Leviticus 1:5

KJV

And he shall kill the bullock before the LORD: and the priests, Aaron's sons, shall bring the blood, and sprinkle the blood round about upon the altar that [is by] the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he shall kill {H7819} the bullock {H1121}{H1241} before {H6440} the LORD {H3068}: and the priests {H3548}, Aaron's {H175} sons {H1121}, shall bring {H7126} the blood {H1818}, and sprinkle {H2236} the blood {H1818} round about {H5439} upon the altar {H4196} that is by the door {H6607} of the tabernacle {H168} of the congregation {H4150}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He is to slaughter the young bull before ADONAI ; and the sons of Aharon, the cohanim, are to present the blood. They are to splash the blood against all sides of the altar, which is by the entrance to the tent of meeting.

Berean Standard Bible

And he shall slaughter the young bull before the LORD, and Aaron’s sons the priests are to present the blood and sprinkle it on all sides of the altar at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.

American Standard Version

And he shall kill the bullock before Jehovah: and Aaron’s sons, the priests, shall present the blood, and sprinkle the blood round about upon the altar that is at the door of the tent of meeting.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 1:5 meticulously details the initial steps of the burnt offering ritual, specifically the worshiper's act of slaughtering the bullock and the priests' subsequent handling and application of its blood. This verse is foundational to understanding the Israelite sacrificial system, underscoring the gravity of sin, the divine requirement for a substitutionary death, and the indispensable role of priestly mediation in facilitating atonement and reconciliation between a holy God and a sinful humanity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a crucial component within the detailed instructions for the `olah`, or burnt offering, outlined in [Leviticus 1](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - The Burnt Offering"). It immediately follows the worshiper's presentation of an unblemished animal at the Tabernacle door and the symbolic act of laying hands on its head ([Leviticus 1:3-4](/leviticus/1-3-4 "Leviticus 1:3-4 - Presentation and Identification of the Offering")), which signifies identification with the sacrifice and the transfer of sin. The actions described in [Leviticus 1:5](/leviticus/1-5 "Leviticus 1:5 - Killing and Blood Application")—the killing of the animal and the precise handling of its blood—are critical preparatory steps that precede the dismemberment, washing, and complete burning of the offering on the altar ([Leviticus 1:6-9](/leviticus/1-6-9 "Leviticus 1:6-9 - Preparation and Burning of the Offering")). The burnt offering, uniquely characterized by its complete consumption by fire (with the exception of the hide), served as a powerful symbol of total dedication, surrender, and comprehensive atonement for sin, thereby establishing the fundamental principles for all subsequent sacrificial laws delineated throughout the book of [Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus - The Book of Holiness").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting for this intricate ritual is the Tabernacle, God's portable sanctuary that accompanied the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings after the Exodus from Egypt. The phrase "before the LORD" emphasizes the tangible and awesome presence of Yahweh at the Tabernacle, marking it as the exclusive and central locus for national worship and divine encounter. The "bullock," a young bull, represented a significant and costly offering, typically brought by wealthier individuals or designated for communal sacrifices, thereby underscoring the substantial expense and profound dedication inherent in approaching God. The precise location, "the altar that [is by] the door of the tabernacle of the congregation," refers to the large bronze altar of burnt offering situated prominently in the outer courtyard of the Tabernacle ([Exodus 40:6](/exodus/40-6 "Exodus 40:6 - Placement of the Bronze Altar")). This altar was the primary site for all animal sacrifices, where the life of an innocent animal was given in exchange for the life of the worshiper, vividly illustrating the severe gravity of sin and the divine imperative for a blood sacrifice to achieve atonement and grant access to God's holy presence.
* **Key Themes:** Leviticus 1:5 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of [Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus - The Book of Holiness") and the broader Pentateuch. Central among these is the theme of **Holiness**, as the meticulous instructions for the sacrifice underscore God's absolute purity and the necessity for a holy approach. The verse highlights **Atonement**, revealing that reconciliation with God is achieved through the shedding of blood, where the life of the animal is offered as a substitute for the life of the sinner ([Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - The Life is in the Blood")). It also emphasizes the theme of **Mediation**, as the consecrated priests, "Aaron's sons," are uniquely authorized to handle the sacred blood and perform the ritual application, acting as intermediaries between God and the people. Furthermore, the act of offering a costly "bullock" speaks to the theme of **Costly Worship** and **Total Devotion**, signifying that true worship involves a significant personal investment and complete surrender to God. These themes collectively prepare the worshiper to understand the profound spiritual realities behind the rituals and the ultimate need for a perfect sacrifice.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Kill (Hebrew, _shâchaṭ'_):** This verb (H7819) refers to the ritualistic slaughter of an animal, specifically for sacrificial purposes. It denotes a precise and deliberate act, distinct from mere killing, emphasizing the sacred nature of the act and the careful adherence to divine instruction required for the offering to be acceptable. The worshiper, not the priest, performed this act, signifying personal involvement and identification with the sacrifice.
