Leviticus 1:7

KJV

And the sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire upon the altar, and lay the wood in order upon the fire:

KJV (with Strong's)

And the sons {H1121} of Aaron {H175} the priest {H3548} shall put {H5414} fire {H784} upon the altar {H4196}, and lay the wood {H6086} in order {H6186} upon the fire {H784}:

Complete Jewish Bible

The descendants of Aharon the cohen are to put fire on the altar and arrange wood on the fire.

Berean Standard Bible

The sons of Aaron the priest shall put a fire on the altar and arrange wood on the fire.

American Standard Version

And the sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire upon the altar, and lay wood in order upon the fire;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 1:7 meticulously details the specific responsibilities of the Aaronic priests in preparing the burnt offering, or `olah`. This verse outlines their crucial role in placing the sacred fire upon the altar and carefully arranging the wood, a foundational step in the ritual sequence. It underscores the divine order, the sanctity of the sacrificial process, and the exclusive mediatorial function of the priesthood, ensuring that the offering was prepared precisely according to God's exacting standards for acceptance and atonement.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 1:7 is embedded within the opening chapter of Leviticus, which provides the foundational instructions for the burnt offering (`olah`), the first and most comprehensive of the five primary sacrifices. This verse immediately follows the worshiper's actions of slaughtering and flaying the animal, and the subsequent dismemberment by the sons of Aaron, as outlined in [Leviticus 1:6](/leviticus/1-6 "Leviticus 1:6 - Preparation of the Burnt Offering"). It directly precedes the arrangement of the dismembered parts of the animal upon the fire and wood, which is detailed in [Leviticus 1:8](/leviticus/1-8 "Leviticus 1:8 - Placement of the Offering"). The progression of instructions throughout [Leviticus 1](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - The Burnt Offering") highlights a meticulous, step-by-step process, underscoring the gravity and precision required for approaching a holy God through sacrifice. The `olah` itself is introduced in [Leviticus 1:3-9](/leviticus/1-3-9 "Leviticus 1:3-9 - Instructions for the Burnt Offering"), setting the stage for the entire sacrificial system that follows.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The instructions in Leviticus were delivered to the Israelites at Mount Sinai, establishing the covenant relationship and the framework for their worship within the newly constructed Tabernacle. The Tabernacle served as God's dwelling place among His people, a sacred space where the divine and human intersected, requiring strict adherence to divine protocol. The Aaronic priesthood, consecrated for this specific role, was the divinely appointed mediator between God and Israel, responsible for executing the sacrificial rites with absolute fidelity to God's commands. The fire on the altar was not ordinary fire; it was understood to have been divinely kindled initially ([Leviticus 9:24](/leviticus/9-24 "Leviticus 9:24 - Divine Fire Consumes the Offering")) and was commanded to be kept perpetually burning ([Leviticus 6:13](/leviticus/6-13 "Leviticus 6:13 - The Perpetual Fire on the Altar")). This perpetual fire symbolized God's enduring presence, His consuming holiness, and His acceptance of the offerings. The act of "laying the wood in order" reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of ritual purity and precision, where every detail mattered in approaching or appeasing the divine.
* **Key Themes:** Leviticus 1:7 contributes significantly to several key themes prevalent in the book of Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. It powerfully reinforces the theme of **Holiness and Purity**, emphasizing that approach to God requires meticulous adherence to His holy standards, as seen in the precise instructions for handling sacred elements. The verse also highlights the **Mediatorial Role of the Priesthood**, demonstrating that sinful humanity could not directly approach a holy God without a divinely appointed intermediary and prescribed ritual, a concept foundational to the entire sacrificial system (cf. [Numbers 18:1-7](/numbers/18-1-7 "Numbers 18:1-7 - Responsibilities of Priests and Levites")). Furthermore, it underscores the theme of **Divine Order and Obedience**, illustrating God's demand for exactitude and reverence in worship, where every action is prescribed and purposeful, reflecting His own orderly nature (cf. [Exodus 25:9](/exodus/25-9 "Exodus 25:9 - Pattern of the Tabernacle")). The perpetual fire, maintained by the priests, also speaks to the theme of **God's Enduring Presence and Acceptance**, symbolizing His continuous dwelling among His people and His willingness to receive their offerings when presented according to His will.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sons (Hebrew, _bên'_):** From H1121, meaning "a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)." In this context, "sons" specifically refers to the male descendants of Aaron, who were consecrated to the priesthood. This highlights the hereditary and divinely ordained nature of their office, emphasizing that only those born into this specific lineage and properly consecrated were authorized to perform these sacred duties, underscoring the exclusivity and holiness of their mediatorial role.
