January 30, 2025
What did it mean to be "clean" in the Old Testament?
Leviticus 15-20
Caroline Hopper
Big Book Idea
The way to a holy God and the way to walk with a holy God.
Key Verse | Leviticus 15:1-3
The LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, "Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When any man has a discharge from his body, his discharge is unclean. And this is the law of his uncleanness for a discharge: whether his body runs with his discharge, or his body is blocked up by his discharge, it is his uncleanness."
Leviticus 15-20
Laws About Bodily Discharges
1 The LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, 2 “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When any man has a discharge from his body, 1 15:2 Hebrew flesh; also verse 3 his discharge is unclean. 3 And this is the law of his uncleanness for a discharge: whether his body runs with his discharge, or his body is blocked up by his discharge, it is his uncleanness. 4 Every bed on which the one with the discharge lies shall be unclean, and everything on which he sits shall be unclean. 5 And anyone who touches his bed shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening. 6 And whoever sits on anything on which the one with the discharge has sat shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening. 7 And whoever touches the body of the one with the discharge shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening. 8 And if the one with the discharge spits on someone who is clean, then he shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening. 9 And any saddle on which the one with the discharge rides shall be unclean. 10 And whoever touches anything that was under him shall be unclean until the evening. And whoever carries such things shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening. 11 Anyone whom the one with the discharge touches without having rinsed his hands in water shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening. 12 And an earthenware vessel that the one with the discharge touches shall be broken, and every vessel of wood shall be rinsed in water.
13 And when the one with a discharge is cleansed of his discharge, then he shall count for himself seven days for his cleansing, and wash his clothes. And he shall bathe his body in fresh water and shall be clean. 14 And on the eighth day he shall take two turtledoves or two pigeons and come before the LORD to the entrance of the tent of meeting and give them to the priest. 15 And the priest shall use them, one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering. And the priest shall make atonement for him before the LORD for his discharge.
16 If a man has an emission of semen, he shall bathe his whole body in water and be unclean until the evening. 17 And every garment and every skin on which the semen comes shall be washed with water and be unclean until the evening. 18 If a man lies with a woman and has an emission of semen, both of them shall bathe themselves in water and be unclean until the evening.
19 When a woman has a discharge, and the discharge in her body is blood, she shall be in her menstrual impurity for seven days, and whoever touches her shall be unclean until the evening. 20 And everything on which she lies during her menstrual impurity shall be unclean. Everything also on which she sits shall be unclean. 21 And whoever touches her bed shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening. 22 And whoever touches anything on which she sits shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening. 23 Whether it is the bed or anything on which she sits, when he touches it he shall be unclean until the evening. 24 And if any man lies with her and her menstrual impurity comes upon him, he shall be unclean seven days, and every bed on which he lies shall be unclean.
25 If a woman has a discharge of blood for many days, not at the time of her menstrual impurity, or if she has a discharge beyond the time of her impurity, all the days of the discharge she shall continue in uncleanness. As in the days of her impurity, she shall be unclean. 26 Every bed on which she lies, all the days of her discharge, shall be to her as the bed of her impurity. And everything on which she sits shall be unclean, as in the uncleanness of her menstrual impurity. 27 And whoever touches these things shall be unclean, and shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening. 28 But if she is cleansed of her discharge, she shall count for herself seven days, and after that she shall be clean. 29 And on the eighth day she shall take two turtledoves or two pigeons and bring them to the priest, to the entrance of the tent of meeting. 30 And the priest shall use one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering. And the priest shall make atonement for her before the LORD for her unclean discharge.
31 Thus you shall keep the people of Israel separate from their uncleanness, lest they die in their uncleanness by defiling my tabernacle that is in their midst.”
32 This is the law for him who has a discharge and for him who has an emission of semen, becoming unclean thereby; 33 also for her who is unwell with her menstrual impurity, that is, for anyone, male or female, who has a discharge, and for the man who lies with a woman who is unclean.
The Day of Atonement
1 The LORD spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they drew near before the LORD and died, 2 and the LORD said to Moses, “Tell Aaron your brother not to come at any time into the Holy Place inside the veil, before the mercy seat that is on the ark, so that he may not die. For I will appear in the cloud over the mercy seat. 3 But in this way Aaron shall come into the Holy Place: with a bull from the herd for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering. 4 He shall put on the holy linen coat and shall have the linen undergarment on his body, and he shall tie the linen sash around his waist, and wear the linen turban; these are the holy garments. He shall bathe his body in water and then put them on. 5 And he shall take from the congregation of the people of Israel two male goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering.
6 Aaron shall offer the bull as a sin offering for himself and shall make atonement for himself and for his house. 7 Then he shall take the two goats and set them before the LORD at the entrance of the tent of meeting. 8 And Aaron shall cast lots over the two goats, one lot for the LORD and the other lot for Azazel. 2 16:8 The meaning of Azazel is uncertain; possibly the name of a place or a demon, traditionally a scapegoat; also verses 10, 26 9 And Aaron shall present the goat on which the lot fell for the LORD and use it as a sin offering, 10 but the goat on which the lot fell for Azazel shall be presented alive before the LORD to make atonement over it, that it may be sent away into the wilderness to Azazel.
11 Aaron shall present the bull as a sin offering for himself, and shall make atonement for himself and for his house. He shall kill the bull as a sin offering for himself. 12 And he shall take a censer full of coals of fire from the altar before the LORD, and two handfuls of sweet incense beaten small, and he shall bring it inside the veil 13 and put the incense on the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is over the testimony, so that he does not die. 14 And he shall take some of the blood of the bull and sprinkle it with his finger on the front of the mercy seat on the east side, and in front of the mercy seat he shall sprinkle some of the blood with his finger seven times.
