Leviticus 1:17

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he shall cleave {H8156} it with the wings {H3671} thereof, but shall not divide it asunder {H914}: and the priest {H3548} shall burn {H6999} it upon the altar {H4196}, upon the wood {H6086} that is upon the fire {H784}: it is a burnt sacrifice {H5930}, an offering made by fire {H801}, of a sweet {H5207} savour {H7381} unto the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He is to pull it open with a wing on each side, but without tearing it in half. The cohen is to make it go up in smoke on the altar, on the wood which is on the fire, as a burnt offering; it is an offering made by fire, a fragrant aroma for ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

He shall tear it open by its wings, without dividing the bird completely. And the priest is to burn it on the altar atop the burning wood. It is a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

American Standard Version

and he shall rend it by 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-offering, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 1:17 concludes the meticulous instructions for the bird burnt offering, detailing the precise method of preparing and burning the turtledove or young pigeon. The priest is commanded to cleave the bird with its wings, yet without completely dividing it asunder, before burning it entirely upon the altar. This act, when performed according to God's specific commands, is described as "a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD," signifying divine acceptance, pleasure, and the efficacy of the complete dedication and atonement provided through this accessible offering.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 1:17 is the final verse in the detailed regulations for the burnt offering (`'olah`), which serves as the foundational sacrifice in the Israelite cultic system. Chapter 1 systematically progresses from the most costly offerings—cattle (Leviticus 1:3-9)—to more accessible options like sheep or goats (Leviticus 1:10-13), culminating in the provision for bird offerings (Leviticus 1:14-17). This progression underscores God's gracious provision, ensuring that individuals from all socioeconomic strata could participate in the sacrificial system and seek atonement. The burnt offering's defining characteristic, emphasized throughout the chapter, is the complete consumption of the animal by fire on the altar, symbolizing total dedication and expiation for general sinfulness. The repeated phrase "a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD" (e.g., [Leviticus 1:9](/leviticus/1-9 "Leviticus 1:9 - A Sweet Savor to the LORD"), [Leviticus 1:13](/leviticus/1-13 "Leviticus 1:13 - A Sweet Savor to the LORD")) highlights the divine acceptance and pleasure derived from properly performed worship.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The instructions in Leviticus were delivered by God to Moses at Mount Sinai, shortly after the Exodus from Egypt, as the Israelites were journeying through the wilderness and establishing their covenant relationship with Yahweh. The Tabernacle, a portable sanctuary, served as the central hub for worship, where consecrated priests, such as Aaron and his sons, performed their sacred duties as mediators. While sacrificial systems were prevalent across the Ancient Near East, Israel's system was distinct due to its divine origin, its ethical framework, and its focus on atonement, holiness, and a relationship with a singular, righteous God, rather than appeasing multiple capricious deities. The burnt offering, symbolizing complete surrender and expiation for general sinfulness, was a cornerstone. The inclusion of bird offerings, specifically turtledoves or young pigeons, as detailed in [Leviticus 1:14](/leviticus/1-14 "Leviticus 1:14 - Bird Offerings for the Poor"), demonstrates God's profound compassion and justice. This provision ensured that poverty would not be a barrier to approaching God and receiving atonement, a radical concept that emphasized God's desire for relationship with all His people, regardless of their economic status.

