Bible Commentaries
Leviticus 1

Verses 1-17

The Burnt Offering - Numbers 1:1-17 deals with the burnt offering. The burnt offering was the only offering where the entire sacrifice was consumed. This is symbolic of man's initial need to be born again, entirely cleansed. It made atonement for sins (Leviticus 1:4). This was also called a “whole burnt offering.” The sprinkling of the blood (Leviticus 1:5) symbolized the necessity of the shedding of blood for sins, which is ultimately found in the offering of the blood of Jesus Christ for the sins of mankind.

Leviticus 17:11, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.”

Hebrews 9:22, “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.”

Leviticus 1:3 If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD.

Leviticus 1:3 “let him offer a male without blemish” Comments - The phrase “without blemish” means that a person was to give his best offering unto the Lord. Since Jesus Christ was a sacrificial offering, sinless and without blemish, it reveals the fact that God gave His best, His only Son.

Leviticus 1:3 Comments - Throughout the book of Leviticus, the male sheep or goat which is without blemish is taken from the herd. This animal has to be examined by the priest before it is received as an acceptable sacrifice. Note that the priest does not examine the person giving the sacrifice, for he would be found with guilt and blemish, since he had need to bring the sacrifice because of his sins. In a similar way, God accepts Jesus as the perfect sacrifice for our sins, so He accepts our prayers and offerings even though we have weaknesses and failures.

Leviticus 1:17 And he shall cleave it with the wings thereof, but shall not divide it asunder: and the priest shall burn it upon the altar, upon the wood that is upon the fire: it is a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.

Leviticus 1:17 “he shall cleave it with the wings thereof, but shall not divide it asunder” - Comments - We see a similar type of sacrifice when Abraham he divided the sacrifice and entered into a covenant with God. This sacrifice establishes and confirms the covenant that an individual makes with God, although God has already established His covenant with the nation of Israel. Now, each Israelite who offers this sacrifice can enter into this covenant by faith, knowing that as he is obedient to the Mosaic Law and Levitical priesthood, and system of offering sacrifices, the blessings of God will flow into his particular life.

Genesis 15:10, “And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not.”