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Leviticus

Leviticus Le*vit"i*cus (-[i^]*k[u^]s), n. [See Levitical.] The third canonical book of the Old Testament, containing the laws and regulations relating to the priests and Levites among the Hebrews, or the body of the ceremonial law. [1913 Webster]

Bible Dictionary

Leviticus
The third book in the Pentateuch is called Leviticus because itrelates principally to the Levites and priests and theirservices. The book is generally held to have been written byMoses. Those critics even who hold a different opinion as tothe other books of the Pentateuch assign this book in the mainto him. One of the most notable features of the book is whatmay be called its spiritual meaning. That so elaborate a rituallooked beyond itself we cannot doubt. It was a prophecy ofthings to come; a shadow whereof the substance was Christ andhis kingdom. We may not always be able to say what the exactrelation is between the type and the antitype; but we cannotread the Epistle to the Hebrews and not acknowledge that theLevitical priests "served the pattern and type of heavenlythings;" that the sacrifices of the law pointed to and foundtheir interpretation in the Lamb of God; that the ordinances ofoutward purification signified the true inner cleansing of theheart and conscience from dead works to serve the living God.One idea--HOLINESS-- moreover penetrates the whole of this vastand burdensome ceremonial, and gives it a real glory even apartfrom any prophetic significance.