Leviticus 1:17
New International Version
He shall tear it open by the wings, not dividing it completely, and then the priest shall burn it on the wood that is burning on the altar. It is a burnt offering, a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the LORD.

New Living Translation
Then, grasping the bird by its wings, the priest will tear the bird open, but without tearing it apart. Then he will burn it as a burnt offering on the wood burning on the altar. It is a special gift, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

English Standard Version
He shall tear it open by its wings, but shall not sever it completely. And the priest shall burn it on the altar, on the wood that is on the fire. It is a burnt offering, a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

Berean Standard Bible
He shall tear it open by its wings, without dividing the bird completely. And the priest is to burn it on the altar atop the burning wood. It is a burnt offering, a food offering, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

King James Bible
And 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.

New King James Version
Then he shall split it at its wings, but shall not divide it completely; and the priest shall burn it on the altar, on the wood that is on the fire. It is a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the LORD.

New American Standard Bible
Then he shall tear it by its wings, but shall not sever it. And the priest shall offer it up in smoke on the altar, on the wood which is on the fire; it is a burnt offering, an offering by fire of a soothing aroma to the LORD.

NASB 1995
Then he shall tear it by its wings, but shall not sever it. And the priest shall offer it up in smoke on the altar on the wood which is on the fire; it is a burnt offering, an offering by fire of a soothing aroma to the LORD.

NASB 1977
‘Then he shall tear it by its wings, but shall not sever it. And the priest shall offer it up in smoke on the altar on the wood which is on the fire; it is a burnt offering, an offering by fire of a soothing aroma to the LORD.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then he shall tear it by its wings, but he shall not separate it. And the priest shall offer it up in smoke on the altar on the wood which is on the fire; it is a burnt offering, an offering by fire of a soothing aroma to Yahweh.

Amplified Bible
Then he shall tear it open by its wings, but shall not sever it. And the priest shall offer it up in smoke on the altar, on the wood that is on the fire. It is a burnt offering, an offering by fire, a sweet and soothing aroma to the LORD.

Christian Standard Bible
He will tear it open by its wings without dividing the bird. Then the priest is to burn it on the altar on top of the burning wood. It is a burnt offering, a food offering, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He will tear it open by its wings without dividing the bird. Then the priest is to burn it on the altar on top of the burning wood. It is a burnt offering, a fire offering of a pleasing aroma to the LORD.”

American Standard Version
and he shall rend it by 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-offering, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto Jehovah.

Contemporary English Version
Finally, he will take the bird by its wings, tear it partially open, and send it up in smoke with a smell that pleases me.

English Revised Version
and he shall rend it by 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 offering, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then pull on the bird's wings to tear the bird open, but don't pull the wings off. Then the priest will lay the bird on the wood burning on the altar. It is a burnt offering, an offering by fire, a soothing aroma to the LORD."

Good News Translation
He shall take hold of its wings and tear its body open, without tearing the wings off, and then burn it whole on the altar. The odor of this food offering is pleasing to the LORD.

International Standard Version
He is then to tear it open by its wings, but not divide it completely into two parts. The priest is then to offer all of it on the wood over the fire as a burnt offering by fire, an aroma pleasing to the LORD."

NET Bible
and tear it open by its wings without dividing it into two parts. Finally, the priest must offer it up in smoke on the altar on the wood which is in the fire--it is a burnt offering, a gift of a soothing aroma to the LORD.

New Heart English Bible
He shall tear it by its wings, but shall not divide it apart. The priest shall burn it on the altar, on the wood that is on the fire. It is a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to the LORD.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he shall cleave it with its wings, 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 savor to the LORD.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
He shall tear it open by its wings, without dividing the bird completely. And the priest is to burn it on the altar atop the burning wood. It is a burnt offering, a food offering, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

World English Bible
He shall tear it by its wings, but shall not divide it apart. The priest shall burn it on the altar, on the wood that is on the fire. It is a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Yahweh.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he has cleaved it with its wings (he does not separate [it]), and the priest has made it an incense on the altar, on the wood, which [is] on the fire; it [is] a burnt-offering, a fire-offering of refreshing fragrance to YHWH.”

