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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Leviticus 1:3-9

If a man were rich and could afford it, it is supposed that he would bring his burnt-sacrifice, with which he designed to honour God, out of his herd of larger cattle. He that considers that God is the best that is will resolve to give him the best he has, else he gives him not the glory due unto his name. Now if a man determined to kill a bullock, not for an entertainment for his family and friends, but for a sacrifice to his God, these rules must be religiously observed:?1. The beast to be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Leviticus 1:3

If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd ,.... So called, because consumed by fire, see Leviticus 6:9 even all of it except the skin, and therefore its name with the Greeks is "a whole burnt offering", as in Mark 12:33 its name in Hebrew is עולה , which comes from a word which signifies to "ascend" or "go up", because not only it was carried up to the altar by the priest, which was common to other sacrifices, but being burnt upon it, it ascended upwards in smoke and vapour;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Leviticus 1:4

And he shall put his hand on the head of the burnt offering ,.... According to the Targum of Jonathan, it was his right hand; but it is generally thought by the Jewish writers that both hands were laid on; so Ben Gersom and Aben Ezra, with whom Maimonides F5 Hilchot Maaseh Hakorbanot, c. 3. sect. 13. agrees, who says, he that lays on hands ought to lay on with all his strength, with both his hands upon the head of the beast, as it is said, "upon the head of the burnt offering": not... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Leviticus 1:5

And he shall kill the bullock before the Lord ,.... That is, the man that brings the burnt offering, for no other is yet spoken of; and according to the traditions of the elders F8 Misn. Zebachim, c. 3. sect. 1. & Maimon. in ib. T. Bab. Yoma, fol. 27. 1. & Zebachim, fol. 32. 1. & Menachot, fol. 19. 1. , killing of the sacrifice was right when done by strangers, by women, and by servants, and by unclean persons, even in the most holy things so be it that the unclean did not... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Leviticus 1:3

Burnt-sacrifice - The most important of all the sacrifices offered to God; called by the Septuagint ὁλοκαυτωμα , because it was wholly consumed, which was not the case in any other offering. See on Leviticus 7 (note). His own voluntary will - לרצנו lirtsono , to gain himself acceptance before the Lord: in this way all the versions appear to have understood the original words, and the connection in which they stand obviously requires this meaning. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Leviticus 1:4

He shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt-offering - By the imposition of hands the person bringing the victim acknowledged, The sacrifice as his own. That he offered it as an atonement for his sins. That he was worthy of death because he had sinned, having forfeited his life by breaking the law. That he entreated God to accept the life of the innocent animal in place of his own. And all this, to be done profitably, must have respect to Him whose life, in the fullness of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Leviticus 1:5

Verse 5 5.And he shall kill the bullock. The ceremony of killing is subjoined, viz., that the priest should prepare the victim itself, and pour its blood upon the altar, for it was not allowable for a private person to kill the victim with his own hands, but what the priest did in their name was transferred to them. (250) But this is worth remarking, that although they brought the pledge of reconciliation from their home, yet that the ministers of expiation were to be sought elsewhere, since no... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Leviticus 1:1-9

The greatness of God. Too wide a field lessens the thoroughness of observation. Hence it is allowable and advantageous to distinguish in thought what is in reality inseparable, in order, by fixing the attention upon certain parts, to acquire a better knowledge of the whole. Such a method recommends itself in dealing with the attributes of God. To attempt to comprehend them all in one glance is, if not impossible, at least of little result in increasing our acquaintance with His character.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Leviticus 1:1-14

The weakness of man and the grace of God. Measureless is the distance between man and his Maker. And it is sometimes emphasized in such a way as to repress thought and stifle the aspirations of the human breast. In Scripture it is not brought forward as a rayless truth, but is shown to be replete with profit and joy. To consider it increases humility, indeed, but also intensifies gratitude and love. For the less has been blessed by the Greater, and we are permitted to say, looking upon the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Leviticus 1:1-17

The burnt offering ( Leviticus 1:1-17 ) typifies the perfect surrender of himself, made by the Lord Jesus Christ, and exhibited by his life and death on earth; and it teaches the duty of self-sacrifice on the part of man. read more

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