The Burnt Offering: Atonement and Devotion

What You'll Learn

• The significance of the burnt offering in Israel’s worship
• God’s instructions for acceptable offerings and their symbolism
• The role of the priesthood in mediating between God and the people
• How atonement was made through sacrifice in the Old Testament

The burnt offering teaches us about God’s holiness and the necessity of atonement through a dedicated, unblemished sacrifice.

Bible Translation Note: All Scripture on this page is quoted from the King James Version (KJV) and presented in full without alteration.

Leviticus 1:1 And the LORD called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying,

Leviticus 1:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the LORD, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock.

Leviticus 1:3 If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD.

Leviticus 1:4 And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.

Leviticus 1:5 And he shall kill the bullock before the LORD: and the priests, Aaron’s sons, shall bring the blood, and sprinkle the blood round about upon the altar that is by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Leviticus 1:6 And he shall flay the burnt offering, and cut it into his pieces.

Leviticus 1:7 And the sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire upon the altar, and lay the wood in order upon the fire:

Leviticus 1:8 And the priests, Aaron’s sons, shall lay the parts, the head, and the fat, in order upon the wood that is on the fire which is upon the altar:

Leviticus 1:9 But his inwards and his legs shall he wash in water: and the priest shall burn all on the altar, to be a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.

Leviticus 1:10 And if his offering be of the flocks, namely, of the sheep, or of the goats, for a burnt sacrifice; he shall bring it a male without blemish.

Leviticus 1:11 And he shall kill it on the side of the altar northward before the LORD: and the priests, Aaron’s sons, shall sprinkle his blood round about upon the altar.

Leviticus 1:12 And he shall cut it into his pieces, with his head and his fat: and the priest shall lay them in order on the wood that is on the fire which is upon the altar:

Leviticus 1:13 But he shall wash the inwards and the legs with water: and the priest shall bring it all, and burn it upon the altar: it is a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.

Leviticus 1:14 And if the burnt sacrifice for his offering to the LORD be of fowls, then he shall bring his offering of turtledoves, or of young pigeons.

Leviticus 1:15 And the priest shall bring it unto the altar, and wring off his head, and burn it on the altar; and the blood thereof shall be wrung out at the side of the altar:

Leviticus 1:16 And he shall pluck away his crop with his feathers, and cast it beside the altar on the east part, by the place of the ashes:

Leviticus 1:17 And he shall cleave it with the wings thereof, but shall not divide it asunder: and the priest shall burn it upon the altar, upon the wood that is upon the fire: it is a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.

Leviticus 1:1

And the LORD called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying,

Study: God’s direct communication with Moses from the tabernacle emphasizes the sacred origin of these instructions. The tabernacle, as God’s dwelling among His people, sets the stage for worship and covenant relationship, showing that God initiates and governs how He is to be approached.

Leviticus 1:2

Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the LORD, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock.

Study: God commands Moses to instruct the Israelites on bringing offerings from their cattle, highlighting the importance of obedience and reverence in worship. The offering must come from the herd or flock, symbolizing the giving of valuable possessions back to God as an act of devotion.

Leviticus 1:3

If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD.

Study: The requirement for a male without blemish underscores God’s demand for purity and perfection in what is offered. The voluntary nature of the offering reflects a willing heart in worship, and presenting it at the tabernacle’s entrance signifies approaching God in the prescribed holy place.

Leviticus 1:4

And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.

Study: Laying the hand on the offering’s head symbolizes identification and transfer of guilt, allowing the offerer to connect personally with the sacrifice. This act is crucial for atonement, as it represents the sinner’s acknowledgment of sin and the need for forgiveness through the offering.

Leviticus 1:5

And he shall kill the bullock before the LORD: and the priests, Aaron’s sons, shall bring the blood, and sprinkle the blood round about upon the altar that is by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Study: The killing of the bullock before the LORD and the priests’ role in sprinkling the blood around the altar highlight the seriousness of sacrifice and the mediation of the priesthood. Blood represents life and is essential for atonement, demonstrating God’s justice and mercy in dealing with sin.

Leviticus 1:6

And he shall flay the burnt offering, and cut it into his pieces.

Study: Flaying and cutting the offering into pieces prepares it for complete burning, symbolizing total surrender to God. This detailed preparation shows the care and reverence required in worship and the completeness of the sacrifice.

Leviticus 1:7

And the sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire upon the altar, and lay the wood in order upon the fire:

Study: The priests’ responsibility to arrange the fire and wood on the altar illustrates their role in facilitating worship and maintaining the sacred rituals. Fire on the altar represents God’s presence and acceptance of the offering.

Leviticus 1:8

And the priests, Aaron’s sons, shall lay the parts, the head, and the fat, in order upon the wood that is on the fire which is upon the altar:

Study: Placing the head and fat on the fire signifies offering the choicest parts to God, reflecting honor and devotion. The fat was considered the best portion, symbolizing giving God the best of what one has.