Young's Literal Translation
and he hath cleaved it with its wings (he doth not separate it), and the priest hath made it a perfume on the altar, on the wood, which is on the fire; it is a burnt-offering, a fire-offering of sweet fragrance to Jehovah.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he cleft it with its wings; he shall not divide; and the priest burnt it upon the altar, upon the wood which is upon the fire: it is a burnt-offering, a sacrifice, an odor of sweetness to Jehovah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he shall break the pinions thereof, and shall not cut, nor divide it with a knife, and shall burn it upon the altar, putting fire under the wood. It is a holocaust and oblation of most sweet savour to the Lord.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he shall break its wing joints, but he shall neither cut, nor divide it with metal, and he shall burn it upon the altar, placing fire under the wood. It is a holocaust and an oblation of a most sweet odor to the Lord.

New American Bible
Then, having torn the bird open by its wings without separating the halves, the priest shall burn it on the altar, on the wood and the embers. It is a burnt offering, a sweet-smelling oblation to the LORD.

New Revised Standard Version
He shall tear it open by its wings without severing it. Then the priest shall turn it into smoke on the altar, on the wood that is on the fire; it is a burnt offering, an offering by fire of pleasing odor to the LORD.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he shall cleave it between its wings, 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, a sweet savour to the LORD.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he shall cut it between its wings and not will separate it and the Priest will offer it up on the altar, upon the wood upon the fire as a burnt offering; it is an offering for a pleasing savor to LORD JEHOVAH.'"
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he shall rend it by the wings thereof, but shall not divide it asunder; and the priest shall make it smoke upon the altar, upon the wood that is upon the fire; it is a burnt-offering, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he shall break it off from the wings and shall not separate it, and the priest shall put it on the altar on the wood which is on the fire: it is a burnt-offering, a sacrifice, a sweet-smelling savour to the Lord.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Laws for Burnt Offerings
16And he is to remove the crop with its contents and throw it to the east side of the altar, in the place for ashes. 17He shall tear it open by its wings, without dividing the bird completely. And the priest is to burn it on the altar atop the burning wood. It is a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

Cross References
Exodus 29:18
Then burn the entire ram on the altar; it is a burnt offering to the LORD, a pleasing aroma, a food offering to the LORD.

Genesis 8:21
When the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma, He said in His heart, “Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from his youth. And never again will I destroy all living creatures as I have done.

Numbers 15:3
and you present a food offering to the LORD from the herd or flock to produce a pleasing aroma to the LORD—either a burnt offering or a sacrifice, for a special vow or freewill offering or appointed feast—

Ezekiel 20:41
When I bring you from the peoples and gather you from the lands to which you have been scattered, I will accept you as a pleasing aroma. And I will show My holiness through you in the sight of the nations.

2 Corinthians 2:15
For we are to God the sweet aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.

Ephesians 5:2
and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God.

Philippians 4:18
I have all I need and more, now that I have received your gifts from Epaphroditus. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.

Hebrews 10:10-12
And by that will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. / Day after day every priest stands to minister and to offer again and again the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. / But when this Priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God.

Romans 12:1
Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

1 Peter 2:5
you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Malachi 1:11
For My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place, incense and pure offerings will be presented in My name, because My name will be great among the nations,” says the LORD of Hosts.

Isaiah 56:7
I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations.”

Psalm 51:19
Then You will delight in righteous sacrifices, in whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on Your altar.

Amos 5:22
Even though you offer Me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; for your peace offerings of fattened cattle I will have no regard.

Jeremiah 6:20
What use to Me is frankincense from Sheba or sweet cane from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable; your sacrifices do not please Me.”


Treasury of Scripture

And he shall split it with the wings thereof, but shall not divide it asunder: and the priest shall burn it on the altar, on the wood that is on the fire: it is a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet smell to the LORD.

shall not

Genesis 15:10
And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not.

Psalm 16:10
For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

Matthew 27:50
Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

it is

Leviticus 1:9,10,13
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…

Genesis 8:21
And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.

Hebrews 10:6-12
In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure…

Jump to Previous
Altar Apart Aroma Asunder Burn Burnt Burnt-Offering Cleave Divide Fire Odor Offering Open Pleasant Pleasing Priest Rend Sacrifice Savor Sever Smoke Sweet Tear Thereof Wings Wood
Jump to Next
Altar Apart Aroma Asunder Burn Burnt Burnt-Offering Cleave Divide Fire Odor Offering Open Pleasant Pleasing Priest Rend Sacrifice Savor Sever Smoke Sweet Tear Thereof Wings Wood
Leviticus 1
1. The law of burnt offerings
3. of the herd
10. of the flocks
14. of the fowls














He shall tear it open by its wings, without dividing the bird completely.
This instruction pertains to the offering of birds, specifically turtledoves or young pigeons, as a burnt offering. The act of tearing the bird open by its wings without dividing it completely signifies a complete yet undivided sacrifice, symbolizing total dedication to God. This method of preparation is unique to birds, as larger animals were divided. The tearing without complete division may symbolize the unity and wholeness of the offering, reflecting the worshiper's complete devotion. This act foreshadows the sacrifice of Christ, who was wholly offered yet remained undivided in His divine purpose.

And the priest is to burn it on the altar atop the burning wood.
The burning of the offering on the altar signifies the complete consumption of the sacrifice by fire, representing purification and the ascent of the offering to God. The altar, central to Israelite worship, was a place of divine encounter and atonement. The burning wood signifies the continual presence of fire, a symbol of God's holiness and judgment. This act of burning the offering points to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, who was wholly consumed by His passion and death, offering Himself as a fragrant offering to God.

It is a burnt offering, a food offering, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.
The burnt offering, or "olah" in Hebrew, signifies an offering that ascends to God, wholly consumed by fire. As a food offering, it represents sustenance and fellowship with God, though not consumed by the priests or worshipers. The phrase "a pleasing aroma to the LORD" indicates God's acceptance and satisfaction with the offering, symbolizing reconciliation and favor. This concept is echoed in the New Testament, where Christ's sacrifice is described as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (Ephesians 5:2), fulfilling the typology of the burnt offering as a means of atonement and divine pleasure.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Priest
The individual responsible for performing the sacrificial rituals, acting as a mediator between the people and God.

2. The Altar
A sacred place where offerings are made to God, symbolizing worship and atonement.

3. The Burnt Offering
A type of sacrifice in which the entire offering is consumed by fire, representing complete surrender to God.

4. The Bird
In this context, a turtledove or young pigeon, which was an acceptable offering for those who could not afford larger animals.

5. The LORD
The covenant name of God, to whom the offerings are made, signifying His holiness and the need for atonement.
Teaching Points
Complete Surrender
The burnt offering symbolizes total dedication to God. Believers are called to surrender their lives fully to Him, holding nothing back.

Accessibility of Worship
The provision for offering birds shows God's understanding and accommodation for all economic levels, emphasizing that worship is accessible to everyone.

Pleasing Aroma
Our lives, like the burnt offering, should be a pleasing aroma to God, characterized by obedience and devotion.

Role of the Priest
The priest's role as a mediator foreshadows Christ's ultimate priesthood, reminding us of the importance of intercession and mediation in our spiritual lives.

Symbolism of Fire
Fire represents purification and transformation. As believers, we are called to be refined and transformed by the Holy Spirit.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Leviticus 1:17?

2. How does Leviticus 1:17 illustrate the importance of obedience in worship practices?

3. What does "tear it open by its wings" signify about sacrificial procedures?

4. How does Leviticus 1:17 connect to Christ's ultimate sacrifice in the New Testament?

5. In what ways can we apply the principle of complete devotion in our lives?

6. Why is it important to follow God's instructions precisely, as seen in Leviticus 1:17?

7. Why does Leviticus 1:17 emphasize burning the offering on the altar?

8. What is the significance of the dove or pigeon in Leviticus 1:17?

9. How does Leviticus 1:17 reflect ancient Israelite sacrificial practices?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 1?

11. What is the meaning of Aroma of the Sacrifice?

12. What defines the Mosaic Covenant in religious context?

13. In Leviticus 1:9, why is a 'pleasing aroma' significant to an omnipotent, immaterial God?

14. How does Leviticus 17 align with the New Testament practice in Acts 15:29, where only some Mosaic laws about blood are upheld while others are set aside?
What Does Leviticus 1:17 Mean
He shall tear it open by its wings

• The worshiper who brings a dove or pigeon is to pull the wings apart so the bird opens up, exposing everything for the fire (cf. Leviticus 1:14–15).

• This action pictures complete honesty before God—nothing is hidden or covered. Just as Psalm 139:23–24 invites God to “search me,” the opened bird lies fully exposed.

• The fact that the worshiper, not the priest, performs the tearing underscores personal involvement in atonement (see Leviticus 5:7 when a bird is brought for sin).

