Leviticus 1 11

Leviticus 1:11 kjv

And he shall kill it on the side of the altar northward before the LORD: and the priests, Aaron's sons, shall sprinkle his blood round about upon the altar.

Leviticus 1:11 nkjv

He shall kill it on the north side of the altar before the LORD; and the priests, Aaron's sons, shall sprinkle its blood all around on the altar.

Leviticus 1:11 niv

You are to slaughter it at the north side of the altar before the LORD, and Aaron's sons the priests shall splash its blood against the sides of the altar.

Leviticus 1:11 esv

and he shall kill it on the north side of the altar before the LORD, and Aaron's sons the priests shall throw its blood against the sides of the altar.

Leviticus 1:11 nlt

Slaughter the animal on the north side of the altar in the LORD's presence, and Aaron's sons, the priests, will splatter its blood against all sides of the altar.

Leviticus 1 verses

Leviticus 1 11 Meaning

Leviticus 1:11 details two critical steps in the performance of a burnt offering (Olah) for a cattle, sheep, or goat. Firstly, the verse specifies the precise location for the animal's slaughter: on the north side of the altar, indicating that this act must occur within the consecrated area of the tabernacle, specifically in the direct presence of the LORD. Secondly, it outlines the exclusive role of the priests, the sons of Aaron, in ritually collecting and then sprinkling the blood of the sacrificed animal on all sides of the altar, thereby consecrating both the offering and the altar for acceptable worship before God. This emphasis on location, divine presence, and precise priestly action underscores the meticulous nature of Old Testament sacrificial worship, vital for atonement and communion with the Holy God.

Leviticus 1 11 Context

Leviticus opens immediately after the Tabernacle's completion (Exo 40:34-38), marking a shift from narrative to detailed instruction. God speaks from the Tent of Meeting, establishing a covenantal relationship with newly redeemed Israel, enabling them to approach His holy presence. Chapter 1 specifically introduces the 'Olah' or burnt offering, which is entirely consumed on the altar. This offering represents complete devotion, atonement for unintentional sin, and propitiation. It is a voluntary offering made by the individual for communal well-being and personal reconciliation with God. Verses 1-9 describe the procedures for offering a bull, sheep, or goat. Verse 11, therefore, slots directly into the prescribed method, laying out specific geographic and procedural details—slaughter location and blood application—which are non-negotiable elements for the offering's acceptance and effectiveness. The historical context involves Israel's wilderness wanderings, where the Tabernacle served as their mobile sanctuary, a central symbol of God's presence and the means by which a sinful people could interact with their Holy God through precise, divinely instituted rituals that differentiate them from pagan practices involving human sacrifices or chaotic, arbitrary worship.

