The book of leviticus was the answer to those questions, albeit within the context of the mosaic covenant established at sinai between god and. The call to holiness, the dominant theme in the book of leviticus, contains a. The book of leviticus is thought to lay down rules for all jews, but some. The first seven chapters deal with five sacrifices, none of which survived beyond the fall of jerusalem and the destruction of the temple in a. Because the israelites had been held captive in egypt for 400 years, the concept of god had been distorted by the polytheistic, pagan egyptians. In these chapters you can read about five types of offerings and how the priesthood was.
Although leviticus does not deal only with the special duties of the levites, it is so named because it concerns mainly the service. The book of leviticus can be divided into three main divisions. Wenham divides his commentary of the book of leviticus into four major sections. Yet, when one questions those who adhere to these dietary laws about the reasons for them, he receives a variety of answers. Leviticus 1, english standard version 2016 esv the. Various religions forbid the consumption of certain types of food. For example, judaism prescribes a strict set of rules, called kashrut, regarding what may and may not be eaten, and notably forbidding the mixing of meat with dairy products. Its hebrew title, wayyiqra, is the first word in the hebrew text of the book and means and he i. But specifically, its a book of rules that the ancient israelites believed they had to follow in order to be close to their god. Its blood shall be drained out on the side of the altar. This is the third book of the old testament immediately following the book of exodus wherein the hebrews have escaped the control and influence of the egyptians. Following the introductory materials is the commentary proper. Then follow additional laws concerning persons and things devoted 2829 and concerning tithes 3033.
When the sons of israel were released from the bondage of egypt they received from yahweh through his servant moses the commandments, statutes and judgements including the dietary law. The book of leviticus was written between 1440 and 1400 b. The object of the game is to show that modern christians should reject all of those laws, including the ones about homosexuality. Introduction61 leviticus 11 is dealing with the subject of cleanness and uncleannessspecifically, with the subject of clean and unclean foods. Other parts of the book are filled with laws of cleanliness. The killing of homosexuals is condoned and encouraged in the wonderful laws of leviticus. How is ignoring clear biblical instructions in leviticus. Leviticus 11 common english bible ceb dietary rules. It seems like good advice for the day in which the book was scribed, but in the time we live in i feel we can throw most of these laws to the wind in understanding that the contexts of our times have drastically evolved. For example, in the operating room, things must be clean, and that has a very rigid, strict interpretationto be as free as possible from all. The apostles and elders gave recommendations about not eating food that has been sacrificed to idols, or eating blood or the meat of animals that have been strangled see acts 15. Bereans sunday school class placerita baptist church section outline i. The call to holiness, the dominant theme in the book of leviticus, contains a strong emphasis.
Oriental book, and that orientals have long been noted. The word clean has a lot of different meanings today depending upon the context in which it is used. The levitical author repeats four times twice in chapter 11 that yahweh. Leviticus 11 nasb laws about animals for food the lord. The validity of the levitical food laws of clean and unclean animals. They arent a state, but are aliens and sojourners and exiles on the earth 1 peter 2. You may eat any animal that has a split hoof completely divided and that chews the cud leviticus 11. Why should the modern reader immerse himself in all that detail. The makers diet or the bible diet is a food diet promoted on radio and in books by writer and. A sample dinner includes millet with grilled onions and peppers and roasted chicken. Verse 34 is the colophon to the book of leviticus, stating that these laws were given by yhwh as commands to moses at mount sinai. Leviticus 11 amp laws about animals for food the lord.
Although leviticus does not deal only with the special duties of the levites, it is so. The laws in leviticus are not separate, individual commands, but rather the whole of the moses law is a unit, which if a man do, he shall live in them leviticus 8. Leviticus 11 niv clean and unclean food the lord said. Thats why its a vital piece of the torah, the foundation of the rest of scripture.
Leviticus 11 ceb dietary rules the lord said to moses. Heres chapter and verse on a moreorless comprehensive list of things banned in the leviticus book of the bible. In the mosaic law, what 2 things were very important that were taught in this lesson. The mosaic dietary laws as recorded in leviticus 11 are very unique. God specified the changes by providing an updated list of laws in deuteronomy chapter 14. Although leviticus is basically a book of laws, it also contains some narrative chapters 89, 10. Well there you have it, homosexuality is wrong, and. Allowing the context to speak for itself clarifies why some laws should still be regarded today by all and why some should not. In leviticus, those commandments are elaborated on in detail. The following are what i believe to be the five most helpful commentaries on the book of leviticus. Christians and the old testament dietary laws the cripplegate.
But if you want to continue playing the game, find as many crazysounding laws in the book of leviticus as you can. Here are some thoughts regarding the leviticus does not apply to christians argument. Why the leviticus 11 diet plan may work for you charisma. Therefore, the laws which dealt with israel as a state are no longer applied that way since the people of god are no longer a political entity. For those who have struggled to understand the meaning and relevance of leviticus, a good commentary can shed a lot of light. The mosaic dietary laws as recorded in leviticus 11 are unique. Leviticus receives its name from the septuagint the prechristian greek translation of the ot and means relating to the levites.
Leviticus 11 amplified bible amp laws about animals for food. Leviticus 11 presents dietary laws, specifying which animals are clean. The consumption of food and drink was subject to certain restrictions that became the basis for later jewish dietary practices. These are the creatures that you are allowed to eat from the land animals.
In the beginning of this chapter, who did god speak to. The fallacious argument that since shellfish are an abomination in leviticus, christians should therefore not eat and should speak out against those that eat shellfish builds upon a faulty interpretation and application of the levitical laws to the christian. This includes the laws of the temple and the sacrifices. The penalty for sin, which is the breaking transgression of yahwehs laws, is death. Mixed greens topped with salmon, balsamic vinegar and olive oil, served with wholewheat bread and an apple may be a healthy lunch option on the diet. The contents of the book of leviticus are so dry and technical that the ability to read a passage from it served as the standard test of literacy. Leviticus 11 new international version niv clean and unclean food. The book of leviticus is a foreboding book for most readers. Intro to leviticus biblica the international bible society. Leviticus chapter 11 explained discover the 66 books of. Understanding the book of leviticus for today by ralph. Jains often follow religious directives to observe vegetarianism. For example, atonement for unintentional sins was meant for israel lev.
The traditional laws on marriage, and the prohibitions against adultery, incest, and homosexuality are explicit in leviticus chapters 1819. The book of leviticus is composed largely of the regulations of israels holiness. The key word is and, for leviticus 11 continues to describe the. We do not follow all the levitical laws in the old testament because some of those laws were intended only for israel, while others were for everyone. For instance, the sexual sins listed in leviticus 18 are an elaboration. Chapters 110 of leviticus record laws on sacrifices and the priesthood. The pig is considered an unclean animal as food in judaism and islam and some christian denominations. Considering levitical food laws perspective digest. Islam has similar laws, dividing foods into haram forbidden and halal permitted. The food laws of the old testament biblical research. It seems that when reading over the food laws of leviticus, the laws were not holy but rather good advice for the people. An introduction to the book of leviticus introduction. But till the israelites were in the wilderness, no very particular regulations seem to have been appointed. Instead, i will describe the bibles food laws and then discuss the various.
Leviticus 18 begins with god saying to moses, 2 speak to the israelites and say to them. Leviticus is a book of laws regulating the offering of sacrifices, the duties of priests, the liturgical calendar, the sexual, dietary, and economic practices of the israelites, and many other issues of ritual and moral holiness. This answer is the entire basis of the christians faith in jesus. Of all the animals that live on land, these are the ones you may eat. The purpose of leviticus is to provide instruction and laws to guide a sinful, yet redeemed. The levitical dietary laws in the light of modern science. Rubin takes two of his main dietary laws from leviticus. The book of leviticus itself makes distinctions between laws that applied specifically to israel and laws that applied to all nations at all times. God invites israel to live in close proximity to his holy presence. Laws on sacrifices and the priesthood 110 laws on purification 1116 holiness laws 1727 the first main division.
277 893 897 415 393 1331 78 671 292 1519 155 1290 1058 1258 557 16 828 918 685 471 1322 1058 574 346 826 1139 40 359 284 991 991 699