Leviticus 3:5
Then Aaron's sons are to burn it on the altar atop the burnt offering that is on the burning wood, as an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.
Then Aaron’s sons
The phrase "Aaron’s sons" refers to the descendants of Aaron, the brother of Moses, who were appointed as priests. In the Hebrew context, the priesthood was a hereditary office, and Aaron's sons were the first to serve in this capacity. This highlights the importance of lineage and the divine appointment of the priesthood in Israelite society. The role of Aaron’s sons was crucial in maintaining the sacrificial system, which was central to the Israelites' worship and relationship with God.

shall burn it on the altar
The act of burning on the altar signifies the complete offering of the sacrifice to God. The Hebrew word for "burn" (קָטַר, qatar) implies a transformation through fire, symbolizing purification and dedication. The altar, a sacred place of sacrifice, represents the meeting point between God and man. This act of burning is a physical manifestation of spiritual devotion and surrender to God.

on top of the burnt offering
The "burnt offering" (עֹלָה, olah) was a fundamental sacrifice in the Levitical system, symbolizing atonement and complete consecration to God. Placing the peace offering "on top of the burnt offering" indicates a layering of sacrifices, suggesting a progression in the worship experience—from atonement to fellowship. This layering signifies the comprehensive nature of worship, encompassing both reconciliation and communion with God.

that is on the burning wood
The "burning wood" serves as the fuel for the sacrificial fire, representing the sustaining power of God’s presence. Wood, a natural and abundant resource, symbolizes the provision of God and the continuity of worship. The perpetual fire on the altar, maintained by the burning wood, signifies the ongoing nature of God’s covenant with His people and the continuous need for atonement and fellowship.

as an offering made by fire
The phrase "offering made by fire" (אִשֶּׁה, ishsheh) emphasizes the sacrificial nature of the act, where fire is a purifying and consuming force. This offering is a tangible expression of devotion and obedience, transforming the physical into the spiritual. The fire represents God’s holiness and the transformative power of His presence, consuming the offering and symbolically purifying the worshiper.

a pleasing aroma to the LORD
The "pleasing aroma" (רֵיחַ נִיחוֹחַ, reyach nichoach) is a metaphorical expression indicating God’s acceptance and satisfaction with the offering. In ancient Near Eastern culture, the aroma of sacrifices was believed to ascend to the divine realm, symbolizing the worshiper’s desire to please God. This phrase underscores the relational aspect of the sacrificial system, where the ultimate goal is to bring joy and satisfaction to the LORD, fostering a harmonious relationship between God and His people.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Aaron's Sons
The priests who were responsible for performing the sacrificial rituals. They were the descendants of Aaron, the first high priest of Israel.

2. The Altar
A sacred place where offerings and sacrifices were made to God. It was central to the worship practices of the Israelites.

3. Burnt Offering
A type of sacrifice that was completely consumed by fire, symbolizing total dedication to God.

4. Offering Made by Fire
A sacrificial act involving the burning of offerings, which was a common practice in ancient Israelite worship.

5. Pleasing Aroma to the LORD
A phrase indicating that the sacrifice was acceptable and pleasing to God, symbolizing His satisfaction with the offering.
Teaching Points
The Role of Priests
The priests acted as mediators between God and the people, highlighting the importance of spiritual leadership and intercession in the community of faith.

Symbolism of Sacrifice
Sacrifices in the Old Testament were a foreshadowing of Christ's ultimate sacrifice. Understanding this helps us appreciate the depth of Jesus' atonement for our sins.

Total Dedication
Just as the burnt offering was completely consumed, believers are called to offer their whole lives to God, holding nothing back.

Pleasing God
Our actions and offerings should aim to please God, reflecting a heart of obedience and reverence.

Spiritual Sacrifices Today
In the New Covenant, our sacrifices are spiritual—praise, service, and love for others, which are pleasing to God.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the role of Aaron's sons as priests inform our understanding of spiritual leadership today?

2. In what ways can we offer our lives as a "pleasing aroma" to God in our daily activities?

3. How does the concept of a burnt offering in Leviticus 3:5 relate to the idea of living sacrifices in Romans 12:1?

4. What are some practical ways we can ensure our actions and offerings are pleasing to God, as described in Hebrews 13:15-16?

