Leviticus 1:1-17

The Burnt Offering

This is mentioned first as being the most general form of sacrifice. Its characteristic feature is the consumption of the entire animal by fire upon the altar, for which reason it is also described as the ’whole burnt offering’ (1 Samuel 7:9, cp. Psalms 51:19). The victims are oxen, sheep, or goats, for which, in the case of poor persons, turtle doves or young pigeons may be substituted (Leviticus 1:14). The animal must be a male, i.e. of the superior sex, and without blemish (Leviticus 1:3). The ritual of the sacrifice is as follows. (1) The animal is presented at the door of the tabernacle by the offerer, who solemnly dedicates it by laying both his hands upon its head (Leviticus 1:4). (2) It is then slaughtered, by the offerer himself it would appear (Leviticus 1:5). (3) The blood is caught in a bowl by the priest in attendance and flung round the altar (Leviticus 1:5). (4) The carcase is then skinned and divided, the entrails and legs washed with water, and the whole, with the exception of the skin, which falls to the priest (Leviticus 7:8), laid upon the altar and burned (Leviticus 1:6-9). In the case of pigeons, their small size and moderate quantity of blood necessitate some differences of detail (Leviticus 1:14-17).

The Burnt Offering, being wholly consumed upon the altar, signified the complete self-surrender of the offerer to God. It was the sacrifice of devotion, and formed therefore the main element of individual and collective worship. It was offered in daily service, morning and evening, on behalf of the entire community (the ’continual burnt offering’: see on Exodus 29:38-42).

1. Tabernacle of the congregation] RV ’tent of meeting’: see on Exodus 25:22.

2. Children of Israel] The instructions in Leviticus 1:1 to Leviticus 6:7 are for the laity. Those addressed to the priests follow in Leviticus 6:8 to Leviticus 7:38. Offering] RV ’oblation’: the general name for a sacrifice or votive offering. The Heb. word is Corban, which means a thing ’brought near’ or presented: see Mark 7:11 RV.

3. Male without blemish] What is offered to God must be the best of its kind: see on Leviticus 22:17-25 and on Exodus 12:5.

4. Put his hand upon the head] This signifies the surrender of the animal to God, and, though this is not so clear, the transference of the offerer’s guilt to it. In doing so he made a confession of his sins: cp. Leviticus 3:2. Make atonement] lit. ’put a covering over him,’ i.e. screen his unworthiness, protect him in the presence of the holiness of God.

5. He shall kill] The subject is the offerer. The blood represents the life, and is sprinkled upon the altar in token that the offerer yields his life to God, in expiation of his sins and in consecration to His service.

11. Northward] On the E. side was the place for ashes and refuse (Leviticus 1:16); on the W. stood the laver and the Holy of Holies; the ascent to the altar was on the S. side. The N. side, accordingly, was the most convenient place of slaughter.

17. A sweet savour] see on Exodus 29:18.