Leviticus 1

Leviticus opens with God speaking from the Tent of Meeting and teaching Israel how to approach Him through the burnt offering. The whole animal, whether bull, sheep, goat or bird, is given up to God on the altar. The chapter shows that a holy God makes a way for sinners to come near and be accepted.

Leviticus 1:1

The book begins with God Himself speaking. Exodus ended with His glory filling the newly built tabernacle, and now He calls Moses from it. Worship in Israel is not made up by people; God tells them how to come near Him.

BSA: called (“to summon, to invite”): God takes the first step and invites His people to approach Him.

Hebrew: וַיִּקְרָא (vayyiqra, H7121) — “And He called.” This is the Hebrew name of the whole book. It shows that the book begins with God’s initiative: He calls, and His people respond.

See also: Exodus 40:34-35.

Leviticus 1:2

Moses is to tell all Israel that any of them may bring an offering. It is a free gift, not a tax. The animal comes from the person’s own herd or flock, so it costs him something real.

BSA: offering (“a sacrifice, a gift”): The offering is a gift given to God, and it costs the giver something.

Hebrew: קָרְבָּן (qorban, H7133) — “offering, something brought near.” The word comes from the verb ’to draw near.’ An offering is a means of coming close to God.

Leviticus 1:3

The burnt offering must be a male without defect, brought to the entrance of the tent. God is to be given the best, not leftovers. The worshiper comes on God’s terms and is accepted before Him.

BSA: unblemished (“perfect, without defect”): Only a perfect animal could picture a gift fit for a holy God. burnt offering (“a completely consumed sacrifice”): Unlike other offerings, nothing of it was kept back; all went up to God.

See also: 1 Peter 1:19.

Leviticus 1:4

The worshiper rests his hand on the animal’s head. In this act the animal stands in his place, and the offering is accepted for him. Atonement means a covering for sin, given by God so that the person can be accepted.

BSA: atonement (“cover, reconcile”): Sin is covered and the relationship with God is set right. lay (“place, rest”): The hand is pressed on the animal, joining the worshiper to his offering.

Hebrew: לְכַפֵּר (lekhapper, H3722) — “to cover, to make atonement.” The root carries the idea of covering over or paying a ransom. It shows that sin is dealt with at a cost, not just ignored.

See also: Isaiah 53:6.

Leviticus 1:5

The worshiper himself kills the bull, and the priests handle the blood. Blood is sprinkled around the altar. Life is in the blood, so its presentation shows that a life has been given.

BSA: blood (“the liquid that flows through the body”): Blood stands for the life poured out.

See also: Leviticus 17:11; Hebrews 9:22.

Leviticus 1:6-7

The animal is skinned and cut into parts, then the priests lay a fire on the altar and set wood in order. The work is careful and orderly. Worship is to be done as God directs, not carelessly.

BSA: arrange (“lay in order, organize”): Even the placing of the wood shows that God cares about order in worship.

Leviticus 1:8

The priests lay the parts, including the head and fat, on the burning wood. The head and the fat are the most prominent and richest parts. Everything is offered, so nothing is held back from God.

BSA: fat (“suet, the richest and most valuable part”): The richest part belongs to God, a picture of giving Him the best.

Leviticus 1:9

The inner parts and legs are washed before burning. Even the hidden parts must be clean. All of it is burned, and God receives it as a pleasing aroma, which means He accepts the worshiper’s gift.

BSA: pleasing aroma (“a sweet fragrance, a soothing smell”): The picture shows God’s delight and acceptance. washed (“bathed, cleansed”): The unseen inner parts are cleaned too.

Hebrew: עֹלָה (olah, H5930) — “that which goes up.” The word for burnt offering means ‘ascending.’ The offering goes up in smoke to God.

See also: Ephesians 5:2.

Leviticus 1:10

A poorer worshiper may bring a sheep or goat instead of a bull. The requirement is the same: a male without defect. God makes room for different means without lowering His standard of what is offered.

BSA: unblemished (“perfect, without defect or blemish”): Whether the animal is large or small, it must be without fault.

Leviticus 1:11

A sheep or goat is killed on the north side of the altar before the LORD. The priests again splash the blood against the altar on every side. The same steps show that the same atonement is open to rich and poor.

BSA: sprinkle (“scatter, pour out”): The blood is thrown with purpose against the altar, not spilled carelessly.

Leviticus 1:12-13

The sheep or goat is cut up and burned just as the bull was. The inner parts and legs are washed. It is a burnt offering, a gift by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD. The pattern is repeated so that it will be learned.

BSA: burn (“offer, make perfume”): The Hebrew picture is of the smoke rising like incense to God.

Leviticus 1:14

For the poorest person, God allows a bird: a turtledove or young pigeon. No one is shut out of worship by poverty. In later times this was the offering Mary and Joseph brought after Jesus’ birth.

BSA: present (“approach, come near”): Even the poorest may draw near to God with an offering.

See also: Luke 2:22-24; Leviticus 5:7.

Leviticus 1:15

The priest brings the bird to the altar, wrings off its head, and burns it. The blood is drained on the side of the altar. Even this small gift is handled with reverence, and the blood is still given.

BSA: drained out (“poured, shed”): The blood of the bird is also given up, since life belongs to God.

Leviticus 1:16

The crop and its contents are taken away and thrown on the east side, in the place for ashes. The uncleanness of the bird’s food is kept away from the altar, so only what is fit is offered.

BSA: crop (“gizzard, food-grinding pouch”): The part that held the bird’s food is removed because it is not fit for the altar. ashes (“sacrificial remains, burnt offerings”): The ash place was a set spot, showing even the leftovers were treated with order.

Leviticus 1:17

The bird is torn open by its wings but not divided in two, then burned. Like the bull, it is a burnt offering and a pleasing aroma to the LORD. The chapter ends with the same truth for great and small: God accepts the gift given in faith.

BSA: pleasing aroma (“of sweet savor, a soothing fragrance”): The smallest offering gives God the same delight as the largest.

See also: Romans 12:1; Hebrews 10:10.