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:

KJV (with Strong's)

And the priest {H3548} shall bring {H7126} it unto the altar {H4196}, and wring off {H4454} his head {H7218}, and burn {H6999} it on the altar {H4196}; and the blood {H1818} thereof shall be wrung out {H4680} at the side {H7023} of the altar {H4196}:

Complete Jewish Bible

The cohen is to bring it to the altar, snap off its head and make it go up in smoke on the altar; its blood is to be drained out on the side of the altar.

Berean Standard Bible

Then the priest shall bring it to the altar, twist off its head, and burn it on the altar; its blood should be drained out on the side of the altar.

American Standard Version

And the priest shall bring it unto the altar, and wring off its head, and burn it on the altar; and the blood thereof shall be drained out on the side of the altar;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 1:15 meticulously details the procedure for offering a bird as a burnt offering, a crucial provision within Israel's sacrificial system designed to ensure that even those of limited means could participate in atonement and worship. This verse outlines the priest's precise role in preparing the offering: wringing off the bird's head, burning its body on the altar, and carefully draining its blood at the altar's side. This intricate ritual underscores the sanctity of life, the necessity of a substitutionary sacrifice for sin, and God's profound grace in making a path for all to approach Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the opening chapter of the Book of Leviticus, which serves as a divine manual for Israel's worship and their approach to a holy God. Specifically, it falls within the detailed instructions for the 'olah or burnt offering, a sacrifice signifying complete dedication and atonement. Following the procedures for larger, more costly animals like bulls ([Leviticus 1:3-9](/leviticus/1-3 "Leviticus 1:3-9 - Burnt Offering of a Bull")) and sheep or goats ([Leviticus 1:10-13](/leviticus/1-10 "Leviticus 1:10-13 - Burnt Offering of a Sheep or Goat")), [Leviticus 1:14-17](/leviticus/1-14-17 "Leviticus 1:14-17 - Burnt Offering of a Bird") provides the specific regulations for bird offerings, typically turtledoves or young pigeons. This progression from larger to smaller animals demonstrates God's inclusive provision, ensuring that all Israelites, regardless of economic standing, could participate in the sacrificial system. The consistent theological thread across all these offerings is the necessity of a life given (symbolized by blood) and the complete consumption of the offering by fire, representing total surrender and acceptance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The rituals described in Leviticus were performed at the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary that symbolized God's dwelling presence among His people after the Exodus. In the ancient Near East, sacrifices were common, but Israel's system was distinct in its monotheistic focus, its emphasis on holiness, and its meticulous regulations for atonement and reconciliation. The provision for bird offerings, as highlighted in [Leviticus 1:14](/leviticus/1-14 "Leviticus 1:14 - Bird Offerings for the Poor"), was a compassionate and just concession for the poor, allowing those who could not afford a larger animal to still fulfill the requirements of the law and seek atonement. This underscores God's mercy, ensuring that access to His forgiveness and presence was not limited by wealth. The priest's role was paramount, acting as the divinely appointed intermediary who performed the precise actions necessary for the offering to be acceptable, emphasizing the need for mediation between a sinful people and a holy God. The distinct method of "wringing off the head" and draining the blood for birds, while different from the throat-slitting for larger animals, served the same essential purpose: to ensure the death of the sacrifice and the release of its life-blood, which was crucial for purification and atonement, as articulated in [Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - The Life is in the Blood").
* **Key Themes:** Leviticus 1:15 contributes significantly to several key themes within the book and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **Atonement and Reconciliation**, emphasizing that sin requires a life to be given in substitution for the offender. Secondly, it highlights **God's Holiness and the Necessity of Proper Approach**, demonstrating that access to God is not casual but requires specific, divinely ordained rituals and mediation by a consecrated priest. Thirdly, the provision for bird offerings underscores **God's Gracious Provision and Inclusivity**, revealing His desire for all people, regardless of their economic status, to be able to draw near to Him and receive forgiveness. Finally, the meticulous details of the ritual reinforce the theme of **Order and Divine Prescription**, showing that God demands obedience and precision in worship, reflecting His own perfect order and sovereignty.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wring off (Hebrew, _mâlaq'_):** This primitive root specifically describes the action of pinching or wringing the neck, often implying a severing, but without complete separation. For bird sacrifices, this was the divinely prescribed method of killing, distinct from the slitting of the throat used for larger animals. It signifies the violent taking of life, a necessary precursor to the shedding of blood for atonement. The precision of the term underscores the ritualistic nature and divine prescription of the act, ensuring the death of the substitute.
* **Burn (Hebrew, _qâṭar'_):** This verb specifically means "to cause to ascend in smoke," particularly in the context of burning sacrifices or incense. It emphasizes that the offering is consumed by fire, not merely destroyed, but transformed into smoke that rises to God. This action signifies the offering's acceptance by God as a "pleasing aroma" (cf. [Leviticus 1:9](/leviticus/1-9 "Leviticus 1:9 - A Pleasing Aroma to the Lord")), representing the complete dedication and consumption of the offering in God's presence. It is a ritual act of worship, not mere disposal.
* **Blood (Hebrew, _dâm'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to be silent" or "to cease," this noun refers to the life fluid of man or animal, often associated with death when shed. In the sacrificial system, blood is consistently identified as the seat of life. Its shedding and proper disposal were absolutely essential for the atonement process, symbolizing the life given in exchange for sin. The term underscores the gravity of sin and the cost of forgiveness, as well as the sanctity of life itself.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the priest shall bring it unto the altar,"**: This phrase highlights the crucial and exclusive role of the priest as the mediator. The individual bringing the offering could not perform the sacrifice themselves; it required the consecrated hands of the priest to present it before God at the designated holy place, the altar. This underscores the necessity of proper, divinely appointed mediation for sinful humanity to approach a holy God.
* **"and wring off his head,"**: This describes the specific, divinely ordained method for killing the bird for a burnt offering. The act of "wringing off" (or pinching/severing) the head ensures the death of the animal, a prerequisite for the shedding of its blood, which is central to the concept of atonement. It is a precise, ritualistic act, not a casual or arbitrary one, emphasizing the sacredness and severity of the sacrificial act.
* **"and burn [it] on the altar;"**: This signifies the complete consumption of the offering by fire on the altar, symbolizing total dedication and surrender to God. The act of burning transforms the physical offering into smoke that ascends, representing its acceptance by God as a "pleasing aroma." This part of the ritual emphasizes the offering's purpose as a gift wholly given to the Lord, consumed in His presence.
* **"and the blood thereof shall be wrung out at the side of the altar:"**: This is a critical detail emphasizing the sanctity and necessity of blood in the sacrificial system. The life of the creature is in its blood, and its complete draining at the altar's base signifies that a life has been given as a substitute for the life of the worshiper. This act of draining the blood is essential for the atonement process, making the offering efficacious for purification and reconciliation, and highlighting the divine principle that "the life of the flesh is in the blood" ([Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - The Life is in the Blood")).

