Leviticus 1:15 kjv
And the priest shall bring it unto the altar, and wring off his head, and burn it on the altar; and the blood thereof shall be wrung out at the side of the altar:
Leviticus 1:15 nkjv
The priest shall bring it to the altar, wring off its head, and burn it on the altar; its blood shall be drained out at the side of the altar.
Leviticus 1:15 niv
The priest shall bring it to the altar, wring off the head and burn it on the altar; its blood shall be drained out on the side of the altar.
Leviticus 1:15 esv
And the priest shall bring it to the altar and wring off its head and burn it on the altar. Its blood shall be drained out on the side of the altar.
Leviticus 1:15 nlt
The priest will take the bird to the altar, wring off its head, and burn it on the altar. But first he must drain its blood against the side of the altar.
Leviticus 1 15 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lev 1:2-3 | “When any man of you brings an offering... if his offering is a burnt offering from the herd...” | Introduction to burnt offerings; types of offerings. |
| Lev 1:9 | “And the priest shall burn all on the altar as a burnt offering...” | Burnt offering as consumed entirely by fire. |
| Lev 1:14 | “And if the offering to the LORD is a burnt offering of birds, then he shall bring his offering of turtledoves or young pigeons.” | Specific type of offering – bird, option for the less wealthy. |
| Lev 1:17 | “And the priest shall tear it open by its wings, but shall not divide it completely; and the priest shall burn it on the altar...” | Differentiation in preparation for birds vs. larger animals (not divided). |
| Lev 4:26 | “And the priest shall make atonement for him, and it shall be forgiven him.” | Purpose of the offering: atonement for sin. |
| Lev 5:7 | “If he cannot afford a lamb, then he shall bring to the LORD as his compensation two turtledoves or two young pigeons...” | Provision for the poor, similar to the bird burnt offering in access. |
| Lev 5:11 | “But if he cannot afford two turtledoves or two young pigeons, then he shall bring as his offering...” | God's condescension; even simpler offerings for the extremely poor. |
| Lev 17:11 | “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls...” | The theological basis for blood in atonement. |
| Num 15:26 | “And all the congregation of the people of Israel shall be forgiven, and the sojourner who sojourns among them, because it was an error for all the people.” | Atonement extended to all members, including sojourners. |
| 2 Sam 24:24 | “I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God that cost me nothing.” | Principle of costly sacrifice for true offering. |
| Ps 51:17 | “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.” | Emphasis on inner disposition beyond mere ritual. |
| Isa 1:11 | “'What to Me is the multitude of your sacrifices?' says the LORD.” | Critique of ritual without righteousness, but rituals still commanded. |
| Hos 6:6 | “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” | Ethical conduct prioritised over mere ritual, yet rituals had purpose. |
| Matt 3:15 | “'Permit it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.'” | Christ fulfilling requirements, even ceremonial, pointing to a greater righteousness. |
| Luke 2:24 | “And to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, 'A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.'” | Mary and Joseph offering the sacrifice of the poor at Jesus' dedication. |
| John 1:29 | “The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, 'Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!'” | Jesus as the ultimate sacrificial Lamb. |
| Rom 3:25 | “Whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith.” | Atonement through Christ's blood. |
| Eph 5:2 | “And walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” | Christ's sacrifice as a perfect burnt offering, a sweet aroma to God. |
| Phil 2:8 | “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” | Christ's ultimate obedience and sacrifice mirroring the total dedication of the burnt offering. |
| Heb 9:12 | “Not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.” | Christ's blood offering is superior and once for all. |
| Heb 9:22 | “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.” | Universal principle of blood for remission of sins. |
| Heb 10:4 | “For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” | Limitation of animal sacrifices, pointing to Christ's superior sacrifice. |
| Heb 10:10 | “By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” | Fulfillment of sacrifices in Christ's singular offering. |
| 1 Pet 1:18-19 | “...knowing that you were ransomed... with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” | The value and nature of Christ's redeeming blood. |
Leviticus 1 verses
Leviticus 1 15 Meaning
Leviticus 1:15 describes a specific procedure for the bird burnt offering (olah), typically offered by those who could not afford larger animals. It instructs the priest to bring the bird to the altar, wring its head, but not sever it completely, and burn the bird on the altar. Concurrently, its blood is to be drained out at the base or side of the altar, symbolizing the dedication of life and serving as an atonement for the offerer before God.
Leviticus 1 15 Context
Leviticus chapter 1 provides detailed instructions for the burnt offering (olah), which was entirely consumed on the altar as a "sweet aroma to the LORD," symbolizing complete surrender and atonement. Verses 14-17 specifically outline the procedure for bird offerings (turtledoves or young pigeons), which served as an accessible option for poorer Israelites who could not afford cattle, sheep, or goats. This highlights God's grace and provision for all, regardless of their economic status, to participate in atonement. Historically, these rituals were central to Israel's covenant relationship with God, establishing a way for an unholy people to approach a holy God. They emphasized the sanctity of life (blood representing life), the seriousness of sin, and the necessity of a vicarious atonement.
