And he shall kill the bullock before the LORD: and the priests, Aaron's sons, shall bring the blood, and sprinkle the blood round about upon the altar that is by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

LEVITICUS 1:5KJV
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Leviticus 1:5 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 1:5 mean?

Leviticus 1:5 describes how a person bringing a burnt offering must kill a young bull in front of the LORD, and then Aaron’s sons, the priests, are to collect the animal’s blood and sprinkle it all around the altar at the entrance to the tabernacle. This verse outlines the specific steps for offering a sacrifice in the Israelite worship system.

God is speaking to Moses, giving instructions for how Israelites should bring burnt offerings. The person making the offering is responsible for killing the animal, but the priests handle the blood, which is a key part of the ritual. The altar stands at the entrance to the tabernacle, the central place of worship, and this process sets the pattern for sacrifices throughout Leviticus.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 1:5

  • "Kill" (שָׁחַט, shachat) means to slaughter, specifically in a ritual sense. The instruction is for the worshiper, not the priest, to perform this act, showing personal involvement in the offering.
  • "Before" (פָּנִים, panim) is often understood as "in the presence of" the LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH). This highlights that the act is done with an awareness of God’s presence, not just as a routine.
  • "Sprinkle" (זָרַק, zaraq) means to scatter or throw, and here it refers to the priests splashing the blood around the altar, a ritual act that marks the altar as set apart for God.

Why Leviticus 1:5 matters

  • Leviticus 1:5 makes clear that both the worshiper and the priests have roles in the sacrifice, emphasizing personal responsibility and priestly mediation.
  • The verse shows the importance of blood in the sacrificial system, as it is not just the animal but specifically the blood that is handled by the priests and applied to the altar.
  • Understanding this process helps clarify the structure and seriousness of worship in ancient Israel, and how the tabernacle rituals were meant to bring people into relationship with God.

Where else these words appear

“sprinkle” Hebrew H2236 · used in 33 verses

  • Exodus 9:8 And the LORD said unto Moses and unto Aaron, Take to you handfuls of ashes of the furnace, and let Moses sprinkle it toward the heaven in the sight of Pharaoh.
  • Leviticus 7:2 In the place where they kill the burnt offering shall they kill the trespass offering: and the blood thereof shall he sprinkle round about upon the altar.
  • 2 Kings 16:15 And king Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, Upon the great altar burn the morning burnt offering, and the evening meat offering, and the king's burnt sacrifice, and his meat offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land, and their meat offering, and their drink offerings; and sprinkle upon it all the blood of the burnt offering, and all the blood of the sacrifice: and the brasen altar shall be for me to enquire by.

“kill” Hebrew H7819 · used in 70 verses

  • Genesis 22:10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.
  • Leviticus 9:12 And he slew the burnt offering; and Aaron's sons presented unto him the blood, which he sprinkled round about upon the altar.
  • 2 Kings 10:14 And he said, Take them alive. And they took them alive, and slew them at the pit of the shearing house, even two and forty men; neither left he any of them.