Leviticus 1 Study Notes
General
True or False: Each of the three kinds of burnt offering in Leviticus 1 (herd, flock, and birds) is described as an aroma pleasing to the LORD.
Answer: True
This is true. The instructions for the herd, the flock, and the birds all end the same way, calling it a food offering whose smell pleases the LORD (1:9, 13, 17). This way of speaking means that God gladly accepted the offering. It goes back to Noah, whose burnt offering God received with favor (Genesis 8:21). The New Testament uses the same language for Jesus, who gave Himself up in our place as a fragrant offering to God (Ephesians 5:2), and even for gifts Christians send to support the work of the gospel (Philippians 4:18).
- Leviticus 1:17 (BSB)“He shall tear it open by its wings, without dividing the bird completely. And the priest is to burn it on the altar atop the burning wood. It is a burnt offering, a food offering, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.”The bird offering, like the herd and flock offerings before it, closes with the note that it pleases the LORD.
- Genesis 8:21 (BSB)“When the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma, He said in His heart, “Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from his youth. And never again will I destroy all living creatures as I have done.”Shows God receiving Noah's burnt offering with favor, the first use of this language for sacrifice.
- Ephesians 5:2 (BSB)“and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God.”Describes Christ's self-giving on the cross as a fragrant offering to God.
- Philippians 4:18 (BSB)“I have all I need and more, now that I have received your gifts from Epaphroditus. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.”Applies the same language to believers' gifts, which God finds pleasing.
Theological
True or False: The herd, flock, and bird forms of burnt offering in Leviticus 1 each conclude by calling the offering an aroma pleasing to the LORD.
Answer: True
This is true. Each of the three sections ends with the same formula identifying the offering as a food offering and an aroma pleasing to the LORD (1:9, 13, 17), language denoting God's favorable acceptance. The phrase recalls the LORD's acceptance of Noah's burnt offering (Genesis 8:21), and the New Testament applies it both to Christ's self-offering on the cross as a fragrant sacrifice to God (Ephesians 5:2) and, derivatively, to the gifts of believers offered in grateful response (Philippians 4:18).
- Leviticus 1:17 (BSB)“He shall tear it open by its wings, without dividing the bird completely. And the priest is to burn it on the altar atop the burning wood. It is a burnt offering, a food offering, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.”The bird offering, like the herd and flock offerings before it, closes with the note that it pleases the LORD.
- Genesis 8:21 (BSB)“When the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma, He said in His heart, “Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from his youth. And never again will I destroy all living creatures as I have done.”Shows God receiving Noah's burnt offering with favor, the first use of this language for sacrifice.
- Ephesians 5:2 (BSB)“and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God.”Describes Christ's self-giving on the cross as a fragrant offering to God.
- Philippians 4:18 (BSB)“I have all I need and more, now that I have received your gifts from Epaphroditus. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.”Applies the same language to believers' gifts, which God finds pleasing.
General
If someone offered birds to be burned whole, which birds could they bring (1:14)?
Answer: A pigeon or a turtledove
Besides cattle, sheep, and goats, God allowed birds to be offered this way: a young pigeon or a turtledove (1:14). The priest himself killed the bird and burned it upon the altar (1:15-17). Chapter 1 does not say why birds were allowed, but later laws openly permit them for someone too poor to buy a lamb (Leviticus 5:7; 12:8). God made a way for the poor to worship Him too. When Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph offered a pair of these same birds, the provision for a mother who could not afford a lamb (Luke 2:24), a sign of the humble family into which the Son of God came.
- Leviticus 1:14 (BSB)“If, instead, one’s offering to the LORD is a burnt offering of birds, he is to present a turtledove or a young pigeon.”Allows birds as a third kind of burnt offering and names which birds may be brought.
- Leviticus 5:7 (BSB)“If, however, he cannot afford a lamb, he may bring to the LORD as restitution for his sin two turtledoves or two young pigeons—one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering.”Explicitly permits birds for someone who cannot afford a lamb.
