Leviticus

Leviticus

“YHWH called to Moses and spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting, saying...”

———

“If anyone among you brings an offering to YHWH,

let it be from the herd or flock—without blemish.”

The Ascent (Burnt Offering)

He shall bring it of his own free will.

Lay his hand on the head—so it is accepted for him.

Slaughter it before YHWH.

The priests shall splash the blood around the altar.

The entire animal is burned—an offering by fire,

a soothing aroma to YHWH.

Whether from cattle, sheep, goats, or birds,

the offering must be wholly consumed in flame.

“It shall ascend as a sign of devotion—total surrender.”

———

“When anyone brings a grain offering to YHWH,

it shall be fine flour, with oil and frankincense.”

Parts are burned on the altar,

the rest belongs to the priests—most sacred.

It may be:

Baked in an oven

Cooked on a griddle

Fried in a pan

“No leaven or honey shall be burned as an offering.

You may offer them as firstfruits, but not on the fire.”

“Season every offering with salt—

the salt of the covenant of your God.”

———

“If anyone brings a peace offering to YHWH,

let it be from the herd or flock—without blemish.”

Lay a hand on its head.

Slaughter it at the entrance.

The priests shall splash the blood.

“The fat—the best parts—shall be burned.

This is YHWH’s portion.”

Whether male or female, sheep or goat,

the offering is shared in fellowship.

“You shall eat no fat or blood—this is a statute forever.”

———

“If anyone sins unintentionally,

let him bring a sin offering.”

If the anointed priest sins:

Bring a young bull.

The blood is taken inside the sanctuary

and sprinkled before the veil.

Some is applied to the altar of incense.

The rest is poured at the altar outside.

The fat is burned; the body taken outside the camp and burned.

If the community sins:

Same process—one bull on behalf of the assembly.

If a leader sins:

Bring a male goat.

If a common person sins:

Bring a female goat or lamb.

“Thus the priest shall make restoration—

and it shall be forgiven.”

———

“If someone hears a curse and does not speak,

or touches something impure unknowingly,

or makes a careless oath—

when he becomes aware, he shall confess.”

His offering:

A female lamb or goat.

“If he cannot afford that,

two doves or pigeons—

one for sin, one for ascent.”

“If he cannot afford birds,

a measure of fine flour—without oil or incense.”

“If anyone sins against the sacred things—

let him bring a ram, and restitution with interest.”

———

YHWH spoke to Moses:

“If anyone is unfaithful—stealing, deceiving, or extorting his neighbor,

or denying a found item or lying under oath—

then he must return what he took or withheld,

add one-fifth more, and bring a guilt offering to YHWH—

a ram without blemish.

Then the priest shall make restoration—and it will be forgiven.”

The Torah of the Ascent Offering

“The fire shall burn on the altar all night.

Every morning the priest shall remove the ashes

and keep the fire burning—it must never go out.”

The Torah of the Grain Offering

“A portion shall be burned as a memorial.

The rest belongs to the priests—it is most set-apart.

No leaven. It is most holy—like the sin and guilt offerings.

Aaron and his sons shall eat it in the sacred court.”

“The high priest shall offer a grain offering daily on behalf of the people—

half in the morning, half in the evening.

It shall be wholly burned, never eaten.”

The Torah of the Sin Offering

“It is most holy.

The priest who offers it shall eat it in a set-apart place.

If blood is sprinkled in the inner sanctuary,

the animal must be burned outside the camp.”

———

The Torah of the Guilt Offering

“Like the sin offering, it is most holy.

The priest who offers it shall keep the hide of the animal.

Grain offerings shall belong to the one who presents them.”

The Torah of the Peace Offering

“If it is for thanksgiving, offer unleavened cakes with oil,

and leavened bread as a gift beside the peace offering.

Eat it that day—none shall remain until morning.”

“If it is for a vow or freewill,

it may be eaten on the second day—

but not the third.

Anything left over is unclean.”

Sacred Warnings

“Do not eat the fat or the blood.

This is a lasting statute for all generations.”

The Portion for the Priests

“The breast of the wave offering

and the right thigh of the elevation offering

belong to Aaron and his sons forever.”

———

YHWH said to Moses:

“Take Aaron and his sons, the garments, the anointing oil,

the bull for the sin offering, the two rams,

and the basket of unleavened bread.

Gather all the congregation at the entrance.”

Moses did all YHWH commanded.

The Consecration

He washed Aaron and his sons.

He clothed Aaron in the ephod, breastplate, turban, and golden plate.

