Bible 110 Old Testament
Leviticus
Importance of Law
This is the foundation of Israelite legal tradition. Normally it is associated with
Moses. Leviticus is named after the levitical or priestly matters which it treats.
Much of Leviticus reflects to matters related to Israelite worship.
A.
Types of law
Casuistic- hypothetical case and stipulation of punishment (“if a man does
so and sol … then …” 21:7ff). This type of law is common in the near east. Israel
probably was influenced by the example of Canaanites with whom they settled.
Apodictic – “thou shall not…”
Decalogue is example
1. Fundamental in character
2. Radically religious
3. Rhythmic and terse
4. Tend to appear in a series
5. Connects intimately religion, ethics, and law
B.
How early is Decalogue?
Some say that it goes back to Moses. Others date Decalogue in
amphictyony or confederacy. Others argue for a later “pre-exilic” date.
Some similarities between Israelite form and Hittite treaty form: Preamble
(20:2a), historical prologue (20:26), stipulations (king-1st four commandments;
vassals - last six commandments), provision for depositing document in a shrine
and its periodic reading (Deuteronomy 31); list of gods as witnesses (not in OT);
curse – blessing formula (other places in OT). Similarities to Hittite treaties must
mean that Decalogue comes from same period (1450-1200 BC) as Hittite
treaties. Other scholars see differences in the two, making them not necessarily
the same time period.
Form critical study suggests that the Decalogue reflects a settled
community (not nomadic), a northern origin (not Jerusalem), Deuteronomic
authorship and phraseology no earlier than 9th century BC. It was handed down
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Bible 110 Old Testament
to Jerusalem (south) later both through prophetic influence and through the
influence of the cultus. Cultic use of Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5 has
changed them from gracious expression of covenantal relation to terrifying, aweinspiring law of God.
Nielsen suggested that some of the laws reflected a nomadic period,
some reflect pre-monarchical period, some a settled, urban existence.
Decalogue in north put restrictions on royal authority, power. After 722 BC
it moved south to Jerusalem royal theology. It became converted to covenant
form by the Deuteronomic authors.
C.
Contents of Leviticus
Laws and regulations covering those aspects of life in which a priest was
involved, either as a leader in worship or special guardian of Israel’s holy nature.
The regulations in Leviticus are organized around the offering of sacrifice to God,
organization of priesthood, and many other matters. It may be called a
guidebook for Israel in the matter of daily living as “a kingdom of priests and a
holy nation.”
Manual of Sacrifice
1-7
Historical narrative
8-10
Laws of hygiene
11-15
Day of Atonement
16
Holiness Code
17-26
Religious ideas in Leviticus:
1. God is present with his people
2. God is perfectly holy; his presence with Israel extends this holiness to
cover the whole of life of the nation
3. God’s will is that his people should live in holy relationship with Him. This
was given expression by the gracious act of election by God (at Sinai) into
covenant with Himself.
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Bible 110 Old Testament
Manual of Sacrifice
1:1-7:38
Burnt offering
1:1-17
Cereal offering
2:1-16
Peace offering
3:1-17
Sin and guilt offerings
4:1-6:7
Instructions for priests regarding sacrifices
6:8-7:38
Historical narrative: Beginning of Israel’s worship at Sinai
8:1-10:20
Consecration of Aaron and sons to be Israel’s priests
8:1-36
First public sacrifice in Israel
9:1-24
Error of Nadab and Abha
10:1-20
Laws of Hygiene 11-15
Clean and unclean animals 11:1-47
Israelites may eat beasts that parts the hoof and is cloven-footed and
chews cud. May not eat carnel, rock badger, hare, or swine. Israelites may eat
in waters, rivers, seas everything that has fins and scales. May not eat things
which do not have fins and scales. May not eat eagle, vulture, osprey, kite,
falcon, raven, ostrich, nighthawk, seagull, hawk, owl, cormorant, ibis, water hen,
pelican, carrion vulture, stork, heron, hoopoe, bat, etc.
Uncleanness connected with child birth 12:1-8
A woman is unclean longer after giving birth to female than after giving birth to a
male.
Uncleanness arising from leprosy
13:1-15:33
Diagnosis of disease
13:1-46
Identification of disease in clothes
13:47-59
Offerings for cleansing
14:1-32
Procedure for leprosy in houses
14:33-57
Uncleanness through bodily discharges
15:1-33
Day of Atonement
16:1-34
Holiness code
17:1-26:46
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Bible 110 Old Testament
Offering of sacrifices and the eating of meat
17:1-16
Regulations concerning marriage
18:1-30
Incest forbidden
General list of laws
19:1-37
Laws carrying the death penalty
20:1-27
He who curses father or mother
Man who commits adultery with wife of neighbor
Man who commits adultery with daughter-in-law
Man who lies with male as woman
Man who lies with a beast
Woman who lies with a beast
Etc.
Holiness of priests
21:1-24
Holiness of Offering
22:1-33
Calendar of Feasts
23:1-44
Festivals of divine appointment
23:1-3
Spring Festival
23:4-14
Early summer festival
23:15-22
Fall festival
23:23-44
Regular worship at sanctuary
24:1-9
Validity of Israel’s law for foreigners
24:10-23
(eye for an eye)
Sabbatical year and year of Jubilee
25:1-26:2
(laws of redemption, loans, slavery)
Blessings and curses
26:3-46
Laws rejecting oaths and gifts
27:1-34
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