Leviticus

Mid-levelBusy pastors, Lay readers / small groups, Pastors-in-trainingTop choice
Author: Andrew Bonar
Bible Book: Leviticus
Publisher: Banner of Truth
Theological Perspective: Reformed
Resource Type: Commentary
Last updated: February 5, 2026
Looking for alternatives? Compare Leviticus commentaries.

Evaluation

Overall Score: 8.5/10

A warm, gospel aware guide that helps us preach Leviticus with reverence, clarity, and spiritual power.

Publication Date(s): 1973
Pages: 524
ISBN: 9780851510866
Faithfulness to the Text: 8.7/10
We find a consistent effort to follow the book’s argument and the meaning of its categories, rather than treating the text as a canvas for our ideas.
Christ Centredness: 9/10
The movement toward Christ is handled with reverence and restraint, rooted in the book’s God given patterns and aims.
Depth of Insight: 8.6/10
We are helped by the way Bonar brings theological coherence to details many readers overlook.
Clarity of Writing: 8.1/10
Older language at points, but clear enough for steady use, with an emphasis on plain spiritual instruction.
Pastoral Usefulness: 8.8/10
This supports preaching that aims at holiness, gratitude, and assurance, without turning the book into moralism.
Readability: 8/10
Very workable for pastors, especially when read alongside the biblical text in preparation.

Summary

At a Glance

Length
524 pages
Type
Expository (Mid-Level)
Theo. Perspective
Reformed
Overall score
8.5 / 10
Strength
Unusually pastoral handling of Leviticus that keeps Christ and holiness in view.
Limitation
Less detailed on modern critical issues and specialised technical questions.

We find Bonar’s Leviticus an unusually warm and spiritually alert guide to a book many of us struggle to preach. He helps us see structure, purpose, and repeated themes, while keeping our focus on the Lord’s holiness and His gracious provision for sinners.

This is not a volume that turns Leviticus into a set of mere rituals. It helps us handle sacrifice, priesthood, and purity in a way that supports gospel preaching, and it repeatedly draws our attention to the spiritual meaning the text itself presses upon God’s people.

Why Should I Own This Commentary?

We should own this commentary because it helps us preach Leviticus with confidence and reverence. It keeps us close to the text, but it also helps us speak to the heart, which is often where sermons on Leviticus either become dry or become fanciful.

We also benefit from Bonar’s Christ centred instincts. He treats the sacrificial system as God given preparation for the gospel, and he helps us make connections that arise from the book’s own logic and purpose.

For pastors, it is a steady companion when we want a devotional and doctrinal depth that still serves careful exposition.

Closing Recommendation

We recommend this as a strong mid level resource for preaching and teaching Leviticus, especially when we want help combining careful explanation with warm application. Pair it with a modern technical work for detailed questions, but keep Bonar close for spiritual tone and gospel clarity.

As pastoral next steps, we can visit the Bible Book Overview, browse Top Recommendations, and use the Reformed Commentary Index to build a wiser working library.


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Classification

  • Level: Mid-level
  • Best For: Busy pastors, Lay readers / small groups, Pastors-in-training
  • Priority: Top choice

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