Law of Sacrifices

1. The Law of the Burnt Offering (`Olah):

At the setting-up of the tabernacle burnt and meal offerings were sacrificed (Ex 40:29). The law of the
burnt offering is found in Lev 1. Common altars and customary burnt offerings needed no minute
regulations, but this ritual was intended primarily for the priest, and was taught to the people as needed.
They were for the statutory individual and national offering upon the "horned" altar before the sanctuary.
Already the daily burnt offerings of the priests had been provided for (Ex 29:38-42). The burnt offering is
here called qorban, "oblation."

(1) Ritual for the Offerer (Leviticus 1:3-17).

This may have been from the herd or flock or fowls, brought to the tent of meeting; hands were laid
(heavily) upon its head designating it as the offerer's substitute, it was killed, flayed and cut in pieces. If
of the flock, it was to be killed on the north side of the altar; if a fowl, the priest must kill it.

(2) Ritual for the Priest (Leviticus 1:3-17).

If a bullock or of the flock, the priest was to sprinkle the blood round about the altar, put on the fire, lay the
wood and pieces of the carcass, wash the inwards, legs, etc., and burn it all as a sweet savor to God. If a
fowl, he must wring the neck, drain out the blood on the side of the altar, cast the crop, filth, etc., among
the ashes, rend the wings without dividing the bird and burn the carcass on the altar.

(3) General Laws for the Priest.

The burnt offering must be continued every morning and every evening (Ex 29:38 f; Nu 28:3-8). At the
fulfillment of his vow the Nazirite must present it before God and offer it upon the altar through the priest
(Nu 6:14,16): on the Sabbath, two lambs (Nu 28:9); on the first of the month, two bullocks, one ram and
seven lambs (Nu 28:11); on the day of first-fruits, the same (Nu 28:27); on the 1st day of the 7th month,
one bullock, one ram, seven lambs (Nu 29:8); on the 15th day, 13 bullocks, two rams, 14 lambs, the
number of bullocks diminishing daily until the 7th day, when seven bullocks, two rams, 14 lambs were
offered (Nu 29:12-34); on the 22nd day of this month one bullock, one ram and seven lambs were offered
(Nu 29:35,36). Non-Israelites were permitted to offer the Heb: `olah, but no other sacrifices (Lev 17:8;
22:18,25).

(4) Laws in Deuteronomy 12:6,13,14,27; 27:6.

Anticipating a central sanctuary in the future, the lawgiver counsels the people to bring their offerings
there (Dt 12:6,11); they must be careful not to offer them in any place (Dt 12:13), but must patronize the
central sanctuary (Dt 12:14). In the meantime common altars and customary sacrifices were allowable
and generally necessary (Dt 16:21; 27:6).

2. The Law of the Meal Offering (Minchah):

The term "meal offering" is here confined to offerings of flour or meal, etc. (the King James Version "meat-
offering"), and was first used at the consecration of Aaron and his sons (Ex 29:41). These must not be
offered on the altar of incense (Ex 30:9); were used at the completion of the tabernacle (Ex 40:29); and
always with the morning and evening burnt offerings.

(1) Ritual for the Offerer (Leviticus 2:1-16).

It must be of fine flour, with oil and frankincense added, and brought to the priest; if baked in the oven,
unleavened cakes mingled with oil, or wafers and oil; if of the baking pan, fine flour mingled with oil parted
into pieces and oil thereon; if of the frying pan, the same ingredients. Leaven and honey must never be
used as they quickly become corrupt. Every offering must be seasoned with salt. If of the first-fruits
(Heb: bikkurim), it should consist of grain in the ear, parched with oil and frankincense upon it.

(2) Ritual for the Priest (Leviticus 2:1-16).

This required him to take out a handful with the oil and frankincense thereon and burn it as a memorial
upon the altar. The remainder was holy and belonged to the priest. Of the cakes, after bringing them to
the altar, he was to take a portion, burn it and appropriate the remainder; the same with the first-fruits.

(3) General Laws for the Priest (Leviticus 6:14-18 (Hebrew 7-11), etc.).

He might eat his portion without leaven in the holy place. At his anointing Aaron offered his own oblation
of fine flour--1/10 of an ephah, one-half in the morning and one-half in the evening. If baked, it must be
with oil. This meal offering must all be burnt; none could be eaten. With the sin offerings and guilt
offerings every meal offering baked in any way belongs to the priest (Lev 7:9,10; 10:12; Nu 18:9). The
meal offerings accompanied the other offerings on all important occasions, such as the consecration of
Aaron (Lev 9:4,17); cleansing of a leper (Lev 14:10,20,21,31); feast of first-fruits (Lev 23:13); Pentecost
(Lev 23:16); set feasts (Lev 23:37). Special charge was given to Eleazar to care for the continual meal
offerings (Nu 4:16). The Nazirite must offer it (Nu 6:15,17). When the tribes presented their offerings,
meal offerings were always included (Nu 7:13,19, etc.); when the Levites were set apart (Nu 8:8); with
vows of freewill offerings (Nu 15:4,6); with the sin offerings (Nu 15:24); at all the several seasons (Nu 28:5
through 29:39). A special form was the "showbread" (bread of memorial). Twelve loaves were to be
placed in two rows or heaps of six each on a pure table in the holy place, with frankincense on each pile
or row. These were to remain for one week and then to be eaten by the priests. They were an offering of
food by fire, though probably only the frankincense was actually burned (Lev 24:5 f).

3. The Law of the Peace Offering:

The peace offerings indicated right relations with God, expressing good-fellowship, gratitude and
obligation. The common altars were fitted for their use (Ex 20:24), as feasts had been thus celebrated
from time immemorial. At the feast before God on the Mount, peace offerings provided the food (Ex
24:5); also before the golden bull (Ex 32:6). The wave offerings and heave offerings were portions of
these.

(1) Ritual for the Offerer (Leviticus 3:1-17).

The offering might be a bullock, a lamb, or a goat, either male or female, latitude being allowed in this
case. The ritual was the same as in the case of the burnt offering (see above).

(2) Ritual for the Priest (Leviticus 3:1-17).

Blood must be sprinkled on the altar round about, the caul, the liver and the kidneys must be taken away
and the fat parts burned on the altar; the fat tail of the lamb must also be burned. These portions were
offerings of food by fire to the Deity. The ritual for a goat was the same as for a bullock.
(3) General Laws for the Priest (Leviticus 6:12 (Hebrew 5); 7:1 ff).
The fat was to be burned on the altar of burnt offering. If it was a thank offering (Heb: zebhach ha-
todhah), it must have unleavened cakes with oil, cakes mingled with oil and fine flour soaked. Cakes of
leavened bread might be offered, and one cake was to be a heave offering to the priest. The flesh was to
be eaten that day, none was to be left till morning (Lev 22:30). If it was a votive offering (Heb: zebhach
nedher) or a freewill offering (Heb: zebhach nedhabhah), it might be eaten on the first and second days,
but not on the third day; it should then be an abomination (Lev 7:18 f). If eaten then by anyone, that
person was to be cut off from the community. Of all peace offerings the wave-breast and heave-thigh
belong to the priest (Lev 7:29-34), the remainder was to be eaten by the worshippers. At Aaron's
consecration an ox and a ram were the peace offerings (Lev 9:4,18,22). The priest's portion was to be
eaten in a clean place by the priest's family (Lev 10:14). When Israel should have a central sanctuary, all
were to be brought there (Lev 17:4,5). When they had no central place, the common altars would suffice.
All peace offerings must be made in an acceptable manner (Lev 19:5). Votive offerings must be perfect
(Lev 22:18-22), but certain imperfections are allowable in freewill offerings (Lev 22:23). At Pentecost two
he-lambs of the first year could be offered as peace offerings (Lev 23:19). The Nazirite at the end of his
separation must offer one ram for a peace offering with unleavened bread (Nu 6:14,17), and the hair
shaved from his head must be burned under the peace offerings (Nu 6:18). This hair was regarded as a
thing having life and offered as a sacrifice by other nations. The various tribes brought peace offerings
(Numbers 7, , passim), and at the feast of trumpets the people were to rejoice and blow trumpets over the
peace offerings (Nu 10:10). Some further regulations are given (Nu 15:9 f).