* **fire (Hebrew, _ʼêsh'_):** From H784, a primitive word meaning "fire (literally or figuratively)." Beyond its literal function of combustion, "fire" in the context of the altar carries profound symbolic weight. It represents God's consuming presence, His holiness, His judgment against sin, and His acceptance of the offering. The priests' act of "putting fire upon the altar" implies tending to the sacred, perpetual fire that was divinely initiated, ensuring its continuous burning as commanded in [Leviticus 6:13](/leviticus/6-13 "Leviticus 6:13 - The Perpetual Fire"). This fire was the means by which the offering ascended to God, signifying divine reception.
* **in order (Hebrew, _ʻârak'_):** From H6186, a primitive root meaning "to set in a row, i.e. arrange, put in order (in a very wide variety of applications)." This verb signifies a careful, deliberate, and precise arrangement, not a haphazard placement. The wood needed to be laid out in a specific, methodical pattern to ensure efficient and complete combustion of the offering. This detail reflects the divine demand for order, exactness, and reverence in all aspects of worship, indicating that God is approached with intentionality and precision.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire upon the altar,"**: This initial clause establishes the exclusive responsibility of the Aaronic priests in managing the sacred fire. It highlights their unique and divinely appointed role as intermediaries, handling the very element that represents God's presence and consumes the offering. The phrase "the altar" refers specifically to the bronze altar of burnt offering, the central piece of furniture in the Tabernacle's outer court, where all animal sacrifices were made, signifying the locus of atonement and communion.
* **"and lay the wood in order upon the fire:"**: This second clause specifies the priests' subsequent action: carefully arranging the wood on top of the existing fire. The emphasis on "in order" (Hebrew: _ʻârak_) signifies meticulousness and precision. This was not merely about fueling the fire, but about creating the proper, stable platform for the sacrifice, ensuring complete and acceptable consumption of the offering. This detail underscores the divine demand for exactitude, reverence, and intentionality in worship, reflecting God's own orderly and holy character.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 1:7 employs several literary devices to convey its profound message regarding sacred ritual. **Instructional Language** is paramount, as the verse is part of a series of direct commands, characteristic of legal and ritual texts within the Pentateuch. The precise, prescriptive verbs ("shall put," "shall lay") leave no room for ambiguity, emphasizing the non-negotiable nature of God's requirements for worship. **Symbolism** is profoundly evident, particularly with the "fire," which represents divine presence, acceptance, and the consuming holiness of God. The "altar" itself is a **symbol** of atonement, sacrifice, and the designated place of encounter between God and humanity. The **Repetition** of "fire" within the short verse ("put fire upon the altar, and lay the wood in order upon the fire") subtly reinforces its centrality to the sacrificial process and the priests' essential interaction with it. Furthermore, the detailed, step-by-step nature of the instructions throughout [Leviticus 1](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - The Burnt Offering"), including this verse, exemplifies **Didacticism**, aiming to teach and instill proper ritual conduct, reverence, and theological understanding within the Israelite community.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 1:7, while seemingly a procedural detail, is rich with profound theological significance. It underscores the absolute necessity of divine order and human obedience in approaching a holy God. The priests' careful handling of the sacred fire and the meticulous arrangement of the wood highlight the profound sacredness of the sacrificial act, which was never to be taken lightly or performed haphazardly. This precision reflects God's character—His inherent holiness, His demand for purity, and His meticulousness in establishing the very means by which His people could draw near to Him for atonement and fellowship. The mediatorial role of the priests is also central, emphasizing that sinful humanity could not directly approach a holy God without a divinely appointed intermediary and prescribed ritual, a principle that points forward to the ultimate Mediator.

