Chiasm of Defects

Chiasm of Defects

Trevaskis (Holiness, Ethics, and Ritual in Leviticus) proposes a chiastic outline of Leviticus 21-22:

Priestly defects (Lev. 21.16-24) 

A. [4 defects] blind, lame,

disfigured, an ‘overgrown limb’ (????) (v. 18) 

B. [2 defects] impaired leg, impaired hand (v. 19) 

C. [6
defects] hunchback, withered member, a discolouration of the eye, a ‘scab,’ ‘scurf,’damaged testicles (v. 20) 

Animal defects (Lev. 22.17-25) 

C.’ [6 defects] blind,
broken limb, mutilated, seeping sores, a ‘scab,’ a ‘scurf’ (v. 22) 

B.’ [2 defects] an ‘overgrown limb,’ a stunted appendage (v. 23) 

A.’ [4 defects] bruised, crushed,
torn, cut-off testicles (v. 24) 

Among other things, the numerology is worth noting: Not only are there twelve defects listed for both groups (twelve – get it??), but they are listed in symmetrically – 4/2/6//6/2/4.


Browse Our Archives

Follow Us!


TAKE THE
Religious Wisdom Quiz

This shortest book in the Old Testament prophesies judgment on Edom for violence against Judah. How many verses does it contain?

Select your answer to see how you score.