Book of Leviticus — New World Translation Study Guide
Section: Hebrew Scriptures · Chapters: 27 · Written by: Moses · Approximate date: c. 1440 BC · Theme: Holiness & Pure Worship
Summary of the Book of Leviticus
Leviticus provides detailed instructions for Israel's worship, sacrifices, and priestly duties — all centered on Jehovah's call to his people to be holy because he is holy, foreshadowing the greater sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Why the Book of Leviticus Matters Today
Leviticus is the book Jehovah's Witnesses point to when explaining the scriptural basis for abstaining from blood. Leviticus 17:11–14 establishes the sanctity of blood — a principle reaffirmed at Acts 15:28–29 and applied today to blood transfusion. Beyond that single issue, Leviticus reveals Jehovah's standard of holiness: 'You should be holy because I, Jehovah your God, am holy' (Leviticus 19:2). The sacrificial system foreshadows Jesus Christ's superior sacrifice as our High Priest. Reading Leviticus deepens appreciation for how completely Christ's ransom fulfilled what the Mosaic system pointed toward.
Key Verses in Leviticus
- Lev 19:2
- Lev 17:11
Notable Passages in Leviticus
Leviticus 19:2
Jehovah's call to holiness — 'You should be holy, because I, Jehovah your God, am holy' — sets the moral standard for all who bear his name.
Leviticus 17:11
The declaration that 'the life of the flesh is in the blood' establishes the sanctity of blood and underpins JW understanding of the blood issue.
Leviticus 16:30
The annual Day of Atonement provided national cleansing, foreshadowing Jesus Christ's superior sacrifice as High Priest on behalf of all humanity.
Study Questions for Leviticus
As you read the book of Leviticus, reflect on these questions to deepen your understanding and appreciation of Jehovah's Word:
- What does Jehovah's repeated call to holiness — 'Be holy, for I am holy' — mean for Jehovah's Witnesses today?
- How do the various animal sacrifices in Leviticus foreshadow the superior sacrifice of Jesus Christ?
- What does the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16) teach about the need for atonement, and how was it fulfilled in Jesus Christ as High Priest?
- How did the dietary and purity laws set Israel apart from surrounding nations, and what principle of separation from the world applies to Christians?
- What does the Jubilee Year teach about Jehovah's care for the poor and his plan for restoring what was lost?
Frequently Asked Questions About Leviticus
- Who wrote the book of Leviticus?
- Moses wrote Leviticus around 1512 BCE at the base of Mount Sinai, recording the instructions Jehovah gave him for Israel's priesthood, sacrifices, and laws of holiness.
- When was the book of Leviticus written?
- Leviticus was written approximately 1512 BCE during Israel's encampment at Mount Sinai, covering about one month of legislation given through Moses.
- What is the main theme of Leviticus?
- Leviticus reveals Jehovah's call to holiness and establishes the priesthood and sacrificial system that foreshadowed Christ's ransom sacrifice. The book centers on what it means for an imperfect people to approach a perfect God.
How to Study Leviticus with JW Study
Track your progress through all 27 chapters of Leviticus in the New World Translation, mark completed chapters as you read, save personal notes on key passages, and build a consistent daily Bible reading habit. Use it alongside JW Library and the publications available at wol.jw.org to deepen your understanding of Jehovah's Word.
Reading Plans That Include Leviticus
The book of Leviticus is covered in the following structured reading plans on NWT Progress. Each plan divides the reading evenly across a set number of days to help you stay consistent.
- NWT in 1 Year — Read the entire New World Translation, all 66 books, in 365 days. (365 days, 1189 chapters)
- Hebrew Scriptures in 1 Year — Read all 39 books of the Hebrew Scriptures over the course of a year. (365 days, 929 chapters)
- Intensive: Bible in 90 Days — Cover all 66 books in 90 days with a steady, focused schedule. (90 days, 1189 chapters)
Related Bible Study Topics
Deepen your study of the Bible with these related topics from JW Study:
- Is Jesus God? — Understanding Jesus' identity as the Son of God — distinct from Jehovah
- Jesus and Michael the Archangel — Scriptural evidence that Jesus Christ is Michael the archangel
- Holy Spirit — Person or Force? — The Bible shows the holy spirit is God's active force, not a third person
- Holy Spirit Is Not a Person — Key Verses — Scriptural proof that the holy spirit is God's active force, not a person
- The Trinity Is Not Biblical — Key Verses — Scripture consistently distinguishes the Father from the Son — the Trinity doctrine has no Bible basis
- The Angel of the Lord Is Michael — Key Verses — Scriptural evidence connecting the angel of Jehovah, Michael the archangel, and Jesus Christ
- What Is the Soul? — The Bible defines the soul as a living being — not an immortal inner entity
- What Happens When We Die? — Death is a state of unconscious sleep — not heaven, hell, or purgatory
- God's Kingdom — What Is It? — A real government in heaven that will rule over a paradise earth
- Why Does God Allow Suffering? — Understanding the issue of universal sovereignty and why Jehovah permits evil for now
- The Sanctity of Blood — Why Jehovah commands us to abstain from blood — and what this means today
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