Leviticus 1:11

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.

And he shall kill {H7819} it on the side {H3409} of the altar {H4196} northward {H6828} before {H6440} the LORD {H3068}: and the priests {H3548}, Aaron's {H175} sons {H1121}, shall sprinkle {H2236} his blood {H1818} round about {H5439} upon the altar {H4196}.

He is to slaughter it on the north side of the altar before ADONAI; and the sons of Aharon, the cohanim, are to splash its blood against all sides of the altar.

He 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.

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

Commentary

Leviticus 1:11 provides specific instructions for the ritual of the burnt offering, detailing a crucial step in the process: "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." This verse underscores the precise and orderly nature of worship prescribed by God for ancient Israel.

Context of the Burnt Offering

This verse is found within the first chapter of the Book of Leviticus, which meticulously outlines the various types of offerings and sacrifices God commanded His people to bring. The burnt offering (Hebrew: 'olah, meaning "that which goes up," referring to the smoke) was a voluntary sacrifice symbolizing complete dedication to God and making atonement for sin. Before this verse, the offerer would present an unblemished male animal (Leviticus 1:3) and lay his hand upon its head, identifying with the animal as a substitute for himself. Verse 11 then describes the killing of the animal by the offerer in a specific location—the "northward" side of the altar—followed by the crucial role of the priests in handling the blood.

Key Themes

  • Divine Precision in Worship: God commanded highly specific rituals, emphasizing that He is to be approached on His terms, not human ones. Every detail, from the animal's quality to the location of its slaughter and the handling of its blood, was significant.
  • The Centrality of Blood for Atonement: The act of sprinkling the blood by the priests upon the altar was the climactic moment of the sacrifice, symbolizing the forfeiture of life for the remission of sins. This practice powerfully foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose shed blood provides perfect and permanent atonement.
  • The Mediatorial Role of the Priesthood: Only "Aaron's sons," the consecrated priests, were permitted to handle the sacred blood and perform the ritual sprinkling. This highlights their unique role as mediators between a holy God and sinful humanity, performing the necessary acts for purification and reconciliation.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew term for "sprinkle" (zaraq) suggests a vigorous dashing or throwing of the blood, indicating a powerful and deliberate act, not a gentle sprinkling. This emphasizes the gravity and efficacy of the blood in the atonement process. The "altar" refers to the Brazen Altar of Burnt Offering, located in the Tabernacle (and later Temple) courtyard, where sacrifices were consumed by fire.

Practical Application and Significance

While the Old Testament sacrificial system has been fulfilled in Jesus Christ, Leviticus 1:11 offers timeless spiritual lessons:

  • Reverence and Obedience: The meticulous nature of these commands teaches us the importance of approaching God with reverence, obedience, and according to His revealed Word, not our own preferences.
  • Understanding Sin and Atonement: This verse helps us grasp the seriousness of sin and the immense cost required for its atonement. The shedding of innocent blood points directly to the perfect, singular sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, which satisfied God's righteous demands once for all.
  • Our Living Sacrifice: Believers are now called to present their bodies as "a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God" (Romans 12:1). Just as the burnt offering was wholly consumed, we are to offer our entire lives in dedication and worship to God, empowered by Christ's completed work.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Leviticus 1:5

    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 9:12

    And he slew the burnt offering; and Aaron's sons presented unto him the blood, which he sprinkled round about upon the altar.

  • Leviticus 9:14

    And he did wash the inwards and the legs, and burnt [them] upon the burnt offering on the altar.

  • Ezekiel 8:5

    Then said he unto me, Son of man, lift up thine eyes now the way toward the north. So I lifted up mine eyes the way toward the north, and behold northward at the gate of the altar this image of jealousy in the entry.

  • Leviticus 6:25

    Speak unto Aaron and to his sons, saying, This [is] the law of the sin offering: In the place where the burnt offering is killed shall the sin offering be killed before the LORD: it [is] most holy.

  • Leviticus 7:2

    In the place where they kill the burnt offering shall they kill the trespass offering: and the blood thereof shall he sprinkle round about upon the altar.

  • Leviticus 1:7

    And the sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire upon the altar, and lay the wood in order upon the fire:
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