Leviticus 16:25 — Word Study
WLCוְאֵ֛ת חֵ֥לֶב הַֽחַטָּ֖את יַקְטִ֥יר הַמִּזְבֵּֽחָה׃
BSAHe is also to burnqâṭar▸ [make an offering, turn into smoke] the fatcheleb [choicest part, richest portion] of the sin offeringchaṭṭâʼâh [guilt, purification, sacrifice, atonement] on the altarmizbêach [place of sacrifice, worship]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וְאֵ֛ת | and the object marker | Conjunction, particle |
| חֵ֥לֶב | [the] fat of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| הַֽחַטָּ֖את | the sin offering | Particle, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| יַקְטִ֥יר | he will make smoke | Verb, Hiphil, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| הַמִּזְבֵּֽחָה׃ | the altar towards | Particle, noun common masculine singular absolute, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | He is also to burn the fat of the sin offering on the altar. |
| KJV | And the fat of the sin offering shall he burn upon the altar. |
| ASV | And the fat of the sin-offering shall he burn upon the altar. |
| YLT | and with the fat of the sin-offering he doth make perfume on the altar. |
| WEB | The fat of the sin offering he shall burn on the altar. |
| BBE | And the fat of the sin-offering is to be burned by him on the altar. |
Where they part company is יַקְטִ֥יר — see How Translations Differ.
One main verb governs the action, with two phrases detailing what is burned and where.
5 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Trapp, Ellicott & more — read them ›
clause
verbקָטַר
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Leviticus 16:25
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Instructions for the Day of Atonementgenerated
Leviticus 16:25 is part of the detailed instructions given to the priests regarding the Day of Atonement. This chapter outlines the rituals that are to be performed to atone for the sins of the people, emphasizing the importance of sacrifices and offerings in maintaining a right relationship with God. The act of burning the fat of the sin offering is a significant part of these rituals, symbolizing the offering of the best to God.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leviticus 16:6 | Aaron is to present the bull for his sin offering and make atonement for himself and his household. |
| 2 | Leviticus 4:8–10 | Then he shall remove all the fat from the bull of the sin offering—the fat that covers the entrails, all the fat that is on them, |
| 3 | Exodus 29:13 | Take all the fat that covers the entrails and the lobe of the liver, and both kidneys with the fat on them, and burn them on the altar. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 3 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יַקְטִ֥יר, yak.Tirgenerated
The verb יַקְטִ֥יר (yak.Tir) is in the imperfect tense, indicating an action that is to be performed regularly or habitually. It comes from the root קָטַר (qatar), which means to burn or offer incense, particularly in a sacrificial context. This word signifies the act of turning something into smoke, which is a key aspect of the sacrificial system in the Old Testament.
In this verse, it specifically refers to the act of burning the fat of the sin offering on the altar, which is a vital part of the atonement process. The burning of the fat represents the offering of the best parts to God, highlighting the idea of giving one's best in worship.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb יַקְטִ֥יר (he will make smoke) governs the entire verse, indicating the action to be taken. The structure is straightforward, with the direct object חֵ֥לֶב (the fat) following the verb, and the prepositional phrase הַמִּזְבֵּֽחָה (the altar) specifying where the action takes place.
The order of the words emphasizes the action of burning the fat as central to the ritual, with the altar being the designated place for this offering.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew verb יַקְטִ֥יר is translated as ἀνοίσει (anóisei), which means 'to offer' or 'to burn'. This choice aligns with the ritualistic context of the verse, indicating the act of offering something to God.
The translation reflects a similar understanding of the sacrificial practice, emphasizing the importance of the act of burning as a means of worship.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Leviticus 16:25 gives instructions for the priest to burn the fat of the sin offering on the altar. This act is part of the rituals for the Day of Atonement, emphasizing the importance of sacrifices in seeking forgiveness and maintaining a relationship with God.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Burning the fat symbolizes offering the best parts to God, which is a central theme in the sacrificial system and signifies atonement for sin.
The altar is the designated place for sacrifices and offerings, serving as a physical representation of worship and atonement before God.
A sin offering is a type of sacrifice made to atone for sin, representing guilt and the need for purification and reconciliation with God.
This verse is part of the instructions for the Day of Atonement, which outlines the rituals necessary for the community's atonement and maintaining holiness before God.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How can I offer my best to God in my daily life, similar to the fat being burned in this offering?
- What does it mean for me to seek atonement and forgiveness in my own life?
- In what ways can I create a space for worship, like the altar in this verse?
- How does understanding the sacrificial system enhance my appreciation for the concept of grace?
Commentators on this verse — 5 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Leviticus 16:25 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd the fat of the sin offering shall he burn upon the altar. The brazen altar of burnt offering, and so says Jarchi, on the outward altar; for of the inward (i.e.
