Leviticus 1

Laws concerning the manner of slaying the free-will-burnt-offering in the Tabernacle, v. 1, etc which was to be either of great cattle, as of Bullocks, 2. Or of small, as of Sheep and Goats, 10. Or of fowls, as of Turtle-doves, and young Pigeons, 14.

1. And the LORD called Moseh, and spoke to him, out of the Tent of the Congregation, [Understand the Tabernacle, into which God came to speak with his people, Exodus 29:42. And they were to come, to enquire of God, and to hear him speak, Exodus 33:7.] saying:

2. Speak unto the children of Israel, and say to them: when a man (homo) of you will offer a sacrifice unto the LORD, [offer; oth. Bring on, or, bring to, and so in the sequel; understand this offering of the people’s part, not the Priests] ye shall offer your sacrifices of the cattle, of oxen and of sheep. [this word comprehends not only sheep, but also goats also, as appeareth below, verse 10. See likewise Gen. 12. On verse 16.]

3. If his sacrifice be a burnt-offering [See Gen. 8. On verse 20.] of Bullocks, he shall offer the same at the door of the Tent of the Congregation, [where the altar of the burnt-offering stood, as is to be seen, below verse 5.] according to his pleasure, [by these words it is plain, that here free will-offerings are spoken of, such as were made not after the usual set order, but as every one thought good, to do his own accord, according to his own occasions, either by way of seeking and praying to God, or of giving thanks unto him] before the face of the LORD. [i.e. before the Tent of the Congregation, in whose inmost part of the Ark of the Covenant was placed, which was a token of God’s present co-habitation, Exodus 25:22. In which regard also the Tent is called the house of God, 1 Samuel 3:15. As God likewise is said to be therein, below chapter 4. Verse 7, and 18.]

4. And he shall lay his hands upon the head of the burnt-offering, [Heb. Lean with his hand, viz. to testify by this action, that he doth consecrate this offering unto God, surrendering and presenting the same, as in lieu of himself, for to find favour for himself, with the LORD, through the sacrifice, to come of the Messiah, typified by this now present. See Exodus 29:10.] that it may be acceptable for him, [i.e. that it may prove unto him that offereth it, a lawful sacrifice, and acceptable to God] for to reconcile him (to make expiation over him) [i.e. that it may betoken and seal unto him the Expiation, which should be made in the fullness of time, through the Messiah, Romans 3:25. 2 Cor. 5. 19. Ephesians 1:7. Colossians 1:14. 19, 20.]

5. After that shall be [viz. the Priest, or he that offereth it, by the Priest, as God had commanded it, Exodus 19:11. And was done likewise below, chapter 8. 15. Oth. After that they shall, etc. viz. by the Priest] slay [the Hebrew word properly signifieth to cut, or, pierce the throat] the young bullock, before the face of the LORD: and the sons of Aaron, the Priests, shall offer the blood, and sprinkle that blood round about that Altar, which is before the door of the Tent of the Congregation.

6. Then he [viz. one of the Priests. See 2 Chron. 30. 34.] shall pull off the skin of the burnt-offering, and divide that into its parts.

7. And the sons of Aaron, the Priests, shall make fire [Heb. Give fire; viz. of the fire which was to fall down from Heaven, when the first offering should be made upon this Altar, below chapter 9. 24. And was therefore to be kept continually, see below chapter 6. Verse 12.] and shall fit (or, dispose) the wood upon the fire.

8. Also the sons of Aaron, the Priests, shall fit the pieces, the head, and the grease, [Oth. Bowels, or, entrails: oth. The corps, or, bulk of the body, severed from the head and legs, and exenterated] upon the wood that is on the fire, which is upon the Altar.

9. Yet entrails [The Hebrew word here used doth properly signify, that which is nearest to a thing, which is the inmost, inwardest, or middlemost part of it, and such are the bowels or entrails of the beasts to them] and his legs they shall wash with water: and the Priests shall kindle all that upon the Altar: it is burnt-offering, a fire-offering [i.e. such a one as must wholly be consumed and devoured by the fire, see Exodus 29:18. Such was the burnt-offering] for a pleasant smell to the LORD. [i.e. very grateful and acceptable to the LORD, and wherewith he is very well pleased; which is said of the offerings and sacrifices of the beasts, in regard not of themselves, but of the sacrifice of Christ, betokened by them, and which properly is the slay-offering of a sweet-smelling savour to God, Ephesians 5:2. See likewise Gen. 8. On verse 21.]

10. And if his sacrifice be of small cattle, of sheep, or of goats for burnt offering, he shall offer a perfect male.

11. And he [viz. the Priests, as above verse 5.] shall slay that, at the sides of the Altar North-ward, [i.e. in the Court, on the right side of the Altar of the burnt-offering, as one went into the Tent of the Congregation] before the face of the LORD, [see above on ver. 3.] and the sons of Aaron, the Priests, shall sprinkle his blood round about the Altar.

12. After that he shall divide it into its parts, together with his head and its grease: and the Priests shall dispose the same upon the wood that is upon the fire, which is upon the Altar.

13. Yet the entrails and the legs shall be washed with water, and the Priest shall offer all that, and kindle it upon the Altar, it is a burnt-offering, a fire-offering for a pleasant smell to the LORD.

14. And if his sacrifice for the LORD be a burnt-offering of fowl, he shall offer his sacrifice of the Turtle-doves, or young Pigeons. [Heb. Sons of the Doves or Pigeons. Thus below chapter 12. 6. Thus also a young Bullock, or called the son of a Bully, Genesis 18:17. And above here, verse 5. A young ass, the son of a she-ass, Genesis 49:11.] a young unicorn, the son of the unicorns, Psal. 29. 6.]

15. And the Priest shall bring the same to the altar, [viz. the sacrifices of the fowl, as below, verse 17.] and split his head with his nail, [or turn; or wring it about, or, off] and kindle it upon the altar, and his blood shall be wrung out at the wall of the altar.

16. And his crop with his feathers he shall put away, [for feathers, others read dung, filth, ordure; viz. that which is contained within the crop and guts] and shall throw that by the altar, East-ward [in reverence to the divine Majesty, as far from the Ark of the Testimony as might be, the same standing West-wards in the Holy of Holies] at the place of the ashes. [where the ashes of the sacrifices were first thrown, to be carried afterwards forth the camp with other filth and soil gathered thereabouts. See below chapter 4. 12. And chapter 6. 10, 11. And chapter 8. 17.]

17. Moreover he shall cleave the same [Sacrifice, namely, as above verse 15.] with [or, betwixt] his wings, not sever (them), [i.e. not dis-member the fowl, nor divide it into pieces, as they did with the beasts, the fowl being only to be cleft in the middle betwixt the wings] And the Priest shall kindle the same upon the altar, on the wood that is upon the fire: it is a burnt-offering, a fire-offering, (for) a pleasant smell unto the LORD.