Leviticus 1:3

Authorized King James Version

If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אִם
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#2
עֹלָ֤ה
be a burnt sacrifice
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
#3
קָרְבָּנוֹ֙
If his offering
something brought near the altar, i.e., a sacrificial present
#4
מִן
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#5
הַבָּקָ֔ר
of the herd
a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd
#6
זָכָ֥ר
a male
properly, remembered, i.e., a male (of man or animals, as being the most noteworthy sex)
#7
תָּמִ֖ים
without blemish
entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth
#8
יַקְרִ֣יב
he shall offer
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
#9
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#10
פֶּ֝תַח
at the door
an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way
#11
אֹ֤הֶל
of the tabernacle
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
#12
מוֹעֵד֙
of the congregation
properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for
#13
יַקְרִ֣יב
he shall offer
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
#14
אֹת֔וֹ
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#15
לִרְצֹנ֖וֹ
it of his own voluntary will
delight (especially as shown)
#16
לִפְנֵ֥י
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#17
יְהוָֽה׃
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Analysis

Within the broader context of Leviticus, this passage highlights salvation through universal language and absolute statements. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by establishing foundational concepts crucial to Leviticus's theological argument.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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