Topical Encyclopedia The burnt offering, known in Hebrew as "olah," meaning "that which goes up," is one of the oldest and most significant offerings in the biblical sacrificial system. It is characterized by the complete consumption of the offering by fire on the altar, symbolizing total dedication and surrender to God. The burnt offering is distinct in its requirement to be offered exclusively by the priests, who acted as mediators between God and the people.Biblical Foundation The instructions for the burnt offering are primarily found in the Book of Leviticus. Leviticus 1:3-9 provides detailed guidelines for the offering: "If one's offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he is to offer an unblemished male. He must present it at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, so that he may be accepted by the LORD. He is to lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, so that it may be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him. Then he shall slaughter the young bull before the LORD, and Aaron's sons the priests shall present the blood and sprinkle it on all sides of the altar at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. Next, he is to skin the burnt offering and cut it into pieces. And the sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire on the altar and arrange wood on the fire. Then Aaron's sons the priests shall arrange the pieces, including the head and fat, on the wood that is burning on the altar. The entrails and legs must be washed with water, and the priest shall burn all of it on the altar as a burnt offering, a fire offering of a pleasing aroma to the LORD." Role of the Priests The role of the priests in the burnt offering is crucial. As ordained by God, only the descendants of Aaron, the Levitical priests, were authorized to perform the sacrificial duties. This exclusivity underscores the holiness and sanctity of the sacrificial system. The priests were responsible for the ritual slaughter, the handling of the blood, and the burning of the offering on the altar. Their role ensured that the offering was conducted according to divine instructions, maintaining the purity and acceptability of the sacrifice before God. Symbolism and Purpose The burnt offering served multiple purposes. Primarily, it was an act of worship and devotion, symbolizing the offerer's complete submission to God's will. The total consumption of the offering by fire represented the offerer's desire to be wholly consumed by devotion to God. Additionally, the burnt offering functioned as an atonement for sin, as indicated in Leviticus 1:4 : "He is to lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, so that it may be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him." Priestly Mediation The requirement for the burnt offering to be offered by priests only highlights the necessity of mediation in the relationship between God and humanity. The priests, as intermediaries, facilitated the people's access to God, ensuring that the offerings were made in accordance with His commands. This priestly mediation foreshadows the ultimate mediation of Jesus Christ, who, according to the New Testament, serves as the eternal High Priest, offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of humanity. Conclusion The burnt offering, with its requirement to be offered by priests only, reflects the order and sanctity of the Old Testament sacrificial system. It emphasizes the need for holiness, obedience, and mediation in approaching God, themes that resonate throughout the biblical narrative. Torrey's Topical Textbook Leviticus 1:9But 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 smell to the LORD. Torrey's Topical Textbook Ezekiel 44:15 Library High Priest Altar and Temple Sacrifice Renewed Authorship of the Pentateuch. Entire Sanctification in Type. Separation to God. Some Helpful Thoughts on Consecration Fasting, and the Goat Sent Away, were Types of Christ. The Day of Atonement Scriptural Types. Resources What is a burnt offering? | GotQuestions.orgWhat were the various sacrifices in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.org Why would the aroma of a sacrifice be important to God? | 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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