What number verse is Leviticus 1:15 in the Bible?

Leviticus 1:15 is the 2,761st verse of the Bible. Counting straight through the King James canon — all 31,102 verses from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 — Leviticus 1:15 sits at position 2,761.

Translation

King James Version

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:

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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:

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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.

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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.

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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;

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World English Bible Messianic

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

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Geneva Bible (1599)

And the Priest shall bring it vnto the altar, and wring the necke of it asunder, and burne it on the altar: and the blood thereof shall bee shed vpon the side of the altar.

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Young's Literal Translation

and the priest hath brought it near unto the altar, and hath wrung off its head, and hath made perfume on the altar, and its blood hath been wrung out by the side of the altar;

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Study This Verse

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) and sheep or goats (Leviticus 1:10-13), Leviticus 1:14-17 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, 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.
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', H4454): 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', H6999): 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" (Leviticus 1:9), 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', H1818): 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).

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.

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 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?
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). 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). 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). 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). 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). 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).

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Commentary on Leviticus 1 verses 10–17

10 ¶ And if his offering be of the flocks, namely, of the sheep, or of the goats, for a burnt sacrifice; he shall bring it a male without blemish.

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.

12 And he shall cut it into his pieces, with his head and his fat: and the priest shall lay them in order on the wood that is on the fire which is upon the altar:

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.

14 And if the burnt sacrifice for his offering to the LORD be of fowls, then he shall bring his offering of turtledoves, or of young pigeons.

15 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:

16 And he shall pluck away his crop with his feathers, and cast it beside the altar on the east part, by the place of the ashes:

17 And he shall cleave it with the wings thereof, but shall not divide it asunder: and the priest shall burn it upon the altar, upon the wood that is upon the fire: it is a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.

Here we have the laws concerning the burnt-offerings, which were of the flock or of the fowls. Those of the middle rank, that could not well afford to offer a bullock, would bring a sheep or a goat; and those that were not able to do that should be accepted of God if they brought a turtle-dove or a pigeon. For God, in his law and in his gospel, as well as in his providence, considers the poor. It is observable that those creatures were chosen for sacrifice which were most mild and gentle, harmless and inoffensive, to typify the innocence and meekness that were in Christ, and to teach the innocence and meekness that should be in Christians. Directions are here given, 1. Concerning the burnt-offerings of the flock, Lev 1:10. The method of managing these is much the same with that of the bullocks; only it is ordered here that the sacrifice should be killed on the side of the altar northward, which, though mentioned here only, was probably to be observed concerning the former, and other sacrifices. Perhaps on that side of the altar there was the largest vacant space, and room for the priests to turn them in. It was of old observed that fair weather comes out of the north, and that the north wind drives away rain; and by these sacrifices the storms of God's wrath are scattered, and the light of God's countenance is obtained, which is more pleasant than the brightest fairest weather. 2. Concerning those of the fowls. They must be either turtle-doves (and, if so, "they must be old turtles," say the Jews), or pigeons, and, if so, they must be young pigeons. What was most acceptable at men's tables must be brought to God's altar. In the offering of these fowls, (1.) The head must be wrung off, "quite off," say some; others think only pinched, so as to kill the bird, and yet leave the head hanging to the body. But it seems more likely that it was to be quite separated, for it was to be burnt first. (2.) The blood was to be wrung out at the side of the altar. (3.) The garbages with the feathers were to be thrown by upon the dunghill. (4.) The body was to be opened, sprinkled with salt, and then burnt upon the altar. "This sacrifice of birds," the Jews say, "was one of the most difficult services the priests had to do," to teach those that minister in holy things to be as solicitous for the salvation of the poor as for that of the rich, and that the services of the poor are as acceptable to God, if they come from an upright heart, as the services of the rich, for he accepts according to what a man hath, and not according to what he hath not, Co2 8:12. The poor man's turtle-doves, or young pigeons, are here said to be an offering of a sweet-smelling savour, as much as that of an ox or bullock that hath horns or hoofs. Yet, after all, to love God with all our heart, and to love our neighbour as ourselves, is better than all burnt-offerings and sacrifices, Mar 12:33.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 10–17. Public domain.

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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.

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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?