Overview of Leviticus 16–18 (KJV)

God instructs Moses regarding Aaron’s duties as high priest.
Aaron must only enter the Holy of Holies once a year, with blood and incense, lest he die.
He is to make atonement for himself, his household, and all Israel.
The ritual includes the sacrifice of a bull and goat, and the sending of a scapegoat into the wilderness, symbolically carrying away Israel’s sins.
This becomes a statute forever: Israel is to afflict their souls (fast, humble themselves) on the tenth day of the seventh month.

All animal sacrifices must be brought to the tabernacle; no one may offer sacrifices in the field.
Sacrifices to “devils” (false gods) are forbidden.
Eating blood is strictly forbidden, because the life of the flesh is in the blood, and God has given it for atonement upon the altar.
Anyone who hunts must pour out the blood and cover it with dust.

Israel must not follow the practices of Egypt or Canaan, but keep God’s statutes.
A long list of forbidden sexual relationships is given (close relatives, adultery, homosexuality, and bestiality).
God warns that these abominations defiled the nations before Israel, and will bring judgment if practiced.
The people are to keep God’s ordinances and live by them.

? Key Themes

Atonement through blood (pointing to Christ’s ultimate sacrifice, Heb. 9–10).
The seriousness of sin and the need for purification.
God’s holiness demands moral and ceremonial purity.
Obedience separates Israel from the nations around them.