- Leviticus 12:8 (BSB)“But if she cannot afford a lamb, she shall bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. Then the priest will make atonement for her, and she will be clean.’””Again allows two birds, one of them a burnt offering, when a lamb is unaffordable.
- Luke 2:24 (BSB)“and to offer the sacrifice specified in the Law of the Lord: “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.””Records Mary and Joseph bringing this very offering of birds after Jesus' birth.
Theological
Which birds does Leviticus 1:14 permit as whole burnt offerings?
Answer: Pigeons or turtledoves
The third category of burnt offering is from birds, specifically a young pigeon or a turtledove (1:14), with the priest performing the killing and burning himself (1:15-17). Chapter 1 does not state the rationale, but subsequent legislation expressly provides birds for one too poor to bring a lamb (Leviticus 5:7; 12:8), so the system made room for the poor to draw near. After the birth of Jesus, Mary and Joseph presented a pair of these birds, the offering allowed to a mother unable to afford a lamb (Luke 2:24), reflecting the lowly circumstances of the incarnation.
- Leviticus 1:14 (BSB)“If, instead, one’s offering to the LORD is a burnt offering of birds, he is to present a turtledove or a young pigeon.”Allows birds as a third kind of burnt offering and names which birds may be brought.
- Leviticus 5:7 (BSB)“If, however, he cannot afford a lamb, he may bring to the LORD as restitution for his sin two turtledoves or two young pigeons—one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering.”Explicitly permits birds for someone who cannot afford a lamb.
- Leviticus 12:8 (BSB)“But if she cannot afford a lamb, she shall bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. Then the priest will make atonement for her, and she will be clean.’””Again allows two birds, one of them a burnt offering, when a lamb is unaffordable.
- Luke 2:24 (BSB)“and to offer the sacrifice specified in the Law of the Lord: “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.””Records Mary and Joseph bringing this very offering of birds after Jesus' birth.
General
True or False: A sheep or goat brought to be burned whole was to be killed on the altar's north side (1:11).
Answer: True
This is true. Leviticus 1:11 says the sheep or goat was to be slaughtered on the altar's north side, in the LORD's presence, and then the priests splashed the blood around the altar. Later chapters show that this was a fixed spot, where sin offerings and guilt offerings were also slaughtered (Leviticus 6:25; 7:2). God did not leave the details of worship up to each person's preference; He told His people where and how to bring their offerings (Deuteronomy 12:13-14).
- Leviticus 1:11 (BSB)“He shall slaughter it on the north side of the altar before the LORD, and Aaron’s sons the priests are to splatter its blood against the altar on all sides.”Specifies where a sheep or goat for a burnt offering was to be killed.
- Leviticus 6:25 (BSB)““Tell Aaron and his sons that this is the law of the sin offering: In the place where the burnt offering is slaughtered, the sin offering shall be slaughtered before the LORD; it is most holy.”Shows the sin offering was also slaughtered in the fixed place where the burnt offering was slaughtered.
- Leviticus 7:2 (BSB)“The guilt offering must be slaughtered in the place where the burnt offering is slaughtered, and the priest shall splatter its blood on all sides of the altar.”Shows the guilt offering was slaughtered in that same designated place.
- Deuteronomy 12:13-14 (BSB)“Be careful not to offer your burnt offerings in just any place you see; you must offer them only in the place the LORD will choose in one of your tribal territories, and there you shall do all that I command you.”Commands Israel to offer burnt offerings only in the place the LORD chooses, not wherever they pleased.
Theological
True or False: Leviticus 1:11 assigns the slaughter of a sheep or goat for the burnt offering to the altar's north side.
Answer: True
This is true. The sheep or goat is slaughtered on the altar's north side before the LORD, after which the priests splatter its blood around the altar (1:11). This location functions as the designated place of slaughter, used also for sin and guilt offerings (Leviticus 6:25; 7:2). The specificity reflects the broader principle that Israel's worship was to be offered where and as the LORD appointed, not according to the worshiper's own choosing (Deuteronomy 12:13-14).
