22:4 leper. Cf. 13:1—14:32; see note on 13:2. discharge. See notes on 15:1–33.
22:5 creeping thing. See 11:29–38.
22:7 he shall be clean. In the same manner, much water is not made unclean by a small contamination. Time was essential for ceremonial purification.
22:10, 11 buys a person with his money. This portion of the sacrifice assigned to the support of the priests was restricted to the use of his family. However, an indentured servant was to be treated as one of the priest’s family, pertaining to eating the consecrated food. See the laws of release, which show this to be a temporary indenture (25:10; Ex. 21:2–11; Deut. 15:12–18).
22:17–30 This section describes the unacceptable and acceptable sacrifices.
22:31–33 The motive behind obedience to God was His holy nature and grace in delivering the nation.
Leviticus 23
23:1—27:34 Holiness issues that pertain to the nation collectively are outlined.
Lev. 23:1
Christ Fulfills Israel’s Feasts
The Feasts (Lev. 23) Christ’s Fulfillment
Passover (March/April) Death of Christ (1 Cor. 5:7)
Unleavened Bread (March/April) Sinlessness of Christ (1 Cor. 5:8)
Firstfruits (March/April) Resurrection of Christ (1 Cor. 15:23)
Pentecost (May/June) Outpouring of Spirit of Christ (Acts 1:5; 2:4)
Trumpets (Sept./Oct.) Israel’s Regathering by Christ (Matt. 24:31)
Atonement (Sept./Oct.) Substitutionary Sacrifice by Christ (Rom. 11:26)
Tabernacles (Sept./Oct.) Rest and Reunion with Christ (Zech. 14:16-19)
23:1—24:9 The special feasts of Israel are explained. Cf. Ex. 23:14–17; Num. 28:1–29:40; Deut. 16:1–17.
23:1–44 This section points to days which are sacred to the Lord. After the Sabbath (v. 3), the feasts are given in the order of the calendar (vv. 4–44).
23:2 proclaim to be holy convocations. These festivals did not involve gatherings of all Israel in every case. Only the feasts of 1) Unleavened Bread; 2) Weeks; and 3) Tabernacles required that all males gather in Jerusalem (cf. Ex. 23:14–17; Deut. 16:16, 17).
23:3 Sabbath of solemn rest. The Mosaic ordinance of the fourth commandment came first (cf. Gen. 2:1–3; Ex. 20:8–11).
23:4–22 Three events were commemorated in Mar./Apr.: 1) Passover on the 14th (v. 5); 2) Feast of Unleavened Bread on the 15th-21st (vv. 6–8); and Feast of Firstfruits on the day after the Sabbath of Unleavened Bread week (vv. 9–14).
23:5 the LORD’s Passover. The festival commemorated God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt (cf. Ex. 12:1–14, 43–49; Num. 28:16; Deut. 16:1, 2).
23:6–8 Feast of Unleavened Bread. This festival connected with the Passover, commemorated Israel’s hurried departure from Egypt and the associated hardships (cf. Ex. 12:15–20; 13:3–10; Num. 28:17–25; Deut. 16:3–8).
23:9–14 the firstfruits of your harvest. This festival dedicated the initial part of the barley harvest in Mar./Apr. and was celebrated on the day after the Sabbath of Unleavened Bread week. It involved presenting to the Lord a sheaf of barley (cf. 23:10, 11) accompanied by burnt, grain, and drink offerings (cf. Ex. 29:40). Firstfruits symbolized the consecration of the whole harvest to God, and was a pledge of the whole harvest to come (cf. Rom. 8:23; 11:16; 1 Cor. 15:20; James 1:18).
Lev. 23:10
Jewish Feasts
Feast of: Passover
Month on Jewish Calendar: Nisan
Day: 14
Corresponding Month: Mar.-Apr.
References: Ex. 12:1-14; Matt. 26:17-20
Feast of: *Unleavened Bread
Month on Jewish Calendar: Nisan
Day: 15-21
Corresponding Month: Mar.-Apr.
References: Ex. 12:15-20
Feast of: Firstfruits
Month on Jewish Calendar: Nisan
Day: 16
Corresponding Month: Mar.-Apr.
References: Lev. 23:9-14
Feast of: Firstfruits
Month on Jewish Calendar: or Sivan
Day: 6
Corresponding Month: May-June
References: Num. 28:26
Feast of: *Pentecost (Harvest or Weeks)
Month on Jewish Calendar: Sivan
Day: 6 (50 days after barley harvest)
Corresponding Month: May-June
References: Deut. 16:9-12; Acts 2:1
Feast of: Trumpets, Rosh Hashanah
Month on Jewish Calendar: Tishri
Day: 1, 2
Corresponding Month: Sept.-Oct.
