Leviticus 1:11
He shall slaughter it on the north side of the altar before the LORD, and Aaron's sons the priests are to sprinkle its blood against the altar on all sides.
He shall slaughter it on the north side of the altar before the LORD,

The offerer personally slew the animal in the designated sacrificial area, acknowledging that sin brings death and that reconciliation with God requires a divinely appointed substitute. The north side of the altar was regularly used for sacrifices, including sin offerings (Leviticus 6:25). The death occurred before the LORD, at the entrance of the tabernacle where God had placed His name and manifested His presence among Israel. The innocent victim’s death pointed beyond itself to Christ, the Lamb of God, who gave Himself to bear the sin of His people..

Lev 4:24 He is to lay his hand on the head of the goat…
Lev 4:15 The elders of the congregation are to lay their hands…
Lev 7:2 The guilt offering must be slaughtered in the place…

and Aaron’s sons the priests are to splatter its blood against the altar on all sides.

The priests received and applied the blood because God appointed them to minister between Himself and the worshiper. Blood represented the life given in sacrifice, and its presentation at the altar demonstrated that atonement came only through a life offered to God (Leviticus 17:11). Sprinkling the blood around the altar marked the sacrifice as accepted at the place where God provided access to Himself. The priestly service anticipated Jesus Christ, the final High Priest, whose own blood secures eternal redemption for all who come to God through Him..

Lev 3:2 He is to lay his hand on the head of the offering…
Lev 9:12 Then Aaron slaughtered the burnt offering.…
Lev 17:6 The priest will then splatter the blood on the altar…

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Offerer
The individual bringing the sacrifice, responsible for slaughtering the animal.

2. The Altar
Located in the Tabernacle, the central place for sacrifices and offerings to God.

3. Aaron’s Sons (The Priests)
The descendants of Aaron, tasked with performing the priestly duties, including the sprinkling of blood.

4. The LORD
The covenant God of Israel, to whom the sacrifices are offered.

5. The North Side of the Altar
Specific location for the slaughtering of the offering, indicating order and reverence in worship.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Order in Worship
The specific instructions for the sacrifice highlight the importance of order and reverence in worship. God is a God of order, and our worship should reflect that.

The Role of the Priesthood
The priests acted as mediators between God and the people. This points to the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ, who mediates the new covenant.

The Significance of Blood
Blood symbolizes life and atonement. The sprinkling of blood foreshadows the ultimate atonement through Christ’s blood.

Approaching God with Reverence
The detailed instructions for sacrifices remind us to approach God with reverence and respect, acknowledging His holiness.

The Fulfillment in Christ
The sacrificial system finds its fulfillment in Jesus, the perfect sacrifice, who offered Himself once for all.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the specific location for the slaughtering of the sacrifice (north side of the altar) teach us about the nature of worship?

2. How does the role of Aaron’s sons as priests in Leviticus 1:11 connect to the role of Jesus as our High Priest?

3. In what ways does the sprinkling of blood in the Old Testament sacrificial system point to the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross?

4. How can we apply the principles of order and reverence in our personal and corporate worship today?

5. Reflecting on Romans 12, how can we present our bodies as living sacrifices in light of the sacrificial practices described in Leviticus?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 29
Describes the consecration of Aaron and his sons, establishing their role in the sacrificial system.

Hebrews 9
Discusses the significance of blood in the sacrificial system and its fulfillment in Christ’s sacrifice.

Isaiah 53
Prophetic imagery of the suffering servant, connecting the sacrificial system to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus.

Romans 12
Calls believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices, drawing a parallel to the Old Testament sacrificial practices.
The Weakness of Man and the Grace of GodS.R. Aldridge Leviticus 1:1-14
Entire Consecration, as Illustrated in the Burnt OfferingR.M. Edgar Leviticus 1:1-17
Law of the Burnt OfferingsR.A. Redford Leviticus 1:1-17
Principles of Spiritual SacrificeW. Clarkson Leviticus 1:2-17
The True End of Sacrifice, - Entire Consecration to GodW. Clarkson Leviticus 1:2-17
A Devoted LifeW. Y. Fullerton, "Sword and Trowel."Leviticus 1:6-13
Genuine ConsecrationLeviticus 1:6-13
Results of Total Self SurrenderJoseph Cook.Leviticus 1:6-13
The Best OfferingG. S. Reaney.Leviticus 1:6-13
The Sacrificial BurningS. H. Kellogg, D. D.Leviticus 1:6-13
The Offering from the FlocksR.A. Redford Leviticus 1:10-13
The Burnt Offering of the Flock and of the FowlsJ.A. Macdonald Leviticus 1:10-17
People
Aaron, Israelites, Moses
Places
Teman
Topics
Aaron, Aaron's, Altar, Blood, Dash, Death, Kill, North, Northward, Priests, Round, Sides, Slaughter, Slaughtered, Slay, Sons, Sprinkle, Sprinkled, Throw
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Leviticus 1:11

     7454   sprinkling

Leviticus 1:1-17

     7316   blood, OT sacrifices

Leviticus 1:3-13

     7422   ritual

Leviticus 1:3-17

     4552   wood

Leviticus 1:10-13

     5378   law, OT

Library
The Burnt Offering a Picture and a Prophecy
'And the Lord called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying, 2. Speak 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. 4. And
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Collection for St Paul: the Farewell
PHILIPPIANS iv. 10-23 The Philippian alms--His sense of their faithful love--He has received in full--A passage in the Scriptural manner--The letter closes--"Christ is preached"--"Together with them" The work of dictation is nearly done in the Roman lodging. The manuscript will soon be complete, and then soon rolled up and sealed, ready for Epaphroditus; he will place it with reverence and care in his baggage, and see it safe to Philippi. But one topic has to be handled yet before the end. "Now
Handley C. G. Moule—Philippian Studies

The Child-Life in Nazareth
THE stay of the Holy Family in Egypt must have been of brief duration. The cup of Herod's misdeeds, but also of his misery, was full. During the whole latter part of his life, the dread of a rival to the throne had haunted him, and he had sacrificed thousands, among them those nearest and dearest to him, to lay that ghost. [1084] And still the tyrant was not at rest. A more terrible scene is not presented in history than that of the closing days of Herod. Tormented by nameless fears; ever and again
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Influences that Gave Rise to the Priestly Laws and Histories
[Sidenote: Influences in the exile that produced written ceremonial laws] The Babylonian exile gave a great opportunity and incentive to the further development of written law. While the temple stood, the ceremonial rites and customs received constant illustration, and were transmitted directly from father to son in the priestly families. Hence, there was little need of writing them down. But when most of the priests were carried captive to Babylonia, as in 597 B.C., and ten years later the temple
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

Leviticus
The emphasis which modern criticism has very properly laid on the prophetic books and the prophetic element generally in the Old Testament, has had the effect of somewhat diverting popular attention from the priestly contributions to the literature and religion of Israel. From this neglect Leviticus has suffered most. Yet for many reasons it is worthy of close attention; it is the deliberate expression of the priestly mind of Israel at its best, and it thus forms a welcome foil to the unattractive
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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