Leviticus recieved its English title
from the Greek Levitikon, which means
pertaining to Levites. Probably,
Jewish scribes [who called Leviticus
the Priest's Manual] influenced the
title in the Tannaitic Period (200
B.C. - 200 A.D.). While the title is
appropriate for certain sections it
fails to point out that most of the
book is directed to all the epeople of
Israel. The priesthood of Israel was
not meant to be a secret society with
mysterious practices known only to
them.
Sadly, it appears, the book of
Leviticus has been retired to a
secondary status in the Church today.
Christians have largely relegated the
punctillious details about such things
as sacrifices and purity laws to a
bygone era. There, is of course, some
good reason for that. While rabinnic
commentary teaches that this is the
first book of Scripture that Children
should learn (age 5), modern readers
often view Leviticus as tedious and
dull. Reading Leviticus was in the
word of a Third century church
scholar, like having to eat unfit food.
The practices in Leviticus may seem
distant and mysterious to the modern
western world yet there are
fundamental elements in the book of
Leviticus that are both universal and
relevant to the contemporary scene.
What Christian would say that love
your neighbour as yourself, the second
greatest commandment, should be
relegated to the past? Here is one the
most oft cited verses in the New
Testament Scripture is a commands that
first appears in the book of
Leviticus. But it doesn't stop there.
Hebrews particularly expounds on
Leviticus; it is close to impossible
to comprehend parts of Hebrews without
reference to Leviticus. This can be
said with regard to passages in the
gospel as well.