Breakdown of Leviticus 1:3-17

"“If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he shall offer a male without blemish. He shall bring it to the entrance of the tent of meeting, that he may be accepted before the LORD. He shall lay his hand on the head of the burnt of…" — The text highlights that the offering must be made "that he may be accepted before the LORD." This isn't just about God's approval, but about the purpose of the offering: to be received and have fa…

Leviticus 1:3-17 Meaning Explained

All verses

Leviticus 1:3-17

“If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he shall offer a male without blemish. He shall bring it to the entrance of the tent of meeting, that he may be accepted before the LORD. He shall lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him. Then he shall kill the bull before the LORD, and Aaron’s sons the priests shall bring the blood and throw the blood against the sides of the altar that is at the entrance of the tent of meeting. Then he shall flay the burnt offering and cut it into pieces, and the sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire on the altar and arrange wood on the fire. And Aaron’s sons the priests shall arrange the pieces, the head, and the fat, on the wood that is on the fire on the altar; but its entrails and its legs he shall wash with water. And the priest shall burn all of it on the altar, as a burnt offering, a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the LORD. “If his gift for a burnt offering is from the flock, from the sheep or goats, he shall bring a male without blemish, and he shall kill it on the north side of the altar before the LORD, and Aaron’s sons the priests shall throw its blood against the sides of the altar. And he shall cut it into pieces, with its head and its fat, and the priest shall arrange them on the wood that is on the fire on the altar, but the entrails and the legs he shall wash with water. And the priest shall offer all of it and burn it on the altar; it is a burnt offering, a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the LORD. “If his offering to the LORD is a burnt offering of birds, then he shall bring his offering of turtledoves or pigeons. And the priest shall bring it to the altar and wring off its head and burn it on the altar. Its blood shall be drained out on the side of the altar. He shall remove its crop with its contents and cast it beside the altar on the east side, in the place for ashes. He shall tear it open by its wings, but shall not sever it completely. And the priest shall burn it on the altar, on the wood that is on the fire. It is a burnt offering, a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The text highlights that the offering must be made "that he may be accepted before the LORD." This isn't just about God's approval, but about the purpose of the offering: to be received and have favor with God. This emphasis on "acceptance" sets the stage for all sacrifices, pointing towards the perfect acceptance we find through Christ.

What Leviticus 1:3-17 means

The book of Leviticus begins by outlining the various offerings that ancient Israelites were to bring to God. This particular section focuses on the "burnt offering," the most significant of these sacrifices, which was entirely consumed by fire on the altar. The text specifies the requirements for this offering when it came from the herd, setting the stage for detailed instructions about animal sacrifices, their purpose, and the meticulous care required.

The 'Ascending Offering' and Its Meaning

Why was this offering called a 'burnt offering,' and what did its complete consumption symbolize?

This first type of offering in Leviticus, the burnt offering (or 'holocaust'), gets its name from the Hebrew word that means 'to ascend.' That's because the entire animal, except for the skin, was burned up on the altar.

A Wholehearted Devotion

This complete consumption wasn't accidental. It powerfully symbolized the offerer's complete devotion to God. It meant giving everything—not holding anything back. It pointed to a life that was fully surrendered to the Lord.

A Picture of Christ

This was also a profound picture of Jesus Christ. His sacrifice was total, absorbing all of God's wrath for our sins. He gave His whole life, His whole being, for us, ascending to the Father as the perfect, complete sacrifice.

Male, Unblemished, and Accepted

Ask a follow-up

Ask Sola about this verse

Ask Sola things like:

“What does "burnt offering" mean in the original Hebrew?”
“Why did Traditionally Moses, though scholarly consensus suggests it was compiled by various priestly sources over centuries. write Leviticus 1:3-17?”
“How does male animal requirement show up in Leviticus 1:3-17?”

Ask in the Sola app Get the app

Live chat about Leviticus 1:3-17 is available in the Sola app.

This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.

What Leviticus 1:3-17 means

Ask Sola about this verse

Ask Sola things like:

“What does "burnt offering" mean in the original Hebrew?”
“Why did Traditionally Moses, though scholarly consensus suggests it was compiled by various priestly sources over centuries. write Leviticus 1:3-17?”
“How does male animal requirement show up in Leviticus 1:3-17?”

Ask in the Sola app Get the app

Live chat about Leviticus 1:3-17 is available in the Sola app.