15 Then he shall kill the goat of the sin offering that is for the people and bring its blood inside the veil and do with its blood as he did with the blood of the bull, sprinkling it over the mercy seat and in front of the mercy seat. 16 Thus he shall make atonement for the Holy Place, because of the uncleannesses of the people of Israel and because of their transgressions, all their sins. And so he shall do for the tent of meeting, which dwells with them in the midst of their uncleannesses. 17 No one may be in the tent of meeting from the time he enters to make atonement in the Holy Place until he comes out and has made atonement for himself and for his house and for all the assembly of Israel. 18 Then he shall go out to the altar that is before the LORD and make atonement for it, and shall take some of the blood of the bull and some of the blood of the goat, and put it on the horns of the altar all around. 19 And he shall sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it and consecrate it from the uncleannesses of the people of Israel.
20 And when he has made an end of atoning for the Holy Place and the tent of meeting and the altar, he shall present the live goat. 21 And Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess over it all the iniquities of the people of Israel, and all their transgressions, all their sins. And he shall put them on the head of the goat and send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a man who is in readiness. 22 The goat shall bear all their iniquities on itself to a remote area, and he shall let the goat go free in the wilderness.
23 Then Aaron shall come into the tent of meeting and shall take off the linen garments that he put on when he went into the Holy Place and shall leave them there. 24 And he shall bathe his body in water in a holy place and put on his garments and come out and offer his burnt offering and the burnt offering of the people and make atonement for himself and for the people. 25 And the fat of the sin offering he shall burn on the altar. 26 And he who lets the goat go to Azazel shall wash his clothes and bathe his body in water, and afterward he may come into the camp. 27 And the bull for the sin offering and the goat for the sin offering, whose blood was brought in to make atonement in the Holy Place, shall be carried outside the camp. Their skin and their flesh and their dung shall be burned up with fire. 28 And he who burns them shall wash his clothes and bathe his body in water, and afterward he may come into the camp.
29 And it shall be a statute to you forever that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict yourselves 3 16:29 Or shall fast; also verse 31 and shall do no work, either the native or the stranger who sojourns among you. 30 For on this day shall atonement be made for you to cleanse you. You shall be clean before the LORD from all your sins. 31 It is a Sabbath of solemn rest to you, and you shall afflict yourselves; it is a statute forever. 32 And the priest who is anointed and consecrated as priest in his father's place shall make atonement, wearing the holy linen garments. 33 He shall make atonement for the holy sanctuary, and he shall make atonement for the tent of meeting and for the altar, and he shall make atonement for the priests and for all the people of the assembly. 34 And this shall be a statute forever for you, that atonement may be made for the people of Israel once in the year because of all their sins.” And Aaron 4 16:34 Hebrew he did as the LORD commanded Moses.
The Place of Sacrifice
1 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to Aaron and his sons and to all the people of Israel and say to them, This is the thing that the LORD has commanded. 3 If any one of the house of Israel kills an ox or a lamb or a goat in the camp, or kills it outside the camp, 4 and does not bring it to the entrance of the tent of meeting to offer it as a gift to the LORD in front of the tabernacle of the LORD, bloodguilt shall be imputed to that man. He has shed blood, and that man shall be cut off from among his people. 5 This is to the end that the people of Israel may bring their sacrifices that they sacrifice in the open field, that they may bring them to the LORD, to the priest at the entrance of the tent of meeting, and sacrifice them as sacrifices of peace offerings to the LORD. 6 And the priest shall throw the blood on the altar of the LORD at the entrance of the tent of meeting and burn the fat for a pleasing aroma to the LORD. 7 So they shall no more sacrifice their sacrifices to goat demons, after whom they whore. This shall be a statute forever for them throughout their generations.
8 And you shall say to them, Any one of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who sojourn among them, who offers a burnt offering or sacrifice 9 and does not bring it to the entrance of the tent of meeting to offer it to the LORD, that man shall be cut off from his people.
Laws Against Eating Blood
10 If any one of the house of Israel or of the strangers who sojourn among them eats any blood, I will set my face against that person who eats blood and will cut him off from among his people. 11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life. 12 Therefore I have said to the people of Israel, No person among you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger who sojourns among you eat blood.
13 Any one also of the people of Israel, or of the strangers who sojourn among them, who takes in hunting any beast or bird that may be eaten shall pour out its blood and cover it with earth. 14 For the life of every creature 5 17:14 Hebrew all flesh is its blood: its blood is its life. 6 17:14 Hebrew it is in its life Therefore I have said to the people of Israel, You shall not eat the blood of any creature, for the life of every creature is its blood. Whoever eats it shall be cut off. 15 And every person who eats what dies of itself or what is torn by beasts, whether he is a native or a sojourner, shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening; then he shall be clean. 16 But if he does not wash them or bathe his flesh, he shall bear his iniquity.”
Unlawful Sexual Relations
1 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, I am the LORD your God. 3 You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived, and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you. You shall not walk in their statutes. 4 You shall follow my rules 7 18:4 Or my just decrees; also verse 5 and keep my statutes and walk in them. I am the LORD your God. 5 You shall therefore keep my statutes and my rules; if a person does them, he shall live by them: I am the LORD.
