Leviticus 1

God Calls Moses & Gives Instructions

1 The Lord called out to Moses from the Tabernacle and said,

2 Tell the Israelites: When you all bring an offering to Me, make sure it is an animal, either from your cattle, sheep, or goats.

Burnt Offerings from Cattle (Bulls)

3 If you bring a burnt offering from the herd (a bull), it must be a perfect one, no defects. Bring it to the entrance of the Tabernacle so I can accept it.

4 Put your hands on the bull’s head to show it is your sacrifice. That way, it takes your place, and I will accept it to cover your sins.

5 Then kill the bull before Me. Aaron’s sons, the priests, will take its blood and splash it on all sides of the altar at the Tabernacle entrance.

6 Next, skin the bull and cut it into pieces.

7 The priests will light the altar fire and keep it burning.

8 Then they will lay out the bull’s pieces, the head, fat, and everything, on the burning wood on the altar.

9 Wash the bull’s inner parts and legs with water. The priests will burn the whole thing on the altar. This burnt offering is a gift to Me, a smell that pleases Me.

Burnt Offerings from Sheep or Goats

10 If you bring a burnt offering from the flock (sheep or goat), it must be a perfect one, no defects.

11 Kill it on the north side of the altar before Me. Aaron’s sons will splash its blood on all sides of the altar.

12 Then cut it into pieces, the head, fat, and everything, and the priests will lay them on the burning wood on the altar.

13 Wash the inner parts and legs with water, then the priests will burn the whole thing on the altar. It is a burnt offering, a gift that smells good to Me.

Burnt Offerings from Birds (Doves or Pigeons)

14 If you bring a burnt offering from birds, bring a dove or a young pigeon.

15 The priest will take it to the altar, wring off its head, and burn it on the altar. He will drain the blood on the side of the altar.

16 Then he will remove the bird’s crop and feathers and throw them in the ashes on the east side of the altar.

17 He will tear the bird open by its wings but not completely apart. Then he will burn it on the altar, on top of the burning wood. This is a burnt offering, a gift that smells good to Me.