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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to overlook that the entrails and legs of the sacrifice, the parts closest to the ground and the messiest, are the only ones specifically called out for washing. This meticulous cleaning before the whole offering is consumed highlights that even the most hidden and earthly aspects of ourselves must be presented to God, purified and pleasing. This intense focus on thoroughness points beyond the physical act to the inner cleansing required for true worship.
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After the animal is killed and cut into pieces, the priest meticulously washes its entrails and legs, symbolizing the need for internal and external purity in approaching God. Then, all parts of the animal, except the skin, are carefully arranged on the altar and consumed by fire. This complete burning signifies the offering is fully dedicated to God, creating a "pleasing aroma" that is accepted by Him as a whole burnt offering.
Why did the priest need to wash the animal's insides and legs before burning it? It wasn't just a ritual; it pointed to something deeper.
The washing of the entrails and legs of the burnt offering wasn't about making the animal look good. It was a crucial step that symbolized the need for both internal and external purity in approaching God.
Internal Purity
The washing of the 'inwards' (the stomach and intestines) represented the need for a pure heart, free from hidden desires, greed, or corruption.
External Purity
The washing of the 'legs' symbolized the need for holy actions and a life that walks in obedience to God's commands. Both were essential for the offering to be acceptable.
When we read that the offering was 'burned,' it sounds like destruction. But the text tells us it was for a 'pleasing aroma' to the LORD. What's going on here?
The burning of the entire offering (except the skin, which was for the priest) was a way of presenting the sacrifice back to God. The unique Hebrew word used here doesn't just mean 'to consume,' but more like 'to cause to ascend' or 'make a vapor.'
From Earth to Heaven
This signifies the offering moving from the earthly realm to God's presence in heaven. It wasn't just destroyed; it was transformed into a fragrant smoke that rose up.
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A Divine Acceptance
The 'pleasing aroma' was God's way of signifying His acceptance of the sacrifice. It was a tangible sign that the offering was well-pleasing to Him, a precursor to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ.
Understand the original words
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.
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.
nihoach · Hebrew Noun
A metaphorical expression indicating God's acceptance and satisfaction with the act of worship and sacrifice offered in obedience and faith.
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.
This passage directly connects Christ's sacrifice to the Old Testament concept of a 'sweet-smelling aroma,' highlighting the ultimate fulfillment of these sacrificial offerings.
Philippians 4:18This verse describes sacrifices and offerings as 'acceptable' and 'pleasing to God,' mirroring the 'sweet aroma' concept in Leviticus as a symbol of divine acceptance.
Hebrews 9:14It emphasizes Christ's 'spotless' sacrifice offered through the eternal Spirit, drawing a parallel to the requirement of an unblemished animal and the cleansing of parts in Leviticus, all pointing to a perfect offering.
1 Peter 1:18-19This passage contrasts redemption with 'perishable things' like silver and gold, to precious blood of Christ, mirroring the Levitical sacrifices' symbolic representation of redemption and purity needed for acceptable worship.
gillLeviticus 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."
But the inwards and his legs shall he wash in water,.... This was first done in a room in the court of the temple, called , "the room of the washers", or the washing room, where they washed the inwards of the holy things (a); and after that they washed them upon the marble tables between the pillars,…
calvinLeviticus 1:1-17: "And the LORD called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying,"
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.
Si holocaustum oblatio ejus fuerit ex bobus, masculum immaculatum offeret: ad ostium tabernaculi conventionis offeret eum pro animi proposito in conspectu Jehovae.
And…
It's easy to overlook that the entrails and legs of the sacrifice, the parts closest to the ground and the messiest, are the only ones specifically called out for washing. This meticulous cleaning before the whole offering is consumed highlights that even the most hidden and earthly aspects of ourselves must be presented to God, purified and pleasing. This intense focus on thoroughness points beyond the physical act to the inner cleansing required for true worship.
After the animal is killed and cut into pieces, the priest meticulously washes its entrails and legs, symbolizing the need for internal and external purity in approaching God. Then, all parts of the animal, except the skin, are carefully arranged on the altar and consumed by fire. This complete burning signifies the offering is fully dedicated to God, creating a "pleasing aroma" that is accepted by Him as a whole burnt offering.
After the animal is killed and cut into pieces, the priest meticulously washes its entrails and legs, symbolizing the need for internal and external purity in approaching God. Then, all parts of the animal, except the skin, are carefully arranged on the altar and consumed by fire. This complete burning signifies the offering is fully dedicated to God, creating a "pleasing aroma" that is accepted by Him as a whole burnt offering.
"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." — It's easy to overlook that the entrails and legs of the sacrifice, the parts closest to the ground and the messiest, are the only ones specifically called out for washing. This meticulous cleaning…
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Last reviewed October 2026