduction to Leviticus Chapter 21 Leviticus chapter 21 continues the “Holiness Code” (Leviticus 17-26) by shifting its focus specifically to the laws of holiness for the priests. While the previous chapters addressed the holiness required of all Israelites, this chapter details the even stricter standards of purity and conduct demanded of those who were consecrated

Introduction to Leviticus Chapter 20 Leviticus chapter 20 continues the “Holiness Code” (Leviticus 17-26), specifically by reiterating and providing the penalties for many of the severe moral and sexual transgressions introduced in chapter 18. While chapter 18 defined what was forbidden, chapter 20 specifies the consequences for violating these laws, particularly the capital punishments for

Introduction to Leviticus Chapter 19 Leviticus chapter 19 is a central and highly significant portion of the “Holiness Code” (Leviticus 17-26), often considered the ethical heart of the book. While previous chapters focused on ritual purity and specific moral prohibitions, chapter 19 provides a broad and comprehensive set of ethical and moral commands that govern

Introduction to Leviticus Chapter 18 Leviticus chapter 18 is a pivotal chapter within the “Holiness Code” (Leviticus 17-26), shifting from ritual purity to explicit moral and ethical laws, particularly concerning sexual morality. This chapter directly addresses various forms of forbidden sexual relationships, including incest, adultery, and homosexual acts, as well as bestiality. It sets clear

Introduction to Leviticus Chapter 17 Leviticus chapter 17 marks a transition in the book, moving from the detailed laws of offerings and purity (Leviticus 1-16) to a section often called the “Holiness Code” (Leviticus 17-26), which focuses on ethical and moral laws that govern Israel’s daily life and worship. Chapter 17, in particular, lays down

Introduction to Leviticus Chapter 16 Leviticus chapter 16 is arguably the most significant chapter in the entire book of Leviticus and one of the most crucial passages in the Old Testament for understanding the concept of atonement. It details the elaborate and solemn rituals for the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), the single most holy

Introduction to Leviticus Chapter 15 Leviticus chapter 15 continues the book’s extensive focus on laws of ritual purity, specifically addressing bodily discharges that cause ritual uncleanness. Unlike tzara’at (leprosy) which was often linked to sin and required elaborate cleansing, the discharges in this chapter are natural bodily functions, yet they render an individual ritually unclean

Introduction to Leviticus Chapter 14 Leviticus chapter 14 continues the discussion of tzara’at (leprosy) from chapter 13, but shifts its focus dramatically from diagnosis and isolation to the ceremony of cleansing and restoration for a person who has been healed of the disease. This chapter provides incredibly detailed and elaborate rituals for the priest to

Introduction to Leviticus Chapter 13 Leviticus chapter 13 delves into one of the most extensive and medically detailed sections of the Mosaic Law: the diagnosis and management of leprosy (tzara’at in Hebrew). This chapter, along with chapter 14, provides meticulous instructions for priests to identify various skin diseases that fell under the umbrella term tzara’at,