- Leviticus 1:11 (BSB)“He shall slaughter it on the north side of the altar before the LORD, and Aaron’s sons the priests are to splatter its blood against the altar on all sides.”Specifies where a sheep or goat for a burnt offering was to be killed.
- Leviticus 6:25 (BSB)““Tell Aaron and his sons that this is the law of the sin offering: In the place where the burnt offering is slaughtered, the sin offering shall be slaughtered before the LORD; it is most holy.”Shows the sin offering was also slaughtered in the fixed place where the burnt offering was slaughtered.
- Leviticus 7:2 (BSB)“The guilt offering must be slaughtered in the place where the burnt offering is slaughtered, and the priest shall splatter its blood on all sides of the altar.”Shows the guilt offering was slaughtered in that same designated place.
- Deuteronomy 12:13-14 (BSB)“Be careful not to offer your burnt offerings in just any place you see; you must offer them only in the place the LORD will choose in one of your tribal territories, and there you shall do all that I command you.”Commands Israel to offer burnt offerings only in the place the LORD chooses, not wherever they pleased.
General
Why did the worshiper press his hand upon the animal's head (1:4)?
Answer: So that God would accept the animal in his place to atone for him
The worshiper pressed his hand upon the animal's head so that God would accept it in his place and it would atone for him (1:4). Atonement means covering sin and restoring a right relationship with God. By this act the person identified himself with the animal, which then died in his place. This is a God-given picture of substitution: someone innocent dying for someone guilty. The picture is fulfilled in Jesus, on whom the LORD laid the sins of His people (Isaiah 53:6) and who, though sinless, was made sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21). Animal blood could never take away sin by itself (Hebrews 10:4), but God truly received these offerings as He had commanded, and they pointed to Christ's single sacrifice that makes believers holy once for all (Hebrews 10:10).
- Leviticus 1:4 (BSB)“He is to lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, so it can be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him.”The worshiper places his hand on the animal, and it is accepted for him to make atonement.
- Isaiah 53:6 (BSB)“We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.”Says the LORD laid our iniquity on His Servant, the substitution that the sacrifices pictured.
- 2 Corinthians 5:21 (BSB)“God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”Shows Christ, who knew no sin, made sin on our behalf, the reality behind the animal dying in the worshiper's place.
- Hebrews 10:4 (BSB)“because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”States that animal blood could not itself take away sins, so the sacrifices pointed beyond themselves.
- Hebrews 10:10 (BSB)“And by that will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”Declares that believers are sanctified through the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ's body.
Theological
What purpose does Leviticus 1:4 attach to the laying of the hand on the burnt offering's head?
Answer: That the victim be accepted in the offerer's place to atone for him
The laying on of the hand identifies the offerer with the victim so that it is accepted in his stead to atone for him (1:4). The rite is a divinely instituted picture of penal substitution: the animal dies in the worshiper's place. Its fulfillment is Christ, upon whom the LORD laid the iniquity of His people (Isaiah 53:6) and who, knowing no sin, was made sin in our place (2 Corinthians 5:21). Animal blood could not in itself remove sin (Hebrews 10:4), yet God genuinely accepted these appointed offerings within the covenant as shadows of the one offering by which believers are sanctified once for all (Hebrews 10:10).
- Leviticus 1:4 (BSB)“He is to lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, so it can be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him.”The worshiper places his hand on the animal, and it is accepted for him to make atonement.
- Isaiah 53:6 (BSB)“We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.”Says the LORD laid our iniquity on His Servant, the substitution that the sacrifices pictured.
- 2 Corinthians 5:21 (BSB)“God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”Shows Christ, who knew no sin, made sin on our behalf, the reality behind the animal dying in the worshiper's place.
- Hebrews 10:4 (BSB)“because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”States that animal blood could not itself take away sins, so the sacrifices pointed beyond themselves.
