Leviticus related passages

Within the Bible

• Previous: Exodus ends with the glory of the LORD filling the tabernacle so that Moses could not enter (Exodus 40:34-35). Leviticus opens with the LORD calling to Moses “from the tent of meeting,” answering the question Exodus leaves hanging: how may a sinful people live with the holy God now dwelling in their midst?
• Next: Numbers continues the story a month later (Numbers 1:1), as the redeemed and consecrated people are counted and set in order to march from Sinai toward the promised land. Where Leviticus gives the laws of holiness, Numbers tests that holiness in the wilderness.
• Thematic Connections:
  • Hebrews - The inspired commentary on Leviticus, presenting Christ as the fulfillment of the priesthood, the sacrifices, the Day of Atonement, and the entry into God’s presence.
  • Deuteronomy - Restates and applies the covenant, blessings, and curses (compare Leviticus 26 with Deuteronomy 28) for the new generation.
  • The Prophets - Repeatedly indict Israel for keeping the rituals of Leviticus while ignoring its call to justice, mercy, and holiness of heart (Isaiah 1:11-17; Micah 6:6-8).

Cross-Testament Connections

Leviticus supplies much of the vocabulary and imagery by which the New Testament explains the work of Christ:

• The offerings: Christ is the burnt offering wholly given, the grain offering of a sinless life, the peace offering who is our peace, and the sin and guilt offerings who bore and repaired our sin (Ephesians 5:2; Romans 5:1; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Isaiah 53:10).
• Atonement and blood: “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22); Christ is the propitiation set forth by His blood (Romans 3:25; 1 John 2:2).
• The Day of Atonement: Christ, our High Priest, entered the true Most Holy Place once for all with His own blood, securing eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:11-14).
• The priesthood: Jesus is the great High Priest, holy and without blemish, who lives forever to intercede (Hebrews 7:23-28).
• Clean and unclean: In Christ all foods are declared clean and the nations once counted unclean are cleansed by faith (Mark 7:19; Acts 10:15; 15:9).
• Holiness: “You shall be holy, for I am holy” is applied directly to the church (1 Peter 1:15-16), which is “a holy nation, a people for his own possession” (1 Peter 2:9).
• The Jubilee: Jesus proclaims its fulfillment, “the year of the Lord’s favor,” bringing true liberty to captives (Luke 4:18-21).
• God dwelling with us: The promise “I will walk among you” (26:12) is taken up by Paul for the church (2 Corinthians 6:16) and consummated when “the dwelling place of God is with man” (Revelation 21:3).