What do you think?
Rate this book
Leviticus
Leviticus is one of the least read and understood parts of Scripture. Yet, the author of this commentary points out, no book in the Bible contains more of the very words of God than Leviticus.
Bonar wrote his notes on Leviticus for his personal use, but was persuaded to publish them by friends. His commentary, though based on sound exegesis, is marked by simplicity. The author is always careful to make spiritual application, for, as he says, 'The Gospel of the grace of God, with all that follows in its train, may be found in Leviticus. This is the glorious attraction of the book to every reader who feels himself a sinner.'
Bonar wrote his notes on Leviticus for his personal use, but was persuaded to publish them by friends. His commentary, though based on sound exegesis, is marked by simplicity. The author is always careful to make spiritual application, for, as he says, 'The Gospel of the grace of God, with all that follows in its train, may be found in Leviticus. This is the glorious attraction of the book to every reader who feels himself a sinner.'
524 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1851
34 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
About the author
Andrew A. Bonar
134 books10 followersAndrew Alexander Bonar (May 29, 1810 in Edinburgh – December 30, 1892 in Glasgow) was a minister of the Free Church of Scotland and youngest brother of Horatius Bonar.
Bonar studied at Edinburgh; was minister at Collace, Perthshire, 1838 – 1856 (both in the Church of Scotland and the Free Church); and of Finnieston Free Church, Glasgow, 1856 till his death. He joined the Free Church in 1843, and was its moderator in 1878. He was identified with evangelical and revival movements and adhered to the doctrine of premillennialism. With Robert Murray McCheyne he visited Palestine in 1839 to inquire into the condition of the Jews there. During the visit of Dwight L. Moody to Britain in 1874 and 1875, Moody was warmly welcomed by Bonar, despite the latter receiving considerable criticism from other Calvinist ministers in the Free Church.
Bonar studied at Edinburgh; was minister at Collace, Perthshire, 1838 – 1856 (both in the Church of Scotland and the Free Church); and of Finnieston Free Church, Glasgow, 1856 till his death. He joined the Free Church in 1843, and was its moderator in 1878. He was identified with evangelical and revival movements and adhered to the doctrine of premillennialism. With Robert Murray McCheyne he visited Palestine in 1839 to inquire into the condition of the Jews there. During the visit of Dwight L. Moody to Britain in 1874 and 1875, Moody was warmly welcomed by Bonar, despite the latter receiving considerable criticism from other Calvinist ministers in the Free Church.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 27, 2020
I was frankly surprised how much edifying and rich biblical theology I found here. Bonar was a wonderful writer, and I found myself blessed at a great many points.
Nevertheless, the book also provides a wealth of examples of imaginative typologies. Bonar's introduction claims to see only typologies that are "obvious," and, indeed, some of his treatments show some restraint. But at various points, he develops detailed typologies that are anything but obvious. Perhaps, the best general illustration of this tendency was his recourse in explaining some obscure sacrificial practices. Rather than saying--as most moderns do--that we aren't really sure why the Israelites were told to do such-and-such, Bonar insists on finding a typological significance of virtually every practice, and at several points he argues that the sole reason the Israelites did a certain thing was to typify NT truth thereby.
So be blessed by the book--I'm glad I read it--but be careful not to emulate it uncritically.
Nevertheless, the book also provides a wealth of examples of imaginative typologies. Bonar's introduction claims to see only typologies that are "obvious," and, indeed, some of his treatments show some restraint. But at various points, he develops detailed typologies that are anything but obvious. Perhaps, the best general illustration of this tendency was his recourse in explaining some obscure sacrificial practices. Rather than saying--as most moderns do--that we aren't really sure why the Israelites were told to do such-and-such, Bonar insists on finding a typological significance of virtually every practice, and at several points he argues that the sole reason the Israelites did a certain thing was to typify NT truth thereby.
So be blessed by the book--I'm glad I read it--but be careful not to emulate it uncritically.
July 31, 2019
Many wonderful pictures of the Gospel and challenges to holy living are explained from this all too often neglected book of the Bible.
