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Bible Commentaries
Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments Sutcliffe's Commentary
Instructions for Burnt Offerings to God.Chapter 2
Laws for Grain Offerings Given.Chapter 3
Regulations for Peace Offerings Specified.Chapter 4
Sin Offerings for Unintentional Sins Described.Chapter 5
Laws for Guilt Offerings and Atonement.Chapter 6
Further Instructions for Offerings and Priests.Chapter 7
Details on Various Offerings and Portions.Chapter 8
Aaron and His Sons Consecrated as Priests.Chapter 9
Aaron's First Offerings; God's Glory Revealed.Chapter 10
Nadab and Abihu's Unauthorized Fire Punished.Chapter 11
Laws on Clean and Unclean Animals.Chapter 12
Purification After Childbirth Regulations Provided.Chapter 13
Laws Concerning Leprosy and Skin Diseases.Chapter 14
Cleansing Rituals for Lepers and Houses.Chapter 15
Laws on Bodily Discharges and Purification.Chapter 16
Day of Atonement Rituals Established.Chapter 17
Prohibitions on Blood Consumption and Sacrifices.Chapter 18
Laws on Sexual Relations and Moral Conduct.Chapter 19
Holiness Laws; Love Your Neighbor Command.Chapter 20
Penalties for Idolatry, Witchcraft, and Immorality.Chapter 21
Requirements for Priests' Purity and Conduct.Chapter 22
Laws Regarding Offerings and Priestly Conduct.Chapter 23
Sacred Feasts and Festivals Outlined.Chapter 24
Lampstand Care; Blasphemer Stoned.Chapter 25
Sabbath Year and Year of Jubilee Regulations.Chapter 26
Blessings for Obedience; Curses for Disobedience.Chapter 27
Vows, Tithes, and Offerings Regulations.
- Leviticus
by Joseph Sutcliffe
THE THIRD BOOK OF MOSES, CALLED LEVITICUS.
The LEVITICUM, which is the proper name of this book, amply describes the ceremonial law. The Hebrews called it the law of priesthood. The seven first chapters treat of the quality and variety of the sacrifices; and to the twenty third chapter, of the priests and inferior levites, and of their consecration and offices. From thence to the end of the book, the times of sacrifice, and of the feasts, are particularly named. One great reason for this splendid ritual was to draw the people to internal devotion, by tracing as far as they were able, its mystical import, which was full of evangelical glory, as is shown by the apostle’s illustrations, in his epistle to the Hebrews. The levitical sacrifices had in themselves no merit, they were merely shadows of good things to come, and were on that account acceptable to the Lord. The sacrifices were indeed diversified, the principal ones consisting of sheep and oxen, though the Hebrew word for sheep included goats, doves, and other offerings; yet all of them when offered in sacrifice, had reference to the sacrifice of Christ. The distinction between clean and unclean beasts is primitive, as appears from the selection of the various animals which entered the Ark. St. Jerome regards every item of the jewish ritual as replete with evangelical significancy, and as shadowing forth the mediatorial glory of Christ.