Journal: Faith and Mission
Volume: FM 21:2 (Spring 2004)
Article: The Best-Known Verse in Leviticus
Author: Mark F. Rooker

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The Best-Known Verse in Leviticus1

Mark F. Rooker

Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Wake Forest, North Carolina 27587

Faculty lecture presented at Binkley Chapel
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Wake Forest, North Carolina
November 18, 2003

Introduction

You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Few phrases of the Bible are as well known in the modern world. The familiarity of the phrase, quoted nine times in the New Testament, is no doubt due to the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ designated the phrase as the second greatest commandment.2 Why did this verse receive such distinction? I would like to examine the verse in its Old Testament context, possibly to illuminate what might be distinctive about the verse and then to consider some issues that have arisen about its interpretation. First, let us look at its literary and covenantal context.

Literary and Covenantal Context

The phrase, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” occurs first in Leviticus, the third book of the Pentateuch at the heart or center of the Old Testament Torah.3 The Book of Leviticus continues the stipulations of the Mosaic covenant from Mount Sinai that began in the Book of Exodus. Exodus ended with the completion of the building of the tabernacle. Leviticus records the procedures for the sacrifices and offerings that are to be performed in this newly constructed movable sanctuary. Exodus thus ends with where God is to be worshiped: in the tabernacle. Leviticus focuses on how God is to be worshiped: by the offering of sacrifices.

Structurally, the Book of Leviticus contains a beginning (1:1–2) and a conclusion (26:46), while the last chapter functions as an appendix containing a closing formula for the Mosaic legislation (27:34). The major division in the book occurs after Leviticus 16, which concentrates on the Day of Atonement.4

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Leviticus 1–16 tells how it is possible for one to obtain access to God: by sacrifice. Leviticus 17–27 contains legislation for the person who has received atonement. The recipient is to live a holy life.You must have a subscription and be logged in to read the entire article.
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