Keraia
Leviticus 1

Leviticus 1:4

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

Translations

Modern
He is to lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, so it can be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him.
Traditional
And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.
Literal
And he shall lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted for him, to make atonement upon him.
Latin
…ponetque manum super caput hostiæ, et acceptabilis erit, atque in expiationem ejus proficiens.

Original

Hebrew
English
He is to lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, so it can be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him.

Notes

Leviticus 1:4

  • He is to lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering: The sacrificial animal represented the worshiper in the ceremony (Leviticus 4:4, 15, 24, 29, 33; 16:21). This act showed that the animal's death represented the owner's death. During the Day of Atonement ceremony, it showed that God transferred the owner's sins to the animal (16:20–22). In the peace offering (3:2, 8, 13), the act probably showed ownership of the sacrificed animal.

  • The phrase on his behalf may mean “as payment for sin” (sometimes called expiation) or “as a substitute for the sinner’s death” (sometimes called propitiation).

  • to make atonement for him: While older commentaries describe this as “covering over” sin, recent studies define it as “blotting out, erasing, or cleansing from” sin. The concept involves turning away God’s judgment against sin, making the worshiper clean in a ceremonial way, and restoring fellowship with God and with the community of God’s people.

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 Deuteronomy, Book of Hand History of Israel Law of Moses Leviticus, Book of Moses Offerings and Sacrifices

Topics

Atonement: Made by Animal Sacrifices Hand in Consecration Offerings: Burnt: Its Purpose Was to Make an Atonement for Sin Offerings: Different Kinds of Burnt Priest: Duties of To offer Sacrifices Sacrifices: Different Kinds of Burnt offering Wholly Consumed by Fire Substitution: The offering for the offerer The Burnt offering: Guilt Transferred To, by Imposition of Hands The Hands: Imposition of, Used in Transferring Guilt of Sacrifices Types of Christ: Burnt offering Under the Law Atonement: Made by Sacrifice