4. The Law of the Sin Offering:

The sin offering was a sacrifice of a special kind, doubtless peculiar to Israel and first mentioned at the
consecration of Aaron and his sons. It is not then spoken of as an innovation. It was of special value as
an expiatory sacrifice.
(1) At the Consecration of Aaron and His Sons (Exodus 29:10 ff).
A bullock was killed before the altar, some blood was put upon the horns of the altar by Moses, the rest
was poured out at the base. The fat of the inwards was burned upon the altar, the flesh and skin were
burned without the camp. Every day during the consecration this was done (Ex 29:36).
2) The Law of the Sin Offering (Leviticus 4:1-35; 24-30, etc.).
(a) The Occasion and Meaning:
Specifically to atone for unwitting sins, sins of error (Heb: sheghaghah), mistakes or rash acts, unknown
at the time, but afterward made known. There were gradations of these for several classes of offenders:
the anointed priest (Lev 4:3-12), the whole congregation (Lev 4:13-21), a ruler (Lev 4:22-26), one of the
common people (Lev 4:27-35), forswearing (5:1), touching an unclean thing (Lev 5:2) or the uncleanness
of man (Lev 5:3), or rashly sweating in ignorance (Lev 5:4). For conscious and willful violations of the
Law, no atonement was possible, with some exceptions, for which provision was made in the guilt
offerings (see below).
(b) Ritual for the Offerer (Leviticus 4:1-5,13, etc.):
The anointed priest must offer a bullock at the tent of meeting, lay his hands upon it and slay it before
Yahweh. The congregation was also required to bring a young bullock before the tent of meeting, the
elders were to lay hands upon it and slay it before Yahweh. The ruler must bring a he-goat and do the
same. One of the common people might bring a she-goat or lamb and present it in the same manner. If
too poor for these, two turtledoves or young pigeons, one for a sin offering and one for burnt offering,
would suffice. If too poor for these, the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour without oil or flankincense
would suffice.
(c) Ritual for the Priest (Leviticus 4:1-5,13, etc.):
He must bring the bullock's blood to the tent of meeting, dip his finger into it and sprinkle blood 7 times
before the veil of the sanctuary, and put some on the horns of the altar of incense, but most of the blood
must be poured out at the base of the altar. The fat must be burned upon the altar, all the rest of the
carcass must be carried to a clean place without the camp and burned. In the case of the whole
congregation, the ritual is the same. In the case of a ruler, the blood is to be put upon the horns of the
altar of burnt offering, not the altar of incense. In the case of one of the common people, the ritual is
similar to that of the ruler. In both the latter cases the carcass belonged to the priest. If a bird, the priest
must wring off its head, sprinkle some blood on the side of the altar and pour the rest at the base.
Nothing is said of the disposal of the carcass. If of fine flour, the priest must take out a handful and burn it
upon the altar, keeping the remainder for himself. The use of fine flour for an expiatory sacrifice is
evidently exceptional and intended to be so. Though life was not given, yet necessity of life--that which
represented life--was offered.
(d) General Laws for the Priest (Leviticus 6:24-30):
The sin offering was to be slain in the same place as the burnt offering. It was most holy, and the priest
alone might eat what was left of the ram, pigeon or flour, in the holy place. Whatever touched it was to be
holy, any garment sprinkled with the blood must be washed in a holy place, earthen vessels used must be
broken, and brazen vessels thoroughly scoured and rinsed.
(e) Special Uses of the Sin Offering:
(i) Consecration of Aaron and His Sons:
 The consecration of Aaron and his sons (Lev 8:2,14,15) was similar to that of Lev 4:11,12, only Moses
was to kill the offering and put the blood on the horns of the altar. On the 8th day a bull-calf was offered
(Lev 9:2), and the congregation offered a he-goat (Lev 9:3). In this case Aaron performed the ceremony,
as in Lev 4:11,12. Moses complained that they had not eaten the flesh of the calf and goat in the
sanctuary, since that was requisite when the blood was not brought into the sanctuary (Lev 10:16-20).

(ii) Purifications from Uncleannesses:

Purifications from uncleannesses required after childbirth a young pigeon or turtledove (Lev 12:6-8). The
leper must bring a guilt offering (a special kind of sin offering), a he-lamb (Lev 14:12-14,19); if too poor for
a lamb, a turtledove or young pigeon (Lev 14:22,31). Special use of the blood is required (Lev 14:25). In
uncleanness from issues a sin offering of a turtledove or young pigeon must be offered by the priest (Lev
15:15,30).

