Leviticus 7:8

KJV

And the priest that offereth any man's burnt offering, [even] the priest shall have to himself the skin of the burnt offering which he hath offered.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the priest {H3548} that offereth {H7126} any man's {H376} burnt offering {H5930}, even the priest {H3548} shall have to himself the skin {H5785} of the burnt offering {H5930} which he hath offered {H7126}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"'The cohen who offers someone's burnt offering will possess the hide of the burnt offering which he has offered.

Berean Standard Bible

As for the priest who presents a burnt offering for anyone, the hide of that offering belongs to him.

American Standard Version

And the priest that offereth any man’s burnt-offering, even the priest shall have to himself the skin of the burnt-offering which he hath offered.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 7:8 is a specific priestly regulation within the Mosaic Law, detailing that the officiating priest of a burnt offering is entitled to retain the animal's skin. This provision highlights God's meticulous care for the practical sustenance of the Levitical priesthood, ensuring their material needs were met through their sacred service. It underscores the divine establishment of a system where those consecrated to minister before the Lord were directly supported by the offerings brought by the people, allowing them to dedicate themselves fully to their God-given duties without distraction.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 7:8 is situated within a larger section of Leviticus (chapters 6-7) that provides intricate instructions for the priests regarding their portions from the various sacrifices. While the preceding chapters (Leviticus 1-5) primarily outline the procedures for the people bringing their offerings, chapters 6-7 shift focus to the priestly responsibilities and, crucially, their means of support. The burnt offering, or `olah`, detailed extensively in [Leviticus 1](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - The Burnt Offering - A Whole Burnt Offering to the Lord"), was unique among the sacrifices because the entire animal (except the skin) was consumed by fire on the altar, symbolizing complete devotion and atonement. Unlike other sacrifices where portions of meat were eaten by the offerer or the priests (such as the peace offering in [Leviticus 7:11-36](/leviticus/7-11-36 "Leviticus 7:11-36 - The Peace Offering and Priests' Portions")), the burnt offering was wholly given to God. Leviticus 7:1-10 specifically deals with the priest's share from the sin, trespass, and peace offerings, making the provision for the burnt offering's skin a distinct and significant detail that follows these general regulations, emphasizing its unique status.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the Levitical priests, unlike the other tribes, were not allotted a territorial inheritance when the land was divided, as explicitly stated in [Numbers 18:20](/numbers/18-20 "Numbers 18:20 - The Lord is the Priests' Inheritance") and reiterated in [Deuteronomy 10:9](/deuteronomy/10-9 "Deuteronomy 10:9 - No Inheritance for Levi"). Their inheritance was declared to be the Lord Himself, meaning their livelihood was to be derived from their dedicated service in the Tabernacle, and later the Temple. The provision of animal skins from burnt offerings was a highly practical and valuable means of sustenance. Animal hides were essential commodities in the ancient world, serving diverse purposes such as making clothing, tents, containers, and various household items. This specific regulation demonstrates God's foresight and practical care for His dedicated servants, ensuring they possessed resources for daily living without being compelled to engage in secular labor that would distract from their sacred duties. This divine provision ensured the priests could focus entirely on their God-given ministry of mediating between God and His people.

