Leviticus 1 - Introduction
_A.M. 2514. B.C. 1490._ Directions concerning burnt-offerings. A bullock, Leviticus 1:1. A sheep, goat, lamb, or kid, Leviticus 1:10. A turtle-dove, or young pigeon, Leviticus 1:14.... [ Continue Reading ]
_A.M. 2514. B.C. 1490._ Directions concerning burnt-offerings. A bullock, Leviticus 1:1. A sheep, goat, lamb, or kid, Leviticus 1:10. A turtle-dove, or young pigeon, Leviticus 1:14.... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the Lord called unto Moses_ The particle _and_ shows that the beginning of this book is closely connected with the conclusion of the former; and therefore it is probable that this order was given to Moses immediately after the consecration of the tabernacle; that now, when all things were ready... [ Continue Reading ]
Leviticus 1:2. Divers kinds of sacrifices are here prescribed, some by way of acknowledgment to God for mercies either desired or received; others by way of satisfaction to God for men's sins; others were mere exercises of devotion. And the reason why so many kinds of them were appointed was, partly... [ Continue Reading ]
_If his offering be a burnt-sacrifice_ This was called a _holocaust_ by the Greeks, being wholly given to God and consumed upon his altar, the skin excepted, neither the priest nor offerer having any share of it, Leviticus 1:9, and 1 Samuel 7:9. It was the principal sacrifice, and is properly mentio... [ Continue Reading ]
_He shall put his hand_ Both his hands; Leviticus 8:14; Leviticus 8:18; Leviticus 16:21; whereby he signified, 1st. That he willingly gave it to the Lord; 2d, That he judged himself worthy of that death which it suffered in his stead; and that he laid his sins upon it with an eye to him upon whom Go... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he_ Either, 1st, The offerer, who is said to do it, namely, by the priest; for men are commonly said to do what they cause others to do, as John 4:1. Or, 2d, The priest, as it follows, or the Levite, whose office this was. _Shall sprinkle the blood_ Which was done in a considerable quantity, an... [ Continue Reading ]
_The sons of Aaron shall put fire_ The fire was originally kindled from heaven, when the first sacrifices were offered, (Leviticus 9:24,) and was to be carefully preserved and kept burning, (Leviticus 6:13,) and therefore the expression of _putting fire upon the altar_ is to be understood, not of ki... [ Continue Reading ]
_The fat_ All the fat was to be separated from the flesh, and to be put together, to increase the flame, and to consume the other parts of the sacrifice more speedily. _But the inwards shall he wash_ To signify the universal and perfect purity both of the inwards, or the heart, and of the legs, or w... [ Continue Reading ]
_Northward_ Here this and other kinds of sacrifices were killed, (Leviticus 6:25; Leviticus 7:2,) because here seems to have been the largest and most convenient place for that work, the altar being probably near the middle of the east end of the building, and the entrance being on the south side.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Turtle-doves_ Those who were not able to go to the charge of a sheep or goat might offer a bird. And these birds were preferred before others, 1st, Because they were easily obtained; for Maimonides observes, that they were so plenteous in Canaan, and consequently so cheap, that the poorer sort coul... [ Continue Reading ]
_His head_ From the rest of the body; as sufficiently appears, because this was to be burned by itself, and the body afterward, Leviticus 1:17. And whereas it is said, (Leviticus 5:8,) _He shall wring his head from his neck, but shall not divide_ it _asunder_, that is spoken not of the burnt- offeri... [ Continue Reading ]
_With its feathers_ Or, _with its dung, or filth_, contained in the crop and in the guts. _On the east_ Of the tabernacle. Here the filth was cast, because this was the remotest place from the holy of holies, which was in the west end; to teach us that impure things and persons should not presume to... [ Continue Reading ]
_He shall cleave_ The bird through the whole length, yet so as not to separate the one side from the other. _A sweet savour unto the Lord _ Yet, after all, “to love God with all our hearts, and to love our neighbour as ourselves, is better than all burnt-offerings and sacrifices.”... [ Continue Reading ]