Original language

burnt offeringעֹלָה

olah · Hebrew Noun

A type of sacrifice wholly consumed by fire, symbolizing total surrender and dedication to God, and serving to gain favor or atonement.

without blemishתָּמִים

tamim · Hebrew Adjective

In the context of sacrificial animals, it denotes a state of being physically perfect, without spot or defect, symbolizing the holiness and moral purity required for approaching a holy God.

lay his hand onסָמַךְ יָד

samak yad · Hebrew Verb Phrase

The act of ceremonially transferring the guilt or identity of the offerer onto the sacrificial animal, signifying substitution and identification.

atonementכָּפַר

kaphar · Hebrew Noun

The theological concept of 'covering' sin, where the life of a substitute is offered to pay the penalty for transgression, resulting in the restoration of a relationship with God.

bloodדָּם

dam · Hebrew Noun

In the Old Testament, blood represents the life principle, and its application in sacrifice is the essential means ordained by God for the cleansing of sin and the ratification of covenant.

altarמִזְבֵּחַ

mizbe'ach · Hebrew Noun

The designated place of sacrifice, typically a raised structure, where the fire burned and where the blood of the sacrifice was applied to mediate between God and the sinner.

flayעָרָה

arah · Hebrew Verb

The act of removing the skin from an animal, often associated with preparation for sacrifice, symbolizing the total exposure and submission of the offering before God.

burnt offeringעֹלָה

olah · Hebrew Noun

A voluntary or prescribed sacrifice, often consumed entirely by fire, symbolizing complete dedication, surrender, and atonement for the worshipper before God.

altarמִזְבֵּחַ

mizbe'ach · Hebrew Noun

The central place of sacrifice and worship, representing the meeting point between God's holiness and humanity, where blood atonement is made.

entrailsקֶרֶב

qereb · Hebrew Noun

The visceral organs of the animal, signifying the inward parts or the core of the being, which must be cleansed before being offered to God.

food offeringאִשֶּׁה

ishsheh · Hebrew Noun

A technical term for a sacrifice presented to God by fire, emphasizing the consumption of the offering as a symbolic provision for the Lord's acceptance.

pleasing aromaנִיחֹחַ

nihoach · Hebrew Noun

A metaphorical expression indicating God's acceptance and satisfaction with the act of worship and sacrifice offered in obedience and faith.

the LORDיְהוָה

YHWH · Hebrew Noun

Yahweh, the covenant name of God in the Old Testament, revealing Him as the self-existent, faithful, and redeeming God of Israel.

without blemishתָּמִים

tamim · Hebrew Adjective

A sacrificial animal that is physically sound, complete, and without defect, symbolizing the requirement for holiness and the foreshadowing of the perfect sacrifice of Christ.

altarמִזְבֵּחַ

mizbeach · Hebrew Noun

A structure where sacrifices were offered to God, symbolizing the meeting place between a holy God and sinful humanity, and the necessity of substitutionary atonement.

the LORDיְהוָה

YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun

A title for Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God of Israel, indicating His majesty, holiness, and the divine nature of the instructions given.

bloodדָּם

dam · Hebrew Noun

The life-force of a creature, representing the price of atonement for sin; it is considered sacred and prohibited from consumption.

fatחֵלֶב

cheleb · Hebrew Noun

The richest or choicest part of the animal, often reserved for God in the sacrificial system as a sign of complete dedication.

burnt offeringעֹלָה

olah · Hebrew Noun

A sacrifice (Olah) intended to be consumed entirely by fire, symbolizing the total consecration and devotion of the offerer to God.

pleasing aromaרֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ

reach nichoach · Hebrew Noun phrase

A phrase describing God’s acceptance of a sacrifice; it signifies that the offering has fulfilled its purpose and is well-pleasing to Him.

offeringקָרְבָּן

qorban · Hebrew Noun

A general term for something brought to God in worship, often involving cost or sacrifice, demonstrating submission and thanksgiving.

cropמֻרְאָה

mur'ah · Hebrew Noun

The digestive pouch in birds where food is stored; in the sacrificial system, its removal symbolizes the purging of that which was consumed in an unclean or earthly manner, preparing the bird for holiness before God.

altarמִזְבֵּחַ

mizbeach · Hebrew Noun

The central place of sacrifice and meeting with God; it symbolizes the intersection of the divine and the human, where atonement is made through the shedding of blood and the burning of sacrifices.

ashesדֶּשֶׁן

deshen · Hebrew Noun

The remains of a fire, used here as a designated, holy location outside the main sacrifice area for the disposal of sacrificial remnants, indicating that even the refuse of holy things is treated with care.

burnt offeringעֹלָה

olah · Hebrew Noun

A sacrifice wholly consumed by fire, representing the total dedication and surrender of the worshiper's life to God. It signifies atonement, consecration, and the sweet fragrance of obedience.

food offeringאִשֶּׁה

isheh · Hebrew Noun

A term for sacrifices, indicating that the offering is symbolically accepted by God as nourishment, signifying His covenant relationship and presence among His people.

pleasing aromaרֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ

reach nichoach · Hebrew Noun phrase

A metaphorical expression indicating God's acceptance and satisfaction with the sacrifice; it signifies that the worshiper's obedience and act of devotion are pleasing to the Lord.

LORDיהוה

YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun

The personal name of the self-existent God of the covenant, who reveals Himself to His people and demands exclusive worship and holiness.

What Leviticus 1:3-17 means

The 'Ascending Offering' and Its Meaning

Male, Unblemished, and Accepted

Ask Sola about this verse

What Leviticus 1:3-17 means

The 'Ascending Offering' and Its Meaning

Male, Unblemished, and Accepted

Ask Sola about this verse

Acceptance at the 'Door of Meeting'

Original language

Historical context

Key themes

Cross-references

Scholarly commentary

Frequently asked questions

Study this verse in Sola