TRV
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Leviticus 1:10–17.
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.
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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 1:13) 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, 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, 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 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
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.
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.
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 and Leviticus 1:13), 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.
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), 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
FAQ
Why was the bird "cleaved... but not divided asunder"?
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?
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.
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). 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), 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). 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).