Leviticus 9:13

And they presented the burnt offering unto him, with the pieces thereof, and the head: and he burnt [them] upon the altar.

And they presented {H4672} the burnt offering {H5930} unto him, with the pieces {H5409} thereof, and the head {H7218}: and he burnt {H6999} them upon the altar {H4196}.

They brought him the burnt offering, piece by piece, and the head; and he made them go up in smoke on the altar.

They brought him the burnt offering piece by piece, including the head, and he burned them on the altar.

And they delivered the burnt-offering unto him, piece by piece, and the head: and he burnt them upon the altar.

Commentary

Context

Leviticus 9 marks a pivotal moment in ancient Israelite worship: the culmination of Aaron and his sons' week-long consecration and their first official priestly duties. After being cleansed and set apart for service (as detailed in Leviticus chapter 8), this chapter describes the "eighth day" when they began offering sacrifices on behalf of the people. Verse 13 specifically details the presentation and burning of the burnt offering, one of several sacrifices made to inaugurate their ministry and confirm God's acceptance of their service and the tabernacle worship.

Key Themes

  • Totality of Dedication: The burnt offering (Hebrew: 'olah, meaning "that which goes up") was unique because the entire animal, except for the hide, was consumed by fire on the altar. This symbolizes complete surrender and dedication to God, signifying that the offerer held nothing back.
  • Atonement for Sin: While other sacrifices specifically addressed certain sins, the burnt offering had a general atoning purpose, covering unintentional sins and signifying a desire for reconciliation and fellowship with God. It was a primary means of making atonement for the worshiper (Leviticus 1:4).
  • Obedience to Divine Command: The meticulous instructions for preparing and offering the sacrifices, including the specific mention of "the pieces thereof, and the head," underscore the importance of precise obedience to God's commands in worship. This was not a ritual to be performed arbitrarily but according to divine prescription.
  • Priestly Mediation: Aaron and his sons, as newly consecrated priests, were the divinely appointed mediators between God and the people. Their act of presenting and burning the offering was essential for the community to approach a holy God.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew term for "burnt offering" is 'olah (Χ’ΦΉΧœΦΈΧ”), derived from a root meaning "to ascend." This emphasizes the nature of the sacrifice as something entirely given up to God, with its smoke ascending heavenward. The phrase "he burnt [them] upon the altar" signifies the complete consumption of the sacrifice, symbolizing the totality of the offering and its acceptance by God.

Practical Application

While the Old Testament sacrificial system has been fulfilled, the principles behind the burnt offering remain profoundly relevant for believers today. The complete dedication symbolized by this offering points forward to the ultimate and perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Just as the animal was wholly consumed, so too did Christ offer Himself completely, once for all, for the sins of humanity (Hebrews 10:10). For us, this verse encourages a life of total dedication to God, offering ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to Him (Romans 12:1). It reminds us that true worship involves holding nothing back from God and trusting in the finished work of Christ for our atonement.

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Cross-References

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