Leviticus 1

King James Version

Full text for Leviticus Chapter 1

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

2Speak 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.

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.

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

5And 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.

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

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

8And 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:

9But 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.

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.

11And 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.

12And 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:

13But 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.

14And 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.

15And 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:

16And 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:

17And 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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Leviticus chapter one details the regulations for burnt offerings, initiated by the LORD speaking to Moses from the Tabernacle. It outlines the procedures for offering animals from the herd, flock, or fowls, all requiring an unblemished male for animals. The offering involves the offerer laying hands on the sacrifice for atonement, followed by the priests' meticulous handling of the blood and the complete burning of the sacrifice on the altar as a "sweet savour unto the LORD."

Medium Summary

The LORD calls to Moses from the Tabernacle of the congregation to instruct the children of Israel concerning burnt offerings. These offerings could be chosen from cattle, sheep or goats, or fowls, with specific requirements for each, such as an unblemished male for animals. The offerer was to bring the sacrifice voluntarily, lay his hand upon its head for atonement, and then kill it. Aaron's sons, the priests, were responsible for sprinkling the blood around the altar, preparing the fire, and arranging the cut pieces, including the washed inwards and legs. The entire offering was then consumed by fire on the altar, described as an offering of "a sweet savour unto the LORD," signifying its acceptance.

Long Summary

Leviticus chapter one commences with the LORD speaking to Moses from within the Tabernacle of the congregation, providing detailed instructions for the various burnt offerings. The chapter specifies three categories of animals suitable for sacrifice: cattle from the herd, animals from the flock (sheep or goats), and fowls (turtledoves or young pigeons). For offerings from the herd, a male without blemish was required, brought voluntarily by the offerer, who would lay his hand upon its head for atonement before killing the animal. The priests, Aaron's sons, then took charge of sprinkling the blood around the altar and preparing the fire. The offerer would flay and cut the sacrifice into pieces, which the priests would arrange on the altar, ensuring the inwards and legs were washed. The entire offering was then consumed by fire, designated as "a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD." Similar, though adapted, procedures were outlined for offerings from the flock, also requiring an unblemished male and complete consumption by fire. For fowl offerings, the priest would wring off the bird's head, drain its blood, remove the crop and feathers, and cleave it without dividing it asunder, before burning it wholly on the altar. The chapter meticulously details the roles of both the offerer and the priests in these rituals, emphasizing the complete dedication and pleasing nature of the sacrifice to God.

Core Concepts

  • Burnt Offering (Olah)The primary type of sacrifice described, where the entire animal or bird is consumed by fire on the altar, symbolizing complete dedication and surrender to the LORD.
  • AtonementThe purpose for which the offerer lays his hand upon the head of the burnt offering, signifying that the sacrifice is accepted for him to make reconciliation or amends with God.
  • Unblemished SacrificeA consistent requirement for animal offerings, stipulating that the animal must be a male without any physical defects, representing purity and perfection for the divine offering.
  • Sweet SavourA recurring phrase used to describe the burnt offering once it is consumed by fire on the altar, indicating that the sacrifice, performed according to divine command, is pleasing and acceptable to the LORD.
  • Priestly RoleThe specific duties assigned to Aaron's sons (the priests), including handling the blood, preparing the altar, and overseeing the burning of the sacrifice, highlighting their essential mediatorial function in the ritual.
  • Voluntary OfferingThe emphasis that the offering, particularly from the herd, should be brought "of his own voluntary will," underscoring the personal and willing nature of the worshipper's devotion.
  • Tabernacle of the CongregationThe sacred place from which the LORD spoke to Moses and where all offerings were to be brought and performed, signifying the central location for divine communication and worship.