Levitical
/lɪˈvɪtɪkəl/noun
Relating to the Levites, the Israelite tribe traditionally responsible for religious service, or to the Book of Leviticus.
Did you know?Although Levitical law is named for the Levites, the Book of Leviticus focuses heavily on rituals administered by the Aaronic priesthood and includes rules for the wider Israelite community.
Etymological Timeline
Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew
לֵוִי (Lēwī)
“Levi, the personal name of Jacob’s son and ancestor of the Levite tribe; its deeper name meaning is uncertain, though it has traditionally been connected with the idea of joining or attachment.”
3rd–2nd Century BCE
Greek
Λευιτικόν (Leuitikon)
“Things relating to the Levites; the Greek title of the biblical book later known as Leviticus.”
Late Antiquity
Latin
Leviticus
“The Latin name of the third book of the Hebrew Bible and Christian Old Testament.”
Middle English
English
Levitical
“Relating to the Levites or to the laws and rituals associated with them.”
Modern English
English
Levitical
“Pertaining to the Levites, Leviticus, or the ritual and priestly system described there.”