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Article 0135 - Old Testament Sacrifices
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Old Testament Sacrifices
Jon Gary Williams
Within the law of Moses there were four different blood sacrifices: 1) Burnt Offering, 2) Sin Offering, 3) Trespass Offering, 4) Peace Offering. Following is a breakdown of these sacrifices, categorized by: Purpose, Victim, God's Portion, Priest's Portion, and Offerer's Portion.
Burnt Offering
(Lev. 1; 6:8-13; 8:18-21; 16:24)
(Lev. 1; 6:8-13; 8:18-21; 16:24)
- Purpose: to propitiate for sin in general, a means of approach by unholy people to a holy God
- Victim: male, unblemished: ox, sheep, goat or dove (according to wealth)
- God's portion: entire animal (hence called kalil, whole burnt offering)
- Priest's portion: nothing
- Offerer's portion: nothing
Sin Offering
(Lev. 4:1-5, 6:24-30; 8:14-17; 16:3-22)
(Lev. 4:1-5, 6:24-30; 8:14-17; 16:3-22)
- Purpose: to atone for specific transgressions where no restitution was possible
- Victim: priest or congregation: bullock; ruler: he-goat; commoner: she-goat
- God's portion: fatty portions (fat covering inwards; kidneys, liver, caul)
- Priest's portion: all remaining (to be eaten within court of tabernacle)
- Offerer's portion: nothing
Trespass Offering
(also called Guilt Offering)
(Lev. 5:14-6; 7:1-6)
(also called Guilt Offering)
(Lev. 5:14-6; 7:1-6)
- Purpose: to atone for specific transgressions where restitution was possible, damages computed at six-fifths, payable in advance - legal satisfaction.
- Victim: ram only
- God's portion: fatty portions (fat covering inwards; kidneys, liver, caul)
- Priest's portion: all remaining (to be eaten within the court of the tabernacle)
- Offerer's portion: nothing
Peace Offering
(Leviticus 3)
(Leviticus 3)
These offerings represented fellowship with God and with other believers. Peace Offerings were the only offering which the worshiper ate. In fact, they were a communion meal. In a symbolic sense everyone ate together (God, priest, worshiper, and others in the faith community). There were three types of peace offerings.
1. Thank Offering (Lev. 7:12-15)
- Purpose: For an unexpected blessing or deliverance already granted by God
- Victim: Unblemished male or female ox/sheep/goat
- God's portion: fatty portions
- Priest's portion:
a. Wave offering: breast, to the high priestb. Heave offering: right foreleg, to the officiating priest (to be eaten in any clean place)
- Offerer's portion: remainder, eaten in court on the first or second day (this was a community meal eaten with others)
2. Votive Offering (Lev. 7:16)
- Purpose: for blessing or deliverance already granted, when a vow had been made in support of the petition
- Victim: unblemished male or female ox/sheep/goat
- God's portion: fatty portions
- Priest's portion:
a. Wave offering: breast, to the high priestb. Heave offering: right foreleg, to the officiating priest (to be eaten in any clean place)
- Offerer's portion: remainder, eaten in court on the first or second day (this was a community meal eaten with others)
3. Freewill Offering (Lev. 7:16)
- Purpose: to express general thankfulness and love toward God, without regard to specific blessings
- Victim: male or female ox/sheep/goat (minor imperfections permitted)
- God's portion: fatty portions
- Priest's portion:
a. Wave offering: breast, to the high priestb. Heave offering: right foreleg, to the officiating priest (to be eaten in any clean place)
Offerer's portion: remainder, eaten in court on the first or second day (this was a community meal eaten with others)
There were also grain and drink offerings (Leviticus 2; 6:14-23). These offerings usually accompanied the burnt offerings and peace offerings.
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