Leviticus 1:15
New International Version
The priest shall bring it to the altar, wring off the head and burn it on the altar; its blood shall be drained out on the side of the altar.

New Living Translation
The priest will take the bird to the altar, wring off its head, and burn it on the altar. But first he must drain its blood against the side of the altar.

English Standard Version
And the priest shall bring it to the altar and wring off its head and burn it on the altar. Its blood shall be drained out on the side of the altar.

Berean Standard Bible
Then the priest shall bring it to the altar, twist off its head, and burn it on the altar; its blood should be drained out on the side of the altar.

Berean Literal Bible
And the priest shall bring it near to the altar, and he shall wring off its head, and he shall burn it on the altar; and its blood shall be drained out upon the side of the altar.

King James Bible
And the priest shall bring it unto the altar, and wring off his head, and burn it on the altar; and the blood thereof shall be wrung out at the side of the altar:

New King James Version
The priest shall bring it to the altar, wring off its head, and burn it on the altar; its blood shall be drained out at the side of the altar.

New American Standard Bible
The priest shall bring it to the altar, and pinch off its head, and offer it up in smoke on the altar; and its blood is to be drained out on the side of the altar.

NASB 1995
‘The priest shall bring it to the altar, and wring off its head and offer it up in smoke on the altar; and its blood is to be drained out on the side of the altar.

NASB 1977
‘And the priest shall bring it to the altar and wring off its head, and offer it up in smoke on the altar; and its blood is to be drained out on the side of the altar.

Legacy Standard Bible
And the priest shall bring it near to the altar and wring off its head and offer it up in smoke on the altar; and its blood is to be drained out on the side of the altar.

Amplified Bible
The priest shall bring it to the altar, and wring off its head, and offer it up in smoke on the altar; and its blood is to be drained out on the side of the altar.

Berean Annotated Bible
Then the priest shall bring it to the altar, twist off its head, and burn it on the altar; its blood should be drained out on the side of the altar.

Christian Standard Bible
Then the priest is to bring it to the altar, and will twist off its head and burn it on the altar; its blood should be drained at the side of the altar.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then the priest must bring it to the altar, and must twist off its head and burn it on the altar; its blood should be drained at the side of the altar.

American Standard Version
And the priest shall bring it unto the altar, and wring off its head, and burn it on the altar; and the blood thereof shall be drained out on the side of the altar;

Contemporary English Version
A priest will take the bird to the bronze altar, where he will wring its neck and put its head on the fire. Then he will drain out its blood on one side of the altar,

English Revised Version
And the priest shall bring it unto the altar, and wring off its head, and burn it on the altar; and the blood thereof shall be drained out on the side of the altar:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The priest must bring it to the altar. He will break its neck and burn the bird on the altar. First, he will drain the blood against the side of the altar.

Good News Translation
The priest shall present it at the altar, wring its neck, and burn its head on the altar. Its blood shall be drained out against the side of the altar.

International Standard Version
The priest is to bring it to the altar to offer it up in smoke. He is to decapitate it and drain its blood on the side of the altar,

NET Bible
The priest must present it at the altar, pinch off its head and offer the head up in smoke on the altar, and its blood must be drained out against the side of the altar.

New Heart English Bible
The priest shall bring it to the altar, and wring off its head, and burn it on the altar; and its blood shall be drained out on the side of the altar;

Webster's Bible Translation
And the priest shall bring it to the altar, and wring off its head, and burn it on the altar: and its blood shall be wrung out at the side of the altar:
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
Then the priest shall bring it to the altar, twist off its head, and burn it on the altar; its blood should be drained out on the side of the altar.

World English Bible
The priest shall bring it to the altar, and wring off its head, and burn it on the altar; and its blood shall be drained out on the side of the altar;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the priest has brought it near to the altar, and has wrung off its head, and has made incense on the altar, and its blood has been wrung out by the side of the altar;

Berean Literal Bible
And the priest shall bring it near to the altar, and he shall wring off its head, and he shall burn it on the altar; and its blood shall be drained out upon the side of the altar.

Young's Literal Translation
and the priest hath brought it near unto the altar, and hath wrung off its head, and hath made perfume on the altar, and its blood hath been wrung out by the side of the altar;

Smith's Literal Translation
And the priest brought it near to the altar, and broke off the head, and burnt upon the altar: and pressed out its blood upon the wall of the altar.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The priest shall offer it at the altar: and twisting back the neck, and breaking the place of the wound, he shall make the blood run down upon the brim of the altar.

Catholic Public Domain Version
the priest shall offer it at the altar: and twisting back the neck with the head, and also rupturing the place of the wound, he shall make the blood run down over the edge of the altar.

New American Bible
Having brought it to the altar, the priest shall wring its head off and burn it on the altar. The blood shall be drained out against the side of the altar.

New Revised Standard Version
The priest shall bring it to the altar and wring off its head, and turn it into smoke on the altar; and its blood shall be drained out against the side of the altar.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the priest shall bring it to the altar, and wring off its head and burn it on the altar; and its blood shall be wrung out at the side of the altar round about;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the Priest shall bring it to the altar and shall pull off his head and shall offer it up on the altar and shall drain out the blood on the wall of the altar as a circle:
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the priest shall bring it unto the altar, and pinch off its head, and make it smoke on the altar; and the blood thereof shall be drained out on the side of the altar.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the priest shall bring it to the altar, and shall wring off its head; and the priest shall put it on the altar, and shall wring out the blood at the bottom of the altar.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Laws for Burnt Offerings
14If, instead, one’s offering to the LORD is a burnt offering of birds, he is to present a turtledove or a young pigeon. 15Then the priest shall bring it to the altar, twist off its head, and burn it on the altar; its blood should be drained out on the side of the altar. 16And he is to remove the crop with its contents and throw it to the east side of the altar, in the place for ashes.…

Cross References
Then the priest shall bring it to the altar,

Leviticus 8:18
Then Moses presented the ram for the burnt offering, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on its head.

Leviticus 6:9
“Command Aaron and his sons that this is the law of the burnt offering: The burnt offering is to remain on the hearth of the altar all night, until morning, and the fire must be kept burning on the altar.

Numbers 28:3
And tell them that this is the food offering you are to present to the LORD as a regular burnt offering each day: two unblemished year-old male lambs.
twist off its head,

Leviticus 5:8
He is to bring them to the priest, who shall first present the one for the sin offering. He is to twist its head at the front of its neck without severing it;

Leviticus 14:4
the priest shall order that two live clean birds, cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop be brought for the one to be cleansed.

Leviticus 14:5
Then the priest shall command that one of the birds be slaughtered over fresh water in a clay pot.
and burn it on the altar;

Exodus 29:18
Then burn the entire ram on the altar; it is a burnt offering to the LORD, a pleasing aroma, a food offering to the LORD.

Leviticus 8:21
He washed the entrails and legs with water and burned the entire ram on the altar as a burnt offering, a pleasing aroma, a food offering to the LORD, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Leviticus 6:13
The fire shall be kept burning on the altar continually; it must not be extinguished.
its blood should be drained out on the side of the altar.

Exodus 29:12
Take some of the blood of the bull and put it on the horns of the altar with your finger; then pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar.

Leviticus 4:7
The priest must then put some of the blood on the horns of the altar of fragrant incense that is before the LORD in the Tent of Meeting. And he is to pour out the rest of the bull’s blood at the base of the altar of burnt offering at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.

Leviticus 4:18
He is also to put some of the blood on the horns of the altar that is before the LORD in the Tent of Meeting, and he must pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar of burnt offering at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
Exodus 29:20
Slaughter the ram, take some of its blood, and put it on the right earlobes of Aaron and his sons, on the thumbs of their right hands, and on the big toes of their right feet. Splatter the remaining blood on all sides of the altar.

Leviticus 14:25
And after he slaughters the lamb for the guilt offering, the priest is to take some of the blood of the guilt offering and put it on the right earlobe of the one to be cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot.

Leviticus 14:14
The priest is to take some of the blood from the guilt offering and put it on the right earlobe of the one to be cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot.

Leviticus 8:23-24
Moses slaughtered the ram and took some of its blood and put it on Aaron’s right earlobe, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot. / Moses also presented Aaron’s sons and put some of the blood on their right earlobes, on the thumbs of their right hands, and on the big toes of their right feet. Then he splattered the blood on all sides of the altar.


Treasury of Scripture

And the priest shall bring it to the altar, and wring off his head, and burn it on the altar; and the blood thereof shall be wrung out at the side of the altar:

wring off his head.

