What is the meaning of Leviticus 7:5?

The priest shall burn them

- The focus on the priest underscores that atonement is God-directed, not self-initiated (Leviticus 1:9; Deuteronomy 33:10).

- Fire symbolizes both judgment and purification; the same blaze that consumes also cleanses (Hebrews 12:29 reminds us that “our God is a consuming fire”).

- By assigning the act to the priest, the Lord protects Israel from attempting do-it-yourself forgiveness, pointing ahead to the one Mediator, Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:5).

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on the altar

- The altar outside the Tent of Meeting was the divinely chosen meeting point between holiness and sin (Exodus 27:1-8).

- Continuous fire on that altar (Leviticus 6:12-13) showed God’s constant readiness to receive a sacrifice.

- New-covenant believers likewise have “an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat” (Hebrews 13:10), emphasizing exclusive, priestly access through Christ.

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as a food offering to the LORD

- Though God has no physical hunger, He portrays the sacrifice as “food” to communicate pleasure in obedient worship (Leviticus 3:11; Numbers 28:2).

- The ascending aroma signifies acceptance; Ephesians 5:2 draws the line straight to Jesus: “Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

- The offering nourishes covenant fellowship—sin is dealt with, and relationship is restored.

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it is a guilt offering

- The guilt (or trespass) offering addressed specific offenses demanding restitution (Leviticus 5:14-19; 6:6-7).

- By labeling it plainly, God assures Israel that their objective guilt can be removed, not merely ignored.

- Isaiah 53:10 uses the same category for the Messiah: “When His soul makes a guilt offering, He will see His offspring,” showing Jesus as the final, sufficient payment for our trespass.

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summary

Leviticus 7:5 teaches that God Himself provides a way to cleanse real guilt. A priest applies the sacrifice, the altar bears the fire, the fragrant smoke ascends to please the Lord, and the trespass is fully addressed. Every detail anticipates the perfect Mediator and once-for-all guilt offering—Jesus Christ—who turns judgment into restored fellowship for all who trust Him.