Leviticus is full of numerical designs, often using repeated leitworten to highlight themes in a particular section.
Chapter 3, for instance, uses the word “fat” ( chalev ) twelve times, and the divine speech that lays out the torot for the various offerings (6:1-7:38) uses the word blood ( dam ) seven times.
One of the most intricate numerical patterns occurs in chapters 19-20. In each, a key-word is used seven times, and in each case the seventh use occurs in a statement about the exodus.
Chapter 19 uses the word land ( eretz ) in verses 9, 23, 29, [2x], 33, 34, and in verse 36 states: “I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of from the land of Egypt.”
Chapter 20 uses the verb “give” ( natan , translated variously in English Bibles) in verses 2, 3 [2x], 4, 6, 15, and verse 24 states: “I Myself will give [their land] to you to possess it, a land flowing with milk and honey.’
More can be found in Warning, Literary Artistry in Leviticus .
Peter Leithart
Peter J. Leithart is President of Theopolis Institute. He is the author of numerous books on theology, literature, and culture, including Theopolitan, Defending Constantine, and Baptized Body.
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