Introduction to the Sacrificial System

The book of Leviticus, known in Hebrew as Vayikra (וַיִּקְרָא, "And He called"), establishes the sacrificial system that would govern Israel's worship for over a millennium. These offerings were not merely religious rituals—they were divinely ordained pictures of the coming Messiah and His atoning work.

Leviticus 1:1-2
"And Jehovah called to Moses and spoke to him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying, Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, If any one of you brings an offering to Jehovah, from livestock of the herd, or from the flock, you shall bring near your offering."

The Hebrew word for "offering" is קָרְבָּן (qorban), derived from the root meaning "to draw near." Every offering was a means of approaching the holy God. Leviticus chapters 1-7 detail five primary offerings, each revealing a different aspect of atonement and fellowship.

The Five Levitical Offerings

Click on any offering to explore its details, procedures, and symbolism.

🔥
עֹלָה

Burnt Offering

Olah • Leviticus 1, 6:8-13
Purpose: Complete consecration to God; atonement through total surrender
Voluntary • Sweet Savor
🌾
מִנְחָה

Grain Offering

Minchah • Leviticus 2, 6:14-23
Purpose: Thanksgiving and dedication of life's labor to God
Voluntary • Sweet Savor
🕊️
שְׁלָמִים

Peace Offering

Shelamim • Leviticus 3, 7:11-36
Purpose: Fellowship and communion with God; thanksgiving, vows, or freewill
Voluntary • Sweet Savor
🩸
חַטָּאת

Sin Offering

Chatta'ath • Leviticus 4, 6:24-30
Purpose: Atonement for unintentional sins; purification of defilement
Required • Non-Sweet Savor
⚖️
אָשָׁם

Guilt Offering

Asham • Leviticus 5-6:7, 7:1-10
Purpose: Restitution for trespass against God or neighbor; compensation required
Required • Non-Sweet Savor

Key Elements in the Offerings

🩸
Blood
Life given for atonement (Lev 17:11)
🔥
Fire
God's acceptance and judgment
🫒
Oil
The Holy Spirit's presence
🧂
Salt
Covenant permanence (Lev 2:13)
✨
Frankincense
Prayer rising to God
🚫
No Leaven
Absence of sin or corruption

Offering Procedures in Detail

The Burnt Offering (עֹלָה Olah)

The burnt offering, meaning "that which ascends," was entirely consumed on the altar—nothing remained for priest or worshiper. It symbolized complete devotion to God.

Animals Accepted:

  • From the herd: Bull without blemish (most valuable)
  • From the flock: Male sheep or goat without blemish
  • Of fowls: Turtledoves or young pigeons (for the poor)

Procedure (Leviticus 1:3-9):

1
Presentation
Bring the animal to the entrance of the tabernacle "at his pleasure" (voluntarily) before Jehovah.
2
Laying on of Hands
"He shall lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it is accepted for him to make atonement for him." This transferred identification.
3
Slaughter
The offerer slaughtered the animal "before the face of Jehovah" (on the north side of the altar for sheep/goats).
4
Blood Application
The priests "shall bring near the blood and sprinkle the blood on the altar round about."
5
Skinning & Cutting
"He shall skin the burnt offering, and shall cut it into pieces." (The skin went to the priest—Lev 7:8)
6
Washing
"He shall wash its inward parts, and its legs, with water"—symbolizing internal and external purity.
7
Burning
"The priest shall burn as incense the whole of it on the altar for a burnt offering, a fire offering of soothing fragrance to Jehovah."
Leviticus 6:12-13 — The Continual Fire
"Fire shall be continually burning on the altar; it shall not go out."

The Grain Offering (מִנְחָה Minchah)

The grain offering (also called "food offering" or "meat offering" in older translations) was the only bloodless offering. It represented the dedication of one's labor and livelihood.

Forms Accepted:

  • Fine flour with oil poured on it and frankincense
  • Baked in oven: Unleavened cakes mixed with oil, or thin wafers anointed with oil
  • On a pan/griddle: Unleavened fine flour mixed with oil
  • Firstfruits: Fresh ears roasted with fire

Procedure (Leviticus 2:1-3):

1
Preparation
Prepare fine flour with oil and frankincense. NO leaven or honey permitted (Lev 2:11).
2
Presentation
"He shall bring it to the sons of Aaron the priest."
3
Memorial Portion
"He shall take from it the fulness of his handful from its flour, and from its oil, with all its frankincense."
4
Burning
"The priest shall burn it as incense on the altar, a memorial offering, a fire offering, a soothing fragrance to Jehovah."
5
Remainder
"The rest of the food offering is for Aaron and for his sons, most holy, of the fire offerings of Jehovah."
Leviticus 2:13 — The Salt of the Covenant
"And every offering of your food offering you shall season with salt, and you shall not let the salt of the covenant of your God be lacking from your food offering; you shall offer salt with all your offerings."

The Peace Offering (שְׁלָמִים Shelamim)

The peace offering (from shalom, "peace/wholeness") was unique—it was a communal meal shared between God, the priests, and the worshiper. It celebrated fellowship and reconciliation.

Types of Peace Offerings (Leviticus 7:11-18):

  • Thanksgiving (Todah): Expressing gratitude—must be eaten the same day
  • Vow (Neder): Fulfilling a promise to God—may be eaten two days
  • Freewill (Nedabah): Spontaneous devotion—may be eaten two days

Animals Accepted:

  • From the herd: Male or female, without blemish
  • From the flock: Sheep or goat, male or female, without blemish

Procedure (Leviticus 3:1-5):

1
Laying on of Hands
"He shall lay his hand on the head of his offering"—identifying with the sacrifice.
2
Slaughter
"Slaughter it at the opening of the tabernacle of the congregation."
3
Blood Application
"The sons of Aaron, the priests, shall sprinkle the blood on the altar round about."
4
Fat Offering
"He shall bring near... the fat which covers the inward parts, and all the fat on the inward parts, and the two kidneys, and the fat on them."
5
Burning the Fat
"The sons of Aaron shall burn it as incense on the altar, on the burnt offering... a fire offering of a soothing fragrance to Jehovah."
6
Wave & Heave Offerings
The breast was waved before Jehovah (for Aaron's sons); the right leg was a heave offering (for the officiating priest).
7
Communal Meal
The remaining flesh was eaten by the worshiper and family in fellowship—a sacred meal with God.
Leviticus 3:16-17 — God's Portion
"All the fat is Jehovah's. It shall be a never-ending statute for your generations in all your dwellings. You shall not eat any fat or any blood."

The Sin Offering (חַטָּאת Chatta'ath)

The sin offering addressed unintentional sins and ceremonial defilement. The offering varied based on the status of the offender, reflecting differing degrees of responsibility.

Offerings by Status (Leviticus 4):

  • Anointed Priest: Young bull without blemish (his sin brings guilt on the people)
  • Whole Congregation: Young bull without blemish
  • Ruler: Male goat without blemish
  • Common Person: Female goat or lamb without blemish
  • The Poor: Two turtledoves or pigeons (Lev 5:7)
  • The Very Poor: Tenth of ephah of fine flour—no oil or frankincense (Lev 5:11)

Procedure for Priest or Congregation (Leviticus 4:3-12):

1
Presentation
"He shall bring the bull into the opening of the tabernacle of the congregation, before the face of Jehovah."
2
Laying on of Hands
"He shall lay his hand on the head of the bull and shall slaughter the bull before the face of Jehovah."
3
Blood into the Holy Place
"The priest who is anointed shall take of the blood of the bull and shall bring it to the tabernacle of the congregation."
4
Sevenfold Sprinkling
"The priest shall dip his finger in the blood and sprinkle of the blood seven times before the face of Jehovah, at the front of the veil of the holy place."
5
Blood on Incense Altar
"The priest shall put of the blood on the horns of the altar of sweet incense."
6
Remaining Blood
Pour out at the base of the altar of burnt offering.
7
Fat Burned
All fat (kidneys, liver, inward parts) burned on the altar of burnt offering.
8
Body Burned Outside
"He shall bring out all the bull to the outside of the camp, to a clean place, to the place of the pouring of ashes; and he shall burn it on the wood with fire."
Leviticus 4:26 — The Promise of Forgiveness
"And the priest shall atone for him because of his sin; and it shall be forgiven him."

The Guilt Offering (אָשָׁם Asham)

The guilt offering (also "trespass offering") addressed specific acts requiring restitution—violations against God's holy things or against one's neighbor. It uniquely required compensation plus 20%.

Cases Requiring Guilt Offering (Leviticus 5-6):

  • Refusing to testify when called as witness (5:1)
  • Touching unclean things unknowingly (5:2-3)
  • Rash oaths unfulfilled (5:4)
  • Trespass against holy things (5:14-16)
  • Sins of ignorance (5:17-19)
  • Fraud, theft, lying, extortion (6:1-7)

Procedure (Leviticus 5:14-6:7, 7:1-7):

1
Confession
"He shall confess that in which he has sinned" (5:5).
2
Restitution
"He shall make good that in which he sinned... and he shall add its fifth part to it" (5:16). Full repayment plus 20%.
3
Bring the Offering
"A ram, without blemish out of the flock, at your evaluation" (5:15). The offering was valued in silver shekels by the sanctuary standard.
4
Slaughter
"In the place where they kill the burnt offering, they shall kill the guilt offering" (7:2).
5
Blood Application
"Its blood shall be sprinkled on the altar all around" (7:2).
6
Fat Burned
"All its fat shall be brought near... the fat tail, the fat covering the inward parts, the two kidneys" (7:3-5).
7
Priests Eat
"Every male among the priests shall eat it; it shall be eaten in the holy place. It is most holy" (7:6).
Leviticus 6:4-5 — Restitution Required
"Then it shall be, when he sins and is guilty, he shall return what he seized by robbery, that which he robbed, or the extorted thing which he extorted, or the deposit which had been deposited with him, or the lost thing which he had found; or all that about which he swore falsely, he shall even repay it in its principal, and the fifth part he shall add to it."

