Leviticus 1:5 kjv
And he shall kill the bullock before the LORD: and the priests, Aaron's sons, shall bring the blood, and sprinkle the blood round about upon the altar that is by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Leviticus 1:5 nkjv
He shall kill the bull before the LORD; and the priests, Aaron's sons, shall bring the blood and sprinkle the blood all around on the altar that is by the door of the tabernacle of meeting.
Leviticus 1:5 niv
You are to slaughter the young bull before the LORD, and then Aaron's sons the priests shall bring the blood and splash it against the sides of the altar at the entrance to the tent of meeting.
Leviticus 1:5 esv
Then he shall kill the bull before the LORD, and Aaron's sons the priests shall bring the blood and throw the blood against the sides of the altar that is at the entrance of the tent of meeting.
Leviticus 1:5 nlt
Then slaughter the young bull in the LORD's presence, and Aaron's sons, the priests, will present the animal's blood by splattering it against all sides of the altar that stands at the entrance to the Tabernacle.
Leviticus 1 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lev 17:11 | For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement... | Blood holds life, for atonement. |
| Heb 9:22 | And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. | Atonement requires blood sacrifice. |
| Rom 3:25 | Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood... | Christ as propitiation through His blood. |
| Eph 1:7 | In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins... | Redemption and forgiveness through Christ's blood. |
| Col 1:20 | And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things... | Peace and reconciliation by Christ's blood. |
| 1 Pet 1:18-19 | ...not with corruptible things...but with the precious blood of Christ... | Redemption by Christ's incorruptible blood. |
| Rev 1:5 | And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness...and washed us from our sins in his own blood... | Christ washes sins away by His blood. |
| Heb 12:24 | And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things... | Jesus' blood, a superior cleansing. |
| Heb 7:27 | Who needeth not daily...to offer up sacrifice...for this he did once, when he offered up himself. | Christ's one-time, perfect sacrifice. |
| Heb 8:6 | But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry... | Christ's superior priestly ministry. |
| Heb 10:11-14 | And every priest standeth daily ministering...But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice... | Contrast of earthly priests' repeated sacrifices vs. Christ's single sacrifice. |
| 1 Pet 2:5 | Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices... | Believers as a spiritual priesthood. |
| John 1:29 | The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. | Jesus as the ultimate sacrificial Lamb. |
| Isa 53:7 | He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter... | Prophecy of Christ's silent suffering. |
| Heb 9:12 | Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place... | Christ's sacrifice provides eternal redemption. |
| Heb 10:1 | For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things... | Old Testament rituals are shadows of Christ. |
| Rom 8:3 | For what the law could not do...God sent his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin... | God sent Christ as a sin offering. |
| 1 Cor 5:7 | ...Christ our passover is sacrificed for us. | Christ as our Passover sacrifice. |
| Heb 4:16 | Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy... | Access to God through Christ. |
| Heb 10:19-22 | Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus... | Access to God's presence through Jesus' blood. |
| Rom 5:2 | By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand... | Access to God by faith in Christ. |
| Eph 2:18 | For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. | Access to the Father through Christ in the Spirit. |
Leviticus 1 verses
Leviticus 1 5 Meaning
Leviticus 1:5 details a critical phase of the burnt offering, where the lay offerer performs the ritual slaughter of the bull "before the Lord." Subsequently, the priests, specifically Aaron's sons, are responsible for collecting the blood and applying it through sprinkling "round about upon the altar" located at the entrance of the Tabernacle of Meeting. This verse underscores the precise division of labor between the worshiper and the priestly class in the offering process, emphasizing the vital role of blood for atonement and the altar as the consecrated point of communion with God.
Leviticus 1 5 Context
Leviticus 1 describes the detailed instructions for the burnt offering (olah), one of the primary sacrificial types in ancient Israelite worship. This chapter immediately follows God's calling to Moses from the Tabernacle, indicating that these are direct divine commands for approaching and worshipping a holy God. The burnt offering symbolized complete dedication and atonement, as the entire animal (except for its skin) was consumed on the altar. Verse 5 is specifically concerned with the bull offering, which would be brought by someone seeking a comprehensive atonement for sins, symbolizing a significant personal or corporate offering. Historically, these instructions were given to the Israelites immediately after the Tabernacle's completion, establishing the divine order for their worship in the wilderness and onward, contrasting sharply with the arbitrary and often cruel practices of surrounding pagan nations.
Leviticus 1 5 Word analysis
- And he shall kill: The Hebrew word for "kill" here is שָׁחַט (shachat), which specifically refers to ritual slaughter, typically performed by cutting the animal's throat to drain the blood efficiently. This action, crucial for an offering, was performed by the worshiper (the offerer) himself, signifying personal involvement and identification with the sacrifice. It highlights that the consequence of sin, represented by the death of the innocent substitute, was borne by the individual.
- the bull: A large, valuable animal, often the most expensive option for a burnt offering (compare with sheep/goats or birds in Lev 1:10, 14). Offering a bull denoted the highest level of devotion and also likely represented an offering for more significant transgressions or by a wealthier individual or the entire community.