6 None of you shall approach any one of his close relatives to uncover nakedness. I am the LORD. 7 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father, which is the nakedness of your mother; she is your mother, you shall not uncover her nakedness. 8 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father's wife; it is your father's nakedness. 9 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your sister, your father's daughter or your mother's daughter, whether brought up in the family or in another home. 10 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your son's daughter or of your daughter's daughter, for their nakedness is your own nakedness. 11 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father's wife's daughter, brought up in your father's family, since she is your sister. 12 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father's sister; she is your father's relative. 13 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your mother's sister, for she is your mother's relative. 14 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father's brother, that is, you shall not approach his wife; she is your aunt. 15 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your daughter-in-law; she is your son's wife, you shall not uncover her nakedness. 16 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your brother's wife; it is your brother's nakedness. 17 You shall not uncover the nakedness of a woman and of her daughter, and you shall not take her son's daughter or her daughter's daughter to uncover her nakedness; they are relatives; it is depravity. 18 And you shall not take a woman as a rival wife to her sister, uncovering her nakedness while her sister is still alive.
19 You shall not approach a woman to uncover her nakedness while she is in her menstrual uncleanness. 20 And you shall not lie sexually with your neighbor's wife and so make yourself unclean with her. 21 You shall not give any of your children to offer them 8 18:21 Hebrew to make them pass through [the fire] to Molech, and so profane the name of your God: I am the LORD. 22 You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination. 23 And you shall not lie with any animal and so make yourself unclean with it, neither shall any woman give herself to an animal to lie with it: it is perversion.
24 Do not make yourselves unclean by any of these things, for by all these the nations I am driving out before you have become unclean, 25 and the land became unclean, so that I punished its iniquity, and the land vomited out its inhabitants. 26 But you shall keep my statutes and my rules and do none of these abominations, either the native or the stranger who sojourns among you 27 (for the people of the land, who were before you, did all of these abominations, so that the land became unclean), 28 lest the land vomit you out when you make it unclean, as it vomited out the nation that was before you. 29 For everyone who does any of these abominations, the persons who do them shall be cut off from among their people. 30 So keep my charge never to practice any of these abominable customs that were practiced before you, and never to make yourselves unclean by them: I am the LORD your God.”
The LORD Is Holy
1 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 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. 3 Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and you shall keep my Sabbaths: I am the LORD your God. 4 Do not turn to idols or make for yourselves any gods of cast metal: I am the LORD your God.
5 When you offer a sacrifice of peace offerings to the LORD, you shall offer it so that you may be accepted. 6 It shall be eaten the same day you offer it or on the day after, and anything left over until the third day shall be burned up with fire. 7 If it is eaten at all on the third day, it is tainted; it will not be accepted, 8 and everyone who eats it shall bear his iniquity, because he has profaned what is holy to the LORD, and that person shall be cut off from his people.
Love Your Neighbor as Yourself
9 When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. 10 And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the LORD your God.
11 You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; you shall not lie to one another. 12 You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the LORD.
13 You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him. The wages of a hired worker shall not remain with you all night until the morning. 14 You shall not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall fear your God: I am the LORD.
15 You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor. 16 You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life 9 19:16 Hebrew blood of your neighbor: I am the LORD.
17 You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. 18 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.
You Shall Keep My Statutes
19 You shall keep my statutes. You shall not let your cattle breed with a different kind. You shall not sow your field with two kinds of seed, nor shall you wear a garment of cloth made of two kinds of material.
20 If a man lies sexually with a woman who is a slave, assigned to another man and not yet ransomed or given her freedom, a distinction shall be made. They shall not be put to death, because she was not free; 21 but he shall bring his compensation to the LORD, to the entrance of the tent of meeting, a ram for a guilt offering. 22 And the priest shall make atonement for him with the ram of the guilt offering before the LORD for his sin that he has committed, and he shall be forgiven for the sin that he has committed.
23 When you come into the land and plant any kind of tree for food, then you shall regard its fruit as forbidden. 10 19:23 Hebrew as its uncircumcision Three years it shall be forbidden to you; it must not be eaten. 24 And in the fourth year all its fruit shall be holy, an offering of praise to the LORD. 25 But in the fifth year you may eat of its fruit, to increase its yield for you: I am the LORD your God.
26 You shall not eat any flesh with the blood in it. You shall not interpret omens or tell fortunes. 27 You shall not round off the hair on your temples or mar the edges of your beard. 28 You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the LORD.
29 Do not profane your daughter by making her a prostitute, lest the land fall into prostitution and the land become full of depravity. 30 You shall keep my Sabbaths and reverence my sanctuary: I am the LORD.
31 Do not turn to mediums or necromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the LORD your God.
32 You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the LORD.
33 When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. 34 You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
35 You shall do no wrong in judgment, in measures of length or weight or quantity. 36 You shall have just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin: 11 19:36 An ephah was about 3/5 bushel or 22 liters; a hin was about 4 quarts or 3.5 liters I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt. 37 And you shall observe all my statutes and all my rules, and do them: I am the LORD.”
Punishment for Child Sacrifice
1 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Say to the people of Israel, Any one of the people of Israel or of the strangers who sojourn in Israel who gives any of his children to Molech shall surely be put to death. The people of the land shall stone him with stones. 3 I myself will set my face against that man and will cut him off from among his people, because he has given one of his children to Molech, to make my sanctuary unclean and to profane my holy name. 4 And if the people of the land do at all close their eyes to that man when he gives one of his children to Molech, and do not put him to death, 5 then I will set my face against that man and against his clan and will cut them off from among their people, him and all who follow him in whoring after Molech.
6 If a person turns to mediums and necromancers, whoring after them, I will set my face against that person and will cut him off from among his people. 7 Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, for I am the LORD your God. 8 Keep my statutes and do them; I am the LORD who sanctifies you. 9 For anyone who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death; he has cursed his father or his mother; his blood is upon him.
