And he shall flay the burnt offering, and cut it into his pieces.

LEVITICUS 1:6KJV
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Leviticus 1:6 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 1:6 mean?

Leviticus 1:6 describes how the person bringing a burnt offering must skin the animal and then cut it into pieces as part of the sacrifice ritual. This is a specific instruction for how the offering was to be prepared before it was placed on the altar.

In this verse, God is giving Moses detailed instructions for the Israelites about how to present a burnt offering at the Tabernacle. The process involved removing the animal’s skin and dividing the body, which was part of the careful and respectful preparation for sacrifice. These steps showed the seriousness and orderliness expected in worship.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 1:6

  • The word “flay” is פָּשַׁט (pashat), which means to skin or remove the hide. This detail highlights that the skin was not burned with the rest of the offering, but set aside, possibly for other uses.
  • The word “offering” is עֹלָה (olah), meaning a burnt offering that is completely consumed by fire, symbolizing total dedication to God.
  • The word “cut” is נָתַח (natach), which means to divide or cut up. This shows that the animal was not just placed whole on the altar, but carefully separated into parts.
  • The word “pieces” is נְתָחִים (n’tachim), which refers to the individual sections the animal was divided into, making it easier to arrange on the altar for burning.

Why Leviticus 1:6 matters

  • This verse clears up that the burnt offering was not a simple or careless act, but involved careful, respectful preparation, reflecting the seriousness of approaching God.
  • The details about skinning and cutting the animal show that every part of the ritual had meaning and purpose, not just the burning itself.
  • Understanding these instructions helps make sense of the larger sacrificial system in Leviticus, where order, cleanliness, and respect were central to worship in ancient Israel.

Where else these words appear

“cut” Hebrew H5408 · used in 9 verses

  • Exodus 29:17 And thou shalt cut the ram in pieces, and wash the inwards of him, and his legs, and put them unto his pieces, and unto his head.
  • Leviticus 8:20 And he cut the ram into pieces; and Moses burnt the head, and the pieces, and the fat.
  • 1 Samuel 11:7 And he took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the coasts of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done unto his oxen. And the fear of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out with one consent.

“pieces” Hebrew H5409 · used in 9 verses

  • Exodus 29:17 And thou shalt cut the ram in pieces, and wash the inwards of him, and his legs, and put them unto his pieces, and unto his head.
  • Leviticus 1:12 And he shall cut it into his pieces, with his head and his fat: and the priest shall lay them in order on the wood that is on the fire which is upon the altar:
  • Judges 19:29 And when he was come into his house, he took a knife, and laid hold on his concubine, and divided her, together with her bones, into twelve pieces, and sent her into all the coasts of Israel.

“flay” Hebrew H6584 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 37:23 And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him;
  • 1 Samuel 30:1 And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire;
  • Job 1:17 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.