Read John Gill on Leviticus 16 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd Aaron shall come into the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall put off the linen garments, which he put on when he went into the holy place, and shall leave them there: Aaron shall come into the tabernacle.
Read Robert Jamieson on Leviticus 16 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsLeviticus 16:25 And the fat of the sin offering shall he burn upon the altar.Ver. 25. Upon the altar.] The brazen altar in the outer court.
Read John Trapp on Leviticus 16 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(25) And the fat of the sin offering.—That is, the fat of the inwards of both the bullock (see Leviticus 16:6) and the goat (see Leviticus 16:15), which constituted the sin offering, as well as the fat of the other goat, which was the priest’s sin offering, was to be burnt upon the brazen altar of burnt offering in the courtyard. (See Leviticus 4:8-10.)
Read Charles John Ellicott on Leviticus 16 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges25. And … shall he burn] The position of this verse has been the subject of much comment. In Leviticus 16:11-19 no definite instruction has been given to burn the fat portions of the Sin-Offerings, but the manner in which the blood of the victims should be applied for the purification of the sanctuary and altar has been fully described. A supplementary notice has been inserted here, apparently in order that this important part of the ceremonial should be mentioned.
Read Cambridge on Leviticus 16 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
He is also to burn the fat of the sin offering on the altar.
The fat of the sin offering he shall burn on the altar.
He is also to burn the fat of the sin offering on the altar.
“Then he is to offer up the fat of the sin offering in smoke on the altar,
Tyndale line
And the fat of the sin offering shall he burn upon the altar.
And the fat of the sin-offering shall he burn upon the altar.
And the fat of the sin offering shall he burn upon the altar.
And the fat of the sin-offering shall he burn upon the altar.
Also the fatte of the sinne offring shall he burne vpon the altar.
Strictly literal
And the fat of the sin-offering shall he burn upon the altar.
and with the fat of the sin-offering he doth make perfume on the altar.
and with the fat of the sin-offering he makes incense on the altar.
And the fat of the sin-offering shall he burn upon the altar.
He must burn the fat of the sin offering on the altar.
From the Latin
And the fat that is offered for sins, he shall burn upon the altar.
Simplified
He also must burn the fat of the sin offering on the altar.
And the fat of the sin-offering is to be burned by him on the altar.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The other witnesses, including the Samaritan Pentateuch, agree with the Masoretic Text here, word for word. The Septuagint matches the Hebrew closely in meaning, though its word order differs. The Dead Sea Scrolls show one word on the leather, with the rest supplied by an editor, indicating some damage but no significant variation in meaning.
וְאֵ֛ת חֵ֥לֶב הַֽחַטָּ֖את יַקְטִ֥יר הַמִּזְבֵּֽחָה׃
5 of the 5 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
ואת חלב החטאת יקטיר המזבחה
Agrees with the Masoretic Text here, word for word.
ואת [חלב] [החטאת] [יקטיר] [המזבח׳ה]
1 word on the leather — 4 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Leviticus 16:25
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HC/To — Conjunction · particleHC/To
חֵ֫לֶב (cheleb) means fat, referring to both human and animal fat, as well as the choicest parts of agricultural products. It conveys the idea of richness or abundance, highlighting the best or finest portions. The entries consistently emphasize its literal and figurative uses, but do not provide specific verse references.
חֵ֫לֶב n.m. fat
fat of human body
fat of beasts
choicest, best part of products of land
base
H2459 חֵ֫לֶב fat . fat of human body
. fat of beasts
. choicest, best part of products of land
2459 cheleb kheh'-leb
or cheleb {khay'-leb}; from an unused root meaning to be fat;
fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or
choice part:--X best, fat(-ness), X finest, grease, marrow.
חֵ֫לֶב (che.lev) — fat.
1) fat
1a) fat (of humans)
1b) fat (of beasts)
1c) choicest, best part, abundance (of products of the land)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
חַטָּאָה (chatta'ah) refers to sin and encompasses various aspects such as the condition of sin, guilt, punishment, and sin-offering. It can denote both the act of sinning and the consequences, including purification from ceremonial uncleanness. The term is built from the root word for offense and is used in contexts relating to sin and its expiation.
H2403a חַטָּאָה sin, sin-offering(?) . sin
. sin-offering
H2403b חַטָּאת sin, sin-offering . sin
. condition of sin, guilt of sin
. punishment for sin
. sin-offering
. purification from sins of ceremonial uncleanness
2403 chatta'ah khat-taw-aw'
or chattacth {khat-tawth'}; from 2398; an offence (sometimes
habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or
expiation; also (concretely) an offender:--punishment (of
sin), purifying(-fication for sin), sin(-ner, offering).
see HEBREW for 02398
חַטָּאָה (chat.ta.ah) — sin.
sin, sinful thing
חַטָּאת (chat.tat) — sin.