* **Key Themes:** Leviticus 1:17 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it reinforces the theme of **Atonement and Reconciliation**, providing a divinely ordained means for sinful humanity to approach a holy God and receive forgiveness. The complete consumption of the offering underscores the totality of the expiation. Secondly, the verse highlights **Divine Acceptance and Pleasure**, encapsulated in the phrase "sweet savour unto the LORD." This signifies that God is not merely appeased by ritual but genuinely delights in worship performed according to His commands and from a heart of true dedication. Thirdly, the provision for bird offerings, emphasized in [Leviticus 1:14-17](/leviticus/1-14-17 "Leviticus 1:14-17 - Bird Burnt Offering Regulations"), powerfully conveys God's **Accessibility and Impartiality**, demonstrating that His path to forgiveness was open to all, regardless of their economic standing. Finally, the meticulousness of the instructions throughout [Leviticus 1](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - The Burnt Offering") underscores the **Holiness of God** and the seriousness required in approaching Him, yet always balanced with His boundless mercy and provision for His people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **cleave (Hebrew, _shâçaʻ'_ H8156):** This primitive root means "to split or tear." In the context of Leviticus 1:17, it describes the action of the priest tearing open the bird. The crucial nuance is that the bird is to be cleaved "with the wings thereof, [but] shall not divide [it] asunder." This indicates a partial separation, an opening that exposes the interior for thorough burning, while maintaining a certain structural integrity or symbolic wholeness of the offering. It is not a complete dismemberment, but rather a precise incision to facilitate complete combustion.
* **burnt sacrifice (Hebrew, _ʻôlâh'_ H5930):** Derived from the root meaning "to ascend" or "to go up," the _'olah_ was unique among Israelite sacrifices because the entire animal, after specific preparations, was consumed by fire on the altar. This complete consumption symbolized the worshipper's total dedication and surrender to God, with the smoke ascending as a representation of the offering reaching God. It was primarily an offering of atonement for general sinfulness, symbolizing a complete consecration of the worshipper to God, as the whole offering "went up" to Him.
* **sweet savour (Hebrew, _nîychôwach'_ H5207):** This term, also translated as "restful fragrance" or "soothing aroma," is far more than a mere sensory description. It signifies God's satisfaction, approval, and acceptance of the offering. When an offering was a "sweet savour unto the LORD," it meant that it was performed according to His commands, with the proper heart, and thus achieved its intended purpose—bringing pleasure and contentment to God, fulfilling His righteous requirements, and effecting reconciliation. It conveys the idea that the sacrifice brought divine rest and delight.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he shall cleave it with the wings thereof, [but] shall not divide [it] asunder":** This instruction provides precise details for the preparation of the bird offering. The priest was commanded to tear open the bird, specifically "with the wings thereof," implying that the wings were to remain attached. The critical prohibition "but shall not divide [it] asunder" indicates that the bird was not to be completely separated into two distinct halves. This ensured that the internal organs were exposed for complete consumption by fire, while simultaneously preserving the symbolic unity and integrity of the offering as a single, whole sacrifice presented to God.
* **"and the priest shall burn it upon the altar, upon the wood that [is] upon the fire":** This clause specifies both the agent and the location of the sacrifice. The priest, acting as God's consecrated minister, was solely responsible for placing the prepared bird on the altar. The explicit mention of "the wood that [is] upon the fire" emphasizes that the offering was to be consumed by an already established flame, symbolizing the divine fire of judgment and acceptance. The complete burning signifies the totality of the offering and its ascent to God, highlighting the transformative power of the sacrificial act.
* **"it [is] a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.":** This concluding declaration identifies the nature and divine reception of the offering. It reiterates that this bird offering is indeed an _'olah_, a "burnt sacrifice," signifying its complete consumption by fire and its purpose of total dedication and atonement. The crucial element is its description as "of a sweet savour unto the LORD." This signifies that the offering, performed correctly and with the right heart, was fully acceptable to God, bringing Him pleasure, and achieving its intended purpose of atonement and reconciliation for the worshipper, thereby restoring fellowship.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 1:17 employs several literary devices that enhance its meaning and underscore its theological significance. **Precision and Detail** are paramount, as the verse provides meticulous, step-by-step instructions for the handling and presentation of the bird offering. This exactitude emphasizes the sacredness of the ritual and the seriousness required in approaching a holy God, leaving no room for human improvisation and highlighting divine authority. **Symbolism** is deeply embedded, particularly in the act of burning the entire offering. The complete consumption by fire symbolizes the worshipper's total dedication and surrender to God, as well as the complete atonement for sin. The ascending smoke serves as a powerful visual representation of the offering reaching God. Furthermore, the phrase "sweet savour unto the LORD" functions as a profound **Metaphor** for divine acceptance and pleasure, transforming a physical aroma into a spiritual reality of God's favorable reception and contentment. The **Repetition** of this significant phrase, "a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD," throughout Leviticus 1 (e.g., [Leviticus 1:9](/leviticus/1-9 "Leviticus 1:9 - A Sweet Savor to the LORD") and [Leviticus 1:13](/leviticus/1-13 "Leviticus 1:13 - A Sweet Savor to the LORD")), reinforces its theological centrality, indicating that the prescribed manner of the offering and its divine acceptance are foundational to the entire sacrificial system.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 1:17, while seemingly a minor detail within the broader sacrificial system, encapsulates profound theological truths about God's character, the nature of sin, and humanity's pathway to reconciliation. It underscores the absolute necessity of atonement for sin and God's gracious provision of a divinely appointed means for that reconciliation. The concept of a "sweet savour" reveals that God is not merely appeased by ritualistic performance but genuinely accepts and is pleased by worship that adheres to His commands and flows from a heart of true dedication and surrender. This verse also highlights God's remarkable accessibility, demonstrating that His path to forgiveness was open to all, regardless of their economic standing, thereby emphasizing His impartial love and fervent desire for all His people to draw near. The meticulousness of the instructions further emphasizes God's holiness and the solemnity required in approaching Him, yet this is always balanced with the profound mercy and grace inherent in His provision for atonement.

