leviticus 7 and 8

Read Leviticus 7 and 8 at Bible Gateway.

The Hebrew paragraph divisions for today’s chapters are:

Lev 7:1-10 {p} The priests’ portion of the trespass offering (asham) + the other offerings
Lev 7:11-21 {p} The law of the peace offering (shelem), its grain offerings + may and must not be eaten
Lev 7:22-38 {p} Eat no fat or blood + priests’ portion of the peace offering + summary
Lev 8:1-36 {s} Consecration of the tabernacle + priesthood

These opening chapters of Leviticus make an interesting chiastic structure:

Exo 40:1-Lev 8:38

1a) Exo 40:1-38 {sx8+p+p} Moses established the tabernacle;

1b) Lev 1:1-2:16 {s+p+sx5+p} The law of the burnt offering + grain offering;

1c) Lev 3:1-16a, The law of the peace offering;

1d) Lev 3:16b-17 {px3} You shall eat neither fat nor blood;

1e) Lev 4:1-6:23, The law of the offerings + grain offering that must not be eaten;

1) Lev 4:1-35 {px5} The law of the sin offering;
2) Lev 5:1-6:7 {s+s+px3} The law of the trespass offering;
3) Lev 6:8-18 {s+p} The law of the burnt offering + grain offerings;
4) Lev 6:19-23 {p} The law of the perpetual grain offering that must not be eaten;

central axis) Lev 6:24, “Also the LORD spoke to Moses, saying;”

2e) Lev 6:25-7:21 {px3} The law of the offerings + the peace offering that must be eaten;

1) Lev 6:25-30 {p} The law of the sin offering;
2) Lev 7:1-7, The law of the trespass offering;
3) Lev 7:8-10 {p} What is the priests’ of the burnt offering + grain offerings;
4) Lev 7:11-21 {p} The law of the peace offering that must be eaten;

2d) Lev 7:22-27, You shall not eat the fat or the blood;

2c) Lev 7:28-36, The law of the peace offering;

2b) Lev 7:37-38 {p} Summary of the law of the offerings;

2a) Lev 8:1-36 {s} Moses established the priesthood.

“YHVH spoke to Moses” is an unusual central axis. Wrapping the central axis is the law of the offerings. So in other words, all of the law of the offerings, or sacrifices, has at its heart, “YHVH spoke to Moses.” What YHVH spoke is His word which proceeded from His heart (Mat 12:34). His Word is what became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth (Joh 1:14). The heart of the law of the offerings is Messiah. What YHVH spoke to Moses, became flesh in order to be offered up as an offering and a sacrifice, according to the law of the offerings.