Leviticus 1:15
Then the priest shall bring it to the altar, twist off its head, and burn it on the altar; its blood should be drained out on the side of the altar.
Then the priest shall bring it to the altar,

The priest presented the worshiper’s offering at the bronze altar in the Tabernacle courtyard, where God appointed sacrifice to be made. His service underscored that sinners could not approach God on their own terms but through the provision God had established.

Lev 8:18 Then Moses presented the ram for the burnt offering,…
Lev 6:9 Command Aaron and his sons that this is the law…
Num 28:3 And tell them that this is the food offering…

twist off its head,

The prescribed method for a turtledove or young pigeon suited the smaller offering and marked the death required in place of the worshiper.

Lev 5:8 He is to bring them to the priest, who shall present…
Lev 14:4 the priest shall order that two live clean birds,…
Lev 14:5 Then the priest shall command that one of the birds……

and burn it on the altar;

The bird was consumed upon the altar as a whole burnt offering, expressing complete surrender to the Lord.

Exo 29:18 Then burn the entire ram on the altar; it is a burnt offering…
Lev 8:21 He washed the entrails and legs with water…
Lev 6:13 The fire shall be kept burning on the altar continually;…

its blood should be drained out on the side of the altar.

Its blood, representing life, was poured out at the altar as part of the atoning sacrifice. The offering pointed forward to the final sacrifice of Christ, whose blood secures forgiveness and access to God.

Exo 29:12 Take some of the blood of the bull and put it on the horns of the altar…
Lev 4:7 The priest must then put some of the blood on the horns…
Lev 4:18 He is also to put some of the blood on the horns…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Priest
The priest is the mediator between God and the people, responsible for performing the sacrificial rituals as prescribed in the Law of Moses.

2. Altar
A sacred place where sacrifices are offered to God. In the context of Leviticus, it is the central place of worship and atonement.

3. Sacrifice
The act of offering something valuable to God. In this verse, it refers to the offering of a bird, which is part of the burnt offering ritual.

4. Blood
Symbolizes life and is a crucial element in the sacrificial system, representing atonement and purification.

5. Burnt Offering
A type of sacrifice where the entire offering is consumed by fire, symbolizing complete surrender and dedication to God.
Teaching Points
The Role of the Priest
The priest acts as an intermediary, highlighting the need for mediation between God and humanity. This foreshadows Christ as our ultimate High Priest.

Significance of the Altar
The altar is a place of encounter with God. It reminds us of the importance of having a dedicated space and time for worship and communion with God.

Symbolism of Blood
Blood represents life and atonement. It points to the seriousness of sin and the cost of reconciliation with God, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus' sacrifice.

Total Surrender
The burnt offering symbolizes complete dedication to God. Believers are called to live lives fully surrendered to God's will.

Understanding Sacrifice
Sacrifices in the Old Testament were a foreshadowing of Christ's ultimate sacrifice. Understanding this helps us appreciate the depth of God's love and the cost of our redemption.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the role of the priest in Leviticus 1:15 point to the work of Jesus as our High Priest?

2. What is the significance of the altar in your personal worship, and how can you create a "sacred space" in your daily life?

3. In what ways does the symbolism of blood in the sacrificial system deepen your understanding of Christ's sacrifice?

4. How can you apply the concept of a burnt offering, representing total surrender, to your own life as a living sacrifice?

5. How do the Old Testament sacrifices enhance your appreciation for the New Testament teachings on atonement and redemption?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 8:20
Noah's burnt offering after the flood, which pleased God and led to His promise not to curse the ground again.

Hebrews 9:22
Discusses the necessity of blood for atonement, connecting the Old Testament sacrificial system to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ.

Romans 12:1
Encourages believers to offer themselves as living sacrifices, drawing a parallel to the complete dedication symbolized by the burnt offering.
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
The Burnt Offering of the Flock and of the FowlsJ.A. Macdonald Leviticus 1:10-17
Our Lord's Tenderness in Dealing with the Offerings of the PoorH. C. Trumbull.Leviticus 1:14-17
The Burnt Sacrifice of BirdsJ. Bayley, Ph. D.Leviticus 1:14-17
The Offering of Fowls - Turtle-Doves or Young PigeonsR.A. Redford Leviticus 1:14-17
People
Aaron, Israelites, Moses
Places
Teman
Topics
Altar, Blood, Bring, Burn, Burned, Drained, Offer, Perfume, Pinch, Pressed, Priest, Smoke, Thereof, Twisted, Wring, Wrung
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Leviticus 1:1-17

     7316   blood, OT sacrifices

Leviticus 1:3-17

     4552   wood

Leviticus 1:14-17

     4678   pigeon

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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