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Leviticus 1

Leviticus 1 Summary, Context, and Full Chapter

Leviticus 1 opens with the LORD speaking to Moses from the Tent of Meeting. The chapter explains how the Israelites were to bring burnt offerings, what kinds of animals could be used, and how the priests handled each offering. It shows worship as careful, reverent, and costly.

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What happens in Leviticus 1?

This chapter gives the first set of instructions for offerings in Leviticus. A worshiper could bring a bull, sheep, goat, or bird, but the offering had to be without defect. The one bringing it laid a hand on the animal, and the priests carried out the blood and altar rites. The whole offering was then burned on the altar. The repeated pattern shows that the LORD cared about both the gift and the proper way it was presented.

Leviticus follows the end of Exodus, where the tabernacle is completed and the LORD's presence fills it. Chapter 1 begins the LORD's instructions to Israel about worship, sacrifice, and holiness. It introduces the burnt offering before moving on to other offerings in the chapters that follow.

Themes to notice

  • Holy worshipGod gives clear instructions so that offering and worship are done with reverence and care.
  • AtonementThe laying on of hands and the sacrifice point to the need for sin to be dealt with before God.
  • Whole offeringThe burnt offering was given completely to the LORD, showing full surrender and devotion.

Questions for Leviticus 1

  • Why does the chapter stress that the offering must be without blemish?
  • What does the laying on of hands suggest about the person bringing the offering?
  • How does the full burning of the offering shape the picture of worship in this chapter?

Read the full text of Leviticus 1 below, then open it in the reader to highlight, take notes, or ask follow-up Bible questions. No account is required to read.

Leviticus

Leviticus 1

Laws for Burnt Offerings

1Then the LORD called to Moses and spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting, saying,2“Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When any of you brings an offering to the LORD, you may bring as your offering an animal from the herd or the flock.

3If one’s 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.4He 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.5And he shall slaughter the young bull before the LORD, and Aaron’s sons the priests are to present the blood and sprinkle it on all sides of the altar at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.6Next, he is to skin the burnt offering and cut it into pieces.7The sons of Aaron the priest shall put a fire on the altar and arrange wood on the fire.8Then Aaron’s sons the priests are to arrange the pieces, including the head and the fat, atop the burning wood on the altar.9The entrails and legs must be washed with water, and the priest shall burn all of it on the altar as a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

10If, however, one’s offering is a burnt offering from the flock—from the sheep or goats—he is to present an unblemished male.11He 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.12He is to cut the animal into pieces, and the priest shall arrange them, including the head and fat, atop the burning wood that is on the altar.13The entrails and legs must be washed with water, and the priest shall bring all of it and burn it on the altar; it is a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

14If, instead, one’s offering to the LORD is a burnt offering of birds, he is to present a turtledove or a young pigeon.15Then 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.16And he is to remove the crop with its contents and throw it to the east side of the altar, in the place for ashes.17He 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, an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

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