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.