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The burnt offering is considered first among the various sacrifices. Through the burnt offering, atonement was made for basic human sinfulness. In accordance with the type of animal offered, regulations for three different rituals are given. There is a ritual for herd animal (vv.3-9), one for animals from the flock (vv.10-13), and still another for birds (vv.14-17). While there is some difference in detail, the basic aspects of the rituals are the same. Seven steps are prescribed:
1. Presentation of the animal (vv.3, 10, 14): The animal from the herd was to be a bull; that from the flock, a sheep or goat; and the bird, a dove or pigeon. The offerings from the herd and flock were to be males without defect. The requirement that an animal be male is explained by the higher value that Hebrew society accorded males in general; that it be without defect reflects the central concern of the sacrificial system as a whole, God’s holiness. The only appropriate offering for the holy God of Israel is a valuable and flawless one. But some people were too poor to offer cattle, sheep, or goats, thus the provision for the sacrifice of doves or pigeons.
2. Laying a hand on the sacrificial animal’s head (v.4): The full meaning of this gesture is difficult to determine, but it is clear that the animal comes from the one making the offering. It may be assumed that at this point the offerer made a confession of sin.
3. Slaughter of the animal (vv.5, 11, 15): The offered animal was to be slaughtered at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting; in the oldest times the offerer slew the animal. Regulations also mention that the animal is to be killed before the Lord, i.e., in God’s presence.
4. Dashing of blood on the altar (vv.5, 11, 15): The priests were instructed to drain the slaughtered animal’s blood and dash it against the altar. The blood is represented as the means of atonement for sin (cf. 17:11).
5. Cutting up of the offering (vv.6, 12, 17): The slaughtered animal was cut into pieces so that it could be arranged on the altar.
6. Washing the intestines and legs (vv.9, 13): Dirt and feces had to be removed lest they defile the altar. For this reason the regulations required careful washing of the innards.
7. Burning the animal (vv.9, 13, 17): The priest burned all the parts that were arranged on the altar. As it burned, the aroma pleased God, moving him to show mercy to the supplicant.