• Centuries later Joseph and Mary offered birds at Jesus’ dedication (Luke 2:24), reminding us that even humble people can participate in this symbol of surrender.


without dividing the bird completely

• God specifies that the bird must remain one piece. This preserves the picture of wholeness and devotion, unlike animals that were split in other covenants (Genesis 15:10).

• The undivided sacrifice foreshadows Christ, of whom it was written, “Not one of His bones will be broken” (John 19:36; compare Psalm 34:20).

• By keeping the bird intact, God teaches that true worship holds nothing back yet remains unified—heart, mind, and strength offered together (Mark 12:30).


And the priest is to burn it on the altar atop the burning wood

• Once the worshiper prepares the bird, the priest places it on the always-burning fire (Leviticus 6:12-13) so that the offering rises continuously to God.

• The altar wood points to the cross: wood that carried the ultimate sacrifice (1 Peter 2:24).

Hebrews 13:10 draws a line from this altar to the heavenly one where believers “have an altar from which those who serve at the tabernacle have no right to eat,” fulfilled in Christ.


It is a burnt offering

• A burnt offering (ʿōlāh) is consumed entirely, symbolizing total dedication (Leviticus 1:3-9).

Romans 12:1 applies the same principle: “offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God.”

• In Jesus we see the perfect burnt offering—His whole life and death fully yielded to the Father (Hebrews 10:10).


a food offering

• Though God does not need food (Acts 17:25), He invites His people to “present food offerings to Me” (Leviticus 3:11).

• “Food” here conveys gift or tribute—something valuable surrendered. Malachi 1:7 warns against bringing contemptible food offerings, underscoring that God deserves our best.

• The worshiper’s bird cost little monetarily yet was precious because it represented the giver’s heart (2 Corinthians 8:12).


a pleasing aroma to the LORD

• “Pleasing aroma” speaks of divine acceptance; the scent rising from the altar signals that atonement is achieved (Genesis 8:21).

Ephesians 5:2 declares that Christ “gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God,” fulfilling every sweet aroma prefigured in Leviticus.

Philippians 4:18 uses the same phrase for believers’ generosity, showing that our giving and service still rise like incense when offered through Christ.


summary

Leviticus 1:17 captures the heart of worship: an honest, undivided, personally presented sacrifice that the priest places on God’s enduring fire, wholly consumed as a gift He delights in. Every detail anticipates Jesus, the perfect burnt offering whose wholehearted surrender becomes a pleasing aroma and opens the way for our own lives to be laid on the altar in grateful devotion.

(17) And he shall cleave it with the wings thereof.--Before placing it on the altar fire the priest made an incision in the wings, without, however, separating them wholly from the body, thus corresponding in some degree to the limbing of the quadruped. (See Leviticus 1:6.)



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He shall tear it open
וְשִׁסַּ֨ע (wə·šis·sa‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8156: To split, tear, to upbraid

by its wings
בִכְנָפָיו֮ (ḇiḵ·nā·p̄āw)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3671: An edge, extremity, a wing, a flap, a quarter, a pinnacle

without
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

dividing the bird,
יַבְדִּיל֒ (yaḇ·dîl)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 914: To be divided, separate

[and]
הַכֹּהֵן֙ (hak·kō·hên)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3548: Priest

burn
וְהִקְטִ֨יר (wə·hiq·ṭîr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6999: To smoke, turn into fragrance by fire

it
אֹת֤וֹ (’ō·ṯōw)
Direct object marker | third person masculine singular
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

on the altar,
הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חָה (ham·miz·bê·ḥāh)
Article | Noun - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 4196: An altar

atop
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the burning
הָאֵ֑שׁ (hā·’êš)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 784: A fire

wood.
הָעֵצִ֖ים (hā·‘ê·ṣîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6086: Tree, trees, wood

It
ה֗וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

is a burnt offering,
עֹלָ֣ה (‘ō·lāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5930: Whole burnt offering

an offering made by fire,
אִשֵּׁ֛ה (’iš·šêh)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 801: A burnt-offering, a sacrifice

a pleasing
נִיחֹ֖חַ (nî·ḥō·aḥ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5207: A quieting, soothing, tranquilizing

aroma
רֵ֥יחַ (rê·aḥ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7381: To smell, perceive odor

to the LORD.
לַיהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel


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OT Law: Leviticus 1:17 He shall tear it by its wings (Le Lv Lev.)
Leviticus 1:16
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