LEVITICUS. This is the third Book in the Pentateuch. It is called Leviticus, because it contains principally the Laws and Regulations relating to the Priests, the Levites, and Sacrifices; for which Reason the Hebrews call it the Priest’s Law, because it includes many Ordinances concerning Sacrifices. The Jews term it likewise Vajicra, because in Hebrew it begins with this Word, which signifies, and he called. In the seven first Chapters of Leviticus God prescribes those Ceremonies to Moses, which were to be observed in the Offering of burnt Sacrifices, of Meat-Offerings, of Bread and Cakes, Peace-Offerings or Thanksgivings, and Sin-Offerings; and regulates what Parts of these Sacrifices were to be consumed upon the Fire of the Altar, and what were to be given to the Priest, who offer’d them. After this Moses relates in what Manner the Priests were consecrated, and what Sacrifices were offered upon this Occasion; and the fatal Misfortune which happened to Nadab and Abihu, who were consumed with Fire, for attempting to offer Incense to the Lord with strange Fire. Upon this Occasion Moses prescribes some Laws, appointing what the Mourning of the Priests should be, and forbids them to drink Wine, while they were in Waiting at the Temple.
In the xi, xii, xiii, xiv, xv Chapters, Moses gives Rules for distinguishing clean and unclean Beasts, and the Leprosy of Men, Houses and Habits; for the Purification of Men indisposed with a Gonorrhæa, and of Women after Child-birth. After this, God appoints the Ceremonies which were to be observed upon the Day of solemn Expiation: He regulates the Degrees of Relation, wherein any one was either permitted or forbidden to marry. He prohibits Alliances with the Canaanites, Idolatry, Theft, Perjury, Calumny, Hatred, the Superstitions of the Gentiles, Magick, Divinations, Soothsaying, Prostitutions and Adultery. He forbids any one to use the Fruits of a Tree, during the first five Years after it is planted. He requires something to be left in the Fields for the Benefit of the Poor, when the Corn is cut. He mentions the Defects which make Sacrifices unfit to be offered to the Lord. In the xxiii Chapter he takes Notice of the principal Festivals in the Year, which are the Passover, Pentecost, the Feast of Tabernacles, the Great Day of Expiation, the Feast of Trumpets, or beginning of the civil Year. We find the Story in it of a Man who was stoned to Death for having blasphemed the Name of the Lord. He prescribes what was to be observed in the Sabbatical, and in the Jubilee Years. Lastly, he Lev. xxv. 3, 4, 5, &c.concludes with Regulations concerning Vows, and Tythes which were too be offered in the Tabernacle.
Lev. xxviiAll the World agrees, that Leviticus is a Canonical Book, and of divine Authority. It is generally held to be the Work of Moses, as well as the rest of the Pentateuch. It contains the History of what passed during the eight Days of Aaron’s and his Sons Consecration, which was performed in the Year of the World 2514, before J. C. 1486 before the Vulgar Æra 1490. The Laws which were prescribed in it upon other Subjects besides Sacrifices, have no other chronological Mark, whereby we may be directed to judge at what Time they were given.