Punishments for Sexual Immorality
10 If a man commits adultery with the wife of 12 20:10 Hebrew repeats if a man commits adultery with the wife of his neighbor, both the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death. 11 If a man lies with his father's wife, he has uncovered his father's nakedness; both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them. 12 If a man lies with his daughter-in-law, both of them shall surely be put to death; they have committed perversion; their blood is upon them. 13 If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them. 14 If a man takes a woman and her mother also, it is depravity; he and they shall be burned with fire, that there may be no depravity among you. 15 If a man lies with an animal, he shall surely be put to death, and you shall kill the animal. 16 If a woman approaches any animal and lies with it, you shall kill the woman and the animal; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.
17 If a man takes his sister, a daughter of his father or a daughter of his mother, and sees her nakedness, and she sees his nakedness, it is a disgrace, and they shall be cut off in the sight of the children of their people. He has uncovered his sister's nakedness, and he shall bear his iniquity. 18 If a man lies with a woman during her menstrual period and uncovers her nakedness, he has made naked her fountain, and she has uncovered the fountain of her blood. Both of them shall be cut off from among their people. 19 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your mother's sister or of your father's sister, for that is to make naked one's relative; they shall bear their iniquity. 20 If a man lies with his uncle's wife, he has uncovered his uncle's nakedness; they shall bear their sin; they shall die childless. 21 If a man takes his brother's wife, it is impurity. 13 20:21 Literally menstrual impurity He has uncovered his brother's nakedness; they shall be childless.
You Shall Be Holy
22 You shall therefore keep all my statutes and all my rules and do them, that the land where I am bringing you to live may not vomit you out. 23 And you shall not walk in the customs of the nation that I am driving out before you, for they did all these things, and therefore I detested them. 24 But I have said to you, ‘You shall inherit their land, and I will give it to you to possess, a land flowing with milk and honey.’ I am the LORD your God, who has separated you from the peoples. 25 You shall therefore separate the clean beast from the unclean, and the unclean bird from the clean. You shall not make yourselves detestable by beast or by bird or by anything with which the ground crawls, which I have set apart for you to hold unclean. 26 You shall be holy to me, for I the LORD am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine.
27 A man or a woman who is a medium or a necromancer shall surely be put to death. They shall be stoned with stones; their blood shall be upon them.”
Footnotes
[1] 15:2 Hebrew flesh; also verse 3[2] 16:8 The meaning of Azazel is uncertain; possibly the name of a place or a demon, traditionally a scapegoat; also verses 10, 26
[3] 16:29 Or shall fast; also verse 31
[4] 16:34 Hebrew he
[5] 17:14 Hebrew all flesh
[6] 17:14 Hebrew it is in its life
[7] 18:4 Or my just decrees; also verse 5
[8] 18:21 Hebrew to make them pass through [the fire]
[9] 19:16 Hebrew blood
[10] 19:23 Hebrew as its uncircumcision
[11] 19:36 An ephah was about 3/5 bushel or 22 liters; a hin was about 4 quarts or 3.5 liters
[12] 20:10 Hebrew repeats if a man commits adultery with the wife of
[13] 20:21 Literally menstrual impurity
Table of Contents
Introduction to Leviticus
Timeline
Author
As with the other books of the Pentateuch, it is best to see Moses as the source and primary author of Leviticus. In Leviticus, Moses continues the story of Exodus.
Theme and Purpose
The book of Leviticus goes into deeper detail about the divine-human relationship put in place on Mount Sinai (Exodus 19–40). Leviticus assumes that Israel is sinful and impure, and it describes how to deal with sin and impurity so that the holy Lord can dwell among his people.
Problems in Understanding Leviticus
Readers may find Leviticus difficult to understand because they lack firsthand experience of the practices it describes.
Ritual vs. ethical commands. Chapters 1–16 describe various “ritual” regulations, while chs. 17–27 focus on ethical commands. Because the rituals of chs. 1–16 are unfamiliar, they are often seen as being disconnected from the ethical emphasis of the later chapters. It is more accurate, however, to see the entire book as being concerned with Israel’s being holy to the Lord.
Unclean, clean, holy. Leviticus often uses these terms differently than today. Modern readers might think of “clean” vs. “unclean” as being the same as healthy vs. unhealthy. In Leviticus, however, these words do not refer to hygiene. Rather, they describe the types of actions a person may or may not engage in, or the places he may or may not go. For example, those who are unclean may not partake of a peace offering (7:20). A modern analogy might be registering to vote: a person who is “registered” may vote, whereas a person who is not registered may not vote. The ritually “clean” person is not necessarily more righteous than one who is ritually unclean, just as a person who is registered to vote is not necessarily more righteous than a person who is not.
Even though ritual states and moral states are different, however, the ritual states in Leviticus also seem to symbolize grades of moral purity. By constantly calling the Israelites to ritual purity, the Lord was reminding them of their need for also seeking moral purity (20:24–26).
NT relevance of commands in Leviticus. What does Leviticus have to do with the church today? The sacrificial system of Leviticus has ceased for the people of God; it has been fulfilled in the coming of Christ (see Heb. 9:1–14, 24–28; 10:1–14). However, studying these laws is important because the sacrifices point to different aspects of the meaning of Christ’s sacrifice of himself.
Second, the Holiness Code (chs. 17–27) deals with sanctification, that is, how one lives in the covenant community. The NT applies to Christians the same principle stated in Leviticus 11:44, “be holy, for I am holy” (see 1 Pet. 1:16). On the other hand, several details of the Holiness Code concern more symbolic aspects of holiness that are no longer followed in the Christian era (such as laws prohibiting garments with two kinds of cloth, Lev. 19:19, or prohibiting the shaving of the edges of a beard, 21:5). Further, the NT envisions a people of God transcending national boundaries. Therefore, current civil governments need not follow the OT civil laws (such as capital punishment for adultery; 20:10), although of course all governments must pursue justice, and Leviticus may certainly help in this regard.
