or עוֹלָה; feminine active participle of עָלָה; a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke); ascent, burnt offering (sacrifice), go up to. See also עֶוֶל.
Transliteration:ʻôlâh
Pronunciation:o-law'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma עֹלָה (ʻôlâh, Strong's H5930) is a feminine active participle derived from the verb עָלָה (H5927), meaning "to ascend," "to go up," or "to rise." Its fundamental meaning, therefore, relates to something that "goes up." While the base definition includes "a step" or "stairs" (as ascending), its predominant and most significant usage in the Hebrew Bible is "a holocaust" or "burnt offering." This primary meaning stems directly from the act of the entire offering being consumed by fire, with its smoke "ascending" to God. The term encapsulates the complete consumption of the sacrifice, distinguishing it from other offerings where portions might be consumed by priests or offerers. It is important to note that עֹלָה is distinct from עֶוֶל (H5766), which refers to injustice or wrongdoing, despite a superficial similarity in transliteration.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The ʻôlâh is one of the most frequently mentioned sacrifices in the Old Testament, appearing over 280 times. Its significance is established early in biblical history. Noah offered burnt offerings after the flood ([[Genesis 8:20]]), and Abraham prepared a burnt offering of a ram in place of Isaac ([[Genesis 22:7-13]]). These early instances highlight its role in covenant and thanksgiving.
Under the Mosaic Law, the ʻôlâh takes on a highly regulated and central role. Leviticus 1 provides detailed instructions for its presentation: it must be a male animal without blemish (from the herd, flock, or birds), offered voluntarily by the worshiper, who would lay hands on its head, indicating identification. The animal was then slaughtered, its blood drained and sprinkled around the altar, and the entire carcass (except for the skin, which went to the priest) was consumed by fire upon the altar ([[Leviticus 1:3-9]]).
Contextually, the ʻôlâh was offered:
* **Regularly:** Daily morning and evening offerings ([[Exodus 29:38-42]], [[Numbers 28:3-8]]), on Sabbaths ([[Numbers 28:9-10]]), New Moons ([[Numbers 28:11-15]]), and festivals.
* **For Atonement:** While not exclusively a sin offering like the חַטָּאת (H2403), it had a general atoning effect, making the offerer acceptable to God ([[Leviticus 1:4]]). It "made propitiation" or "covered" sin, allowing the worshiper to draw near.
* **As an Act of Devotion and Worship:** It symbolized complete surrender and dedication to Yahweh, as nothing was reserved for human consumption.
* **In Conjunction with other Sacrifices:** Often accompanied by grain offerings (מִנְחָה, H4503) and drink offerings ([[Numbers 15:3-10]]).
Kings and leaders, such as David and Solomon, also offered numerous ʻôlâhs in times of national crisis or celebration, demonstrating its importance in both individual and communal worship ([[2 Samuel 24:22-25]], [[1 Kings 3:4]]).
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the verbal root עָלָה (H5927), "to go up," from which ʻôlâh is derived. This etymological connection underscores the essence of the burnt offering as something entirely consumed and ascending to God.
Other significant related terms within the sacrificial system include:
* זֶבַח (H2077): A general term for "sacrifice" or "offering," encompassing various types. The ʻôlâh is a specific type of זֶבַח.
* שְׁלָמִים (H8002): The "peace offering" or "fellowship offering," where portions were eaten by the offerer and priests, signifying communion. This contrasts sharply with the ʻôlâh's total consumption.
* חַטָּאת (H2403): The "sin offering," specifically for unintentional sins, with particular rituals for blood disposal.
* אָשָׁם (H0817): The "guilt offering" or "reparation offering," for specific offenses requiring restitution.
The concept of "atonement" (כָּפַר, H3722) is intrinsically linked to the ʻôlâh. While not the exclusive means of atonement, the burnt offering played a crucial role in making the offerer acceptable and covering their sin before a holy God. The "sweet savor" or "pleasing aroma" (רֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ, H7381, H5207) associated with the ʻôlâh signifies God's acceptance and delight in the offering.
### Theological Significance
The ʻôlâh, or burnt offering, carries profound theological significance:
1. **Total Consecration and Dedication:** The complete consumption of the animal by fire symbolizes the worshiper's absolute surrender and dedication to God. Nothing is held back; the entire offering ascends to God, representing a life wholly devoted to Him. It speaks to the totality of worship and obedience.
2. **Atonement and Propitiation:** Although not solely a sin offering, the ʻôlâh was instrumental in making atonement for the offerer, allowing them to stand in God's presence. Its burning on the altar, with the accompanying blood ritual, served to "cover" or "purge" sin, restoring the relationship between God and humanity. This general atonement paved the way for more specific sin and guilt offerings.
3. **God's Acceptance and Pleasure:** The description of the ʻôlâh as a "pleasing aroma to the LORD" ([[Leviticus 1:9]], [[Numbers 28:2]]) highlights God's acceptance of the offering and, by extension, the worshiper. It signifies that the offering has met God's requirements and is agreeable to Him.
4. **Typological Foreshadowing of Christ:** The ʻôlâh stands as a powerful type of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Just as the burnt offering was entirely consumed, so too did Christ offer Himself completely, without reservation, as a perfect, spotless sacrifice for the sins of humanity ([[Hebrews 7:27]], [[Hebrews 9:14]], [[Hebrews 10:10-14]]). His death on the cross was the perfect ʻôlâh, a complete self-offering that ascended to God as a "fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" ([[Ephesians 5:2]]), accomplishing once-for-all atonement and making those who believe fully acceptable to God. The complete consumption of the ʻôlâh thus prefigures the total efficacy and finality of Christ's redemptive work.
### Summary
The Hebrew word עֹלָה (ʻôlâh, H5930) primarily denotes a "burnt offering" or "holocaust," deriving its meaning from the verb "to ascend" (עָלָה, H5927), as the entire offering ascended to God in smoke. Central to Israelite worship, the ʻôlâh symbolized total consecration and dedication to Yahweh, with nothing reserved for human consumption. It played a crucial role in achieving general atonement, making the worshiper acceptable before God and signifying divine acceptance through its "pleasing aroma." Theologically, the ʻôlâh serves as a profound Old Testament type, foreshadowing the ultimate, complete, and fully effective sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who offered Himself entirely to God for the propitiation of sins, fulfilling all that the ancient burnt offering prefigured.
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