Leviticus 1 11 Word analysis

• And he shall kill it (וְשָׁחַט אֹתוֹ - və-shaḥaṭ ’otô): The verb shaḥaṭ means to slaughter or kill. While it primarily describes the act, it’s noteworthy that for larger animals, the offeror himself often performed the slaughter (Lev 1:5). This involved participation and identification with the sacrifice, acknowledging that sin deserves death. However, later practice and rabbinic tradition often involved Levites or priests performing the actual killing for practical reasons.
• on the side (עַל יֶרֶךְ - ʿal yereḵ): The term yereḵ literally means "thigh" or "flank," but here, it means "side" or "adjacent." It denotes a precise boundary or location, emphasizing that the act was not done arbitrarily but according to strict divine guidelines.
• of the altar northward (הַמִּזְבֵּחַ צָפֹנָה - ha-mizbēaḥ tsāfōnāh): The altar (mizbēaḥ) is the focal point of sacrifice and atonement. Northward (tsāfōnāh) is highly specific. Rabbinic tradition suggests the north side of the altar was designated for slaughter due to practical space considerations, but it may also carry symbolic significance. In some ancient Near Eastern cultures, "north" was associated with divine dwelling or cosmic power (e.g., Ps 48:2), indicating perhaps that this precise spot was considered particularly holy for such an act before God. It distinguished Yahweh worship from general, undefined sacred spaces.
• before the LORD (לִפְנֵי יְהוָה - liphne Yahweh): This phrase underscores that the entire sacrificial act, from beginning to end, takes place in the immediate presence and for the direct attention of Yahweh, God of Israel. It elevates the act beyond a mere killing of an animal, making it a solemn, holy encounter between human and Divine. It signifies that the offering is dedicated solely to God and must meet His exact specifications.
• and the priests (וְהַכֹּהֲנִים - wə-hakkōhănîm): Signifies the immediate shift in responsibility from the offeror's act of slaughter to the divinely ordained clergy.
• Aaron's sons (בְּנֵי אַהֲרֹן - bənê Aharon): This specifies the exclusive priestly lineage appointed by God for sacred service (Exo 28:1; Num 3:3). Only these authorized individuals could handle the blood, illustrating the necessity of proper mediation in approaching a Holy God. This distinction highlights the divinely mandated separation of roles within worship.
• shall sprinkle (יִזְרְקוּ - yizəraqu): The verb zāraq means "to sprinkle," "to toss," or "to throw" the blood. It describes a forceful and deliberate application of the blood, not merely anointing or smearing. This act symbolized the vital essence of life (the blood) being returned to God as a life for a life, critical for expiation and purification.
• its blood (אֶת דָּמוֹ - ’eṯ dāmō): Blood (dam) is explicitly identified in Scripture as the "life" of the creature (Lev 17:11). Its central role in atonement highlights that without the shedding of life, there can be no remission of sins. The precise handling of blood underscores its profound spiritual significance as the very core of the atonement process.
• around on the altar (עַל סָבִיב עַל הַמִּזְבֵּחַ - ʿal sāḇîḇ ʿal ha-mizbēaḥ): This phrase means "all around" or "on all sides of" the altar. Sprinkling on all four sides suggests complete coverage and dedication, sanctifying the altar and signifying comprehensive atonement for the worshiper. The blood made the altar holy for its sacred function (Exo 29:36).

Leviticus 1 11 Bonus Section

• Rabbinic Insights on the North Side: Traditional Jewish commentators often debated the reason for the north side. Some believed it was simply the most practical place due to space for the various other activities occurring around the altar (e.g., priest access, waste disposal). Others connected it to the tzaphon (north) being a sacred direction, associated with the dwelling place of God in ancient Near Eastern cosmology, or the holiest parts of the Temple being oriented to the north.
• Sacrifice as Teaching Aid: Beyond atonement, these rituals taught Israel profound spiritual truths: the seriousness of sin (requiring death), the need for substitution, the sanctity of life (in blood), God's holiness (requiring specific acts), and the necessity of proper mediation to approach Him. Each step was a tangible lesson in theology.
• Transition of Roles: While the offeror slew the animal here (for large animals), the meticulous handling of blood remained exclusively the priest's responsibility. This highlights the clear division of labor and sacred authority within the Tabernacle service. The common Israelite brought the sacrifice, but the consecrated priest alone could bring the blood to the altar, acting as an intercessor.

Leviticus 1 11 Commentary

Leviticus 1:11 provides granular detail for the crucial stages of the burnt offering: the killing and the blood handling. The designation of the "north side" of the altar for the slaughter, rather than any other direction, emphasizes divine particularity over human discretion. This ensures order and reverence within the sacred space and serves as a silent polemic against arbitrary or chaotic pagan rites. The act of "killing" (slaughter) by the offeror underscores their direct involvement and acknowledgement of the life-for-life principle essential for atonement—their sin leads to the death of the innocent substitute.

Following this, the explicit mandate for "the priests, Aaron's sons," to "sprinkle its blood" underscores the vital necessity of divinely ordained mediation. Blood, recognized as the life-force, is central to the sacrificial system because it is through its outpouring and application that sin is covered and purity is restored. The act of "sprinkling it around on the altar" signifies a comprehensive cleansing and consecration, making the altar, and through it the offering, acceptable to God. This detailed instruction reveals God's meticulousness concerning the approach to His holy presence, establishing a pattern of proper worship that is wholly dependent on His revealed will, not human invention. Ultimately, these precise rituals prefigured the perfect, single sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose blood, shed once for all on the cross, provided complete and eternal cleansing, far surpassing the temporary efficacy of animal blood (Hebrews 9:12, 14; 10:10-14).