- Hebrews 10:10 (BSB)“And by that will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”Declares that believers are sanctified through the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ's body.
General
At the start of Leviticus, from where did the LORD call to Moses and speak to him (1:1)?
Answer: From within the Tent of Meeting
Leviticus opens with the LORD calling Moses and speaking to him, His voice issuing out of the Tent of Meeting, the tabernacle Israel had just finished building (1:1). At the close of Exodus, God's glory had filled that tent so fully that Moses could not even go in (Exodus 40:34-35). Now the holy God who lives among His people speaks from that same place, just as He had promised to meet Moses and speak with him there (Exodus 25:22; Numbers 7:89). The first thing He teaches is how sinful people may come near to Him through the offerings He Himself appoints.
- Leviticus 1:1 (BSB)“Then the LORD called to Moses and spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting, saying,”The book opens with the LORD calling Moses and speaking to him from the newly built tabernacle.
- Exodus 40:34-35 (BSB)“Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Moses was unable to enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.”Shows that at the end of Exodus the glory of the LORD had just filled this tent, so it was now the place of His presence.
- Exodus 25:22 (BSB)“And I will meet with you there above the mercy seat, between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the Testimony; I will speak with you about all that I command you regarding the Israelites.”Records God's earlier promise to meet with Moses and speak with him at the ark inside the tabernacle.
- Numbers 7:89 (BSB)“When Moses entered the Tent of Meeting to speak with the LORD, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the mercy seat on the ark of the Testimony. Thus the LORD spoke to him.”Describes Moses hearing God's voice from above the mercy seat, showing this was God's ongoing way of speaking to him.
Theological
According to Leviticus 1:1, from what location does the LORD address Moses?
Answer: The Tent of Meeting
The LORD calls to Moses and speaks out of the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting (1:1), linking Leviticus directly to the end of Exodus, where the glory cloud filled the newly erected tabernacle so that Moses could not enter (Exodus 40:34-35). The divine speech now issues from the place of God's dwelling, fulfilling His promise to meet with Moses and speak to him there (Exodus 25:22; Numbers 7:89). The holy God enthroned among His people begins by legislating the sacrificial means by which sinners may draw near to Him.
- Leviticus 1:1 (BSB)“Then the LORD called to Moses and spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting, saying,”The book opens with the LORD calling Moses and speaking to him from the newly built tabernacle.
- Exodus 40:34-35 (BSB)“Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Moses was unable to enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.”Shows that at the end of Exodus the glory of the LORD had just filled this tent, so it was now the place of His presence.
- Exodus 25:22 (BSB)“And I will meet with you there above the mercy seat, between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the Testimony; I will speak with you about all that I command you regarding the Israelites.”Records God's earlier promise to meet with Moses and speak with him at the ark inside the tabernacle.
- Numbers 7:89 (BSB)“When Moses entered the Tent of Meeting to speak with the LORD, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the mercy seat on the ark of the Testimony. Thus the LORD spoke to him.”Describes Moses hearing God's voice from above the mercy seat, showing this was God's ongoing way of speaking to him.
General
After the worshiper killed the young bull, what did the priests (Aaron's sons) do with its blood (1:5)?
Answer: Splashed it all around the altar
The worshiper himself killed the animal, but the priests, Aaron's sons, handled the blood, splashing it all around the altar that stood at the tabernacle doorway (1:5). The blood mattered because it carried the animal's life, and God had given it for making atonement on the altar (Leviticus 17:11). As Hebrews puts it, forgiveness requires blood to be shed (Hebrews 9:22). The priests stood between the people and God; Hebrews describes the high priest as appointed to represent people before God by bringing offerings for sin (Hebrews 5:1). Both of these truths come to their fullness in Jesus, the great High Priest who offered His own blood.
- Leviticus 1:5 (BSB)“And he shall slaughter the young bull before the LORD, and Aaron’s sons the priests are to present the blood and splatter it on all sides of the altar at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.”The offerer kills the young bull, and the priests bring its blood to the altar.
- Leviticus 17:11 (BSB)“For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for your souls upon the altar; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.”Explains that God gave the blood, which carries the life, to make atonement on the altar.
- Hebrews 9:22 (BSB)“According to the law, in fact, nearly everything must be purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”States that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
- Hebrews 5:1 (BSB)“Every high priest is appointed from among men to represent them in matters relating to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.”Describes every high priest as appointed to represent people before God by offering gifts and sacrifices for sins.
Theological
In Leviticus 1:5, what do Aaron's sons do with the blood of the slaughtered bull?
Answer: Dash it around the altar
The offerer slaughters the animal, while the priestly manipulation of the blood belongs to Aaron's sons, who dash it around the altar by the doorway of the tabernacle (1:5). The blood is central because the animal's life resides in it and God has appointed it for atonement on the altar (Leviticus 17:11); hence apart from shed blood forgiveness is impossible (Hebrews 9:22). The priest acts as an appointed mediator, and Hebrews describes the high priest as appointed to represent people before God by offering sacrifices for sins (Hebrews 5:1), a role consummated in Christ, who is both High Priest and sacrifice.
- Leviticus 1:5 (BSB)“And he shall slaughter the young bull before the LORD, and Aaron’s sons the priests are to present the blood and splatter it on all sides of the altar at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.”The offerer kills the young bull, and the priests bring its blood to the altar.
- Leviticus 17:11 (BSB)“For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for your souls upon the altar; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.”Explains that God gave the blood, which carries the life, to make atonement on the altar.
- Hebrews 9:22 (BSB)“According to the law, in fact, nearly everything must be purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”States that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
- Hebrews 5:1 (BSB)“Every high priest is appointed from among men to represent them in matters relating to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.”Describes every high priest as appointed to represent people before God by offering gifts and sacrifices for sins.
General
When a person brought one of his cattle to be burned as an offering, what kind of animal was required (1:3)?
Answer: A male with no defect
When the offering came from the cattle, it had to be a male without any defect, brought to the doorway of the tabernacle so that it would be accepted before the LORD (1:3). The same rule applied to sheep and goats (1:10). Leviticus later explains that God would not accept an animal with a flaw (Leviticus 22:19-20). A holy God required a perfect offering. This points ahead to Jesus, who is called a spotless, flawless lamb (1 Peter 1:19) and who offered Himself to God with no flaw at all (Hebrews 9:14).
- Leviticus 1:3 (BSB)“If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he is to present an unblemished male. He must bring it to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting for its acceptance before the LORD.”Sets the requirement for a burnt offering from the herd and the place where it must be brought.
- Leviticus 22:19-20 (BSB)“must offer an unblemished male from the cattle, sheep, or goats in order for it to be accepted on your behalf. You must not present anything with a defect, because it will not be accepted on your behalf.”Repeats that a burnt offering must be an unblemished male and that a defective animal would not be accepted.
- 1 Peter 1:19 (BSB)“but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.”Calls Christ a lamb without blemish or spot, the flawless sacrifice these animals pictured.
- Hebrews 9:14 (BSB)“how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God!”Says Christ offered Himself unblemished to God, fulfilling the demand for a perfect sacrifice.
Theological
What does Leviticus 1:3 require of a burnt offering taken from the herd?
Answer: A male without defect
When taken from the cattle, the burnt offering must be a male without defect, presented at the doorway of the tabernacle so that it may be accepted before the LORD (1:3), and the same stipulation governs the flock (1:10). God would refuse a defective animal brought by the offerer (Leviticus 22:19-20). The unblemished victim anticipates Christ, the spotless and unblemished Lamb (1 Peter 1:19), who by the Spirit presented Himself to God without flaw (Hebrews 9:14), the perfect sacrifice that the Levitical offerings foreshadowed.
- Leviticus 1:3 (BSB)“If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he is to present an unblemished male. He must bring it to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting for its acceptance before the LORD.”Sets the requirement for a burnt offering from the herd and the place where it must be brought.
- Leviticus 22:19-20 (BSB)“must offer an unblemished male from the cattle, sheep, or goats in order for it to be accepted on your behalf. You must not present anything with a defect, because it will not be accepted on your behalf.”Repeats that a burnt offering must be an unblemished male and that a defective animal would not be accepted.
- 1 Peter 1:19 (BSB)“but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.”Calls Christ a lamb without blemish or spot, the flawless sacrifice these animals pictured.
- Hebrews 9:14 (BSB)“how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God!”Says Christ offered Himself unblemished to God, fulfilling the demand for a perfect sacrifice.
General
How much of a bull given as a whole burnt offering was burned on the altar (1:6-9)?
Answer: The entire animal except its hide
After the animal was skinned and cut into pieces, the priests arranged every piece on the altar, head and fat included, the inner parts and legs were washed, and the whole thing was burned (1:6-9). Nobody ate any of it. The only part not burned was the hide, which went to the priest (Leviticus 7:8). Later instructions say the burnt offering stayed on the altar hearth through the night till daybreak, with the fire kept burning (Leviticus 6:9). A burnt offering was entirely given up to God. The New Testament calls believers, who have received mercy from God, to give themselves wholly to Him as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1).
- Leviticus 1:6-9 (BSB)“Next, he is to skin the burnt offering and cut it into pieces. The sons of Aaron the priest shall put a fire on the altar and arrange wood on the fire. Then Aaron’s sons the priests are to arrange the pieces, including the head and the fat, atop the burning wood 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 food offering, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.”After skinning, cutting, and washing the inner parts and legs, the priest burns the whole offering on the altar.
- Leviticus 7:8 (BSB)“As for the priest who presents a burnt offering for anyone, the hide of that offering belongs to him.”Shows that the hide, removed before burning (1:6), was given to the officiating priest.
- Leviticus 6:9 (BSB)““Command Aaron and his sons that this is the law of the burnt offering: The burnt offering is to remain on the hearth of the altar all night, until morning, and the fire must be kept burning on the altar.”Shows the burnt offering remained on the hearth of the altar all night, with the altar fire kept burning.
- Romans 12:1 (BSB)“Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”Calls believers, in view of God's mercy, to offer their whole selves to God as living sacrifices.
Theological
What portion of a bull presented for a whole burnt offering is consumed on the altar in 1:6-9?
Answer: The whole animal apart from its hide
Once flayed and cut into pieces, the entire animal, head and fat included, with the inner parts and legs washed, is laid out upon the altar and burned (1:6-9); none of it is eaten. Only the hide is excepted, being assigned to the officiating priest (Leviticus 7:8), and the offering remains on the altar's hearth through the night (Leviticus 6:9). Such an offering is thus a wholly surrendered gift to God, and the apostle draws on this sacrificial language when he urges believers, in view of God's mercies, to give themselves wholly to God as sacrifices that live (Romans 12:1).
- Leviticus 1:6-9 (BSB)“Next, he is to skin the burnt offering and cut it into pieces. The sons of Aaron the priest shall put a fire on the altar and arrange wood on the fire. Then Aaron’s sons the priests are to arrange the pieces, including the head and the fat, atop the burning wood 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 food offering, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.”After skinning, cutting, and washing the inner parts and legs, the priest burns the whole offering on the altar.
- Leviticus 7:8 (BSB)“As for the priest who presents a burnt offering for anyone, the hide of that offering belongs to him.”Shows that the hide, removed before burning (1:6), was given to the officiating priest.
- Leviticus 6:9 (BSB)““Command Aaron and his sons that this is the law of the burnt offering: The burnt offering is to remain on the hearth of the altar all night, until morning, and the fire must be kept burning on the altar.”Shows the burnt offering remained on the hearth of the altar all night, with the altar fire kept burning.
- Romans 12:1 (BSB)“Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”Calls believers, in view of God's mercy, to offer their whole selves to God as living sacrifices.