* **Blood (Hebrew, _dâm'_):** In ancient Israelite thought, blood (H1818) was considered the very essence of life, as explicitly stated in [Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - The Life is in the Blood"). Its central role in the sacrificial system was paramount, serving as the vehicle for atonement. The shedding of blood symbolized the giving of a life in place of another, making reconciliation possible.
* **Sprinkle (Hebrew, _zâraq'_):** This term (H2236) implies a vigorous tossing or flinging of the blood, rather than a gentle dripping or smearing. The priests were to "sprinkle" the blood "round about upon the altar," indicating a comprehensive and forceful application. This action underscored the sacredness and potency of the blood, ensuring its full efficacy in purifying and consecrating the altar, thereby making the offering wholly acceptable to the LORD.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he shall kill the bullock before the LORD:"**: This phrase designates the worshiper as the one personally responsible for the ritual slaughter of the animal. This direct, personal act underscored the individual's direct involvement in the sacrifice, acknowledging their sin and the urgent need for atonement. The act takes place "before the LORD," emphasizing God's omnipresent holiness and the profound solemnity of the encounter at the Tabernacle, where His presence was uniquely manifested.
* **"and the priests, Aaron's sons, shall bring the blood,"**: Once the animal is killed and its life (blood) poured out, the sacred duty of handling and transporting the blood falls exclusively to the consecrated priests, who were the direct descendants of Aaron. This highlights their indispensable role as divinely appointed mediators between God and humanity, uniquely authorized to perform the holy rites and handle the most sacred and potent element of the offering.
* **"and sprinkle the blood round about upon the altar"**: The priests were commanded to vigorously toss or fling the blood onto all sides of the large bronze altar. This comprehensive application signified a complete and thorough act of purification and consecration, ensuring that the entire altar—which represented God's presence and the designated place of reconciliation—was fully covered by the atoning blood. This action underscored the pervasive power of the blood to cleanse and make holy.
* **"that [is by] the door of the tabernacle of the congregation."**: This precise geographical marker identifies the specific altar used for the burnt offering—the large bronze altar situated in the outer courtyard of the Tabernacle. Its strategic placement "by the door" signified that atonement through sacrifice was the necessary gateway, the foundational prerequisite, for the congregation to approach and commune with the holy God dwelling within the innermost sanctuary of the Tabernacle.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 1:5 is rich in **Symbolism** and functions as a foundational element within a larger **Ritual** framework. The "bullock" itself symbolizes a costly, unblemished, and valuable offering, representing the worshiper's most precious possession given completely to God. The "blood" is the most potent symbol, representing life itself and serving as the primary agent of atonement and purification, emphasizing the gravity of sin and the necessity of a life given in exchange. The "altar" symbolizes God's holy presence and the designated place where reconciliation occurs through the prescribed means. The specific actions described—killing, bringing, and sprinkling—are not merely practical steps but highly symbolic gestures within a divinely ordained **Ritual**. This ritualized sequence underscores the order, precision, and seriousness required in approaching a holy God. Furthermore, the entire sacrificial system, including the specific details of this verse, serves as profound **Foreshadowing**, pointing forward to the ultimate, perfect, and once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose blood would truly atone for the sins of the world.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 1:5 profoundly establishes the foundational theological principle that atonement for sin requires the shedding of blood. The life of the animal, represented by its blood, is given in substitution for the life of the worshiper, highlighting the gravity of sin and the divine demand for a penalty. This verse also underscores the necessity of priestly mediation in approaching God, as only the consecrated priests could handle the sacred blood and perform the ritual application. The meticulous precision of the instructions emphasizes God's holiness and the absolute necessity of obedience in worship. These Old Testament rituals, while effective for their time, were never intended to be an end in themselves but served as a divinely ordained pedagogical system, pointing forward to a greater, more perfect sacrifice that would ultimately fulfill their purpose.