References: Num. 29:1-6
Feast of: Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur
Month on Jewish Calendar: Tishri
Day: 10
Corresponding Month: Sept.-Oct.
References: Lev. 23:26-32; Heb. 9:7
Feast of: *Tabernacles (Booths or Ingathering)
Month on Jewish Calendar: Tishri
Day: 15-21
Corresponding Month: Sept.-Oct.
References: Neh. 8:13-18; John 7:2
Feast of: Dedication (Lights), Hanukkah
Month on Jewish Calendar: Chislev
Day: 25 (8 days)
Corresponding Month: Nov.-Dec.
References: John 10:22
Feast of: Purim (Lots)
Month on Jewish Calendar: Adar
Day: 14, 15
Corresponding Month: Feb.-Mar.
References: Esth. 9:18-32
*The three major feasts for which all males of Israel were required to travel to the temple in Jerusalem (Ex. 23:14-19).
©1993 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
23:15–22 fifty days. The Feast of Weeks (May/June) dedicated the firstfruits of the wheat harvest (cf. Ex. 23:16; Num. 28:26–31; Deut. 16:9–12). It occurred on the 50th day after the Sabbath preceding the Feast of Firstfruits. It is also known as the Feast of Harvest (Ex. 23:16) and Pentecost, Gr. for 50 (Acts. 2:1).
23:23–43 Three events were commemorated in Sept./Oct.: 1) Feast of Trumpets on the 1st (vv. 23–25); 2) Day of Atonement on the 10th (vv. 26–32); and 3) Feast of Tabernacles on the 15th-21st (vv. 33–43).
23:23–25 memorial of blowing of trumpets. This feast, called the Feast of Trumpets, consecrated the seventh month (Sept./Oct.) as a sabbatical month (cf. Num. 29:1–6).
23:26–32 Day of Atonement. The annual Day of Atonement pointed to the forgiveness and cleansing of sin for the priests, the nation, and the tabernacle (see notes on 16:1–34).
23:33–43 Feast of Tabernacles. This festival commemorated God’s deliverance, protection, and provision during the wilderness wanderings of the Exodus (cf. Ex. 23:16; Num. 29:12–38; Deut. 16:13–15). It is also known as the Feast of Booths (Deut. 16:13) and Feast of Ingathering (Ex. 23:16). The people lived in booths or huts made from limbs (cf. Neh. 8:14–18), remembering their wilderness experience. It also celebrated the autumn harvest and will be celebrated in the Millennium (cf. Zech. 14:16).
Leviticus 24
24:1–9 These are additional instructions for the tabernacle relating to the lamps (vv. 1–4) and the bread (vv. 5–9). See Ex. 25:31–40; 27:20, 21; 37:17–24 and Ex. 25:23–30; 39:36; 40:23, respectively.
24:5 Each loaf was made with 4 quarts of flour.
24:10–23 This portion relates to the sin of blasphemy. Cf. Ex. 20:7; 22:28.
24:10–14, 23 Now the son. Here is another historical example of blasphemy along similar lines as the Nadab and Abihu account (10:1, 2). The blasphemer was one of the “many other people.” The people transferred the guilt of them all to him.
24:12 put him in custody. There were no jails in Israel since incarceration was not a penalty for crime. They had merely restrained him, probably in a pit of some sort, until they could establish his punishment. Punishments were corporal, banishment, or, in severe cases, death. Those who lived through the punishment worked to secure restitution for those they had violated.
24:20 Cf. Matt. 5:38. This law of retaliation established the principle that the p
unishment should fit the crime, but not go beyond it.
Leviticus 25
25:1–55 Proper care for the Lord’s property is prescribed for the sabbatical year (25:1–7) and the Jubilee year (25:8–55).
25:1–7 This involves revitalization of the land. The seventh year of rest would invigorate and replenish the nutrients in the soil. Whatever grew naturally was free to all for the taking (vv. 6, 7).
25:8–55 The Year of Jubilee involved a year of release from indebtedness (vv. 23–38) and bondage of all sorts (vv. 39–55). All prisoners and captives were set free, slaves released, and debtors absolved. All property reverted to original owners. This plan curbed inflation and moderated acquisitions. It also gave new opportunity to people who had fallen on hard times.
25:8–17 These are general instructions for Jubilee.
25:9 Jubilee. This lit. means “ram’s horn,” which was blown on the tenth day of the seventh month to start the 50th year of universal redemption.