: sin
1) sin, sin offering
1a) sin
1b) condition of sin, guilt of sin
1c) punishment for sin
1d) sin-offering
1e) purification from sins of ceremonial uncleanness
חַטָּאת (chat.tat) — sin: sin offering.
: sin_offering
1) sin, sin offering
1a) sin
1b) condition of sin, guilt of sin
1c) punishment for sin
1d) sin-offering
1e) purification from sins of ceremonial uncleanness
חַטָּאת (chat.tat) — sin: punishment.
: punishment/purification
1) sin, sin offering
1a) sin
1b) condition of sin, guilt of sin
1c) punishment for sin
1d) sin-offering
1e) purification from sins of ceremonial uncleanness
Art | N-fs — Particle · noun common feminine singular absoluteHTd/Ncfsa
Sin-offering
(Heb. hattath), the law of, is given in detail in Lev. 4-6:13; 9:7-11, 22-24; 12:6-8; 15:2, 14, 25-30; 14:19, 31; Num. 6:10-14. On the day of Atonement it was made with special solemnity (Lev. 16:5, 11, 15). The blood was then carried into the holy of holies and sprinkled on the mercy-seat. Sin-offerings were also presented at the five annual festivals (Num. 28, 29), and on the occasion of the consecration of the priests (Ex. 29:10-14, 36). As each individual, even the most private member of the congregation, as well as the congregation at large, and the high priest, was obliged, on being convicted by his conscience of any particular sin, to come with a sin-offering, we see thus impressively disclosed the need in…
The Hebrew word קָטַר (*qatar*) is a verb meaning to smoke or burn, particularly in the context of sacrifices and incense. It has various forms, including nouns for incense (מֻקְטָר, *muqtar*) and incense-altar (מְקַטֵרָה, *meqaterah*). The entries indicate its use in worship practices, with a focus on creating fragrance through fire.
[קָטַר] 116 vb. denom. Pi. Hiph. make sacrifices smoke, send them up in smoke
Pi. make sacrifices smoke, offer them by burning
Pu. fumigated with myrrh
Hiph.
make sacrifices smoke
cause incense to smoke, offer incense
make smoke upon
Hoph. be made to smoke as a sacrifice
H6999a קָטַר vb. denom. Pi. Hiph. make sacrifices smoke, send them up in smoke H6999b מֻקְטָר incense H6999c מְקַטֵרָה incense-altar
6999 qatar kaw-tar'
a primitive root (identical with 7000 through the idea of
fumigation in a close place and perhaps thus driving out the
occupants); to smoke, i.e. turn into fragrance by fire
(especially as an act of worship):--burn (incense, sacrifice)
(upon), (altar for) incense, kindle, offer (incense, a
sacrifice).
see HEBREW for 07000
קָטַר (qa.tar) — to offer: burn.
: burn
v
1) to sacrifice, burn incense, burn sacrifices, make sacrifices smoke
1a) (Piel)
1a1) to make sacrifices smoke
1a2) to sacrifice
1b) (Pual) to smoke a sacrifice
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to make sacrifices smoke
1c2) to cause incense to smoke, offer incense
1c3) to make smoke upon
1d) (Hophal) to be made to smoke
מֻקְטָר (muq.tar) — incense.
v
incense
מְקַטֵרָה (me.qa.te.rah) — incense-altar.
incense-altar
קָטַר (qa.tar) — to offer: offer.
: offer
v
1) to sacrifice, burn incense, burn sacrifices, make sacrifices smoke
1a) (Piel)
1a1) to make sacrifices smoke
1a2) to sacrifice
1b) (Pual) to smoke a sacrifice
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to make sacrifices smoke
1c2) to cause incense to smoke, offer incense
1c3) to make smoke upon
1d) (Hophal) to be made to smoke
קָטַר (qa.tar) — to offer: to perfume.
: perfume
v
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect third person masculine singularHVhi3ms
מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbeach) means 'altar' in Hebrew. It is derived from the root word meaning to slay or kill, indicating its use in sacrificial contexts. The term is consistently used throughout the Old Testament to refer to places of sacrifice and worship.
מִזְבֵּחַ 401 n.m. altar
base
H4196 מִזְבֵּחַ altar
4196 mizbeach miz-bay'-akh
from 2076; an altar:--altar.
see HEBREW for 02076
מִזְבֵּחַ (miz.be.ach) — altar.
altar
Art | N-ms | Suff — Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute · suffixHTd/Ncmsa/Sd