* [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 - Remission of Sins Through Blood")
* [Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25 - Christ as Propitiation by His Blood")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 1:5, though describing an ancient ritual, offers profound insights for contemporary believers. It confronts us with the unyielding reality of God's holiness and the immense gravity of sin, which demands a life for a life. The precision and solemnity of the Old Testament sacrifices should evoke a deep reverence for God and a profound appreciation for the immense cost of redemption. While we no longer offer animal sacrifices, this verse powerfully reminds us that our access to God is not casual or earned, but secured through a costly, substitutionary sacrifice. It calls us to reflect on the completed work of Christ, whose perfect blood has fulfilled all the requirements of the law, granting us direct and confident access to God's presence. Our worship, therefore, should be marked by gratitude, humility, and a recognition of the immeasurable grace extended to us through the ultimate sacrifice. It compels us to live lives of thankful obedience, understanding the profound cost of our redemption.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the precision of the Levitical rituals deepen your understanding of God's holiness and the seriousness of sin?**
* **What does the handling of the blood by the priests teach us about the sacredness of life and the necessity of mediation in approaching God?**
* **In what ways does this Old Testament practice inform your appreciation for the "one-time" and perfect sacrifice of Christ?**

### FAQ
**Why was the bullock killed by "he" (the worshiper) but the blood handled by "the priests"?**

Answer: The division of labor in [Leviticus 1:5](/leviticus/1-5 "Leviticus 1:5 - Killing and Blood Application") highlights distinct yet complementary aspects of the sacrificial process. The worshiper's act of killing the bullock symbolized personal identification with the sacrifice and the acknowledgment of their sin, emphasizing their direct responsibility for the offering and the understanding that their sin deserved death. However, the handling of the sacred blood and its application to the altar was a highly ritualized and consecrated act, reserved exclusively for the priests, "Aaron's sons." This priestly role underscored their unique function as divinely appointed mediators between God and the people, ensuring ritual purity and the proper execution of divine commands in worship. This setup emphasized both personal accountability and the necessity of divinely appointed mediation to approach a holy God.

**What is the significance of "sprinkling the blood round about upon the altar"?**

Answer: The vigorous "sprinkling" (Hebrew: _zâraq_) of the blood, rather than a gentle application, indicated a comprehensive and forceful act. Applying it "round about upon the altar" symbolized that the entire altar, which represented God's presence and the place of reconciliation, was consecrated and cleansed by the life-giving blood. This thorough application ensured the offering was fully acceptable to the LORD and that the atonement was complete. It signified a pervasive purification and dedication, making the sacred space fit for divine encounter and emphasizing the holistic nature of the atonement provided through the sacrifice, as seen in passages like [Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - The Life is in the Blood for Atonement").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 1:5, with its vivid depiction of a substitutionary blood sacrifice and priestly mediation, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the unblemished "bullock," the perfect [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), whose life was given "before the LORD" on the cross. Unlike the repeated animal sacrifices that could only temporarily cover sins, Christ's death was a "once for all" offering ([Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Christ's Once for All Sacrifice")), rendering all subsequent animal sacrifices obsolete. As both the spotless sacrifice and the eternal High Priest, Jesus "sprinkled" His own precious blood, not on an earthly altar, but on the heavenly one, securing an eternal redemption ([Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's Eternal Redemption")). His blood speaks a "better word" than the blood of Abel ([Hebrews 12:24](/hebrews/12-24 "Hebrews 12:24 - The Sprinkled Blood of Jesus")), not crying for vengeance, but proclaiming forgiveness and reconciliation. Through His shed blood, the veil separating humanity from God's most holy presence was torn from top to bottom ([Matthew 27:51](/matthew/27-51 "Matthew 27:51 - The Torn Veil")), granting believers direct and confident access to the Father ([Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19-22 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Confidence to Enter the Holy Place")). The precision and gravity of the Levitical ritual thus serve to magnify the perfection, finality, and immeasurable value of Christ's atoning work, which fully satisfies God's righteous demands and provides complete purification for all who believe.

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

Leviticus 1:11

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.

Leviticus 3:8

And he shall lay his hand upon the head of his offering, and kill it before the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron's sons shall sprinkle the blood thereof round about upon the altar.

Leviticus 3:2

And he shall lay his hand upon the head of his offering, and kill it [at] the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron's sons the priests shall sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about.

Leviticus 3:13

And he shall lay his hand upon the head of it, and kill it before the tabernacle of the congregation: and the sons of Aaron shall sprinkle the blood thereof upon the altar round about.

1 Peter 1:2

Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

Hebrews 12:24

And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than [that of] Abel.

2 Chronicles 35:11

And they killed the passover, and the priests sprinkled [the blood] from their hands, and the Levites flayed [them].