25:10 proclaim liberty. Not only must they let the land lie fallow, but the people were allowed a one-year break from their labor. Those bound by a work contract were released from their commitments and there was the release of indentured servants.
25:14–16 The Jubilee year had an effect on the value of land, which was to be considered in all transactions.
25:17 you shall not oppress one another. No one should take advantage of or abuse another person, because cruelty is against the very character of God. Penalties for crime were to be swift and exact.
25:18–22 God’s provision in the year of no planting was given, which on a smaller scale had been true for the Sabbath day during the Exodus (cf. Ex. 16:5).
25:20, 21 enough for three years. When the important query was asked, God responded by promising to supply enough to last.
25:23–34 Various regulations regarding real estate are outlined.
25:23 the land is Mine. God owns the earth and all that is in it (cf. Ps. 24:1). The people of Israel were, in fact, only tenants on the land by the Lord’s grace. Therefore ownership of property was temporary, not permanent.
25:33 cities of the Levites. Cf. Num. 35:1–8; Josh. 21.
25:34 common-land. These were fields that the village/city-at-large used to grow crops.
25:35–38 Instructions on dealing with the poor are outlined.
25:35 like a stranger or a sojourner. The law required gleanings (leftovers after harvest) for the Israelite as well as the stranger (cf. 19:9, 10; 23:22; Deut. 24:19–21).
25:36 usury or interest. Usury or excessive interest was prohibited for all (Ps. 15:5). Even fair interest was otherwise prohibited in dealing with the poor (see notes on Deut. 23:19, 20; 24:10–13). The basics of life were to be given, not loaned, to the poor.
25:38 to give you the land of Canaan. The Lord cites His generosity in giving them a land that was not theirs as a motive for their generosity toward their countrymen.
25:39–55 The principles for dealing with slavery are laid out.
25:42 For they are My servants. The spirit of OT slavery is revealed in these words. God, in effect, ordered that slaves be treated like family, i.e., better than employees, because they are His slaves which He redeemed out of the slave markets of Egypt. God owned not only the land (v. 23), but also the people.
25:44–46 from the nations. These slaves included people whom Israel was to either drive out or destroy (i.e., slavery was a humane option) and those who came to Israel in the Exodus from Egypt.
25:47–55 This section deals with an alien who has an Israelite slave.
25:48 redeemed. Redemption, a contractual agreement which existed in the slave culture, offered the potential for emancipation to indentured individuals under certain conditions. Slaves could be bought out of slavery or some other sort of indentured status by family members or other interested parties who would pay the ransom price.
25:51–54 the price of his redemption. The cost of buying him out of slavery was affected by the Jubilee year, when he could be set free.
25:55 The Israelites emancipated from Egypt by God were all God’s servants; therefore, they were to treat their own slaves with the same grace and generosity as God had granted them.
Leviticus 26
26:1–46 The covenant blessings for obedience (26:3–13) and curses for disobedience (26:14–39) are elaborated (cf. Deut. 28). A provision for repentance is also offered (26:40–45).
26:1, 2 A representative summary of the Ten Commandments (Ex. 20:3–17) was set forth as the standard by which Israel’s obedience or disobedience would be measured.
26:1 image…pillar…engraved stone. Israel’s neighbors used all of these devices for the worship of their gods.
26:3–13 These blessings will reward obedience.
26:4 rain in its season. If the rains did not come at the right times, the people experienced crop failure and famine (cf. 1 Kin. 17, 18).
26:6 evil beasts. Dangerous animals such as lions and bears existed in that area. Joseph’s brothers claimed that such an animal had killed him (Gen. 37:20).
26:7 chase your enemies. God provided victories repeatedly in the conquest of Canaan (cf. Josh. 8–12).
26:9 make you fruitful, multiply you and confirm My covenant with you. What God commanded at Creation and repeated after the Flood was contained in the covenant promise of seed (Gen. 12:1–3), which He will fulfill to the nation of Israel as promised to Abraham (Gen. 15:5, 6).
26:12 your God…My people. The promise of an intimate covenant relationship with the God of the universe is given (cf. 2 Cor. 6:16).
26:14–39 These punishments will repay disobedience.
26:15 break My covenant. By disobeying the commandments and the various laws of the Mosaic Covenant, Israel broke this conditional covenant. Unlike the ultimate provisions of the unconditional covenant made with Abraham, all blessings in the covenant of Mosaic law were conditioned upon obedience (cf. Lev. 26:25).
