Numerical Patterns in Leviticus

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.