Leviticus 1:9

But his inwards and his legs shall he wash in water: and the priest shall burn all on the altar, to be a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.

Study: Washing the inwards and legs shows purification and respect for the offering, while burning it entirely on the altar signifies complete dedication. The burnt sacrifice being a 'sweet savour' to the LORD indicates God’s pleasure in sincere worship and atonement.

Leviticus 1:10

And if his offering be of the flocks, namely, of the sheep, or of the goats, for a burnt sacrifice; he shall bring it a male without blemish.

Study: The same principles apply to offerings from sheep or goats, emphasizing consistency in God’s standards for worship. The male without blemish requirement again points to the necessity of purity and perfection in sacrifices.

Leviticus 1:11

And he shall kill it on the side of the altar northward before the LORD: and the priests, Aaron’s sons, shall sprinkle his blood round about upon the altar.

Study: Killing the animal on the north side of the altar and sprinkling its blood around the altar reinforces the sacredness of the ritual and the priest’s mediating role. The specific location and actions show God’s detailed instructions for acceptable worship.

Leviticus 1:12

And he shall cut it into his pieces, with his head and his fat: and the priest shall lay them in order on the wood that is on the fire which is upon the altar:

Study: Cutting the animal into pieces and arranging them on the altar fire demonstrates the thoroughness of the sacrifice and the complete offering to God. This orderliness reflects the reverence and solemnity of the worship service.

Leviticus 1:13

But he shall wash the inwards and the legs with water: and the priest shall bring it all, and burn it upon the altar: it is a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.

Study: Washing the inwards and legs again symbolizes cleansing, and the priest’s role in burning the entire offering shows the mediation between the people and God. The burnt sacrifice as a sweet savour confirms God’s acceptance of the offering when done according to His commands.

Leviticus 1:14

And if the burnt sacrifice for his offering to the LORD be of fowls, then he shall bring his offering of turtledoves, or of young pigeons.

Study: Offering birds like turtledoves or young pigeons provides an option for those who could not afford larger animals, showing God’s provision for all to come before Him. This inclusiveness reflects God’s mercy and desire for relationship with every believer.

Leviticus 1:15

And the priest shall bring it unto the altar, and wring off his head, and burn it on the altar; and the blood thereof shall be wrung out at the side of the altar:

Study: The priest’s act of wringing off the bird’s head and burning it on the altar, with the blood wrung out beside the altar, continues the theme of sacrifice and atonement. The blood’s placement signifies the life given to God, maintaining the principle of life for sin.

Leviticus 1:16

And he shall pluck away his crop with his feathers, and cast it beside the altar on the east part, by the place of the ashes:

Study: Removing the crop and feathers and casting them beside the altar shows respect for the offering and the proper disposal of parts not burned. This careful handling maintains the sanctity of the sacrifice and the worship space.

Leviticus 1:17

And he shall cleave it with the wings thereof, but shall not divide it asunder: and the priest shall burn it upon the altar, upon the wood that is upon the fire: it is a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.

Study: Cleaving the bird with its wings but not dividing it completely may symbolize the unity of the offering and the completeness of dedication. The priest burning it on the altar fire confirms God’s acceptance and the sweet savour of the sacrifice.

Leviticus 1 outlines God’s instructions for burnt offerings, emphasizing the holiness required in worship and the necessity of atonement through a perfect sacrifice. The chapter reveals the detailed procedures for offerings from cattle, sheep, goats, and birds, highlighting the priest’s role and the symbolism of blood and fire. These sacrifices teach about God’s justice, mercy, and desire for a reconciled relationship with His people.

Lord, help us understand the seriousness of sin and the holiness You require in approaching You. Teach us to come with pure hearts, offering ourselves fully in worship and obedience. Thank You for providing a way of atonement and for Your mercy that covers our shortcomings. May we live in a way that honors You as our holy God.

• Pray daily for a heart of holiness and willingness to offer your best to God.
• Read Leviticus 1 aloud each day, focusing on the details of the burnt offering.
• Journal your thoughts on what it means to be 'without blemish' in your walk with God.
• Confess any known sin and thank God for the atonement provided through Jesus.
• Discuss with your family or community the significance of sacrifice and worship in your lives.
• Memorize Leviticus 1:4 to remind yourself of the personal nature of atonement.
• Worship God with songs or prayers that celebrate His holiness and mercy.

Leviticus 1 teaches that approaching God requires holiness, sacrifice, and a willing heart. The burnt offering symbolizes total dedication and the need for atonement to restore fellowship with God. Through detailed instructions and priestly mediation, God reveals His justice and mercy, pointing ultimately to the perfect sacrifice of Christ.

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