26:16 wasting disease. Perhaps tuberculosis or leprosy is in view (the subject of much legislation in Lev. 13, 14), but no certain identification is possible. your enemies shall eat it. They will be conquered by their enemies at a time when those enemies will enjoy Israel’s harvest.
26:22 highways shall be desolate. The activity on a nation’s roadway, i.e., messengers, merchants, and people traveling, reflected the well-being of that country. This is a picture of extreme economic siege.
26:25 the vengeance of the covenant. God’s retribution for Israel’s breaking the conditional Mosaic Covenant is pledged.
26:29 eat the flesh. There will be widespread famine in the land and thus the people will even resort to cannibalism, which actually came to pass (cf. 2 Kin. 6:28, 29; Jer. 19:9; Lam. 2:20; 4:10).
26:30 high places. These were natural shrines for the worship of idols. Solomon disobeyed God by worshiping Him on the high places (1 Kin. 3:4), and not long afterward, he was serving the gods of his foreign wives (1 Kin. 11:1–9).
26:31–35 All this occurred in the terrible invasion of the northern kingdom of Israel in 722 B.C. by the Assyrians and the destruction of the southern kingdom of Judah in 605–586 B.C. by the Babylonians. In the case of Judah, it was a 70-year captivity to rest the Land for all the Sabbath years that had been violated. See 2 Chr. 36:17–21.
26:35 the time it did not rest. By implication, because they had violated the Sabbath repeatedly. This violation became the basis of the later 70-year Babylonian captivity (cf. 2 Chr. 36:20–21).
26:38 The 10 tribes of the northern kingdom of Israel never returned directly from captivity. See 2 Kin. 17:7–23; see note on Acts 26:7.
26:40–42 if they confess,…I will remember My covenant. God’s covenant was rooted in the relationship He had initiated with His people. True repentance would be honored by Him.
26:42 Jacob…Isaac…Abraham. The reverse order is a look in retrospect as opposed to the actual historical sequence.
26:46 Much of the content of Leviticus came during Moses’ two “forty day
and night” visits to Sinai (cf. Ex. 24:16—32:6; 34:2–28; Lev. 7:37, 38; 25:1; 27:34).
Leviticus 27
27:1–34 Standard legislation is given for dedicated persons, animals, houses, and lands.
27:2–7 consecrates by a vow. This sets the gift apart from the rest of his household and possessions as a gift to the Lord and His service.
27:3 the shekel of the sanctuary. See note on 5:15.
27:26 the firstborn. The firstborn already belonged to the Lord (Ex. 13:2), so the worshiper could not dedicate it a second time.
27:29 person under the ban. Like Achan in Josh. 7.
27:30–32 tithe. This general tithe was given to the Levites. Cf. Num. 18:21–32. This is the only mention of tithe or 10-percent in Leviticus. However, along with this offering, there were two other OT tithes which totaled about 23 percent annually (cf. the second tithe—Deut. 14:22; and the third tithe every 3 years—Deut. 14:28, 29; 26:12).
Leviticus 1
1:1 a Ex. 19:3; 25:22; Num. 7:89
1:1 b Ex. 40:34
1:2 c Lev. 22:18, 19
1:3 d Ex. 12:5; Lev. 22:20–24; Deut. 15:21; Eph. 5:27; Heb. 9:14; 1 Pet. 1:19
1:4 e Ex. 29:10, 15, 19; Lev. 3:2, 8, 13; 4:15
1:4 f (Rom. 12:1); Phil. 4:18
1:4 g Lev. 4:20, 26, 31; 2 Chr. 29:23, 24
1:5 h Mic. 6:6
1:5 i 2 Chr. 35:11
1:5 j Lev. 1:11; 3:2, 8, 13; (Heb. 12:24; 1 Pet. 1:2)
1:6 k Lev. 7:8
1:7 l Lev. 6:8–13; Mal. 1:10
1:7 m Gen. 22:9
1:9 n Gen. 8:21; (Ezek. 20:28, 41; 2 Cor. 2:15)
1:9 1 soothing or pleasing aroma
1:10 o Ex. 12:5; Lev. 1:3; Ezek. 43:22; (1 Pet. 1:19)
1:11 p Ex. 24:6; 40:22; Lev. 1:5; Ezek. 8:5
1:13 q Num. 15:4–7; 28:12–14
1:14 r Gen. 15:9; Lev. 5:7, 11; 12:8; Luke 2:24
1:15 2 Lit. nip or chop off
1:16 s Lev. 6:10
1:17 t Gen. 15:10; Lev. 5:8
1:17 u Lev. 1:9, 13
1:17 3 soothing or pleasing aroma
The MacArthur Study Bible, NKJV Page 70
