Leviticus received its English title from the Greek Levitikon, which means “pertaining to Levites.” Jewish scribes, who called Leviticus the Priest’s Manual, probably influenced the title in the Talmudic Period (200 B.C.–200 A.D.). While the title is appropriate for certain sections of Leviticus, it fails to point out that most of the book is directed to all the people 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 punctilious details about such things as sacrifices and purity laws to a bygone era. There, is of course, some good reason for that. While rabbinic 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 loving your neighbor 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—a command 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.
