Topical Encyclopedia The burnt offering, known in Hebrew as "olah," meaning "that which goes up," is a significant aspect of Old Testament worship and sacrificial system. It is one of the oldest and most frequently mentioned offerings in the Bible, symbolizing complete surrender, devotion, and atonement for sin. The practice of offering a burnt sacrifice every morning and evening is rooted in the instructions given by God to the Israelites and holds profound theological significance.Biblical Foundation The command for the daily burnt offering is found in the Pentateuch, particularly in the book of Exodus and Numbers. In Exodus 29:38-42 , God instructs Moses: "This is what you are to offer regularly on the altar: two lambs a year old, day by day, continually. Offer one lamb in the morning and the other at twilight. With the first lamb, offer a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with a quarter hin of oil from pressed olives, and a quarter hin of wine as a drink offering. You are to offer the second lamb at twilight with the same grain offering and drink offering as in the morning. It is a pleasing aroma, an offering made by fire to the LORD." Similarly, Numbers 28:3-4 reiterates this command: "And tell them that this is the offering made by fire that you are to present to the LORD: two unblemished year-old male lambs as a regular burnt offering each day. Offer one lamb in the morning and the other at twilight." Purpose and Significance The daily burnt offering served multiple purposes in the spiritual life of Israel. Primarily, it was an act of worship and devotion, symbolizing the people's continual dedication to God. The offering of an unblemished lamb signified the need for purity and holiness before the Lord. The regularity of the offering, every morning and evening, underscored the importance of constant communion with God and the perpetual need for atonement and reconciliation. The burnt offering was also a communal act, representing the entire nation of Israel. It was a reminder of God's covenant with His people and His continual presence among them. The offering of the lambs, along with the grain and drink offerings, created a "pleasing aroma" to the Lord, symbolizing the acceptance of the sacrifice and the worshipper's sincere devotion. Theological Implications Theologically, the burnt offering prefigures the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Just as the daily offerings were a continual reminder of the need for atonement, Christ's once-for-all sacrifice on the cross fulfills and surpasses the Old Testament sacrificial system. Hebrews 10:10 states, "And by that will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." The morning and evening sacrifices also highlight the rhythm of daily life centered around God. They serve as a model for believers to begin and end each day with prayer, worship, and reflection on God's faithfulness and grace. Historical Context In the historical context of ancient Israel, the burnt offering was central to the tabernacle and later the temple worship. The priests, descendants of Aaron, were responsible for performing these sacrifices on behalf of the people. The offering was made on the bronze altar, located in the courtyard of the tabernacle or temple, and was accompanied by specific rituals and prayers. The practice of the daily burnt offering continued until the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD. It was an integral part of Jewish religious life and identity, reflecting the covenant relationship between God and His chosen people. Conclusion The burnt offering, every morning and evening, is a profound expression of worship, devotion, and atonement in the Old Testament. It points to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ and serves as a model for daily spiritual discipline and communion with God. Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 29:38-42Now this is that which you shall offer on the altar; two lambs of the first year day by day continually. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library High Priest A Reasonable Service Spiritual Sacrifices The Incense of Prayer Concerning the Festivals; and How Each Day of Such Festival is to ... Scriptural Types. Entire Sanctification in Type. Altar and Temple The Day of Atonement Authorship of the Pentateuch. Resources What does it mean that God is Jehovah-Jireh? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the brazen altar? | GotQuestions.org Why does God desire mercy and acknowledgement of Him instead of sacrifice (Hosea 6:6)? | GotQuestions.org Burnt: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics The Burnt offering for Nazarites After Defilement, or at the End of Their Vow The Burnt offering for the Healed Leper The Burnt offering of Human Victims Execrated The Burnt offering of the Wicked, not Accepted by God The Burnt offering was an Atonement for Sin The Burnt offering with Sounds of Trumpets at Feasts The Burnt offering: Abraham Tried by the Command to offer Isaac As The Burnt offering: After Great Mercies The Burnt offering: Ashes of, Collected at Foot of the Altar, and Conveyed The Burnt offering: At Consecration of Kings The Burnt offering: At Consecration of Levites The Burnt offering: At Consecration Priests The Burnt offering: At Dedication of Sacred Places The Burnt offering: At Purification of Women The Burnt offering: Before Going to War The Burnt offering: Blood of, Sprinkled Round About Upon the Altar The Burnt offering: Devotedness to God The Burnt offering: Every Morning and Evening The Burnt offering: Every Sabbath Day The Burnt offering: Guilt of offering, Except in the Place Appointed The Burnt offering: Guilt of Unauthorised Persons offering The Burnt offering: Guilt Transferred To, by Imposition of Hands The Burnt offering: If a Bird, the Blood Was Wrung out at the Side of the Altar The Burnt offering: Incapable of Removing Sin, and Reconciling to God The Burnt offering: Knowledge of God Better Than The Burnt offering: Love of God Better Than The Burnt offering: Obedience Better Than The Burnt offering: Offered by the Jews Before the Law The Burnt offering: Required to be for the People at Large, Killed and Prepared by the Levites The Burnt offering: Required to Be: A Male Without Blemish The Burnt offering: Required to Be: Entirely Burned The Burnt offering: Required to Be: Killed, If a Beast, by the Person Who Brought It The Burnt offering: Required to Be: Killed, If a Bird, by the Priest The Burnt offering: Required to Be: Offered by Priests Only The Burnt offering: Required to Be: Offered in Righteousness The Burnt offering: Required to Be: Presented at the Door of the Tabernacle The Burnt offering: Required to Be: Voluntary The Burnt offering: Skin of, Given to the Priests for Clothing The Burnt offering: Specially Acceptable The Burnt offering: The Day of Atonement The Burnt offering: The Fat of all Peace offerings Laid On, and Consumed With The Burnt offering: The First Day of Every Month The Burnt offering: The Most Ancient of all Sacrifices The Burnt offering: The Most Costly, No Adequate Tribute to God The Burnt offering: The offering of Christ The Burnt offering: The Seven Days of Unleavened Bread The Burnt offering: To be offered Only to the Lord The Burnt offering: To be Taken From: The Flock or Herd The Burnt offering: To be Taken From: The Fowls Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
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