What is the main purpose of the book of Leviticus?

The primary purpose of the book of Leviticus is to provide laws and guidelines for the Israelites. This book serves as a comprehensive manual for the religious and ethical conduct expected of the Israelite community. It lays out the framework for worship, including various offerings, rituals, and the priestly responsibilities, demonstrating how to live in accordance with God's holiness.

Leviticus establishes rules that govern not only ritual purity and worship practices but also social justice, dietary restrictions, and moral behavior, aiming to set the Israelites apart as a holy nation. This focus on laws and guidelines is essential for maintaining the covenant relationship between God and His people, emphasizing compliance with divine standards.

In contrast, the other options focus on aspects that, while significant in their own right, do not capture the central objective of Leviticus. For instance, recounting the history of Israel or events of the Exodus pertains to other books like Exodus and Numbers, and the life of Moses is primarily detailed in Exodus and Deuteronomy. Thus, while those themes are essential to understanding the broader narrative of the Hebrew Scriptures, they do not define the main purpose of Leviticus, which is grounded in laws and guidelines for communal and individual holiness.