Leviticus 1 13

Leviticus 1:13 kjv

But he shall wash the inwards and the legs with water: and the priest shall bring it all, and burn it upon the altar: it is a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto the LORD.

Leviticus 1:13 nkjv

but he shall wash the entrails and the legs with water. Then the priest shall bring it all and burn it on the altar; it is a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the LORD.

Leviticus 1:13 niv

You are to wash the internal organs and the legs with water, and the priest is to bring all of them and burn them on the altar. It is a burnt offering, a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the LORD.

Leviticus 1:13 esv

but the entrails and the legs he shall wash with water. And the priest shall offer all of it and burn it on the altar; it is a burnt offering, a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

Leviticus 1:13 nlt

But the internal organs and the legs must first be washed with water. Then the priest will burn the entire sacrifice on the altar as a burnt offering. It is a special gift, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

Leviticus 1 verses

Leviticus 1 13 Meaning

Leviticus 1:13 details the preparation and offering of a burnt offering of a bird. It specifies that the bird's entrails and legs must be washed with water before the priest offers and burns the entire animal on the altar. This act is described as a burnt offering, a food offering presented by fire to the LORD, yielding a pleasing aroma, signifying God's acceptance and satisfaction.

Leviticus 1 13 Context

Leviticus Chapter 1 details the procedures for the burnt offering ('olah), the foundational offering in the Mosaic Law. This offering, consumed entirely by fire on the altar, signified complete dedication and served as a means of atonement. Verse 13 specifically outlines the instructions for the poorest segment of the community, who would offer a bird (turtledove or pigeon), following instructions given for oxen and sheep in previous verses (vv. 3-9). The emphasis on washing certain parts, even for a small bird, underscores the pervasive need for purity and thoroughness in all offerings presented to the holy God. Historically and culturally, offerings were common in the ancient Near East, but Israel's system was distinct due to its emphasis on God's holiness, the requirement for unblemished animals, and the specific role of the priest. This carefully regulated process subtly but firmly stood against arbitrary, unclean, or impure practices found in pagan rituals, asserting Yahweh's unique standards of holiness and ethical demands, even in what might seem mundane procedural details.

Leviticus 1 13 Word analysis

• But its entrails (וְקִרְבּוֹ – v'qirbo) and its legs (וּכְרָעָיו – ukhra'av): "Entrails" refers to the inner organs. "Legs" refer to the lower extremities. This instruction ensures that even internal, often hidden, parts and areas associated with movement (legs) are ritually purified. This attention to detail speaks to God's demand for thoroughness and holiness in worship.
• he shall wash (יִרְחַץ – yirḥatz) with water (בַּמַּיִם – bammayim): Yirḥatz means "to wash" or "to bathe." The use of "water" is fundamental in biblical ritual for cleansing and purification, removing defilement and preparing something to be acceptable in God's holy presence. This external cleansing points to the necessity of inward purity.
• And the priest (וְהִקְטִיר הַכֹּהֵן – v'hiqtir hakkohen): While v'hiqtir specifically means "and he shall cause to go up in smoke" (i.e., burn), the implication is "and the priest shall cause to go up in smoke." This highlights the exclusive role of the Aaronic priesthood as mediators and executors of divine ritual, essential for the proper, divinely sanctioned worship.
• shall offer all of it (הַכֹּל – hakol): "All of it" indicates the entire bird. For the burnt offering, complete consumption by fire was key, symbolizing total surrender and dedication to the LORD. This contrasts with other offerings where parts might be eaten by the offerer or priest.
• and burn it (וְהִקְטִיר – v'hiqtir): From the root qatar, meaning "to cause to go up in smoke." This term is used specifically for sacrificial burning on the altar, distinct from general burning. It indicates the sacred act of turning the offering into smoke that ascends to God.
• on the altar (הַמִּזְבֵּחַ – hammizbeaḥ): The mizbeakh (altar) was the central locus of sacrifice, where God's holy presence met human offerings. It signifies the point of communion and atonement.
• as a burnt offering (עֹלָה – 'olah): The olah (from alah "to ascend") is literally an "ascending offering." It's unique because the entire animal (save skin in some cases) was burnt, symbolizing complete dedication to God and providing atonement (Lev 1:4).
• a food offering (אִשֶּׁה – ishsheh): This refers to an "offering made by fire" (from esh "fire"). It denotes any sacrifice prepared by burning. While translated "food offering," it's more accurately an "offering by fire" and does not imply God literally "eats" it but accepts it as something consumed in His service.
• with a pleasing aroma (רֵיחַ נִיחוֹחַ – reakh niḥoakh): Reakh is "aroma" and niḥoakh means "soothing" or "restful." This anthropomorphism expresses God's divine acceptance and pleasure in the offering, implying it perfectly met His standards and provided "rest" from judgment due to atonement. It signifies divine approval and satisfaction.
• to the LORD (לַיהוָה – laYHWH): Refers to Yahweh, the personal covenant name of God. This specifies the sole recipient of the sacrifice, underscoring that all worship and dedication belong exclusively to Him, distinct from pagan deities.

