Short Verdict: This is one of the most helpful modern commentaries on Leviticus for pastors, combining deep Hebrew-sensitive exegesis with immediate application in a clear, Christ-centred way.
Summary
The commentary in question is Leviticus by Jay Sklar, part of the Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the Old Testament (ZECOT) series, published by Zondervan in 2023. This volume spans approximately 864 pages.
In terms of approach, Sklar provides for each pericope a Hebrew-English translation, a detailed exegetical outline of the passage, commentary that engages the Hebrew text (though not requiring full proficiency), and a “Canonical and Theological Significance” section that bridges the ancient text with contemporary pastoral concerns. The structure places discourse analysis, textual structure and literary context at the forefront—reflecting the series’s emphasis on how an author says something as well as what is said.
Why Should I Own This Commentary?
First, its strengths lie in its combination of rigorous exegesis and a pastor-friendly framework. Sklar does not shy away from Hebrew, syntax and discourse-analysis, yet the commentary remains readable and oriented toward preaching and teaching. Reviewers note that whereas many commentaries on Leviticus become heavy in technical minutiae, this commentary retains the “why it matters” dimension for church ministry. For you as a pastor and Bible-teacher, this means a deeper grasp of the text’s structure—especially around key Levitical concepts like holiness, atonement, presence and purity—and the capacity to craft sermons that honour the text without being dry or inaccessible.
Secondly, the volume’s theological content is commendable from a Reformed vantage. Sklar consistently points to the presence of a holy God dwelling among a redeemed people, the necessity of substitutionary atonement (implicit in Leviticus’s sacrifices) and the forward-looking purpose of the law in covenant-community formation. While he does not always explicitly carry out a full covenantally-Reformed theology, the framework supports it well. This makes the commentary valuable for sermon preparation: the “Canonical and Theological Significance” sections often give you ready-to-go homiletic headings and theological insights rooted in the original context.
Thirdly, in practical usefulness this volume excels. Given how many find the Book of Leviticus difficult to preach, this commentary gives you clarity on structure and purpose—why the rituals matter, what they teach this covenant-people about God and neighbour—and then invites modern application. Reviewers emphasise that the layout (translations + outline + commentary + application) supports sermon-craft. For the busy pastor you get both depth and usable scaffolding.Of course no commentary is perfect: some readers with little Hebrew may find parts dense, and there are times when the theological motifs (e.g., sin-wrath-atonement) could be more coherently developed. A reviewer noted that the motif of law functioning to ‘protect the people from divine wrath’ was touched on but not fully integrated. So while this is an excellent resource, it still requires you to engage with the text and draw out the connections pastorally.
Closing Recommendation
In our judgment, this commentary is strongly recommended for pastors, teachers and serious students who plan to preach or teach through the Book of Leviticus. If your aim is to do more than survey the book and instead to guide your congregation through it faithfully—honouring the Hebrew text, engaging its theological weight and crafting relevant application—then this belongs on your shelf.
For those who only need a very brief introduction, or have limited Hebrew interest, a more summary commentary might suffice (and this work may feel detailed). But if you value a high-quality Reformed-friendly resource that marries sound exegesis with homiletic insight, then we regard this as one of the better recent options for Leviticus.
Jay Sklar
Jay Sklar is an American Old Testament scholar and theologian within the Reformed evangelical tradition, known for his deep commitment to the authority of Scripture and his skill in making the Hebrew text both clear and compelling for modern readers. He serves as Professor of Old Testament and Academic Dean at Covenant Theological Seminary in St Louis, where his teaching and writing have shaped a generation of pastors and teachers in faithful biblical exposition.
Sklar’s most significant contribution lies in his careful work on the book of Leviticus, culminating in his volume for the Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the Old Testament series. His scholarship unites linguistic precision with theological insight, allowing the structure and message of Scripture to speak with clarity and warmth. Beyond Leviticus, his writings and lectures consistently reveal how God’s holiness and grace are interwoven through the entire biblical narrative.
Respected for both academic depth and pastoral sensitivity, Sklar exemplifies the kind of scholarship that serves the church as well as the academy. Notable works include Leviticus (Zondervan, 2023) and numerous essays and studies on holiness, covenant, and worship in the Old Testament.