Leviticus 1:9

The entrails and legs must be washed with water, and the priest shall burn all of it on the altar as a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

Study Bible

The entrails and legs
In the Hebrew text, the word for "entrails" is "קֶרֶב" (qereb), which refers to the inner parts or the inward parts of the animal. The "legs" are referred to as "כְּרָעַיִם" (kera'im), indicating the lower parts of the animal. The washing of these parts symbolizes purification and the removal of impurities, reflecting the need for holiness and cleanliness before God. This act of washing signifies the believer's need for spiritual cleansing and sanctification, emphasizing the importance of approaching God with a pure heart.

must be washed with water
The Hebrew word for "washed" is "רָחַץ" (rachatz), which means to wash or bathe. Water is a symbol of purification and cleansing throughout Scripture. In the context of the sacrificial system, washing with water represents the removal of defilement and the preparation of the offering to be acceptable to God. This act prefigures the cleansing power of Christ's sacrifice, which washes away the sins of believers, making them acceptable before God.

and the priest shall burn all of it on the altar
The Hebrew word for "burn" is "קָטַר" (qatar), which means to burn incense or to offer up in smoke. The priest, acting as a mediator between God and man, performs this act of burning the entire offering on the altar. The altar, a sacred place of sacrifice, represents the meeting point between the divine and the human. This complete consumption of the offering signifies total dedication and surrender to God, pointing to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who offered Himself wholly for the redemption of humanity.

as a burnt offering
The term "burnt offering" is translated from the Hebrew "עֹלָה" (olah), which means "that which goes up" or "ascent." This offering is entirely consumed by fire, symbolizing the complete devotion and consecration of the worshiper to God. The burnt offering is a voluntary act of worship, expressing atonement for sin and a desire to renew one's relationship with the Lord. It foreshadows Christ's complete and perfect sacrifice, which ascends to God as an offering for the sins of the world.

a fire offering
The phrase "fire offering" comes from the Hebrew "אִשֶּׁה" (isheh), meaning a sacrificial offering made by fire. Fire in the Bible often represents God's presence, holiness, and judgment. The fire offering signifies the consuming nature of God's holiness, which purifies and sanctifies. It also points to the divine acceptance of the sacrifice, as the smoke rises to heaven, symbolizing the offering's ascent to God.

of a pleasing aroma to the LORD
The Hebrew phrase "רֵיחַ נִיחוֹחַ" (reyach nichoach) translates to "a soothing aroma" or "a pleasing fragrance." This expression indicates God's acceptance and satisfaction with the offering. The pleasing aroma symbolizes the worshiper's sincere devotion and the reconciliation between God and man. In the New Testament, Christ's sacrifice is described as a "fragrant offering" to God (Ephesians 5:2), highlighting the ultimate fulfillment of the sacrificial system in Jesus, whose life and death were wholly pleasing to the Father.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Priest
The individual responsible for performing the sacrificial rituals, acting as a mediator between God and the people.

2. Altar
The sacred place where offerings are made to God, symbolizing His presence and the place of atonement.

3. Burnt Offering
A type of sacrifice in which the entire animal is consumed by fire, symbolizing complete surrender and dedication to God.

4. Entrails and Legs
Parts of the sacrificial animal that are specifically mentioned to be washed, indicating the importance of purity and preparation.

5. Pleasing Aroma
A metaphorical expression indicating that the offering is acceptable and pleasing to God.

Teaching Points

Complete Dedication to God
The burnt offering symbolizes total surrender to God. Believers are called to dedicate every aspect of their lives to Him.

Purity and Preparation
The washing of the entrails and legs signifies the need for purity. Christians should strive for holiness in their walk with God.

Role of the Priest
The priest's role in the offering process points to Jesus as our High Priest, who mediates on our behalf.

Pleasing Aroma
Our lives, like the burnt offering, should be a pleasing aroma to God, characterized by obedience and faithfulness.

Symbolism of Fire
Fire represents purification and the presence of God. Believers are refined through trials and the Holy Spirit's work in their lives.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the concept of a burnt offering in Leviticus 1:9 relate to the idea of living sacrifices in Romans 12:1?

2. What does the washing of the entrails and legs teach us about the importance of purity in our spiritual lives?

3. In what ways can we ensure that our lives are a "pleasing aroma" to God, as described in Leviticus 1:9?

4. How does the role of the priest in Leviticus 1:9 foreshadow the work of Jesus as our High Priest?

5. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's refining fire in your life. How did it lead to greater dedication and purity?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Genesis 8:20-21
Noah's burnt offering after the flood, which was also described as a pleasing aroma to the Lord, showing the continuity of sacrificial worship.

Exodus 29:18
The consecration of Aaron and his sons, where burnt offerings are described as a pleasing aroma, highlighting the role of priests.

Romans 12:1
Paul urges believers to offer their bodies as living sacrifices, drawing a parallel to the complete dedication symbolized by the burnt offering.

Hebrews 10:1-10
Discusses the limitations of Old Testament sacrifices and the ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice.