John Worgul
Leviticus: The Heart of the Pentateuch
The LORD called Moses, and spoke to him from the tent of meeting (Leviticus 1:1) Leviticus is at the very heart of the Pentateuch, both structurally, being central among the five books, and geographically, given at Mount Sinai between Egypt and the Promised Land. We might even say it is the heart of the Pentateuch theologically … Read more
The Literary Structure of Leviticus: Circle of Life and Holiness
Because impurity and holiness are antonyms, the identification of impurity with death must mean that holiness stands for life. Rabbi Jacob Milgrom, Leviticus 1-16, p. 46 The Book of Leviticus developed within the covenantal community of Israel, like the whole of the Pentateuch, from core revelations given to the Patriarchs and Moses and built upon … Read more
What is Holiness Anyway?
Be holy for I, YHWH your God, am holy. Leviticus 19:1 You are to distinguish between the holy and the common, and between the clean and the unclean. Leviticus 10:10 In our western culture the word “holy” has become a pejorative term. Once a sacred idea, it has lapsed into negative connotation, often trivialized, modifying … Read more
The Burnt Offering
Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When any one of you* brings an offering of livestock to the LORD, you shall bring your offering from the herd or from the flock. Leviticus 1:2 From the dawn of time, beginning with Cain and Abel’s sacrifice, continuing even up to now in some places, people have offered … Read more
The Grain Offering
When anyone brings a grain offering to the Lord, the offering must consist of bran flour. The offerer shall pour oil on it and put frankincense over it… (Leviticus 2:1) In contrast to the dramatic bloody animal sacrifices, the grain offering can easily be overlooked as some benign ritual of lesser importance. The grain motif, however, … Read more
The Peace Offering
If a person’s offering is a communion [peace] sacrifice, if it is brought from the herd, be it a male or a female animal, it must be presented without blemish before the LORD. (Leviticus 3:1) The burnt offering and the cereal offering were the most common sacrifices, mandatory, offered at least once a year by a … Read more
The Construction of the Tabernacle (Exodus 35-40)
Let every artisan among you come and make all that the LORD has commanded. Exodus 35:10 The motif of “building” is fundamental in understanding human nature made in the image of God. Genesis One depicts God as the original builder of the heavens and the earth, fashioning a cosmic temple. Humans likewise cannot help themselves but … Read more
The Purification Offering
Tell the Israelites: When a person inadvertently does wrong by violating any one of the LORD’s prohibitions… (Leviticus 4:1) Traditionally, this fourth offering has been simply called a “sin” (Hebrew ḥaṭṭā´t) offering because it has to do with those who sin in various ways. However, as we have seen, the burnt offering was the fundamental sacrifice for … Read more
The Glory Descends
Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Moses could not enter the tent of meeting, because the cloud settled down upon it and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Whenever the cloud rose from the tabernacle, the Israelites would set out on their journey. But … Read more