Burnt Offerings

The Burnt Offering was performed to atone for the people’s sins against the Lord and was a dedication offering of one’s life before the Lord continually.

The burnt offering was a sacrifice that was completely burnt. None of it was to be eaten at all, and therefore the fire consumed the whole sacrifice. It is also important to note that the fire on the altar was never to go out: Lev 6:13 (NKJV)

The common Israelite worshipper brought a male animal (a bull, lamb, goat, pigeon, or turtledove depending on the wealth of the worshipper) to the door of the tabernacle. Lev 1:3 (NKJV)

The animal had to be without blemish. The worshipper then placed his hands upon the head of the animal and in awareness that this innocent animal was standing in for the sinner he would seek the Lord for forgiveness and then killed the animal immediately. Lev 1:4-9 (NKJV)

The priests were also responsible to wash various parts of the animal before putting it on the altar: Lev 1:6-9 (NKJV)

Later In Israel’s history, there were burnt offerings made twice per day, one at morning and one at evening when the first star appeared: Num 28:3-4 (NKJV)