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 1:15 employs several significant literary devices that enrich its theological meaning. **Symbolism** is paramount, with the bird itself symbolizing a substitute life offered for atonement, particularly accessible to the poor, highlighting God's mercy and inclusivity. The violent act of "wringing off the head" and the subsequent draining of blood are powerful symbols of the cost of sin – life for life – and the necessity of death for propitiation. The altar itself is a **symbol** of God's presence, holiness, and the designated place of reconciliation between a holy God and sinful humanity. The "burning" of the offering is **symbolic** of complete dedication and its ascent as a "pleasing aroma" to God, representing divine acceptance and the transformation of the offering into something acceptable to God. Furthermore, the entire sacrificial system, including this specific ritual, functions as **Typology**, foreshadowing the ultimate, perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The meticulous, prescribed nature of the ritual also embodies **Ritualistic Language**, emphasizing order, purity, and the sacredness of the encounter with God, while the contrast between the larger animal offerings and the bird offering highlights God's **Compassionate Provision**.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 1:15, though describing a specific ancient ritual, reveals profound theological truths about God's character and the nature of sin and atonement. It underscores God's gracious provision, ensuring that even the economically disadvantaged could participate in the sacrificial system, demonstrating that access to His mercy and forgiveness was not contingent on wealth but on a contrite heart and obedient faith. The meticulous detail concerning the handling of the bird and its blood emphasizes the gravity of sin, which demands a life, and the sanctity of blood as the means of atonement. This ritual, like all Old Testament sacrifices, pointed forward to a greater reality, establishing the foundational principle that "without shedding of blood is no remission" of sins, a truth that finds its ultimate expression in the New Covenant.
* [Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - The Life is in the Blood for Atonement")
* [Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Necessity of Blood for Remission")
* [Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25 - Christ as Propitiation by His Blood")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the Old Testament sacrificial system has been fulfilled in Christ, the principles embedded in Leviticus 1:15 remain profoundly relevant for believers today. This verse reminds us of God's boundless grace and His fervent desire for all people to draw near to Him, irrespective of their earthly status or material possessions. It powerfully underscores the immense cost of sin—a life—and the absolute necessity of a substitutionary sacrifice for atonement. We are called to reflect on the profound gravity of our own sin and the immeasurable love of God who, in His perfect wisdom, provided a perfect and complete sacrifice in Jesus. Our response should be one of humble gratitude, recognizing that our access to God is not earned through our own efforts, merits, or possessions, but is a free gift purchased by the precious, atoning blood of Christ. This profound truth should compel us to live lives of complete dedication and worship, offering ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, in response to His incomparable grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's provision for bird offerings for the poor in [Leviticus 1:15](/leviticus/1-15 "Leviticus 1:15 - Bird Burnt Offering") challenge our assumptions about accessibility to God's grace and forgiveness?**
* **What does the meticulous detail of the sacrificial ritual, particularly the handling of blood, teach us about the seriousness of sin and the indispensable cost of atonement?**
* **In what ways can we, as New Covenant believers, offer ourselves as "living sacrifices" in light of Christ's ultimate sacrifice, as described in [Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices")?**
* **How does understanding the Old Testament sacrificial system, exemplified by this verse, deepen our appreciation for the finished, once-for-all work of Jesus Christ on the cross?**

