4 syllables: Le, vi, ti, cus. Stress on vi.
luh-VIT-uh-kuhs
/ləˈvɪtəkəs/
Leviticus is pronounced luh-VIT-uh-kuhs (/ləˈvɪtəkəs/). It has four syllables (Le-vi-ti-cus), with the stress on "vi". Leviticus is the third book of the Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament, traditionally attributed to Moses. It outlines priestly laws, rituals, and moral codes. In academic and religious contexts, it’s studied for its structure (laws, sacrifices, purity), language, and historical significance in ancient Israelite religion.
nounLeviticus is the third book of the Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament, traditionally attributed to Moses. It outlines priestly laws, rituals, and moral codes. In academic and religious contexts, it’s studied for its structure (laws, sacrifices, purity), language, and historical significance in ancient Israelite religion.
How to Pronounce Leviticus
"In my religious studies class, we focused on Leviticus to understand ancient ritual purity laws."
"The Leviticus passages are often cited in discussions of dietary restrictions in ancient Israel."
"Scholars debate the authorship and dating of Leviticus within the Pentateuch."
- Pronounce as luh-VIH-tih-kəs. Primary stress on the second syllable: /ˌlɛvəˈtɪkəs/ or /ˌlɛvɪˈtɪkjəs/ depending on accent. In IPA: US/UK/AU typically /ˌlɛvɪˈtɪkəs/. Start with a light “le-” then a clear “vi-” and a soft final “kus.” You can listen to native pronunciations on Forvo or YouGlish, and mirror the rhythm in phrases like “the book of Leviticus.”
Common errors include stressing the first syllable (LEE-vih-tih-kus) instead of the stressed second syllable, and mispronouncing the mid syllable as ‘levi-tee-kus’ or ‘levi-TAH-kus.’ The correct sequence emphasizes -vi- and -ti- with a reduced first syllable. Focus on a short, unstressed first syllable, a strong secondary vowel in the second syllable, and clear final -kəs. Use IPA /ˌlɛvɪˈtɪkəs/ as your target and practice with mirror mouth positions to avoid vowel merging.
US typically uses /ˌlɛvɪˈtɪkəs/ with a rhotic R absent in this word; UK often mirrors US vowels but with non-rhotic R behavior and slightly crisper vowels. Australian tends to have broader Australian vowel quality, with /ˌlɛvɪˈtɪkəs/ and a more centralized or flattened /ɪ/ in unstressed syllables. Across accents, the crucial points are stress on the second syllable and the /v/ followed by a clear /ɪ/ before /kəs/. Listen to native readers for subtle vowel shifts, then adapt while keeping the /ˈtɪk/ cluster intact.
Three phonetic challenges: a) the unstressed initial syllable lə- reduces to a weak schwa; b) the mid- syllable /ˈvɪt/ combines a short i with a crisp t, which can blur in fast speech; c) the final /ɪkəs/ has a short, unstressed -əs with a quick k. Maintaining the second-syllable stress while keeping crisp consonants around /v/ and /t/ helps avoid running them together. Practice with slow enunciation, then speed up while preserving accuracy.
Note the distinct cluster /vɪt/ after the initial syllable and the light, rapid ending /əkəs/. Unlike many unfamiliar proper nouns, Leviticus has a predictable trochaic pattern with secondary stress on the -vi- portion in some readings, but standard pronunciation centers stress on -ti- as /ˈtɪk/. Focusing on the precise timing of /v/ + /ɪ/ + /t/ helps prevent misplacing stress and ensures the final /əs/ closes quickly, giving a smooth cadence in phrases like 'Leviticus 19.'
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Leviticus derives from Latin Leviticus liber, meaning the ‘book of the Levites.’ The Latin translation, Leviticus, is rooted in Greek Levitikós and Hebrew תורה (Torah, ‘instruction’ or ‘law’). In the Hebrew Bible, the book is called קדשים (K’doshim) in some traditional divisions, or עלות (Vayikra) in the Torah portion name, from the Greek Septuagint’s Levitikou biblos. The term reflects its focus on the priestly Levites and their ceremonial duties. Historically, Leviticus has been treated as a compendium of priestly laws compiled during or after the Babylonian exile, with a likely core from the priestly source (P) that emphasizes purity, liturgy, and ritual regulation. Over time, the book’s legal materials influenced Jewish Halakha and Christian liturgical disciplines, often being quoted in debates on ritual purity, dietary laws, and atonement. First known use in English appears in the early translations of the Bible in the 14th–15th centuries, with the name stabilizing in academic and religious discourse by the 17th century. The title’s meaning centers on the Levitical priests and their sacred duties as described within the Pentateuch.
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Words that rhyme with "Leviticus"
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