Key Themes
- The holy Lord is present among his people (Ex. 40:34; Lev. 1:1). They must therefore admit their sin and impurity and strive for personal holiness.
- In order to approach God, worshipers must be wholehearted in their devotion (1:1–6:7; 22:17–30).
- Those called to be spiritual leaders, such as priests, bear a heavier responsibility than the laypeople (chs. 4; 21). In addition to the outward holiness that the priests receive when they are ordained, they must maintain inward holiness (chs. 8; 9; 10; 21).
- As is seen in the Day of Atonement ritual (ch. 16), the total cleansing of sins and uncleanness happens only when the innermost part of the tabernacle is purified. Humans, by themselves, can never achieve complete purification from sin.
- Atonement is a gracious act of the Lord (17:11).
Outline
- Five Major Offerings (1:1–6:7)
- Handling of the Offerings (6:8–7:38)
- The Establishment of the Priesthood (8:1–10:20)
- The Laws on Cleanness and Uncleanness (11:1–15:33)
- The Day of Atonement Ritual (16:1–34)
- The Handling and Meaning of Blood (17:1–16)
- The Call to Holiness (18:1–22:33)
- Holy Times (23:1–25:55)
- Blessings and Curses (26:1–46)
- Vows and Dedication (27:1–34)
The Setting of Leviticus
c. 1446 B.C.
The book of Exodus finishes with Moses and Israel having constructed and assembled the tabernacle at the base of Mount Sinai. The book of Leviticus primarily records the instructions the Lord gives to Moses from the tent of meeting, but also includes narratives of a few events related to the tabernacle. (Regarding the date of the exodus, see Introduction to Exodus, and note on 1 Kings 6:1.)
Fact: The Day of Atonement
The Day of Atonement was the most solemn of all Hebrew festivals, focusing on personal remorse for sin. Today it is called Yom Kippur.
Fact: The mercy seat
The mercy seat (9:5) was the place where the high priest sprinkled blood once a year to atone for the people’s sins (Lev. 16:14; see Ex. 25:22). In contrast, Jesus’ death redeemed our sins “once for all” (Heb. 9:12). His sacrificial death also gives us the freedom to serve God (9:14).
Fact: Vengeance
The word vengeance is used in Ps. 94:1 to describe one way in which the Lord brings about justice in the world. Individual Israelites were forbidden to seek personal vengeance (Lev. 19:18). However, it was the duty of the civil government to ensure just retribution against wrongdoers (Ex. 21:20).
Fact: Were the Israelites vegetarians?
Were the Israelites vegetarians? During their wilderness journey, the Israelites seldom ate the meat of large animals. It was eaten only on special occasions.
Fact: Abomination
Abomination describes a behavior or action that is utterly repulsive and detestable to God. The offenses listed in 18:24–30 defile not only the person who committed the act but the entire land.
Fact: Beards
Beards. Art from Bible times often shows Israelite men with full, rounded beards. This set them apart from the Egyptians and Romans, who were generally clean-shaven. Other peoples living in Palestine would cut or clip their beards. The Israelites were forbidden to do so, perhaps to show their commitment to God in a pagan culture (19:27).
Fact: Private sin, public action
Private sin, public action. Though sexual immorality is often considered a private matter, it was not dealt with privately in ancient Israel. The Israelites understood that people’s religious and moral behavior affected the lives and well-being of their families and neighbors. Therefore, the community as a whole was responsible for carrying out the punishment for sexual sin.
Fact: A stiff penalty
A stiff penalty. The punishment for cursing God (Lev. 24:10–23), the king (Ex. 22:28), or one’s parents (Lev. 20:9) was death. Shimei cursed King David (2 Sam. 16:5–14), but later begged David’s forgiveness, and David forgave him (19:16–23).
Fact: What is a scapegoat?
What is a scapegoat? Laying hands on a sacrificial animal (29:23–24) was a symbolic act. It meant that human sin was being placed on the animal and taken away. On the Day of Atonement the people sacrificed a goat in this manner (see Lev. 16:20–22). Thus, today, when a person takes the blame for someone else, he or she may be referred to as a “scapegoat.”
The Setting of Leviticus
c. 1446 B.C.
The book of Exodus finishes with Moses and Israel having constructed and assembled the tabernacle at the base of Mount Sinai. The book of Leviticus primarily records the instructions the Lord gives to Moses from the tent of meeting, but also includes narratives of a few events related to the tabernacle. (Regarding the date of the exodus, see Introduction to Exodus, and note on 1 Kings 6:1.)
The Hebrew Calendar
The Hebrew calendar was composed of 12 lunar months, each of which began when the thin crescent moon was first visible at sunset. They were composed of approximately 29/30 days and were built around the agricultural seasons. Apparently some of the names of the months were changed after the time of Israel’s exile in Babylon (e.g., the first month of Abib changed to Nisan; for dates of the exile, see p. 31). The months of the Hebrew calendar (left column) are compared to the corresponding months of the modern (Gregorian) calendar shown in the center column. Biblical references (in the third column) indicate references to the Hebrew calendar cited in the Bible.
*Periodically, a 13th month was added so that the lunar calendar would account for the entire solar year.
Leviticus 19 in James
| Leviticus 19 | James | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| v. 12 | “You shall not swear” | 5:12 | “do not swear” |
| v. 13 | “The wages of a hired servant shall not remain with you all night” | 5:4 | “Behold, the wages of the laborers . . . which you kept back by fraud” |
| v. 15 | “You shall not be partial” | 2:1, 9 | “My brothers, show no partiality” |
| v. 16 | “You shall not go around as a slanderer” | 4:11 | “Do not speak evil against one another” |
| v. 18a | “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge” | 5:9 | “Do not grumble against one another” |
| v. 18b | “you shall love your neighbor as yourself” | 2:8 | “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” |
Lev. 15:16–18 The emission of semen makes a man unclean, perhaps because, like blood, it is a source of life.