### FAQ
**Why was the head "wrung off" for birds, instead of slitting the throat like larger animals?**

Answer: The method of killing for bird offerings, specifically "wringing off" (or pinching/severing) the head, was a distinct ritualistic procedure prescribed by God for these smaller creatures. While different from the throat-slitting method used for larger animals, it served the same essential purpose: to take the life of the sacrifice and ensure the release of its blood. This distinction likely accommodated the practicalities of handling smaller birds at the altar, while maintaining the theological principle that the shedding of blood (representing life) was necessary for atonement. It underscores the divine precision and specificity required in all aspects of the sacrificial system, demonstrating God's meticulous attention to every detail of worship and atonement.

**What is the significance of the blood being "wrung out at the side of the altar"?**

Answer: The draining of the blood at the side or base of the altar was a crucial part of the sacrificial ritual, emphasizing the profound theological significance of blood in the Old Covenant. In the ancient Israelite worldview, blood represented life itself (as explicitly stated in [Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - The Life is in the Blood for Atonement")). Therefore, the shedding and proper disposal of the blood symbolized that a life had been given in exchange for the life of the worshiper, serving as the means of atonement and purification. The altar was the sacred place where reconciliation between God and humanity occurred, and the blood, as the life-giving essence, was consecrated to God there, highlighting the gravity of sin and the divine provision for forgiveness. This act underscored that atonement required the giving of a life, represented by its blood.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 1:15, with its detailed instructions for the bird burnt offering, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The humble bird, offered as a substitute for the poor, powerfully foreshadows the Lamb of God who, though divine, took on the form of a servant and became poor for our sakes ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Poverty for Our Riches")). The violent act of "wringing off the head" and the subsequent draining of blood profoundly prefigure Christ's sacrificial death on the cross, where His life was violently taken and His precious blood shed for the remission of sins ([Matthew 26:28](/matthew/26-28 "Matthew 26:28 - Blood of the New Covenant")). Just as the bird's body was "burned on the altar" as a pleasing aroma, signifying complete dedication and acceptance by God, so too was Christ's sacrifice a perfect, once-for-all offering, wholly acceptable and fragrant to God the Father ([Ephesians 5:2](/ephesians/5-2 "Ephesians 5:2 - Christ's Sacrificial Love")). His blood, poured out at Calvary, is the true and eternal means of atonement, cleansing us from all sin and granting us direct, unhindered access to God's presence, rendering the elaborate rituals of Leviticus obsolete for those who believe ([Hebrews 9:12-14](/hebrews/9-12-14 "Hebrews 9:12-14 - Christ's Blood for Eternal Redemption")). Thus, the humble bird offering stands as a poignant type, pointing forward to the infinitely more precious sacrifice of Christ, who truly takes away the sin of the world and is the ultimate Lamb of God ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 53:10

¶ Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put [him] to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see [his] seed, he shall prolong [his] days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

Leviticus 5:8

And he shall bring them unto the priest, who shall offer [that] which [is] for the sin offering first, and wring off his head from his neck, but shall not divide [it] asunder:

Leviticus 5:9

And he shall sprinkle of the blood of the sin offering upon the side of the altar; and the rest of the blood shall be wrung out at the bottom of the altar: it [is] a sin offering.

1 John 2:27

But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

Isaiah 53:4

¶ Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

Isaiah 53:5

But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Psalms 22:1

¶ To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? [why art thou so] far from helping me, [and from] the words of my roaring?