April 4, 2025
Edifying and thought provoking, even if at times I didn’t agree with all of Bonar‘s typological readings. Unlike many modern commentators, Bonar writes with devotional warmth and rich pictures of the glory of Christ and the gospel.
March 10, 2024
A commentary on Leviticus that opens up all the Old Testament rituals in a New Testament light. A great explanation of a wealth of shadows of Christ for the believer to meditate on.
June 23, 2024
Absolutely magnificent. This is the way to read books of the Bible such as Leviticus -- small bites at a time, each day, with a warm and deep commentary open next to it. Bonar lives the Lord Jesus Christ (and still more today than when he wrote it in 1841!), and that love of his Savior is apparent throughout.
Very occasionally, Bonar perhaps gets a bit overly creative in trying to stream a live from the passage in view to Christ, but I think those times are few and far between. And because he is talking about Christ, does it really matter if he got a little creative? The reader gets more of Christ; how could we complain?
6 out of 5 stars.
Very occasionally, Bonar perhaps gets a bit overly creative in trying to stream a live from the passage in view to Christ, but I think those times are few and far between. And because he is talking about Christ, does it really matter if he got a little creative? The reader gets more of Christ; how could we complain?
6 out of 5 stars.
December 1, 2022
This is a magnificent read that will help one see the relevance of the sacrificial system in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ. A must read for everyone who desires to see the truths of a difficult-to-read book of the Bible.
August 30, 2025
This took me a long time to get through… but it was so worth it. It provided so much context to my study of Leviticus, while always pointing to Jesus. Now time to read Leviticus again with all my notes at the ready!
June 30, 2013
This book makes Leviticus come alive! Bonar clearly sees and explains all the typological significance in the sacrificial system. He deftly expounds the Christian import of this book in a way that never strays into mystic or esoteric speculations. He always finds a way to stress and demonstrate the true spirit of OT religion, free of formalism and full of Messianic hope. Bonar is a recent enough author to be free of the wordiness of the Puritans, yet old enough to be free of liberal influence.
The only issues that I would disagree with him are his Premillennialism and his assertion that children of believers are born outside of the covenant. With the issue of Premillennialism, he is likely to cause confusion in modern readers who associate this with Dispensationalism. In the second issue, he openly runs afoul of his Reformed standards with a statement like this. This is a denial of God's covenant promise to be a God to us and our children. Since Bonar makes little to no use of either point throughout the book, one can overlook them and benefit immensely from the work as a whole.
The most enjoyable feature of this book is that Bonar never shies away from the uncomfortable passages. He doesn’t brush them off with a glib, “Aren't we lucky that we don't live under these oppressive regulations?” He takes them head-on and demonstrates the doctrinal presuppositions behind them and shows the foreshadowing of Christian doctrine with the Levitical regulations.
The only issues that I would disagree with him are his Premillennialism and his assertion that children of believers are born outside of the covenant. With the issue of Premillennialism, he is likely to cause confusion in modern readers who associate this with Dispensationalism. In the second issue, he openly runs afoul of his Reformed standards with a statement like this. This is a denial of God's covenant promise to be a God to us and our children. Since Bonar makes little to no use of either point throughout the book, one can overlook them and benefit immensely from the work as a whole.
The most enjoyable feature of this book is that Bonar never shies away from the uncomfortable passages. He doesn’t brush them off with a glib, “Aren't we lucky that we don't live under these oppressive regulations?” He takes them head-on and demonstrates the doctrinal presuppositions behind them and shows the foreshadowing of Christian doctrine with the Levitical regulations.
January 6, 2016
Leviticus is a book that's hard to comprehend because the practice and ceremony described in the book are not really relevant to our life. This commentary comments on the book verse by verse, which I found to be very helpful. It also cross-references NT. The book has more of the author's interpretation and commentary than explanation of what each verse means, which would be more helpful for me personally. Regardless, it's a great commentary book that helps readers of Leviticus understand the book much better.
October 18, 2016
A bit heavy going and not always clear, but very earnest devotion to Christ expressed in it, pointing to Christ in all of the Scripture.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews