The burnt offering, or "olah" in Hebrew, is one of the oldest and most significant offerings described in the Bible. It is a voluntary act of worship, atonement for unintentional sin, and an expression of devotion, commitment, and complete surrender to God. The instructions for the burnt offering are primarily found in the Book of Leviticus, which serves as a manual for the Levitical priesthood and the Israelites on how to maintain holiness and proper worship before the LORD.

Biblical Instructions:

The detailed instructions for the burnt offering are provided in Leviticus 1:1-17. The LORD called Moses and spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting, giving specific guidelines for the Israelites:

1. Type of Animal: The burnt offering could be a bull, a sheep or goat, or a bird (turtledove or young pigeon), depending on the offerer's economic ability (Leviticus 1:3, 10, 14). The animal had to be a male without blemish, symbolizing purity and perfection.

2. Presentation and Laying on of Hands: The offerer was to bring the animal to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting, lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it would be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him (Leviticus 1:4). This act symbolized the transfer of sin and the offerer's identification with the sacrifice.

3. Slaughter and Blood Ritual: The offerer was to slaughter the animal before the LORD, and Aaron's sons, the priests, were to present the blood and sprinkle it around the altar (Leviticus 1:5, 11). The blood, representing life, was a crucial element in the atonement process.

4. Preparation of the Offering: The animal was to be skinned and cut into pieces. The priests were to arrange the pieces, along with the head and the fat, on the wood that was burning on the altar (Leviticus 1:6-8, 12). The entrails and legs were to be washed with water, ensuring cleanliness and purity.

5. Burning on the Altar: The entire offering was to be burned on the altar as a burnt offering, a pleasing aroma to the LORD (Leviticus 1:9, 13, 17). The complete consumption of the offering by fire symbolized total dedication and surrender to God.

Significance and Symbolism:

The burnt offering holds profound theological significance. It represents the offerer's complete dedication to God, acknowledging His sovereignty and holiness. The act of burning the entire offering signifies the totality of the sacrifice, indicating that nothing is held back from God. The pleasing aroma symbolizes God's acceptance of the offering and the reconciliation between the offerer and the divine.

The burnt offering also foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who offered Himself as a perfect and complete sacrifice for the sins of humanity. As stated in Ephesians 5:2 , "And walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God."

Historical Context:

The practice of burnt offerings predates the Levitical law, as seen in the sacrifices of Noah (Genesis 8:20) and Abraham (Genesis 22:2-13). However, the Levitical instructions provided a structured and communal approach to worship, emphasizing the holiness required to approach God.

Practical Application:

For the Israelites, the burnt offering was a regular part of their worship, serving as a daily reminder of their need for atonement and their commitment to God. For contemporary believers, while the sacrificial system is no longer practiced, the principles of dedication, atonement, and worship remain central to the Christian faith. The burnt offering encourages believers to offer themselves wholly to God, as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to Him (Romans 12:1).