Leviticus 1:6-7
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While it might seem like just another step in preparing the sacrifice, the flaying and cutting into pieces highlight that nothing of the offering was to be hidden or held back. Every part, even what might be considered less desirable, was laid bare and prepared for the altar, mirroring how Christ's perfect life and suffering were fully exposed and offered to God for us.
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After the animal's blood has been sprinkled, it is then skinned and cut into pieces. This preparation is necessary for the entire animal, except for the skin which goes to the priest, to be completely consumed by fire on the altar as a pleasing aroma to the Lord.
Did you know the way the burnt offering was prepared held deep meaning? It wasn't just about getting the animal ready for the fire.
A Willing Sacrifice
Leviticus 1:6 says, "Then he shall flay the burnt offering and cut it into pieces." This wasn't just a routine step; it was the beginning of the sacrifice's complete surrender.
This meticulous preparation highlighted that nothing less than the whole animal was acceptable to God. It wasn't about offering a part, but a complete surrender of the life given.
Was it the priest? The worshipper? The Bible gives us clues about who performed these vital steps in the sacrifice.
Shared Responsibility
Leviticus 1:6 states, "Then he shall flay the burnt offering..." The use of the singular "he" has led to discussion about who exactly performed this task.
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Regardless of the exact individual, the key takeaway is that the process was deliberate and divinely ordained, ensuring the sacrifice was prepared correctly before being offered to God.
These ancient rituals weren't just about appeasing God in the Old Testament; they pointed forward to something even greater.
The Ultimate Surrender
The meticulous preparation of the burnt offering foreshadowed the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Leviticus 1:6, in its detailed description, invites us to see not just an ancient ritual, but a powerful prophetic picture of Jesus' complete and costly sacrifice for us.
Understand the original words
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.
olah · Hebrew Noun
A voluntary or prescribed sacrifice, often consumed entirely by fire, symbolizing complete dedication, surrender, and atonement for the worshipper before God.
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.
Just as the burnt offering was stripped of its skin and cut into pieces, Jesus was stripped of his garments and his body was broken for us.
Hebrews 10:5-10This passage highlights Christ's perfect obedience and self-surrender to God's will, mirroring the complete consecration symbolized by the whole burnt offering being consumed by fire.
Isaiah 53:5The idea of the animal being 'cut into pieces' can foreshadow the suffering and 'piercing' of the Messiah, who was wounded for our transgressions.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20As the entire burnt offering was given to God, believers are called to present their bodies as living sacrifices, a testament to their complete dedication to God.
gillLeviticus 1:6: "And he shall flay the burnt offering, and cut it into his pieces."
And he shall flay the burnt offering,.... Take off its skin; this was the only part of it that was not burnt, and was the property of the priest, Leviticus 7:8 but who this was done by is not so manifest, since it is in the singular number "he", and seems to be the bringer of the offering; for Aaron's sons, the priests that sprinkled the blood, are spoken of plurally; and agreeably, Gersom observes, that the flay…
clarkeLeviticus 1:6: "And he shall flay the burnt offering, and cut it into his pieces."
He shall flay - Probably meaning the person who brought the sacrifice, who, according to some of the rabbins, killed, flayed, cut up, and washed the sacrifice, and then presented the parts and the blood to the priest, that he might burn the one, and sprinkle the other upon the altar. But it is certain that the priests also, and the Levites, flayed the victims, and the priest had the skin to himself; see Leviticus…
While it might seem like just another step in preparing the sacrifice, the flaying and cutting into pieces highlight that nothing of the offering was to be hidden or held back. Every part, even what might be considered less desirable, was laid bare and prepared for the altar, mirroring how Christ's perfect life and suffering were fully exposed and offered to God for us.
After the animal's blood has been sprinkled, it is then skinned and cut into pieces. This preparation is necessary for the entire animal, except for the skin which goes to the priest, to be completely consumed by fire on the altar as a pleasing aroma to the Lord.
After the animal's blood has been sprinkled, it is then skinned and cut into pieces. This preparation is necessary for the entire animal, except for the skin which goes to the priest, to be completely consumed by fire on the altar as a pleasing aroma to the Lord.
"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." — While it might seem like just another step in preparing the sacrifice, the flaying and cutting into pieces highlight that nothing of the offering was to be hidden or held back. Every part, even wha…
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Last reviewed October 2026
