Next, he is to skin the burnt offeringIn the context of Leviticus, the burnt offering was a voluntary act of worship, atonement for unintentional sin, and an expression of devotion to God. The act of skinning the animal was a meticulous process, symbolizing the removal of the outer layer to expose what is beneath, which can be seen as a metaphor for repentance and the stripping away of sin. This process was performed by the offerer, indicating personal involvement in the sacrificial act. The skin of the animal was given to the priest as part of their provision (
Leviticus 7:8), highlighting the support of the priesthood through the offerings of the people.
and cut it into pieces.
The cutting of the offering into pieces was a detailed and deliberate act, ensuring that the sacrifice was prepared according to God's instructions. This process allowed for the entire animal to be consumed by fire, symbolizing total dedication and surrender to God. The division into parts can also be seen as a type of Christ, whose body was broken for humanity (1 Corinthians 11:24). Each piece of the offering was arranged on the altar, signifying order and completeness in worship. This act of cutting and arranging parallels the New Testament teaching of presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God (Romans 12:1).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Moses- The author of Leviticus, who received the laws and instructions from God on Mount Sinai.
2.
Aaron and His Sons- The priests who were responsible for performing the sacrifices and rituals as outlined in Leviticus.
3.
The Tabernacle- The central place of worship for the Israelites, where sacrifices were offered.
4.
The Burnt Offering- A type of sacrifice in which the entire animal was consumed by fire, symbolizing complete dedication to God.
5.
Israelites- The people of God who were given these laws to maintain holiness and fellowship with God.
Teaching Points
Symbolism of the Burnt OfferingThe burnt offering represents total surrender and dedication to God. Just as the offering was completely consumed, believers are called to give their whole lives to God.
Role of the PriesthoodThe priests' role in preparing and offering sacrifices points to the mediatory role of Christ, our High Priest, who intercedes for us.
Holiness and PurityThe detailed instructions for sacrifices emphasize God's holiness and the need for purity in worship. Believers are called to live holy lives, set apart for God.
Foreshadowing of ChristThe sacrificial system foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who fulfills the law and offers redemption through His blood.
Practical WorshipThe physical act of preparing and offering sacrifices teaches the importance of intentional and active participation in worship, not just passive observance.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Leviticus 1:6?
2.What does Leviticus 1:6 teach about the importance of preparation in worship?
3.How does the act of skinning the burnt offering symbolize spiritual purification?
4.Connect Leviticus 1:6 with Romans 12:1 on presenting our bodies as sacrifices.
5.How can we apply the principle of sacrifice in Leviticus 1:6 today?
6.What does "skin the burnt offering" reveal about obedience in our spiritual lives?
7.What is the significance of the burnt offering in Leviticus 1:6 for ancient Israelites?
8.How does Leviticus 1:6 reflect the holiness required by God in the Old Testament?
9.Why was the animal's skinning and cutting necessary in Leviticus 1:6?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 1?
11.Does Hebrews 13:10's mention of an altar contradict Old Testament laws allowing priests to eat sacrifices?
12.How does the emphasis on burnt offerings in Leviticus 1 align with later scripture stressing mercy over sacrifice (Hosea 6:6)?
13.Jeremiah 7:22-23: How does God denying He commanded sacrifices align with earlier laws in Leviticus that clearly mandate offerings?
14.What is the significance of a burnt offering?What Does Leviticus 1:6 Mean
NextLeviticus 1:6 opens with the simple word “Next,” reminding us that God’s instructions for worship follow a deliberate sequence.
•Leviticus 1:3-5 already covered selecting the animal, bringing it to the entrance of the tent, laying hands on it, and slaughtering it. Each step prepares the worshiper for the next act of obedience.
•Exodus 40:32 shows priests washing “whenever they entered the tent…as the LORD had commanded Moses,” underscoring orderly progression.
•1 Corinthians 14:40 echoes the same principle for the church: “But everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner”.
he is to skin the burnt offeringThe priest now removes the hide.
•Leviticus 7:8 notes, “The priest who presents a burnt offering for anyone may keep its hide,” indicating divine provision for the servant of God.
•Genesis 3:21 records God clothing Adam and Eve with “garments of skin,” foreshadowing substitutionary covering.
•Hebrews 10:19-20 points to a greater access made possible “through the curtain, that is, His body”; the skinning hints at the stripping away that Christ endured for our approach to the Father.
Practical takeaways
– God cares for His ministers materially (1 Corinthians 9:13-14).
– True worship requires the removal of what conceals, exposing the sacrifice wholly to the flames (Hebrews 4:13).
and cut it into piecesAfter skinning, the animal is divided.
•Exodus 29:17 commanded Moses, “Cut the ram into pieces and wash the inner parts.” The pattern is consistent.
•Romans 12:1 urges believers, “present your bodies as a living sacrifice,” surrendering every part, not just a portion.
•Mark 12:33 commends loving God “with all the heart, understanding, strength,” mirroring total consecration.
Why pieces?
– Each portion could be arranged on the altar for complete burning (Leviticus 1:8-9).
– It ensured nothing would escape the purifying fire, symbolizing thorough dedication (Malachi 3:2-3).
– The process gave the priest opportunity to inspect for defects, echoing2 Corinthians 13:5: “Examine yourselves.”
summaryLeviticus 1:6 teaches that worship progresses step-by-step, exposes and yields everything, and offers the whole self to God’s purifying fire. The priest’s careful skinning and dividing foreshadow Christ’s complete surrender and invite believers to present every hidden and visible part of life to the Lord, confidently trusting His provision and cleansing power.
(6)
And he shall flay.--After the priest threw the blood on the walls of the altar, the sacrificer himself had to skin and cut up the sacrifice into its natural limbs (comp.
Leviticus 1:12;
Leviticus 8:20;
Exodus 29:17), as head, breast, legs, &c., and not mangle it. The skin was the perquisite of the officiating priest (Leviticus 8).
Verse 6. -
He shall flay the burnt offering. The hide was given to the priest (
Leviticus 7:8). The whole of the remainder of the animal was consumed by the fire of the altar; none of it was eaten by the offerer and his friends as in the peace offerings, or even by the ministers of God as in the sin offerings; it was a whole burnt offering.
His pieces, into which it was to be cut, means the customary pieces.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Next, he is to skinוְהִפְשִׁ֖יט(wə·hip̄·šîṭ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6584:To strip off, make a dash, raidthe burnt offeringהָעֹלָ֑ה(hā·‘ō·lāh)Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5930:Whole burnt offeringand cutוְנִתַּ֥ח(wə·nit·taḥ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5408:To cut up, cut in pieces, divide by jointsit into pieces.לִנְתָחֶֽיהָ׃(lin·ṯā·ḥe·hā)Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5409:A piece (of a divided carcass)
Links
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OT Law: Leviticus 1:6 He shall flay the burnt offering (Le Lv Lev.) 