5. How can understanding the sacrificial system in Leviticus deepen our appreciation for Christ's sacrifice on the cross?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 29:18
This verse also speaks of a burnt offering as a pleasing aroma to the LORD, emphasizing the importance of sacrifices in the covenant relationship between God and Israel.

Hebrews 13:15-16
These verses encourage believers to offer sacrifices of praise and good deeds, drawing a parallel between Old Testament sacrifices and New Testament spiritual offerings.

Romans 12:1
Paul urges believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is a spiritual act of worship, connecting the physical sacrifices of the Old Testament to the spiritual dedication in the New Testament.
And Aaron's Sons Shall Burn ItR.A. Redford Leviticus 3:5
A General View OfferingsS.R. Aldridge Leviticus 3:1-5
The Peace OfferingJ.A. Macdonald Leviticus 3:1-5
The Foundation of Fellowship with GodW. Clarkson Leviticus 3:1-16
Charles Wesley's Peace-OfferingLeviticus 3:1-17
Christ Our Peace-OfferingS. Mather.Leviticus 3:1-17
Fat and Blood not to be EatenBp. Babington.Leviticus 3:1-17
Fellowship with God and Man as Illustrated in the Peace OfferingR.M. Edgar Leviticus 3:1-17
Gospel PeaceT. De Witt Talmage.Leviticus 3:1-17
Gratitude OfferingGreat ThoughtsLeviticus 3:1-17
On Terms of Peace with GodLeviticus 3:1-17
Peace ProclaimedChristian AgeLeviticus 3:1-17
Peace Through ChristLeviticus 3:1-17
Peace Through the AtonementLeviticus 3:1-17
Peace-Offerings Turned to SinA. A. Bonar.Leviticus 3:1-17
Praise-OfferingS. S. ChronicleLeviticus 3:1-17
Reason for Minute PrescriptionsJ. Cumming, D. D.Leviticus 3:1-17
The Best for GodA. Willet, D. D.Leviticus 3:1-17
The Goat in SacrificeA. A. Bonar.Leviticus 3:1-17
The Peace OfferingsR.A. Redford Leviticus 3:1-17
The Peace SacrificeF. H. White.Leviticus 3:1-17
The Peace-OfferingJ. A. Seiss, D. D.Leviticus 3:1-17
The Peace-OfferingLady Beaujolois Dent.Leviticus 3:1-17
The Peace-OfferingA. Jukes.Leviticus 3:1-17
The Peace-OfferingDean Law.Leviticus 3:1-17
The Peace-OfferingsA. Willet, D. D.Leviticus 3:1-17
The Peace-OfferingsJ. Cumming, D. D.Leviticus 3:1-17
The Sacrificial Feast of the Peace-OfferingS. H. Kellogg, D. D.Leviticus 3:1-17
People
Aaron, Moses
Places
Teman
Topics
Aaron, Aaron's, Altar, Aroma, Burn, Burned, Burning, Burnt, Burnt-offering, Burnt-sacrifice, Fire, Fire-offering, Fragrance, Lieth, Odor, Odour, Offer, Offering, Perfume, Pleasant, Pleasing, Sacrifice, Savor, Savour, Smell, Smoke, Sons, Soothing, Sweet, Wood
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Leviticus 3:5

     5183   smell
     8460   pleasing God

Leviticus 3:1-5

     4552   wood
     7422   ritual

Leviticus 3:1-6

     7364   fellowship offering

Leviticus 3:1-17

     7316   blood, OT sacrifices

Leviticus 3:3-5

     5166   liver and kidneys

Library
Motives to Holy Mourning
Let me exhort Christians to holy mourning. I now persuade to such a mourning as will prepare the soul for blessedness. Oh that our hearts were spiritual limbecs, distilling the water of holy tears! Christ's doves weep. They that escape shall be like doves of the valleys, all of them mourning, every one for his iniquity' (Ezekiel 7:16). There are several divine motives to holy mourning: 1 Tears cannot be put to a better use. If you weep for outward losses, you lose your tears. It is like a shower
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Leviticus
The emphasis which modern criticism has very properly laid on the prophetic books and the prophetic element generally in the Old Testament, has had the effect of somewhat diverting popular attention from the priestly contributions to the literature and religion of Israel. From this neglect Leviticus has suffered most. Yet for many reasons it is worthy of close attention; it is the deliberate expression of the priestly mind of Israel at its best, and it thus forms a welcome foil to the unattractive
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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