(iii) On the Day of Atonement:

On the Day of Atonement (Lev 16:1-28) Aaron must take a bullock for himself and house, two he-goats
for the people, present the goats at the sanctuary, cast losts, one for Yahweh, as a sin offering, the other
for Azazel, to be sent into the wilderness. The bullock was killed, sweet incense was burned within the
rail, blood was sprinkled on the mercy-seat and before it 7 times. The one he-goat was killed and a similar
ceremony was performed. Blood must be put on the horns of the altar and sprinkled 7 times about it. The
other goat was presented, hands were laid on it, the sins of all confessed and put upon the goat, and it
was sent into the wilderness. The carcass of the bullock and he-goat were burned without the camp. At
the feast of first-fruits a he-goat was offered (Lev 23:19).

(iv) Other Special Instances:

Other special instances were: in the case of defilement, the Nazirite must offer a turtledove or young
pigeon on the 8th day after contraction (Nu 6:10 ff); when the days of the separation were fulfilled a ewe-
lamb with the other offerings (Nu 6:14) was to be offered; the twelve tribes included in each case a he-
goat for sin offering (Nu 7:16 ff); at the consecration of the Levites a young bullock (Nu 8:8,12). For
unwitting sins of the congregation a he-goat was to be offered (Nu 15:24,25). If one person erred, a she-
goat was permitted (Nu 15:27). A sin offering was required at the feast of the new moon (28:15), at the
Passover (Nu 28:22), at Pentecost (Nu 28:30), on the 1st day of the 7th month (Nu 29:5), and on the
10th, 15th-22nd days (Nu 29:10-38). The ceremony of the red heifer (Nu 19:1-10,17) was a special sin
offering for purification purposes only. It was of ancient and primitive origin. The young cow was brought
without the camp and was slain before the priest's face, blood was sprinkled 7 times before the sanctuary,
the entire carcass with cedar wood, hyssop and scarlet was burned, the ashes gathered and laid without
the camp in a clean place to be kept for the water of impurity. It was to purify after contact with the dead.
In the case of the unknown homicide (Dt 21:1-9) a young unbroken heifer was brought to a running
stream, its neck was broken, the elders washed their hands over the heifer in the presence of the priests,
declaring their innocence. Thus the bloodshed was expiated. The action was a judicial one, but
essentially vicarious and expiatory and had doubtless a primitive origin.

5. The Guilt Offering:

The guilt offering (the King James Version "trespass offering") (Lev 5:14 through 6:7) was a special kind
of sin offering, always of a private character and accompanied by a fine. It expressed expiation and
restitution. The classes of sin requiring a guilt offering with reparation in money are: (1) a trespass in the
holy things done unwittingly; (2) anything which the Law forbade depriving God or the priest of their due;
(3) dealing falsely, with a neighbor in a deposit, or pledge, or robbery, or oppression; (4) swearing falsely
regarding anything lost; (5) seduction of a betrothed bondmaid (Lev 19:20-22). The first two of these are
unwitting sins, the others cannot be. The clear statement is made in another place that sins done with a
"high hand," i.e. in rebellion against the covenant and its provisions, can have no sacrifice (Nu 15:30). Is
this a contradiction, or a later development when it was found that the more stringent law would not work?
(See J. M. P. Smith, et al., Atonement, 47 f.) Neither conclusion is probable. These conscious sins are of
a kind that will admit of full reparation because against rights of property or in money matters. The sin
offering makes atonement toward God, the restitution with the additional one-fifth makes full reparation to
man. No such reparation can be made with such sins described as committed with a "high hand." In the
case of seduction, rights of property are violated (compare Nu 5:5-8; Dt 22:29).
(1) The Ritual (Leviticus 5:14 through 6:7).
A ram proportionate in value to the offense and worth at least two shekels is required. The ritual is
probably the same as that of the sin offering, though no mention is made of the laying on of hands, and
the blood is not brought into the sanctuary, but sprinkled about the base of the altar, the fat and inside
parts being burned, and the flesh eaten by the priests in a holy place.

(2) Special Laws: Leper, Nazirite, etc.

The leper, when cleansed, on the 8th day must bring a guilt offering of two he-lambs and one ewe-lamb;
the priest must wave one he-lamb before Yahweh, kill it, and smear blood on the right ear, thumb and toe
of the leper. The guilt offering belongs to the priest (Lev 14:12-20). If the leper were too poor for two
lambs, one sufficed, with a corresponding meal offering, or one turtle-dove and a young pigeon (Lev
14:21,22). The Nazirite, if defiled during his period of separation, must bring a he-lamb for a guilt offering
(Nu 6:12). All guilt offerings were the priests' and most holy (Nu 18:9).