- before the Lord: Hebrew לִפְנֵי יְהוָה (lip̄nê YHWH), literally "to the face of Yahweh" or "in the presence of Yahweh." This phrase emphasizes the divine audience and sanctity of the act. All cultic actions were not merely ritual but were performed directly for and observed by God Himself, underscoring His sovereignty and holiness.
- and the priests, Aaron's sons: The Hebrew כֹּהֲנִים בְּנֵי אַהֲרֹן (kohănîm bĕnê ʾahărōn) refers to the designated mediators between God and man in the Mosaic covenant. This highlights the clear distinction between the lay worshiper's role (killing the animal) and the consecrated priest's role (handling the sacred blood). Only those appointed by God could perform this particular act.
- shall bring the blood: Hebrew וְהִקְרִיבוּ אֶת־הַדָּם (vĕhiq'rīḇû ʾeṯ-haḍām). The term "bring" here often implies "to cause to approach" or "to offer." Blood (דָּם - dam) represents the life force (Lev 17:11). Its collection and application by the priests signify that life, having been forfeited for sin, is now presented to God as the means of atonement.
- and sprinkle the blood: Hebrew וְזָרְקוּ (vĕzāraqû) from the root זָרַק (zaraq). This verb denotes a vigorous throwing, splashing, or dashing of the liquid. It was not a gentle dabbing but a forceful application, ensuring thorough coverage. This vigorous action signifies the efficacious power of the blood to cleanse and make atonement.
- round about upon the altar: Hebrew עַל־הַמִּזְבֵּחַ סָבִיב (ʿal-hammizbēaḥ sāḇîḇ). The "altar" (מִזְבֵּחַ - mizbēaḥ) literally means "place of slaughter/sacrifice." Sprinkling the blood "round about" (on all sides or corners) thoroughly dedicated and purified the altar, making it fit for communion and conveying the full covering power of the atonement offered. It signified that the atonement covered all aspects of the worshiper's approach to God through the altar.
- that is by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: Hebrew פֶתַח אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד (peṯaḥ ʾōhel môʿēd). This specifies the location of the bronze altar of burnt offering, which stood at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting (or Tabernacle of Congregation). It was the first point of contact for anyone entering God's dwelling place, underscoring that access to God was predicated on the shedding of blood and atonement.Words-group analysis:
- he shall kill the bull before the Lord: This phrase underscores the personal accountability of the worshiper for their sin, expressed through the sacrifice of a costly animal, performed in the direct presence and sight of God. It's an act of worship and admission of guilt.
- the priests, Aaron's sons, shall bring the blood, and sprinkle the blood: This clearly defines the separation of roles within the sacrificial system. While the layperson initiates the offering, the handling and application of the blood, the most sacred part of the offering directly related to atonement, is strictly reserved for the consecrated priests. This divine delegation maintains holiness and order in worship.
- sprinkle the blood round about upon the altar: This emphasizes the thorough and consecrated application of the life-blood to the divinely appointed place of atonement. The altar is purified and dedicated by the blood, acting as the intermediary where human sin is covered and communion with a holy God becomes possible.
- the altar that is by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: This placement signifies that atonement through sacrifice is the necessary first step for approaching God's presence. There is no unmediated access; all must come through the shed blood at the entryway to the dwelling place of the Almighty.
Commentary
Leviticus 1:5, within the context of the burnt offering, meticulously outlines the specific roles of both the lay worshiper and the priests in presenting a sacrifice acceptable to God. The act of the offerer killing the animal, though grim, deeply impressed upon him the cost and consequence of sin, as the life (blood) of an innocent substitute was given for his own. The blood, understood as the seat of life and uniquely given by God for atonement, became the responsibility of the consecrated priests to handle. Their precise ritual of vigorously sprinkling it "round about" the altar demonstrated that atonement was not a passive event but a powerful, thorough application, ensuring every part of the means of approach to God was consecrated. The placement of the altar at the Tabernacle's entrance served as a constant reminder that communion with a holy God was only possible through a divinely prescribed substitutionary sacrifice involving the shedding of blood. This verse, therefore, intricately layers themes of personal responsibility, priestly mediation, the sanctity of life-blood, and the indispensable requirement of atonement for drawing near to God, all profoundly foreshadowing the ultimate, singular, and perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose own blood truly purifies and grants us direct access to God.Bonus section
The intricate details in Leviticus 1:5 reveal God's desire for an orderly and pure worship system, standing in stark contrast to chaotic and often abominable pagan practices. While pagan cultures offered sacrifices to manipulate their deities or appease them through self-mutilation or human sacrifice, Israel's system was about atonement for sin, emphasizing substitutionary life, divine initiative, and meticulous purity. The detailed instructions highlight that man approaches a holy God on God's terms, not his own. The precise steps, especially the sacred handling of blood by priests, underscored the sanctity of life and the serious nature of atonement, where life was exchanged for life. This legal framework of detailed animal sacrifice ultimately educated the Israelites about sin's gravity, God's holiness, and the absolute necessity of blood-shedding for forgiveness, thereby preparing them conceptually for the coming of Christ, the Lamb of God, whose own sacrifice would perfectly and finally fulfill these ancient types and shadows.