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Leviticus
noun
Le·vit·i·cus
li-ˈvi-ti-kəs
: the third book of canonical Jewish and Christian Scripture consisting mainly of priestly legislation see Bible Table
Examples of Leviticus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
God told Moses that God wants all people to be holy as God is holy (Leviticus 19:1).
—Walt Shelton, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
In Leviticus 19:28, God prohibits mourners from funeral rites that involve self-mutilation to honor the dead – the Bible’s only explicit prohibition of tattoos.
—Gustavo Morello, The Conversation, 10 July 2024
Members of certain religious groups do not shave their beards and one passage gaining popularity among cops right now is from the Hebrew bible book of Leviticus.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 14 July 2024
There are three legal codes, one in Exodus, another in Leviticus, a third in Deuteronomy.
—Jonathan Sacks, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2012
Leprosy hearkens back centuries, all the way to its reference in the Bible in the Book of Leviticus.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2024
In 2016, Seales’ team unwrapped what’s known as the En-Gedi scroll, which featured sections of the Book of Leviticus.
—Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Oct. 2023
The authors, Jason Barlow and Guy Bird, have produced text as dense as Leviticus—but far more entertaining—that will consume many leisure reading hours.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 24 Sep. 2023
Some maintain that because the prohibition against drinking is found in the sentences that follow their deaths, the fire alludes to the possibility that Aaron’s sons served in the sanctuary while intoxicated (Leviticus 10:9; Vayikra Rabbah 12:5).
—Rabbi Avi Weiss, Sun Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2023
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Word History
Etymology
Late Latin, literally, of the Levites
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of Leviticus was
in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near Leviticus
Cite this Entry
“Leviticus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Leviticus. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
Leviticus
noun
Le·vit·i·cus
li-ˈvit-i-kəs
: the third book of canonical Jewish and Christian Scripture consisting mainly of priestly legislation see bible
More from Merriam-Webster on Leviticus
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Leviticus
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