* **Key Themes:** Leviticus 7:8 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it reinforces the theme of **Divine Provision and Sustenance**, illustrating God's meticulous care for His covenant people, particularly those set apart for sacred service. This provision ensures the functionality and spiritual integrity of the Tabernacle system. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Holiness and Separation**, as the priests, consecrated to God, are distinguished from the general populace not only by their duties but also by their unique means of support. Their livelihood, derived directly from the offerings, underscores their exclusive dedication to the Lord. Thirdly, the verse subtly touches upon the theme of **Justice and Equity** within the sacrificial system, ensuring that even from an offering wholly consumed by fire, a practical and valuable portion is allocated to compensate the priest for his labor and dedication in facilitating the people's worship and atonement. This intricate detail reflects the comprehensive nature of God's Law, leaving no aspect of life or worship unaddressed.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Priest (Hebrew, _kôhên'_):** From H3548, this term refers to an individual consecrated to serve in the Tabernacle or Temple, mediating between God and humanity through sacrifices and rituals. In this context, the `kôhên` is the active officiant, emphasizing the direct connection between the priest's labor and the divine provision. The verse underscores the unique, divinely appointed role of the priest in Israelite society and their entitlement to specific benefits from their sacred duties.
* **Offereth (Hebrew, _qârab'_):** From H7126, this primitive root means "to approach" or "to bring near." In the context of sacrifices, it denotes the act of presenting an offering to God. The use of this word emphasizes the priest's active role in facilitating the offering, bringing the sacrifice near to the altar and, by extension, to God. The priest's entitlement to the skin is directly tied to his performance of this sacred act.
* **Burnt Offering (Hebrew, _ʻôlâh'_):** From H5930, this term literally means "that which goes up" or "ascends," referring to a sacrifice entirely consumed by fire on the altar. It signifies complete dedication, surrender, and atonement, as the offering was wholly given to the Lord as a "soothing aroma" ([Leviticus 1:9](/leviticus/1-9 "Leviticus 1:9 - A Soothing Aroma to the Lord")). The unique retention of the skin by the priest, despite the rest being consumed, highlights a specific divine provision within this otherwise all-consuming sacrifice, distinguishing it from other offerings where more substantial portions were shared.
* **Skin (Hebrew, _ʻôwr'_):** From H5785, this common Hebrew word denotes animal hide or skin. In the context of the burnt offering, it represents a valuable byproduct of the sacrifice. While the flesh, fat, and entrails were consumed, the skin was explicitly designated for the priest. This detail underscores the practical value of hides in ancient society and God's deliberate allocation of this resource as a form of income and sustenance for the priestly family, distinguishing it from the parts wholly dedicated to God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the priest that offereth any man's burnt offering":** This clause precisely identifies the beneficiary of the provision – the specific priest who personally performs the ritual of the burnt offering on behalf of an Israelite. The phrase "any man's" indicates the universal applicability of this rule, meaning the provision applied regardless of the social standing or wealth of the individual bringing the offering. It establishes the direct link between the priest's active service and the subsequent entitlement.
* **"[even] the priest shall have to himself the skin of the burnt offering which he hath offered.":** This is the core stipulation of the verse, clearly stating the entitlement. The repetition of "the priest" (implied in the KJV translation but explicit in the Hebrew text) emphasizes the direct and exclusive right of the officiating priest to this specific item. The "skin" is the designated valuable commodity, highlighting that even from a sacrifice wholly consumed by fire, a practical and useful portion was set aside for the one serving. This was a tangible form of compensation and sustenance, acknowledging the priest's labor and dedication in facilitating the atonement process and ensuring their livelihood.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 7:8 primarily employs **Legal Prescription**, a pervasive literary device throughout the Pentateuch, where specific, detailed statutes are laid out for the conduct of religious and societal life. The verse functions as a precise legal statute, leaving no ambiguity regarding the allocation of the burnt offering's skin. This clarity is further enhanced by its **Repetition** (implied in the KJV, but explicit in the Hebrew's emphasis on "the priest"), which serves to underscore the specific individual entitled to this portion. While not a literary device in the strict sense, the underlying theological principle of **Divine Provision** is powerfully conveyed through such a specific and practical regulation. The skin, otherwise a mere byproduct, becomes a **Symbol** of God's meticulous and comprehensive care for the priesthood, demonstrating that even the seemingly minor details of the sacrificial system were imbued with divine purpose and foresight.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 7:8 profoundly illustrates God's meticulous care for those dedicated to His service, establishing a divine pattern for supporting spiritual laborers. This provision for the priests, who were uniquely without a land inheritance, ensured their ability to focus entirely on their sacred duties without the distraction of securing basic necessities. It underscores the enduring biblical principle that those who minister in spiritual things are worthy of material support from the community they serve, a theme consistently echoed throughout Scripture. This specific detail about the skin also highlights the comprehensive nature of God's law, demonstrating that every aspect of worship and daily life under the covenant was carefully regulated, reflecting divine wisdom and foresight even in seemingly small matters. God's provision ensures the integrity and continuity of His worship system.

* [Numbers 18:8-9](/numbers/18-8-9 "Numbers 18:8-9 - Priests' Portion from Offerings")
* [Deuteronomy 18:1-5](/deuteronomy/18-1-5 "Deuteronomy 18:1-5 - Priests' Inheritance and Portions")
* [1 Corinthians 9:13-14](/1_corinthians/9-13-14 "1 Corinthians 9:13-14 - Support for Gospel Ministers")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 7:8, though rooted in the ancient sacrificial system, offers enduring principles for contemporary believers. It calls us to reflect on the profound importance of supporting those who dedicate their lives to spiritual ministry and the proclamation of the Gospel today. Just as God meticulously provided for the Levitical priests, ensuring their sustenance enabled their full devotion to sacred duties, He continues to establish pathways for His servants to be sustained, empowering them to fully commit to their calling. This verse reminds us that our participation in God's kingdom work extends beyond spiritual engagement to practical, tangible support for those who serve. It also teaches us about the profound wisdom and meticulousness of God's provisions; even what might seem like a minor detail (the skin of an animal) is part of His grand design for justice, order, and compassionate care within His covenant community. We are invited to trust in God's comprehensive care for our own lives and to emulate His generosity in supporting others, recognizing that every contribution, no matter how small it seems, can be part of God's perfect provision.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's meticulous provision for the ancient priests challenge my understanding of His care for those in ministry today?**
* **In what practical ways can I contribute to the sustenance and flourishing of those who serve in spiritual capacities within my community or globally?**
* **What does the detail of the "skin" reveal about God's wisdom in utilizing every part of a sacrifice, and how might this principle apply to finding value in seemingly small or overlooked aspects of my own life or service?**
* **How does the principle of "divine provision for ministry" encourage me to trust God for my own needs as I seek to serve Him faithfully?**