* [Exodus 29:38-46](/exodus/29-38-46 "Exodus 29:38-46 - The Daily Burnt Offering and God's Dwelling")
* [Numbers 18:1-7](/numbers/18-1-7 "Numbers 18:1-7 - Responsibilities and Privileges of Priests and Levites")
* [Hebrews 10:1-4](/hebrews/10-1-4 "Hebrews 10:1-4 - The Inadequacy of Old Covenant Sacrifices")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The meticulous instructions given to the sons of Aaron in Leviticus 1:7 serve as a profound reminder of the reverence, intentionality, and precision required in our approach to God. While the Old Testament sacrificial system has been gloriously fulfilled in Christ, the underlying principles of holiness, order, and the need for mediation remain eternally relevant. As believers, we are now called to offer "spiritual sacrifices" ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Spiritual Sacrifices"))—our praise, our prayers, our obedience, our acts of service, and our very lives—as a living and holy offering to God ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices")). Just as the priests carefully prepared the altar, we are called to prepare our hearts and minds for worship, ensuring that our acts of devotion are not haphazard or perfunctory but thoughtful, sincere, and aligned with God's revealed will. This verse challenges us to consider the quality and intentionality of our worship and service, urging us to offer our absolute best to the One who is supremely worthy of all honor, glory, and devotion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the precision required of the priests in Leviticus 1:7 deepen your understanding of God's character and His expectations for worship today?**
* **In what practical ways can you apply the principle of "laying the wood in order"—that is, intentionality and meticulousness—to your personal spiritual disciplines, such as prayer, Bible study, or service?**
* **Considering the mediatorial role of the priests in this verse, how does understanding their function enhance your appreciation for Jesus Christ as our ultimate and perfect High Priest?**

### FAQ
**Why was it specifically the "sons of Aaron" who were to perform this task?**

Answer: It was specifically the "sons of Aaron" because God had divinely appointed Aaron and his male descendants to serve as the priests for Israel. This was a hereditary office, consecrated by God Himself, as detailed in [Exodus 28](/exodus/28 "Exodus 28 - Priestly Garments") and [Leviticus 8](/leviticus/8 "Leviticus 8 - Consecration of Aaron and His Sons"). Only those consecrated for the priesthood were authorized to handle the sacred elements of the Tabernacle and perform the sacrificial rites. This exclusivity emphasized the profound holiness of God and the absolute necessity of proper, authorized mediation for humanity to approach Him.

**What is the significance of "putting fire upon the altar" when the fire was supposed to be perpetual?**

Answer: While the fire on the altar was indeed commanded to be kept perpetually burning ([Leviticus 6:13](/leviticus/6-13 "Leviticus 6:13 - The Perpetual Fire on the Altar")), the instruction in [Leviticus 1:7](/leviticus/1-7 "Leviticus 1:7 - Priestly Preparation of the Altar") for the priests to "put fire upon the altar" refers to their ongoing responsibility to tend to and arrange the existing sacred fire. This involved adding more coals from the perpetual fire, spreading the embers, and ensuring a robust and ready flame for each new offering. It highlights their continuous duty to maintain the fire, which symbolized God's enduring presence and acceptance, and to prepare it optimally to consume each sacrifice, allowing its aroma to ascend to God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 1:7, with its emphasis on the Aaronic priests, the sacred fire, and the meticulously arranged wood, finds its profound and ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "sons of Aaron" served as types, pointing forward to the perfect High Priest, Jesus, who, unlike them, did not need to offer sacrifices for His own sins but offered Himself once for all ([Hebrews 7:27](/hebrews/7-27 "Hebrews 7:27 - Christ's Superior Priesthood")). The very act of "putting fire upon the altar" and "laying the wood in order" foreshadows the divine preparation and execution of Christ's perfect sacrifice on the cross. The "fire" that consumed the Old Testament offerings, symbolizing God's judgment and acceptance, is powerfully fulfilled in Christ, whose self-offering consumed the wrath of God against sin and secured our acceptance and reconciliation. His sacrifice was not a haphazard act but a divinely ordained, meticulously planned, and perfectly executed act of redemption, the "once for all" offering that truly takes away sin and perfects those who are being sanctified ([Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10-14 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - Christ's One Sacrifice Perfects Believers")). Through Christ, our Great High Priest, we now have boldness to enter the very presence of God, not through animal blood and ritual, but through the perfect and living way He inaugurated for us by His flesh ([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 22:9

And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.

Leviticus 6:12

And the fire upon the altar shall be burning in it; it shall not be put out: and the priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and lay the burnt offering in order upon it; and he shall burn thereon the fat of the peace offerings.

Leviticus 6:13

The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out.

Malachi 1:10

Who [is there] even among you that would shut the doors [for nought]? neither do ye kindle [fire] on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.

2 Chronicles 7:1

¶ Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house.

1 Chronicles 21:26

And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called upon the LORD; and he answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt offering.

Leviticus 9:24

And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: [which] when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.