Keraia
Leviticus 1

Leviticus 1:3

Laws for Burnt Offerings · Leviticus 1:1–17
Read Leviticus 1

Translations

Modern
If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he is to present an unblemished male. He must bring it to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting for its acceptance before the LORD.
Traditional
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.
Literal
If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he shall bring near an unblemished male; to the door of the Tent of Meeting he shall bring it near of his own free will before the face of YHWH.
Latin
…si holocaustum fuerit ejus oblatio, ac de armento: masculum immaculatum offeret ad ostium tabernaculi testimonii, ad placandum sibi Dominum:

Original

Hebrew
English
If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he is to present an unblemished male. He must bring it to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting for its acceptance before the LORD.

Notes

Leviticus 1:3

an unblemished male: God allowed female and slightly deformed animals for some offerings not made for atonement (see 3:1; 4:27–31; 22:23). But the people could not use them for the whole burnt offering. In the dry, brush-covered hills of southern Palestine, raising cattle was harder than raising sheep or goats. This made a bull without defects very valuable. Centuries later, the prophet Malachi confronted the people for offering sick and lame animals instead of those without defects (Malachi 1:6–14).

Leviticus 1:2–3

  • When: This introduces a major category, which is the process of presenting an offering. This is followed by conditions introduced by "if" (1:3, 10, 14). Leviticus 1:2–6:7 uses this when/if pattern throughout all the major offerings it describes.

  • offering (Hebrew qorban; see study note on Mark 7:11) is a general term for all kinds of offerings and gifts, including those described in Leviticus 1–7.

Leviticus 1:3–17

burnt offering (Hebrew ‘olah, which means “what goes up”): The Hebrew word suggests the animal rises up in flame and smoke. Its hide was not burned, but given to the officiating priest as payment (Leviticus 7:8). They completely burned this offering on the altar (1:9).

Its purpose was to turn away God’s judgment against sin. It also makes the worshiper clean in a ceremonial way and restores his or her relationship with God (compare Romans 3:25; 8:3; 2 Corinthians 5:18–21). The whole burnt offering appears first in this list of offerings (Leviticus 1–7). It sets a pattern for the offerings that follow. It is the most common offering for atonement.

Theme notes and profiles

Ancient Law Codes Atonement Pure Worship

Parallels

Leviticus 6:8–13

Glossary

Biblical Concept of Law Burnt Offering Deformity Deuteronomy, Book of History of Israel Law of Moses Leviticus, Book of Moses Offerings and Sacrifices

Topics

Dedication: Offering Must be Voluntary Offerings: Different Kinds of Burnt Offerings: Offered at the Door of the Tabernacle Sacrifices: Different Kinds of Burnt offering Wholly Consumed by Fire The Burnt offering: Required to Be: A Male Without Blemish The Burnt offering: Required to Be: Presented at the Door of the Tabernacle The Burnt offering: Required to Be: Voluntary