Leviticus 1 15 Word analysis
- And he shall bring it (וְהִקְרִיב, vehiqriv): The verb `karav` (קָרַב) means "to draw near, bring near." In the Hiphil stem, it signifies causing to come near, emphasizing the priestly action of presenting the offering. It highlights the priest's essential mediating role in bringing the worshipper's offering before God.
- unto the altar (אֶל הַמִּזְבֵּחַ, el hammizbeakh): The `mizbeakh` (מִזְבֵּחַ) is the altar, specifically the bronze altar in the tabernacle court. It was the designated place for sacrifice, mediating between the worshipper and God, where offerings were consecrated by fire. Its very name, `mizbeakh`, comes from the verb `zabach` (זָבַח), meaning "to slaughter" or "sacrifice."
- and wring off his head (וּמָלַק אֶת רֹאשׁוֹ, umalāq 'et roshō): `Malāq` (מָלַק) is a specific verb unique to bird sacrifices. It means to pinch or wring off, or pinch off the head without fully severing it. This contrasts with `shaḥat` (שָׁחַט), used for slitting the throat of larger animals. The partial detachment of the head symbolized the taking of life for atonement, but the head remaining attached before burning allowed for a continuous offering and was less precise than the flaying of larger animals, a concession for this smaller sacrifice.
- and burn it (וְהִקְטִיר, vehiqṭîr): `Qaṭar` (קָטַר) in the Hiphil form means to "turn into smoke" or "burn a sacrifice," producing a "sweet aroma." This action signified the offering ascending to God, symbolizing acceptance and complete devotion.
- on the altar (הַמִּזְבֵּחָה, hammizbeakhah): Again, referring to the altar as the place of consecration and consumption by God's fire.
- and the blood thereof (וְנִמְצָה דָמוֹ, venimtsā dāmo): `Dām` (דָם) is "blood," representing the life principle (Lev 17:11). Its removal and presentation were central to atonement.
- shall be wrung out (וְנִמְצָה, venimtsāh): This passive form from `mātsāh` (מָצָה) means to "squeeze out," "drain out," or "be pressed out." It describes the act of releasing the bird's blood onto the altar's side. This differs from the elaborate blood-splattering ritual for larger animals.
- at the side of the altar (עַל קִיר הַמִּזְבֵּחַ, ʻal qîr hammizbeakh): `Qîr` (קִיר) means "wall" or "side." The blood was drained onto the altar's external side or base, possibly flowing into a drainage channel around the altar. This precise disposal ensured proper consecration and prevented casual defilement.
Words-Group analysis:
- And he shall bring it unto the altar, and wring off his head, and burn it on the altar: This sequence of actions, performed by the priest, demonstrates the divine ordination of the sacrificial ritual. The act of "wringing off" (malāq) for birds is distinctive. While the head is pinched/wrung, it is not completely severed, implying a slight technical difference compared to the cutting of the throat for larger animals (shaḥat). This could signify a less severe demand on the offerer due to their economic status, yet still acknowledging the taking of life for atonement. The burning on the altar signifies the offering's complete devotion to God and its ascension as a pleasing aroma.
- and the blood thereof shall be wrung out at the side of the altar: The handling of blood is paramount in Israelite ritual, symbolizing life and being central to atonement (Lev 17:11). The "wringing out" implies a thorough draining, even if less elaborate than sprinkling. Placing the blood "at the side of the altar" dedicated it to God, the giver of life. It distinguishes the clean from the unclean and acknowledges that life's return is only through the sacrifice of another life.
Leviticus 1 15 Bonus section
The seemingly "harsh" physical details of the bird offering highlight the seriousness of sin and the cost of atonement, which always involved the shedding of blood, signifying a life given for a life. Yet, it also emphasizes divine grace; God accepts a simplified form of offering for the poor without diminishing its atoning power. The Olah or burnt offering, including this bird version, speaks to radical commitment to God—total surrender, symbolized by the complete consumption by fire. The partial severance of the head for the bird, rather than being completely torn in two as in some pagan practices, reflects the orderly, sanctified nature of Yahweh worship and reinforces the unique ritual law for birds as being from God. This practice underscores that atonement is a divine provision and gift, not earned by the material value of the offering, but accepted by God's decree.
Leviticus 1 15 Commentary
Leviticus 1:15 is a precise instruction concerning the bird burnt offering, designed to be accessible to every Israelite regardless of their means. This detailed ritual for the financially poor underscores God's compassion and desire for all to approach Him for atonement. The priest's specific actions – wringing the bird's head (without complete severance) and draining its blood at the altar's side – highlight crucial theological tenets. The malāq method signifies the giving of life for atonement, yet its distinction from complete decapitation acknowledges the simplicity fitting for a poor person's offering, while maintaining ritual efficacy. The disposal of blood, representing the very essence of life (Lev 17:11), onto the sacred altar ensures that atonement is made before a holy God. This offering, though humble in material, was spiritually as valid and pleasing as larger animal sacrifices because it signified complete dedication and depended on God's grace for acceptance, foreshadowing Christ's ultimate and perfect offering, accessible to all, through His life-blood (Hebrews 9:22, 10:10).