* [Leviticus 1:4](/leviticus/1-4 "Leviticus 1:4 - Purpose of the Burnt Offering")
* [Exodus 29:18](/exodus/29-18 "Exodus 29:18 - A Sweet Aroma to the LORD")
* [Philippians 4:18](/philippians/4-18 "Philippians 4:18 - Our Gifts as a Sweet-Smelling Sacrifice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the Old Testament sacrificial system, including the burnt offering, served as a profound shadow pointing to the ultimate reality found in Jesus Christ, the enduring principles embedded in Leviticus 1:17 remain profoundly relevant for believers today. The concept of a "sweet savour" challenges us to consider the quality and sincerity of our "offering" to God—not its material value, but the heart and intention behind it. Just as God graciously accepted the small bird offering from the poor, He values our complete dedication, even when our resources, talents, or abilities seem modest. Our lives are to be "living sacrifices" ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices")), wholly given to Him, not partially withheld or fragmented. This means offering our time, talents, resources, and even our weaknesses and vulnerabilities, allowing God's refining fire to consume what is impure and transform us into something truly pleasing to Him. The instruction to "cleave it... but shall not divide it asunder" can metaphorically remind us that while we must expose our inner lives to God for purification and scrutiny, our dedication should remain unified and wholehearted, reflecting an undivided commitment rather than a fragmented or half-hearted devotion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of a "sweet savour" challenge my understanding of what truly constitutes acceptable worship or service to God in my daily life?**
* **In what practical ways can I offer my "whole self" to God as a "living sacrifice" today, even when my efforts feel incomplete or imperfect?**
* **How does God's compassionate provision for the poor in the sacrificial system (allowing bird offerings) deepen my appreciation for His grace, accessibility, and impartiality toward all people?**

### FAQ
**Why was the bird "cleaved... but not divided asunder"?**

Answer: This specific instruction served both practical and symbolic purposes within the ritual of the burnt offering. Practically, cleaving the bird without completely separating it into two distinct halves allowed for the thorough exposure of its internal organs, ensuring that the entire offering could be consumed by fire, which was characteristic of a complete burnt offering. Symbolically, maintaining a certain wholeness or integrity, even while exposing the interior, might have been intended to prevent the offering from being scattered or appearing dismembered beyond recognition, thereby preserving its identity as a unified, whole sacrifice. It ensured complete combustion while maintaining the visual and symbolic integrity of the offering as a single entity presented to God.

**What does "sweet savour unto the LORD" truly mean?**

Answer: The phrase "sweet savour unto the LORD" (Hebrew: _nîychôwach_) is a profound theological expression, far beyond a mere literal description of a pleasant smell. It signifies God's divine acceptance, approval, and satisfaction with the offering. When an offering was described as a "sweet savour," it meant that it met God's righteous requirements, was performed precisely according to His commands, and achieved its intended purpose of atonement and reconciliation. It implies that God was pleased with the act of worship and the heart of the worshipper, finding rest and contentment in the fulfillment of His covenant stipulations. This concept is beautifully echoed in the New Testament, where Christ's sacrifice is called a "fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" in [Ephesians 5:2](/ephesians/5-2 "Ephesians 5:2 - Christ's Sacrifice as a Fragrant Offering").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 1:17, with its meticulous instructions for the bird burnt offering and its designation as "a sweet savour unto the LORD," finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The entire Old Testament sacrificial system, including the burnt offering, was a profound foreshadowing of the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice of Christ. Just as the burnt offering symbolized complete dedication and provided atonement, Jesus offered Himself completely and without blemish on the cross, becoming the ultimate "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). His sacrifice was not merely an act of obedience but was uniquely acceptable to God, described in the New Testament as a "fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" ([Ephesians 5:2](/ephesians/5-2 "Ephesians 5:2 - Christ's Sacrifice as a Fragrant Offering")), directly echoing the "sweet savour" of the Old Testament. Unlike the animal sacrifices, which had to be repeated continually, Christ's single, perfect offering perfected for all time those who are being sanctified ([Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10-14 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). Through His complete self-giving, symbolized by the total consumption of the burnt offering, Jesus fully satisfied God's righteous demands, making true atonement and providing direct access to God not through animal blood, but through His own precious blood, establishing a new and living way for all who believe ([Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19-20 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - Access to God Through Christ")).

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

Genesis 15:10

And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not.

Hebrews 10:6

In burnt offerings and [sacrifices] for sin thou hast had no pleasure.

Hebrews 10:12

But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

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.

Leviticus 1:10

¶ 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.

1 Peter 1:19

But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

1 Peter 1:21

Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.