Lev. 15:19–23 A woman who is menstruating is unclean, and her uncleanness may be transmitted to others.
Lev. 15:24 If a man has sexual relations with a woman during her menstrual period, then he is considered unclean for seven days, the same as for the woman herself. This rule may seem to conflict with 18:19 and 20:18, in which both the man and the woman are cut off from Israel. Perhaps the present rule relates to a more casual sexual act, whereas the later rules relate to a deliberate breaking of the law.
Lev. 15:25–30 These laws address irregular or unnatural flows of blood from a female (compare Mark 5:25–34).
Lev. 11:1–15:33 The Laws on Cleanness and Uncleanness. Chapter 11 deals with foods that are clean and may be eaten, and foods that are unclean and may not be eaten. Chapter 12 addresses cleanliness and purification after childbirth. Chapters 13–14 provide regulations concerning cleanliness in matters of fungi, skin diseases, and infections. Chapter 15 considers bodily discharges that may make a person unclean. These five chapters define what is clean and unclean for Israel in God’s sight.
Lev. 15:1–33 These regulations about discharges from male and female reproductive organs emphasize the transmission of infection. No matter how it happens, the person infected is required to separate himself or herself and to undergo the purification ritual. “Unclean” is not the same as “sinful,” but rather has to do with what is permitted (compare note on 13:3). The Bible does not view the process of reproduction as evil; it is part of the original good creation. Certainly, however, the Creator of these functions has the right to tell his creatures how and when to use them.
Lev. 15:31–33 defiling my tabernacle. Uncleanness in the Israelite camp constantly defiles the sanctuary. This is why it needs to be cleansed on the Day of Atonement (see 16:16).
Lev. 16:1–2 Nadab and Abihu’s sin was not simply being drunk (see 10:9). They sinned when they entered (or attempted to enter) the Most Holy Place (inside the veil). See note on 10:1–3.
Lev. 16:3–10 One of the goats offered for the people’s sin purifies the tent of meeting, while the other is to be sent away alive into the wilderness. Azazel (vv. 8, 10) may have been a proper name. Or, it may be a compound word combining “goat” with “going away.” In that case it would mean “goat that goes away” (or “scapegoat”). Either way, the goat is sent out to take sin away from Israel.
Fact: The mercy seat
The mercy seat (9:5) was the place where the high priest sprinkled blood once a year to atone for the people’s sins (Lev. 16:14; see Ex. 25:22). In contrast, Jesus’ death redeemed our sins “once for all” (Heb. 9:12). His sacrificial death also gives us the freedom to serve God (9:14).
Lev. 16:11–17 The atonement-day ritual begins with atonement for the priests (vv. 11–14) and then for the people (vv. 15–17). The cloud of incense is to protect Aaron from clearly seeing God’s presence in the Most Holy Place (see Ex. 33:20). because of their transgressions, all their sins (Lev. 16:16). “All their sins” (see also v. 21) probably refers to any sins not already atoned for through normal sacrifices.
Lev. 16:18–19 Altar here probably refers to the altar of burnt offering.
Lev. 16:20–22 Sending the guilt of all Israel into the desert is probably another way of cleansing the people, in addition to the prior purification of the sanctuary (vv. 3–20).
Fact: What is a scapegoat?
What is a scapegoat? Laying hands on a sacrificial animal (29:23–24) was a symbolic act. It meant that human sin was being placed on the animal and taken away. On the Day of Atonement the people sacrificed a goat in this manner (see Lev. 16:20–22). Thus, today, when a person takes the blame for someone else, he or she may be referred to as a “scapegoat.”
Lev. 16:23–25 Aaron leaves his Day of Atonement clothes inside the Holy Place because they are holy, not to be worn for the normal priestly activity.
Lev. 16:26–28 The person who handles the Azazel-goat is defiled because of contact with the uncleanness that the goat bore.
Lev. 16:1–34 The Day of Atonement Ritual. This annual observance highlights God’s grace. Here God offers forgiveness and renewal for Israel’s worship site, priests, and people. All sins can be forgiven. This ritual reminds readers that forgiveness comes from God, whose presence is symbolized by the ark in the Most Holy Place.
Lev. 16:29–34 On the tenth day of the seventh month (Tishri, that is, September/October), the Israelites and the strangers living among them are to afflict themselves (v. 29; literally, “humble their souls”). This term is connected with fasting and prayer (Ps. 35:13; Isa. 58:3).
The Hebrew Calendar
The Hebrew calendar was composed of 12 lunar months, each of which began when the thin crescent moon was first visible at sunset. They were composed of approximately 29/30 days and were built around the agricultural seasons. Apparently some of the names of the months were changed after the time of Israel’s exile in Babylon (e.g., the first month of Abib changed to Nisan; for dates of the exile, see p. 31). The months of the Hebrew calendar (left column) are compared to the corresponding months of the modern (Gregorian) calendar shown in the center column. Biblical references (in the third column) indicate references to the Hebrew calendar cited in the Bible.
*Periodically, a 13th month was added so that the lunar calendar would account for the entire solar year.
Fact: The Day of Atonement
The Day of Atonement was the most solemn of all Hebrew festivals, focusing on personal remorse for sin. Today it is called Yom Kippur.
Lev. 17:1–9 If a person slaughters an animal for sacrifice either in the camp or outside the camp (v. 3) and does not bring the blood to the sanctuary (v. 4), that act is practically the same as human murder (though not identical to it). The purpose of the rule is to prevent the people’s idolatry in worshiping the goat demons (v. 7). Anyone who violates the prohibition is to be cut off from his people (v. 9).
Lev. 17:10 Eats any blood probably refers to eating meat that still has the blood in it (compare Gen. 9:4; Deut. 12:23).
Lev. 17:11 and I have given it. The Hebrew reads literally, “And I, I have given it.” This underscores the action of the Lord himself in granting the means of atonement. It is his gracious gift. makes atonement by the life. That is, by the life of the animal, which ransoms the life of the offerer from the deserved judgment of the Lord.
Lev. 17:12 Therefore. Because the Lord has set aside the blood for the unique role of atonement (v. 11), the Israelites and all sojourners are prohibited from partaking of it.
Lev. 17:1–16 The Handling and Meaning of Blood. Chapter 17 deals with the handling of sacrificial animals, beginning with a reminder that the blood of slain animals should be brought to the sanctuary (vv. 3–4). Following these instructions prevents ongoing idolatry (v. 7) and emphasizes that the blood of a sacrificial animal is the “life” that takes the place of the offerer’s death (vv. 11–14). Animal blood is not to be used by Israel as it was used among the pagans of the time.
Lev. 17:15–16 dies of itself . . . is torn by beasts. A person who eats from these animals is unclean, probably because the animals that have died in these ways have not had their blood drained properly.
Fact: Were the Israelites vegetarians?
Were the Israelites vegetarians? During their wilderness journey, the Israelites seldom ate the meat of large animals. It was eaten only on special occasions.
Lev. 18:5 if a person does them, he shall live by them. The person who responds rightly to God’s grace (“does”) will enjoy life under God’s pleasure (“shall live”). Compare Deut. 4:1; 8:1; Neh. 9:29; Ezek. 20:11; John 15:10.
Lev. 18:6–18 These laws prohibit sexual relations (approach . . . to uncover nakedness), and therefore marriage, between people who are too closely related, either by blood (mother, sister, granddaughter, aunt) or by marriage (stepmother, stepsister, stepdaughter, stepgranddaughter, sister-in-law, daughter-in-law, aunt by marriage). No mention is made of the daughter, probably because this prohibition was already well known in the laws of other cultures. The rules enforce a distinction between family affection and erotic love, which protects the well-being of the community.
Lev. 18:18 you shall not take a woman as a rival wife to her sister. Polygamy violates the creation ideal (Gen. 2:24), and polygamous marriages in the Bible are generally unhappy ones (e.g., Gen. 29:30–30:2; 1 Sam. 1:2–7).
Lev. 18:19 Leviticus offers no explanation for this law. Unlike most of the other sexual laws of this chapter, such as those concerning adultery and homosexuality, this law is not repeated in the NT. In view of 15:19–24, the concern is probably the man’s ceremonial uncleanness.
Lev. 18:20 This prohibition follows from the seventh commandment (Ex. 20:14) and is universally applicable. make yourself unclean with her. Although not all uncleanness is sin, all sin makes a person unclean.
Lev. 18:21 This refers to the cult of Molech (2 Kings 23:10; Jer. 32:35). The precise nature of the offering of children to this pagan god is uncertain. It may be that they are being given to the cult of Molech to train to be temple prostitutes, and that is why this passage is listed in a section dealing with sexual prohibitions. On the other hand, Roman authors describe the practice of sacrificing babies by fire, and this may indeed refer to this horrific custom.
Lev. 18:22 You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. This prohibits all male homosexual activity (compare 20:13; also note on Rom. 1:26–27). Such activity is utterly at odds with the creation ideal (see note on Gen. 2:23–24).
Lev. 18:1–30 The rules from ch. 18 onward aim to lead the people to holiness, although the term “holy” or “holiness” is not mentioned in ch. 18. The minimal requirement for holiness is to not act like the Egyptians or Canaanites. The actions prohibited in this chapter are representative examples. They do not address every possible situation in life.
Lev. 18:24–30 All the listed offenses are declared to be an outrage to the Lord. They defile the offender and the land.
Fact: Abomination
Abomination describes a behavior or action that is utterly repulsive and detestable to God. The offenses listed in 18:24–30 defile not only the person who committed the act but the entire land.
Lev. 19:1–4 The term holy means “set apart, unique, and distinct.” Human holiness means imitating God, becoming and acting like him.
Lev. 19:9–10 Caring for one’s neighbor and helping provide for the poor and the sojourner displays holiness. On the other hand, harvesting right up to the edge of one’s land may suggest selfishness. (For an example of this law being obeyed, see Ruth 2.)
Lev. 19:17 To hate in one’s heart is prohibited. Instead one should reason frankly with his neighbor (compare Prov. 27:5–6). lest you incur sin because of him. This may mean that the person who refuses to reason with his neighbor, helping him see his sin, would share in the guilt of his sin. It might also mean that a failure to “reason frankly” will result in bitter feelings that will overflow into sinful action.
Lev. 19:11–18 Holiness requires that a person keep the Word of God, especially the Ten Commandments.
Lev. 19:18 The instruction of v. 17 is heightened: you shall love your neighbor as yourself. This is a fundamental principle of God’s law.
