Dictionary of Bible Themes Dictionary of Bible Themes » 7000 God's people » 7300 Institutions and culture of OT » 7434 sacrifice » 7435 sacrifice, in OT An act that involved offering to God the life of an animal. It expressed gratitude for God's goodness or acknowledgment of sin. It was also associated with establishing a covenant. Sacrifice was an integral part of worship See also Genesis 46:1; Exodus 10:24-26; Judges 13:19; 1 Samuel 1:3; 1 Kings 3:4 Sacrifices were a means of offering thanks to God Genesis 4:4 Abel; Genesis 8:20 Noah delivered from the flood; Exodus 18:12 Jethro after God had delivered the Israelites; Judges 11:31 Jephthah; 1 Samuel 6:15 after the safe return of the ark The returning exiles: In response to God's deliverance from danger and sickness: Psalm 27:6; Psalm 54:6; Psalm 107:17-22 Sacrifices were offered at regular religious festivals Leviticus 23:5-8 Passover; Leviticus 23:18-20 the Feast of Weeks; Leviticus 23:23-25 the Feast of Trumpets The Day of Atonement: Leviticus 16:6-10; Leviticus 23:26-32 Leviticus 23:33-36 the Feast of Tabernacles Special occasions were marked by sacrifices 1 Kings 8:63 the dedication of Solomon's temple; 2 Chronicles 29:31-33 after Hezekiah had purified the temple; Ezra 3:2-3 the Jews who returned from the Babylonian exile; Ezra 6:17 at the completion of the second temple Sacrifices as signs of individual and national penitence Leviticus 4:1-3,13-14; Judges 2:1-5; Judges 20:26; 1 Samuel 7:8-9; 2 Samuel 24:10-25 The place of sacrifice It was divinely chosen Deuteronomy 12:13-14 See also Leviticus 17:3-5; Deuteronomy 12:2-6 Rival places of sacrifice caused the Israelites to sin 1 Kings 12:28-29,32; 2 Chronicles 15:17; 2 C 1 Under Hezekiah the high places were destroyed. God condemned certain sacrifices Sacrifices to other gods 1 Kings 11:7-8 See also Numbers 25:1-3; 2 Kings 16:4,15; Psalm 106:28; Isaiah 57:7; Isaiah 65:3,7; Jeremiah 19:4 Human sacrifices Leviticus 18:21; Deuteronomy 12:31; 1 Kings 16:34; 2 Kings 3:26-27; Kings 16:3; Kings 17:31; Kings 21:6; Ezekiel 20:31 Sacrifice to the LORD may be rejected If it is a substitute for obedience 1 Samuel 15:20-22; Jeremiah 7:21-22; Hosea 8:11-13; Amos 4:4; Mark 12:33 If it is a substitute for justice and mercy Isaiah 66:2-3; Micah 6:7-8; Matthew 9:13 If it is imperfect Blessing is promised when right sacrifices are offered Genesis 22:15-18; Psalm 4:5; Psalm 50:14-15,23; Psalm 51:17 See also
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