Word-Group Analysis

• "But its entrails and its legs he shall wash with water": This phrase emphasizes the critical importance of ritual purity and meticulous preparation for even the simplest offering. The washing is not merely hygienic but symbolic, representing the removal of impurities and the presentation of a sanctified offering to a holy God. It underlines the principle that defilement cannot be offered.
• "And the priest shall offer all of it and burn it on the altar as a burnt offering": This section highlights the role of the priest as the one authorized to execute the sacrifice, ensuring it follows divine protocol. The instruction to "offer all of it" (for the 'olah) underscores the concept of totality and completeness in dedication. Nothing is held back. Burning on the altar signifies setting apart the sacrifice for God, where it becomes transformed and acceptable.
• "a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the LORD": This powerful descriptive phrase encapsulates the desired outcome and divine response. The "pleasing aroma" signifies God's delight, satisfaction, and acceptance of the worshiper and their offering. It represents the communion restored through the proper offering and obedience, pointing to a spiritual reality far deeper than just the physical smell of smoke. It assures the offerer that their act of devotion has found favor.

Leviticus 1 13 Bonus section

The seemingly simple instructions for preparing the bird for the burnt offering demonstrate a remarkable principle: God’s standard of holiness and expectation for worship is universal, applicable regardless of wealth or status. Whether a wealthy individual offered an ox or a poor person offered a bird, the core requirements of cleansing, complete dedication (the whole animal offered), and the mediating role of the priest remained constant. This underscores God's impartial justice and His covenant relationship with all His people, ensuring access to atonement and worship for every stratum of society. The completeness of the 'olah (burnt offering) symbolizes radical obedience and devotion. It signifies a desire not just for forgiveness but for absolute surrender, presenting oneself entirely to God, much like how Christ gave all of Himself in the ultimate act of self-sacrifice.

Leviticus 1 13 Commentary

Leviticus 1:13 encapsulates fundamental principles of Old Covenant worship within the context of the bird burnt offering. The prescribed washing of the entrails and legs is not arbitrary; it signifies ritual purification, ensuring that even hidden parts of the sacrifice presented to a holy God are cleansed. This points to the need for internal purity accompanying outward acts of worship, anticipating later prophetic calls for righteousness and purity of heart. The entire animal being consumed on the altar reinforces the burnt offering's unique character as an act of total surrender and complete dedication to God. It leaves nothing for human consumption, representing that which is wholly consecrated to the LORD.

The phrase "a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the LORD" is crucial. While not implying God consumes food literally, it's an anthropomorphic expression signifying divine acceptance and pleasure. When the offering was prepared and offered precisely according to God's instructions and with a proper heart (implied by the entire Law's context), it brought about God's favor and peace, making atonement (as seen in Lev 1:4). This concept resonates throughout Scripture, most perfectly fulfilled in Jesus Christ. His sacrifice on the cross (Heb 10:5-10; Eph 5:2) was the ultimate, complete, and most pleasing aroma to God, accomplishing perfect and everlasting atonement for humanity's sin, fulfilling all the Law's shadow and types. For believers today, this verse speaks not to animal sacrifice, but to offering oneself wholeheartedly as a "living sacrifice" (Rom 12:1) to God—our lives dedicated to His glory, an act of spiritual worship that He finds truly pleasing.