Introduction to Leviticus: God's Holiness Code
Introduction to Leviticus: God's Holiness Code Collin Leong. Collin Leong; July 27, 2025 A. Historical Summary 1. Authorship Traditional View : Moses is traditionally credited as the author of Leviticus, along with the other books of the Pentateuch (Genesis–Deuteronomy). The book frequently states, “The Lord spoke to Moses…” (e.g., Leviticus 1:1), reinforcing this attribution. Scholarly View : Many modern scholars attribute Leviticus primarily to the Priestly (P) source , part of the Documentary Hypothesis. This source emphasizes ritual, holiness, and the role of the priesthood, and may have been compiled during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE). 2. Date of Composition Traditional Dating : Around 1446–1406 BCE , during Israel’s wilderness period after the Exodus. Critical Scholarship : If compiled by Priestly writers, the final form may have emerged during or after the exile , roughly 6th–5th century BCE , though it likely p...