Leviticus 5:8
And he shall bring them unto the priest, who shall offer that which is for the sin offering first, and wring off his head from his neck, but shall not divide it asunder:

Psalm 22:1,21
To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? …

Psalm 69:1-21
To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, A Psalm of David. Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul…

Jump to Previous
Altar Blood Burn Drained Head Offer Perfume Pinch Pressed Priest Side Smoke Thereof Twisted Wring Wrung
Jump to Next
Altar Blood Burn Drained Head Offer Perfume Pinch Pressed Priest Side Smoke Thereof Twisted Wring Wrung
Leviticus 1
1. The law of burnt offerings
3. of the herd
10. of the flocks
14. of the fowls












Then the priest shall bring it to the altar
The role of the priest in the sacrificial system was central, acting as a mediator between God and the people. The altar, located in the Tabernacle's courtyard, was the designated place for sacrifices, symbolizing God's presence and the need for atonement. This act of bringing the offering to the altar signifies the approach to God, emphasizing the need for a mediator, which foreshadows Christ as our High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16).

twist off its head
This phrase describes the specific method of sacrifice for a bird offering, which was typically a turtledove or young pigeon. The act of twisting off the head was a practical method for a small animal and highlights the seriousness of sin requiring a life to be given. This act can be seen as a type of Christ's sacrifice, where His life was given for the atonement of sin (Isaiah 53:5).

and burn it on the altar
Burning the offering on the altar was a way to transform the physical sacrifice into a pleasing aroma to the Lord, symbolizing complete dedication and surrender to God. This act of burning represents the total consumption of the offering, pointing to the totality of Christ's sacrifice on the cross (Ephesians 5:2).

its blood should be drained out on the side of the altar
The draining of blood is significant as blood represents life (Leviticus 17:11). The act of pouring it out on the altar's side signifies the offering of life to God and the cleansing power of the sacrifice. This prefigures the shedding of Christ's blood, which is essential for the forgiveness of sins (Hebrews 9:22). The side of the altar, where the blood was poured, can be seen as a place of purification and sanctification, pointing to the cleansing power of Jesus' blood.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Priest
The priest is the mediator between God and the people, responsible for performing the sacrificial rituals as prescribed in the Law of Moses.

2. Altar
A sacred place where sacrifices are offered to God. In the context of Leviticus, it is the central place of worship and atonement.

3. Sacrifice
The act of offering something valuable to God. In this verse, it refers to the offering of a bird, which is part of the burnt offering ritual.

4. Blood
Symbolizes life and is a crucial element in the sacrificial system, representing atonement and purification.

5. Burnt Offering
A type of sacrifice where the entire offering is consumed by fire, symbolizing complete surrender and dedication to God.
Teaching Points
The Role of the Priest
The priest acts as an intermediary, highlighting the need for mediation between God and humanity. This foreshadows Christ as our ultimate High Priest.

Significance of the Altar
The altar is a place of encounter with God. It reminds us of the importance of having a dedicated space and time for worship and communion with God.

Symbolism of Blood
Blood represents life and atonement. It points to the seriousness of sin and the cost of reconciliation with God, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus' sacrifice.

Total Surrender
The burnt offering symbolizes complete dedication to God. Believers are called to live lives fully surrendered to God's will.

Understanding Sacrifice
Sacrifices in the Old Testament were a foreshadowing of Christ's ultimate sacrifice. Understanding this helps us appreciate the depth of God's love and the cost of our redemption.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Leviticus 1:15?

2. How does Leviticus 1:15 illustrate the importance of sacrificial rituals for atonement?

3. What role does the priest play in the sacrifice according to Leviticus 1:15?

4. How does Leviticus 1:15 connect to Christ's ultimate sacrifice in the New Testament?

5. Why is the act of sacrifice significant in maintaining a relationship with God?

6. How can we apply the principles of sacrifice in our daily Christian walk?

7. Why does Leviticus 1:15 require the priest to kill the bird offering?

8. How does Leviticus 1:15 reflect the sacrificial system's significance in ancient Israelite worship?

9. What is the theological purpose of animal sacrifice as described in Leviticus 1:15?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 1?

11. How are we cleansed from all unrighteousness?

12. What does atonement signify?

13. How does Leviticus 17 align with the New Testament practice in Acts 15:29, where only some Mosaic laws about blood are upheld while others are set aside?

14. How is Jesus represented in each book of the Bible?
What Does Leviticus 1:15 Mean
Then the priest shall bring it to the altar

• The priest stands as God’s appointed mediator. By personally carrying the bird to the altar, he demonstrates that no one approaches God except through the way He has provided (Hebrews 5:1; John 14:6).

• The altar is the meeting place between a holy God and sinful people (Exodus 29:43). Here God’s justice and mercy converge, just as they later meet at the cross (Hebrews 13:10).

• The worshiper’s role is surrendered once the offering passes to the priest, picturing our complete reliance on Christ’s mediating work (1 Timothy 2:5).


twist off its head

• The swift removal of the bird’s head ends life quickly, emphasizing that sin’s penalty is death (Romans 6:23).

• This act is solemn and personal—it prevents detachment from the cost of atonement. Every burnt offering reminded Israel that fellowship with God always involves a life given (Genesis 22:13–14).

• The seriousness anticipates the profound sacrifice of Jesus, “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).


and burn it on the altar

• In a burnt offering the entire animal is consumed, symbolizing total consecration (Leviticus 1:9). Nothing is held back; everything rises to God as “a pleasing aroma” (Ephesians 5:2).

• Fire represents God’s purifying judgment (Hebrews 12:29). By accepting the sacrifice, He shows that judgment has fallen on the substitute, not on the sinner.

• The complete burning foreshadows Christ’s full self-offering: “He offered Himself unblemished to God” (Hebrews 9:14).


its blood should be drained out on the side of the altar

• Blood belongs to God because “the life of the flesh is in the blood” (Leviticus 17:11). Pouring it out publicly proclaims that life has been surrendered in place of the worshiper’s life.

• The side of the altar becomes a visible testimony that atonement has been made (Exodus 24:8).

• This draining parallels Christ’s blood poured out “for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28), securing eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:12).


summary

Leviticus 1:15 walks us step by step through a burnt offering of a bird. Each movement—presentation by the priest, the decisive death, the total burning, and the outpoured blood—points to the unchanging truth that sin demands death and that God mercifully accepts a substitute. The ritual invites wholehearted devotion while foreshadowing the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus, who fulfills every symbol and secures our way to God.

(15) And the priest.--It was probably out of consideration for the feelings of the poor offerer, and to increase the importance of the otherwise small offering, that the priest himself brought the victim to the altar and slew it instead of the worshipper performing these acts, as in the case of quadrupeds. The imposition of hands upon the victim was dispensed with, both because the bird was too small for this ceremony, and because the offerer brought it in his hands to the place of sacrifice, thus conveying by this act the idea involved in the imposition of hands.

And wring off his head.--When the bird is handed to him, the priest is not to use any knife, but is to nip off its head with his nails, throw the severed head on the altar fire, and thus cause it to ascend in the sweet smelling savour. As the small quantity of blood could not be caught in a bowl, and would not suffice for throwing it or pouring it on the four walls, as was the case in the offering of quadrupeds, he pressed it out from the headless body, and let it run on the walls.

Verse 15. - The priest shall bring it unto the altar. The difference in the ritual for the burnt sacrifice of fowls is:

1. That the offerer is not commanded to lay his hand on the bird.

2. That the altar is the place of maciation, instead of the space on the north side of the altar.

3. That the priest slays it instead of the offerer. . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then the priest
הַכֹּהֵן֙ (hak·kō·hên)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3548: Priest

shall bring
וְהִקְרִיב֤וֹ (wə·hiq·rî·ḇōw)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7126: To come near, approach

it to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the altar,
הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ (ham·miz·bê·aḥ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4196: An altar

twist off
וּמָלַק֙ (ū·mā·laq)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4454: To crack a, joint, to wring the neck of a, fowl

its head,
רֹאשׁ֔וֹ (rō·šōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7218: The head

and burn
וְהִקְטִ֖יר (wə·hiq·ṭîr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6999: To smoke, turn into fragrance by fire

it on the altar;
הַמִּזְבֵּ֑חָה (ham·miz·bê·ḥāh)
Article | Noun - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 4196: An altar

its blood
דָמ֔וֹ (ḏā·mōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1818: Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed

should be drained out
וְנִמְצָ֣ה (wə·nim·ṣāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4680: To suck out, to drain, to squeeze out

on
עַ֖ל (‘al)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the side
קִ֥יר (qîr)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7023: A wall

of the altar.
הַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃ (ham·miz·bê·aḥ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4196: An altar


Links
Leviticus 1:15 NIV
Leviticus 1:15 NLT
Leviticus 1:15 ESV
Leviticus 1:15 NASB
Leviticus 1:15 KJV

Leviticus 1:15 BibleApps.com
Leviticus 1:15 Biblia Paralela
Leviticus 1:15 Chinese Bible
Leviticus 1:15 French Bible
Leviticus 1:15 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Leviticus 1:15 The priest shall bring it to (Le Lv Lev.)
Leviticus 1:14
Top of Page
Top of Page