He anointed the Tabernacle and everything in it.

He poured oil on Aaron’s head to consecrate him.

Then he clothed Aaron’s sons.

The Offerings

The bull for sin: blood on the horns, rest at the base.

One ram for the ascent: wholly burned.

The second ram—the ram of ordination:

Blood on the right ear, thumb, and big toe of each priest.

Wave offering presented and burned.

Breast was Moses’ portion.

“You shall not leave the Tent for seven days,

until your ordination is complete.”

———

On the eighth day, Moses said:

“Bring offerings—because today YHWH will appear to you.”

Aaron brought:

A calf for a sin offering

A ram for an ascent

The people brought:

A male goat

A calf and lamb

An ox and a ram

Grain offering mixed with oil

Aaron Raised His Hands and Blessed the People

He came down from the altar.

Moses and Aaron entered the Tent,

and when they came out—they blessed the people.

Then the glory of YHWH appeared to all the people.

Fire came out from before YHWH

and consumed the offering on the altar.

And all the people shouted—and fell on their faces.

———

Nadab and Abihu, sons of Aaron, took unauthorized fire

and offered it before YHWH—which He had not commanded.

And fire came out from before YHWH and consumed them.

Moses said to Aaron:

“This is what YHWH meant:

‘Among those who draw near to Me,

I must be shown as holy.’”

Aaron held his peace.

Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan to carry the bodies outside the camp.

“Do not mourn, lest you die,

for the anointing oil of YHWH is upon you.”

A Warning to the Priests

YHWH spoke to Aaron directly:

“Do not drink wine or strong drink

when you come into the Tent of Meeting—lest you die.

Distinguish between the set-apart and the common,

the clean and the unclean.

Teach the people all that I have spoken.”

The Grief of the Father

Moses asked why the sin offering wasn’t eaten.

Aaron replied:

“They brought their offering—but today these things have happened to me.

Would it have been pleasing in YHWH’s eyes if I had eaten it?”

Moses heard—and it was acceptable to him.

———

YHWH spoke to Moses and Aaron:

“Speak to the children of Israel and say:

These are the living creatures you may eat among all the animals on the earth.”

Clean Land Animals

Animals that have split hooves and chew the cud are clean.

(e.g., ox, sheep, goat, deer)

But if they only do one and not the other—they are unclean.

(e.g., camel, rabbit, pig)

Clean Water Creatures

Only those with fins and scales are clean.

Everything in the seas and rivers without fins or scales is unclean.

Clean Birds

“These you shall not eat—they are detestable to you.”

Eagle, vulture, raven, owl, hawk, osprey, stork, heron, bat.

“All flying insects that walk on all fours are unclean—

except those that leap with jointed legs: locusts, crickets, grasshoppers.”

Touching the Dead

“Whoever touches the carcass of these animals

shall be unclean until evening.”

Anything they touch—clothes, vessels, ovens—must be washed or broken.

“These are the instructions about animals, birds, creatures that move in the waters,

and things that creep on the ground—

to make a distinction between the unclean and the clean.”

“You shall be set apart, for I am set apart.

Be holy, for I am holy.”

———

YHWH said:

“When a woman gives birth to a male child,

she shall be unclean for seven days, as in her menstrual cycle.

On the eighth day, the boy shall be circumcised.

She shall continue in purification for thirty-three more days.

For a female child:

fourteen days unclean, then sixty-six days of purification.”

At the end of her purification, she shall bring:

A lamb for an ascent offering

A pigeon or dove for a sin offering

“If she cannot afford a lamb,

two turtledoves or two pigeons will suffice.”

———

YHWH said:

“When anyone has a swelling, scab, or bright spot on the skin,

he shall be brought to the priest.

The priest shall examine him carefully.

If the hair in the sore has turned white

and the sore appears deeper than the skin—it is a defiling skin disease.

If not—quarantine for seven days, then re-examine.”

The chapter outlines:

Indicators of clean vs. unclean sores

White hair, raw flesh, spreading or healing

Disease in boils, burns, or scalp

Baldness vs. diseased scalp

Garments with mildew or decay

“If it is a defiling disease—he shall live alone.

Outside the camp shall be his dwelling.”

———

“This shall be the Torah for the person healed of a skin disease.”

Day 1: The Outside Ritual

Two birds: one killed over running water;

the other dipped and released alive.

The healed person is washed, shaved, bathed—then reenters the camp

but remains outside his tent for seven days.

Day 7: Full Cleansing

Shave all hair.

Wash again.

