Leviticus (Tyndale Old Testament Commentary | TOTC)
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Overview
Levitical rules and regulations can at first appear irrelevant to contemporary Christians—but they provide important Old Testament background for understanding large portions of the New Testament. Leviticus describes a point in human history when God came and dwelt in the midst of the ancient Israelites and taught them what their purpose in life really was. Jay Sklar’s commentary makes clear what it is that the Lord said to them and, in so doing, makes clear what he says to us today. This new commentary fills the place of the previous one written by R. K. Harrison and brings this sometimes difficult text even more keenly into focus for modern readers.
Top Highlights
“To be holy is to be set apart as distinct in some way.” (Page 39)
“In short, redemption by this King always implies relationship, relationship with him always implies mission, and that mission is nothing less than spreading his holy kingdom throughout all the earth (cf. Matt. 28:18–20). The Israelites were to do this by embodying the laws of the kingdom their covenant Lord had established.” (Page 41)
“These are called ‘ritual states’, because they guide the community in understanding which ritual actions a person may (or may not) do or which ritual places a person may (or may not) go.” (Page 45)
“A modern analogy is that of physical health and cleanness. A person with the flu may not go into a hospital to hold a newborn baby, while a person who is healthy may. A person who is healthy and sterilized may go into an operating room, but a person who is simply healthy may not. Just as your physical health and cleanness determine what you can do and where you can go in a hospital, the Israelites’ ritual state determined what they could do and where they could go in terms of ritual actions, places and times.” (Page 45)
“It is possible to identify three purposes served by the ritual states. First, they reinforced the Israelites’ understanding of the Lord’s holiness.” (Pages 48–49)
- Title: Leviticus: An Introduction and Commentary (Sklar)
- Author: Jay Sklar
- Series: Tyndale Commentaries
- Volume: 3
- Publisher: Inter-Varsity
- Print Publication Date: 2013
- Logos Release Date: 2017
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subject: Bible. O.T. Leviticus › Commentaries
- ISBNs: 9781844749270, 1844749274
- Resource ID: LLS:TOTC03LESKLAR
- Resource Type: Bible Commentary
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-10-10T22:42:54Z
Jay Sklar, PhD, is Professor of Old Testament and VP of Academics at Covenant Theological Seminary in Saint Louis. His doctoral research, completed under Professor Gordon Wenham, resulted in the book Sin, Impurity, Sacrifice, Atonement: The Priestly Conceptions. He has published commentaries on Numbers, Jonah, and two on Leviticus, and has a forthcoming commentary on Exodus. He has also put together a website with resources for those wanting to preach and teach any of the books from Genesis to Deuteronomy.
Dr. Sklar has a keen interest in developing theological education overseas and has travelled overseas to teach (in French) in France and Senegal.
Reviews
6 ratings
Ken McClurkin
1/17/2023
Martijn
11/1/2022
JT
3/18/2022
Rick Johnson
5/1/2020
Hans Stout
12/1/2019
Have you ever read Leviticus and wondered, "How in the world could I ever understand, apply, or teach the significance of what's going on in Leviticus?" or "What in the world was the point of THAT practice / sacrifice?" Have you ever been talking with an unbeliever / skeptic about the events / sacrifices in Leviticus and wondered how you might relate what's going on to ANY period of history? I have. If you have too, this clear and accessible commentary is just what the doctor ordered! Throughout the commentary, Sklar consistently takes the time to pause and interact with the obvious questions that a contemporary reader would have as they read the book of Leviticus. For example, in Leviticus 12, Sklar asks, "Why would a woman become ritually impure by giving birth?" Bingo. Good question. Try preaching or unpacking Leviticus without squarely facing these kinds of questions. Leviticus has at least a dozen of these issues, and Sklar tackles each one with simplicity, clarity, and respect for the text. Pick this up and you'll be glad you did. I've read dozens of commentaries, and this commentary has given me the best bank for my buck. For the great price, and accessible style, you'll have a hard time finding its equal.
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