Leviticus has in popular culture become one of the most controversial books in the entire Bible. This is largely due to the fact that it contains a delegate mix of ceremonial and moral do's and dont's. People are generally opposed to rules anyway, so an entire book devoted to them is frequently viewed as distasteful.

The purpose of the book is to set up the laws and codes that will govern the Israelite theocracy. They are rules given to the people of God designed in such a way as to bring them to the sad realization that they are incapable of being considered clean by God through their own efforts. The laws in Leviticus and elsewhere in the Bible are given in such a way as to point sinful people to their need for a Savior.