Levitical

[ li-vit-i-kuhl ]

adjective

1. of or relating to the Levites.
2. of or relating to Leviticus or the law Leviticallaw contained in Leviticus.

Levitical

/ lɪˈvɪtɪkəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to the Levites
2. of or relating to the book of Leviticus containing moral precepts and many of the laws concerning the Temple ritual and construction

Derived Forms

• Leˈvitically, adverb

Other Words From

• Le·viti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of Levitical¹

1525–35; < Late Latin Lēvitic ( us ) ( Leviticus ) + -al ¹

Example Sentences

That’s the principle behind uniforms and codes where the rules are downright Levitical: no denim, no visible tattoos, no jewelry, no exposed flesh from shoulder to elbow.

From Washington Post

At that point, the moderator interjected: “Levitical or New Testament?”

From Washington Post

Various Egyptian practices and themes appear in Levitical sources of the Bible — and none appear in the non-Levitical sources.

From New York Times

These codes may not be Levitical but they are indeed legalistic: laws about privilege, sexual autonomy, “trigger warnings,” and much, much more.

From Time

But his mother brings him to the Lord long before the Levitical age, and leaves him at Shiloh, bound over to a lifelong service.

From Project Gutenberg