Day 8: Offerings

Two male lambs, one ewe lamb

Grain offering with oil

Blood and oil applied to the right ear, thumb, and big toe—symbol of wholeness.

“Thus the priest shall make restoration—and he shall be clean.”

If poor: one lamb, two birds, and grain.

Cleansing a House

“If mildew is found in a house, call the priest.”

If the contamination spreads: tear down the house.

If cleansed: two birds used—same as in the personal ritual.

———

“Speak to the children of Israel about bodily discharges.”

For Men

Chronic discharge: unclean until healed and washed

Seminal emission: wash, unclean until evening

For Women

During menstruation: unclean for seven days

Any who touch her or what she touches—also unclean

Unusual or prolonged bleeding: unclean as long as it lasts

Restoration Ritual

“When cleansed, bring two turtledoves or pigeons—

one for sin, one for ascent.”

“Thus you shall keep the people of Israel separate from their uncleanness,

lest they die in their uncleanness when they defile My dwelling.”

———

YHWH spoke to Moses after the death of Aaron’s sons:

“Tell Aaron not to enter the Most Set-Apart Place at any time—

only on this day, and with blood.

For I appear in the cloud over the mercy seat.”

Aaron’s Preparation

Wash with water

Wear the sacred linen garments

Bring a bull for a sin offering

Bring two goats for the people

The Two Goats

“Cast lots—one for YHWH, one for Azazel (sent away).”

The goat for YHWH is sacrificed.

The goat for Azazel is presented alive,

hands laid upon it, sins confessed,

then sent into the wilderness.

The High Priest’s Duties

Enter the Most Set-Apart Place with incense and blood

Make atonement for:

Himself and his household

The people of Israel

The Tent of Meeting and the altar

“This shall be a lasting ordinance:

On the tenth day of the seventh month,

you shall humble yourselves and do no work.

For on this day atonement is made for you—

to cleanse you from all your sins before YHWH.”

———

“No one shall slaughter an animal anywhere but at the Tabernacle.”

“Bring every sacrifice to YHWH at the entrance to the Tent.”

“They must no longer offer sacrifices to goat-demons or wandering spirits.”

Law of the Blood

“You shall not eat any blood—of bird or beast.”

“For the life of the flesh is in the blood,

and I have given it to you on the altar

to make atonement for your lives.

It is the blood that makes atonement by the life.”

“Pour it out on the ground and cover it with dust.”

“You shall not eat blood. This is a lasting statute for all generations.”

———

YHWH said:

“Do not do as they do in Egypt, where you once lived,

nor as they do in Canaan, where I am bringing you.

Walk in My ways. I am YHWH your God.”

Forbidden Unions

“None of you shall approach a close relative to uncover nakedness.”

Lists prohibited relations:

mother, sister, granddaughter, aunt, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law

“You shall not approach a woman during her menstrual impurity.”

“You shall not lie with your neighbor’s wife.”

“You shall not offer your children to Molech.”

“You shall not lie with a man as with a woman—it is detestable.”

“You shall not have sexual relations with an animal.”

“Do not defile yourselves with these practices.

Even the land became defiled and vomited out its inhabitants.

You shall keep My statutes,

or the land will spew you out as it did the nations before you.”

———

YHWH said:

“Speak to all the congregation of Israel and say:

Be holy, for I, YHWH your God, am holy.”

Covenant Ethics

“Honor your mother and father.”

“Keep My Sabbaths.”

“Do not turn to idols or make molten gods.”

“Leave some of your harvest for the poor and the stranger.”

“Do not steal, lie, or deceive.”

“Do not swear falsely by My Name.”

“Do not oppress your neighbor or rob him.”

“Do not curse the deaf or place a stumbling block before the blind.”

“Do not show partiality in judgment.”

“Do not hate your brother in your heart.”

“Rebuke your neighbor frankly, so you will not share in his guilt.”

“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge—love your neighbor as yourself.”

Set-Apart Practices

“Do not breed animals of different kinds.”

“Do not plant your field with mixed seed.”

“Do not wear garments of mixed fabrics.”

“Do not eat blood or practice divination or sorcery.”

“Do not cut your body for the dead or tattoo yourself.”

“Rise before the gray head and honor the face of the aged.”

“Welcome the stranger—for you were strangers in Egypt.”

“Use honest weights and measures—I am YHWH your God.”

———

“Anyone who gives their child to Molech shall be put to death.”

“If the people of the land ignore it, I will set My face against that person.”

“Those who turn to mediums and spiritists—I will cut them off.”

