When Written: Around 1500 B.C.
Synopsis: The book of Leviticus deals with the laws regulating the governance of the Hebrew people and of the religious aspects of their lives. Moses was given these laws directly from God and he wrote them down so that the future generations of Hebrews could know what was expected of them by God.
Chapters 1-7 deal with the laws regarding the type of sacrifices that were to be done and when and how they were to be done.
Chapters 8-10 deal with the laws regarding the priesthood.
Chapters 11-16 deal with personal and community health issues such as diet and the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
Chapters 17-27 deal with the laws of marriage and family, with various social problems that would arise and with feasts that were to be celebrated. Chapter 26 deals specifically with the consequences of obedience or disobedience by the people regarding God’s statutes and commandments.
Key Verse: Leviticus 17:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.