Leviticus 19 in James
| Leviticus 19 | James | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| v. 12 | “You shall not swear” | 5:12 | “do not swear” |
| v. 13 | “The wages of a hired servant shall not remain with you all night” | 5:4 | “Behold, the wages of the laborers . . . which you kept back by fraud” |
| v. 15 | “You shall not be partial” | 2:1, 9 | “My brothers, show no partiality” |
| v. 16 | “You shall not go around as a slanderer” | 4:11 | “Do not speak evil against one another” |
| v. 18a | “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge” | 5:9 | “Do not grumble against one another” |
| v. 18b | “you shall love your neighbor as yourself” | 2:8 | “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” |
Fact: Vengeance
The word vengeance is used in Ps. 94:1 to describe one way in which the Lord brings about justice in the world. Individual Israelites were forbidden to seek personal vengeance (Lev. 19:18). However, it was the duty of the civil government to ensure just retribution against wrongdoers (Ex. 21:20).
Lev. 19:19 Two different kinds of domesticated animals are not to be crossbred, and two types of cloth are not to be woven together. Ceremonial holiness requires that things stay in their proper sphere, just as Israel must observe its separation from the nations (20:22–26).
Lev. 19:20–22 The idea of holiness should govern sexual relations. Fair judgment must be made in legal matters pertaining to adultery and promiscuity.
Lev. 19:23–25 Forbidden literally means “uncircumcised.” As a child is not to be circumcised before the eighth day, so the fruit on a tree is not to be harvested until after the third year.
Fact: Beards
Beards. Art from Bible times often shows Israelite men with full, rounded beards. This set them apart from the Egyptians and Romans, who were generally clean-shaven. Other peoples living in Palestine would cut or clip their beards. The Israelites were forbidden to do so, perhaps to show their commitment to God in a pagan culture (19:27).
Lev. 19:26–31 These are all practices of the Canaanites. Holiness requires Israel not to act like the ungodly in any area of life.
Lev. 19:1–37 The Lord strongly commands the people (including the priests) to become holy in their practice, as he is holy (v. 2). They do this by observing all the following negative and positive commandments.
Lev. 20:1–6 Worshipers of Molech ought to be stoned to death (v. 2). If that is not done, the Lord himself will cut them off (vv. 4–5; see note on 7:11–36). The Lord carries out the same punishment upon those who consult mediums and necromancers (20:6) in order to communicate with the spirits of the dead.
Lev. 20:7–8 The Lord sanctifies the Israelites by making them his holy people, set apart to be his own. Now he calls on them to consecrate themselves and be holy (dedicate themselves to holiness in practice); see note on 11:44–45.
Lev. 20:9 anyone who curses his father or his mother. Cursing one’s parents is the exact opposite of “honoring” them (Ex. 20:12; 21:17; compare Prov. 20:20).
Fact: A stiff penalty
A stiff penalty. The punishment for cursing God (Lev. 24:10–23), the king (Ex. 22:28), or one’s parents (Lev. 20:9) was death. Shimei cursed King David (2 Sam. 16:5–14), but later begged David’s forgiveness, and David forgave him (19:16–23).
Lev. 20:17 sees her nakedness. A euphemism for having sexual relations.
Lev. 20:10–20 This section includes the punishments for each of the sexual activities prohibited in ch. 18: capital punishment (20:10–16), exile (vv. 17–18), or barrenness (vv. 19–21).
Lev. 20:22–26 A land flowing with milk and honey is a common scriptural description of Canaan (Ex. 13:5; Num. 13:27; etc.).
Lev. 20:27 In v. 6, the one who consults a necromancer or a medium was to be put to death. In this verse, the necromancer or the medium is to be put to death. Why this verse appears here in the text is puzzling. It may be because the act receives capital punishment, as do most of the other activities of the section.
Fact: Private sin, public action
Private sin, public action. Though sexual immorality is often considered a private matter, it was not dealt with privately in ancient Israel. The Israelites understood that people’s religious and moral behavior affected the lives and well-being of their families and neighbors. Therefore, the community as a whole was responsible for carrying out the punishment for sexual sin.
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Listen NowDive Deeper | Leviticus 15-20
In Leviticus 15:1–3, we encounter God's instructions regarding bodily discharges and their impact on ritual cleanliness. While these verses may seem distant from our modern context, they carry profound spiritual significance. In the Old Testament, being "clean" was more than a matter of physical hygiene; it was about being spiritually prepared to approach a holy God.
God's holiness is absolute, and His people were called to reflect that holiness in every aspect of their lives. The laws regarding cleanliness were a daily reminder that God's people were to be set apart. They were to be distinct in their thoughts, their actions, and even their physical conditions. Cleanliness laws highlighted the reality of sin and impurity in the world and the need for a way to be made right with God.
Being "clean" symbolized purity of heart and life, necessary to stand in God's presence. It was about more than outward rituals; it pointed to an inner condition. The repeated rituals of cleansing served as a constant reminder of humanity's need for God's grace and mercy. These laws showed that sin contaminates and separates us from God, and that something—sacrifice and purification—was required to restore the relationship.
For us today, our need for cleanliness has been fulfilled in Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate sacrifice who makes us clean. Through His death and resurrection, we are made holy and are able to approach God with confidence. The call to be clean in the Old Testament was a foreshadowing of the complete cleansing available in Christ.
As we walk with God, we are reminded that cleanliness before Him isn't about ritual but about our hearts. We are called to walk daily in the purity that Christ provides, living in a way that reflects His holiness.
This month's memory verse
"The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, 'The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.'"
– Exodus 34:6
Discussion Questions
1. Why did God place such importance on cleanliness in the Old Testament? What do these laws teach us about God's holiness and our need for purity? How do they help us appreciate being made clean through Christ today?
2. The Old Testament cleanliness laws set God's people apart from the surrounding nations. Do your actions, speech, and thoughts reflect that you are clearly set apart from the world, and do they lead others to Christ?
3. Read 1 John 1:9-10. What is the role of confession in maintaining spiritual cleanliness? Why is regular confession vital for staying pure and close to God in our daily lives?