“Sanctify yourselves and be holy, for I am YHWH who sets you apart.”

Penalties for Sexual Sin

Adultery, incest, and bestiality carry death or separation penalties.

The land must not be defiled again.

Closing Charge

“You shall keep all My statutes and judgments—do not follow the customs of the nations I am driving out.

I am YHWH your God, who has separated you from the nations.

Be set apart.

I have chosen you to be Mine.”

———

YHWH said to Moses:

“Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron:

They shall not make themselves unclean for the dead,

except for close family.

They shall not shave bald patches or cut their flesh.

They must be holy to their God and not profane His Name.”

Marriage and Integrity

“They shall not marry a prostitute or a woman divorced from her husband.

The high priest shall not let his hair hang loose,

nor tear his clothes,

nor approach any dead body.

He must marry only a virgin of his own people.”

Defects and Offerings

“No man with a blemish—blind, lame, disfigured—

may draw near to offer the bread of God.

He may eat the holy food,

but he may not come near the veil or approach the altar.”

———

“No priest who is unclean may eat the sacred food.”

“If he touches anything unclean—human or animal—he shall not eat.”

“No outsider, tenant, or hired servant may eat the sacred food—

only those born in the priest’s house.”

“Treat My offerings with reverence.”

Acceptable Sacrifices

“Bring offerings without blemish—no blind, injured, or mutilated animals.

A newborn animal shall remain with its mother seven days.

On the eighth day it may be offered.

Do not sacrifice a parent animal and its young on the same day.”

———

YHWH said:

“These are My appointed times,

My sacred assemblies, which you are to proclaim.”

The Appointed Days

Sabbath — Rest every seventh day.

Passover — 14th day of the first month at twilight.

Feast of Unleavened Bread — 7 days, beginning on the 15th.

Firstfruits — Bring the first sheaf after Sabbath; priest waves it.

Feast of Weeks (Shavuot) — 50 days after Firstfruits; grain and wave offerings.

Feast of Trumpets — 1st day of the 7th month; day of rest and blasts.

Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) — 10th day; afflict yourselves, rest.

Feast of Booths (Sukkot) — Begins 15th day of the 7th month; 7 days dwelling in booths; 8th day of rest.

“These are My appointed times for rejoicing, remembrance, and reverence.”

———

The Lamp

“Command the people to bring pure olive oil,

that the lamps may burn continually outside the veil.”

The Bread

“Set twelve loaves before YHWH every Sabbath—

in two rows, with frankincense.”

The Blasphemer

A man blasphemed the Name and cursed.

He was brought to Moses.

“Bring him outside the camp.

Let those who heard him lay hands on him.

Then let all the congregation stone him.”

Justice and Equity

“Whoever takes a life must give a life.

Eye for eye, tooth for tooth—just weights among all.

One law for native and foreigner alike.”

———

YHWH spoke on Mount Sinai:

“Speak to the people:

When you enter the land,

let the land rest every seventh year—a Sabbath to YHWH.

Do not sow or prune.

What the land produces naturally shall be for all—

you, your servants, and even the animals.”

The Jubilee Year

“Count seven Sabbaths of years—49 years.

Then on the tenth day of the seventh month,

blow the trumpet throughout the land.

Consecrate the fiftieth year—proclaim liberty throughout the land.

Return each to his family and possession.

You shall not sow or reap.

It is holy. You may eat what the land yields naturally.”

Redemption and Restoration

If you sell property, it can be redeemed.

If unable, it returns to the original owner at Jubilee.

Do not oppress one another.

“I am YHWH your God who brought you out of Egypt.”

———

Blessings for Obedience

“If you walk in My ways:

Rain will come in season

The land will yield its fruit

You will have peace and security

I will walk among you

I will be your God, and you will be My people”

Warnings for Rebellion

“But if you reject My covenant:

I will bring terror, wasting disease, and fever

Your enemies shall rule over you

I will break your pride of power

Wild beasts, sword, famine, desolation

I will scatter you among the nations”

“But if you humble yourselves and confess your iniquity—

I will remember My covenant with Jacob, with Isaac, and with Abraham.

I will not utterly reject them—for I am YHWH their God.”

———

“If anyone makes a special vow to YHWH,

it shall be valued by age and gender.”

People, animals, houses, or land may be vowed

Redemption is allowed by adding one-fifth

“But no one may sell or redeem what is devoted entirely to YHWH.”

“The tenth (tithe) of the land belongs to YHWH—it is set-apart.”

“These are the commandments YHWH gave to Moses

for the children of Israel on Mount Sinai.”