Leviticus 1:13

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 savour unto the LORD.

But he shall wash ^{H7364} the inwards ^{H7130} and the legs ^{H3767} with water ^{H4325}: and the priest ^{H3548} shall bring ^{H7126} it all, and burn ^{H6999} it upon the altar ^{H4196}: it is a burnt sacrifice ^{H5930}, an offering made by fire ^{H801}, of a sweet ^{H5207} savour ^{H7381} unto the LORD ^{H3068}.

He is to wash the entrails and lower parts of the legs with water; and the cohen is to offer it all and make it go up in smoke on the altar as a burnt offering; it is an offering made by fire, a fragrant aroma for ADONAI.

The entrails and legs must be washed with water, and the priest shall bring all of it and burn it on the altar; it is a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

but the inwards and the legs shall he wash with water. And the priest shall offer the whole, and burn it upon the altar: it is a burnt-offering, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto Jehovah.

Commentary

Context of Leviticus 1:13

Leviticus 1:13 is part of the detailed instructions for the burnt offering (Leviticus 1:3-17), which was the most common and comprehensive of the sacrifices in ancient Israel. This particular verse specifies a step in preparing an offering from the flock (sheep or goat). The burnt offering, or 'olah in Hebrew, was unique because the entire animal (except for the skin, which went to the priest) was consumed by fire on the altar, symbolizing complete dedication and atonement for general sin. These rituals were essential for maintaining the covenant relationship between God and His people, demonstrating the seriousness of sin and the need for purity and propitiation.

Key Themes and Messages

Purity and Wholeness: The command to "wash the inwards and the legs with water" emphasizes the necessity of internal and external purity in approaching God. It signifies a thorough cleansing, ensuring that every part of the offering, representing the offerer, is presented without blemish or impurity. This act underscores the holiness of God and the requirement for His worshippers to be clean.
Total Dedication: The burning of "it all... upon the altar" symbolizes complete surrender and devotion to the LORD. Unlike other offerings where portions were eaten by priests or offerers, the burnt offering was entirely consumed by fire, signifying that the offering was wholly given to God.
Acceptance and Divine Pleasure: The phrase "of a sweet savour unto the LORD" indicates God's acceptance of the sacrifice. When an offering was presented according to His commands and with the right heart, it was pleasing to Him, signifying that atonement had been made and the relationship restored.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "sweet savour" translates from the Hebrew `reah nihoah` (רֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ), which literally means "soothing aroma" or "pleasing odor." This expression is used throughout the Old Testament to describe sacrifices that are acceptable and pleasing to God, not because God literally smells the smoke, but because the offering, made in obedience and faith, fulfills His requirements for atonement and fellowship. It signifies divine approval and satisfaction, indicating that the offering has achieved its purpose.

Practical Application

While the Old Testament sacrificial system has been fulfilled by Christ, the principles behind Leviticus 1:13 remain profoundly relevant for believers today:

The Ultimate Sacrifice: This verse foreshadows the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who "gave himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour" (Ephesians 5:2). His offering was complete, pure, and eternally pleasing to God, providing ultimate atonement for sin.
Purity in Worship: The washing of the inwards and legs reminds us that God desires not just outward acts of worship, but also internal purity and integrity. We are called to offer ourselves as "living sacrifices, holy, acceptable unto God" (Romans 12:1), striving for a cleansed heart and life.
Total Dedication: The burnt offering's complete consumption by fire encourages believers to offer their whole selves to God – their time, talents, resources, and very lives – in total dedication and surrender, knowing that such offerings are pleasing to Him through Christ.

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Cross-References

Leviticus 1:9

But his inwards and his legs shall he wash in water: and the priest shall burn all on the altar, [to be] a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.