### FAQ
**Why was the priest given the skin of the burnt offering when the rest was consumed by fire?**

Answer: The burnt offering (`olah`) was unique because the entire animal (except the skin) was consumed on the altar, symbolizing complete dedication and atonement to God. However, the skin was a valuable commodity in ancient Israel, used for clothing, shelter, containers, and other necessities. Since the Levitical priests had no tribal land inheritance (as noted in [Numbers 18:20](/numbers/18-20 "Numbers 18:20 - The Lord is the Priests' Inheritance") and [Deuteronomy 10:9](/deuteronomy/10-9 "Deuteronomy 10:9 - No Inheritance for Levi")), God meticulously provided for their sustenance through portions of the sacrifices. Giving the officiating priest the skin of the burnt offering was a practical, divinely ordained means of supporting their livelihood, allowing them to focus entirely on their sacred duties without needing to engage in secular labor. It was a tangible form of compensation for their dedicated service and a clear demonstration of God's comprehensive care for His consecrated servants.

**What was the primary purpose of the burnt offering (`olah`) in the Mosaic Law?**

Answer: The burnt offering, or `olah`, was one of the most significant sacrifices in ancient Israel, primarily symbolizing complete devotion, atonement for general unintentional sin, and consecration to God. As described in [Leviticus 1](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - The Burnt Offering"), the entire animal (except the skin) was burned on the altar, with the smoke ascending to God as a "soothing aroma" or "pleasing aroma." It expressed the worshiper's desire for full reconciliation and surrender to God's will. Unlike other offerings where portions were eaten by the offerer or priests, the `olah` was wholly given to God, signifying total dedication and the comprehensive nature of atonement for sin, serving as a general covering for the worshiper's unintentional transgressions and a profound act of worship.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 7:8, with its seemingly mundane detail of the priest receiving the animal's skin, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Covenant. The Old Testament priesthood, sustained by the offerings they mediated, foreshadowed Christ, our ultimate High Priest. Unlike the Levitical priests who benefited from the sacrifices of others, Jesus Himself became the perfect and final sacrifice, offering His own body once for all ([Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Christ's Sacrifice Once for All")). His sacrifice was not a partial offering but a complete and total self-giving, fulfilling the "burnt offering" in its fullest sense, consuming not just the flesh but the very essence of sin's power and its hold over humanity. Furthermore, just as the Old Testament priests were provided for by the offerings, believers in Christ are now called a "royal priesthood" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")), sustained not by animal skins or earthly provisions from a temple system, but by the overflowing grace and spiritual provision of God through Christ. Our "offering" is now spiritual – our lives as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices")) – and in return, we receive the immeasurable riches of His grace, eternal life, and every spiritual blessing in Christ ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ")), a far greater "portion" than any physical skin. The meticulous care God showed for the Old Covenant priests is perfectly realized in His exhaustive provision for His people through the finished work of Christ, our great High Priest, who ensures our spiritual sustenance, eternal inheritance, and access to God's presence forever ([Hebrews 7:24-25](/hebrews/7-24-25 "Hebrews 7:24-25 - Christ's Permanent Priesthood")).

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

Numbers 19:5

And [one] shall burn the heifer in his sight; her skin, and her flesh, and her blood, with her dung, shall he burn:

Genesis 3:21

¶ Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

Exodus 29:14

But the flesh of the bullock, and his skin, and his dung, shalt thou burn with fire without the camp: it [is] a sin offering.

Leviticus 1:6

And he shall flay the burnt offering, and cut it into his pieces.

Leviticus 4:11

And the skin of the bullock, and all his flesh, with his head, and with his legs, and his inwards, and his dung,

Romans 13:14

But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to [fulfil] the lusts [thereof].