Leviticus 7:5 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 7:5 mean?

Leviticus 7:5 explains that the priest is to burn certain parts of the animal on the altar as a fire offering to the LORD; this specific act is part of the trespass offering ritual. The verse emphasizes that this offering is made by fire and is meant to address a particular kind of wrongdoing.

In the context of Leviticus, God is giving instructions to Moses for the Israelite priests about how to handle different types of sacrifices. The trespass offering, also called a guilt offering, was required when someone had committed a specific offense against God or another person. The burning of the sacrifice on the altar was a key part of this process, symbolizing the removal of guilt and the restoration of the relationship with God.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 7:5

• The word for "priest" is כֹּהֵן (kohen), which refers to the person from the tribe of Levi responsible for performing the sacrifices and maintaining the rituals in the tabernacle.
• "Burn" is קָטַר (qatar), which means to turn something into smoke on the altar, not just destroy it by fire but offer it up in a way that is seen as pleasing or acceptable to God.
• "Altar" is מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbeach), the special structure where sacrifices were made, central to Israelite worship and the place where offerings were presented to God.
• "Fire" is אִשֶּׁה (isheh), often understood as a fire-offering, highlighting that the act of burning was itself an offering to God, not just a means of disposal.
• "LORD" is יְהוָה (YHWH, often pronounced Yahweh), the personal name of Israel’s God, showing that this ritual is directed specifically to Him.
• "Offering" here is אָשָׁם (asham), which means a guilt or trespass offering, a specific type of sacrifice for certain sins or wrongdoings.

Why Leviticus 7:5 matters

• Leviticus 7:5 clarifies that the trespass offering was not just about bringing an animal, but about a specific ritual act—burning it on the altar as a fire offering to God.
• The verse highlights the role of the priest as the one who mediates between the people and God, carrying out the ritual exactly as instructed.
• By specifying that this is a trespass offering, the verse connects to the larger section of Leviticus that deals with how the Israelites could seek forgiveness and restore their relationship with God after committing certain offenses.