Comparison of the Five Offerings

Offering Hebrew Reference Animal/Material Purpose Type Disposition
Burnt עֹלָה (Olah) Lev 1; 6:8-13 Bull, sheep, goat, or birds (male, unblemished) Complete consecration; atonement Voluntary
Sweet savor		 Entirely burned (skin to priest)
Grain מִנְחָה (Minchah) Lev 2; 6:14-23 Fine flour, oil, frankincense; no leaven/honey Thanksgiving; dedication of labor Voluntary
Sweet savor		 Handful burned; rest to priests
Peace שְׁלָמִים (Shelamim) Lev 3; 7:11-36 Any clean animal (male or female, unblemished) Fellowship; thanksgiving, vow, freewill Voluntary
Sweet savor		 Fat burned; breast/leg to priests; rest eaten by worshiper
Sin חַטָּאת (Chatta'ath) Lev 4; 6:24-30 Varies by status: bull, goat, lamb, birds, or flour Purification; unintentional sin Required
Non-sweet savor		 Fat burned; body burned outside camp (or eaten by priests)
Guilt אָשָׁם (Asham) Lev 5-6:7; 7:1-10 Ram (valued in silver shekels) Restitution; trespass against God/neighbor Required
Non-sweet savor		 Fat burned; flesh to priests

Categories of Offerings

🌸
Sweet Savor Offerings
Burnt, Grain, Peace
Voluntary offerings emphasizing dedication and fellowship.
"A soothing fragrance to Jehovah"
⚠️
Non-Sweet Savor Offerings
Sin, Guilt
Required offerings addressing sin and trespass.
Focused on atonement and restitution

Blood Application Differences

Offering Blood Applied To Significance
Burnt, Peace, Guilt Sprinkled on altar of burnt offering all around Standard atonement at the brazen altar
Sin (common person/ruler) Put on horns of altar of burnt offering; rest poured at base Horns represent power; sin is covered at the altar
Sin (priest/congregation) Sprinkled 7× before veil; put on horns of incense altar; rest poured at base of burnt offering altar Greater responsibility requires deeper cleansing—blood enters the holy place

Christ in the Levitical Offerings

Every offering pointed forward to the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The writer of Hebrews declares: "It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins" (Heb 10:4). These offerings were shadows; Christ is the reality.

🔥 Burnt Offering
⬇
Christ's Complete Dedication
"He offered Himself without blemish to God" — Hebrews 9:14

As the burnt offering was wholly consumed, Christ gave Himself entirely. His whole life was a "soothing fragrance" of perfect obedience to the Father.

🌾 Grain Offering
⬇
Christ's Perfect Humanity
"I am the bread of life" — John 6:35

Fine flour (crushed grain) pictures Christ's sufferings. Oil speaks of the Spirit. No leaven = no sin. Salt = the eternality of His covenant.

🕊️ Peace Offering
⬇
Christ Our Peace
"He Himself is our peace" — Ephesians 2:14

Through Christ we have peace with God and fellowship at His table. The Lord's Supper echoes the peace offering—a communal meal celebrating reconciliation.

🩸 Sin Offering
⬇
Christ Made Sin for Us
"He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us" — 2 Corinthians 5:21

As the sin offering was burned "outside the camp," Jesus suffered outside the gate of Jerusalem (Heb 13:11-12), bearing our sin and shame.

⚖️ Guilt Offering
⬇
Christ Our Restitution
"He shall see of the travail of his soul... He shall bear their iniquities" — Isaiah 53:10-11

Isaiah 53:10 explicitly calls Messiah's soul an "asham" (guilt offering). Christ paid our debt in full—and more ("the fifth part").

Hebrews 10:1-4
"For having a shadow of the coming good things, not the very image of those things, the Law which brings near the same sacrifices year by year continually, is never able to perfect those drawing near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased being offered? because those who served, being once cleansed, would not yet have conscience of sins. But in these is a remembrance of sins year by year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins."

The Complete Picture

Together, the five offerings present a complete portrait of Christ's atoning work:

Godward Aspect
Burnt Offering: Christ's perfect obedience satisfies God's holiness
Manward Aspect
Grain Offering: Christ's sinless life provides our sustenance
Fellowship
Peace Offering: Christ reconciles God and man at one table
Sin's Penalty
Sin Offering: Christ bears our sin and its punishment
Sin's Debt
Guilt Offering: Christ pays full restitution for our trespasses
Hebrews 10:10-14
"By which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And indeed every priest stood day by day ministering and offering the same sacrifices many times, which never can take away sins. But He, offering one sacrifice for sins, forever sat down at the right hand of God... For by one offering He has perfected forever those being sanctified."

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Summary: The Heart of Levitical Worship

The Levitical offerings teach profound truths that remain relevant today:

Leviticus 17:11
"For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your lives; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul."