Bible Commentary

Introduction to Leviticus Chapter 12 Leviticus chapter 12 continues the book’s focus on laws of ritual purity, specifically addressing the purification of women after childbirth. Following the detailed dietary laws in chapter 11, this chapter outlines the periods of ritual uncleanness a woman experienced after giving birth to a male or female child, and the […]

Introduction to Leviticus Chapter 11 Leviticus chapter 11 marks a significant shift in the book’s focus, moving from the laws of offerings and priesthood to the laws of ritual purity, specifically concerning clean and unclean animals for consumption. This chapter details God’s dietary regulations for the Israelites, distinguishing between animals they were permitted to eat

Introduction to Leviticus Chapter 10 Leviticus chapter 10 presents a dramatic and sobering interruption to the joyous inauguration of the Tabernacle service described in chapter 9. Immediately following the glorious manifestation of God’s presence and the miraculous consumption of the offerings by divine fire, tragedy strikes. This chapter records the swift and severe judgment of

Introduction to Leviticus Chapter 9 Leviticus chapter 9 describes the culmination of the priestly consecration ceremony and the inauguration of the Tabernacle service. Following the seven days of intense purification and ordination detailed in Leviticus 8, this chapter records the first official sacrifices performed by Aaron and his sons as consecrated priests. It is a

Introduction to Leviticus Chapter 8 Leviticus chapter 8 marks a pivotal moment in the history of Israel: the consecration and ordination of Aaron and his sons as the first priests of the Tabernacle. Following the detailed instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle ( Exodus 25 – 40) and the laws concerning the various offerings

Introduction to Leviticus Chapter 7 Leviticus chapter 7 concludes the detailed instructions concerning the five main offerings (burnt, grain, peace, sin, and guilt offerings) that began in chapter 1. While the previous chapters primarily focused on the worshiper’s role and the general purpose of each sacrifice, chapter 6 began to shift the focus to the

The Law of the Burnt Offering: Perpetual Fire Leviticus chapter 6 delves deeper into the practical regulations for the priests concerning the various offerings, beginning with the Burnt Offering (olah). While Leviticus 1 focused on the worshiper’s role, this chapter details the priestly duties, emphasizing the sacredness and continuity of the ritual. “And the Lord

The Guilt Offering: Addressing Specific Sins and Guilt Leviticus chapter 5 continues the discussion of offerings for sin, but introduces two distinct categories: further regulations for the Sin Offering (chatta’t) for specific unintentional sins, and then the introduction of the Guilt Offering (or Trespass Offering, asham in Hebrew). The chapter begins by detailing situations where

The Sin Offering: Atonement for Unintentional Sins Leviticus chapter 4 introduces the Sin Offering (chatta’t in Hebrew), a crucial sacrifice fundamentally different from the burnt (Leviticus 1) and grain (Leviticus 2) offerings. While the burnt offering atoned for general sin and expressed complete devotion, and the grain offering expressed dedication, the sin offering was specifically

The Peace Offering: A Voluntary Act of Fellowship Leviticus chapter 3 introduces the Peace Offering (zevach shelamim in Hebrew), a unique sacrifice distinct from the burnt offering (Leviticus 1) for atonement and the grain offering (Leviticus 2) for dedication. The term shelamim is related to shalom, meaning “peace,” “wholeness,” “completeness,” or “well-being.” This offering primarily