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List of contents
1. Introducing Leviticus
2. Holiness
3. Sacrifice (Leviticus 1–7)
4. Priesthood (Leviticus 8–10)
5. Purity and Impurity (Leviticus 11–15)
6. Holy Living (Leviticus 17–27)
7. Holy Time (Leviticus 16; 23; 25)
8. The Continuing Relevance of Leviticus
Bibliography
Index
About the author
Philip P. Jenson teaches Old Testament and Hebrew at Ridley Hall at Cambridge University. His previous publications include Graded Holiness (Sheffield 1992) and Reading Jonah (Grove Books 1999).
Summary
In this guide, Philip Peter Jenson provides an introduction to Leviticus, examining its structure, character, and content. In particular, he focuses on explaining the basic concepts that inform the rituals and ethics of Leviticus. This is especially the case for the pervasive and complex category of holiness, along with its antithesis, impurity. Overall, Jenson’s emphasis is on the overarching coherence of the book and how it reached its present canonical form.
Leviticus is a difficult book for most readers, describing rituals that are no longer practiced and reflecting a culture that is vastly different from that of the modern West. Yet it is the central book of the first section of the Bible of both Jews and Christians, and it is at the heart of the law revealed to Moses on Mount Sinai. It includes the foundational texts on matters such as sacrifice or love for one's neighbour. In this comprehensive introduction, Jenson offers extensive analysis, and concludes each chapter with reflections on the contemporary significance of the texts being discussed.
Additional text
In this lucid introduction, Philip Peter Jenson takes us into the heart of the Torah. He convincingly demonstrates that the book is profoundly theological and of continued relevance to Jewish and Christian faith.
