Albert Barnes Commentary Leviticus 1

The Lord — In the Hebrew text of Leviticus, Jehovah יהוה yehovâh is the name by which God is usually called. Where אלהים 'ĕlohı̂ym occurs, it is generally with a possessive pronoun, to designate Him as the God of the chosen people (Leviticus 2:13; Leviticus 11:45; Leviticus 18:21; Leviticus 19:12, 19:14, 19:32, etc.).

The tabernacle of the congregation — Rather, the tent of meeting. See the note on Exodus 22:21. When Jehovah (Yahweh) was about to give His people the Law of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 19:3), He called to Moses from the top of Mount Sinai in thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud. When He was now about to give them the laws by which their formal acts of worship were to be regulated, He called to Moses out of the tabernacle which had just been constructed at the foot of the mountain (Exodus 25:22).

Speak to the children of Israel - It is important to observe that these first instructions (Leviticus 1:2–17) are addressed expressly to the individual who felt the need of sacrifice on his own account. They were not delivered through the priests, nor did the officiating priest have any choice as to what he was to do. He was only to examine the victim to see that it was perfect (Leviticus 22:17–24), and to perform other strictly prescribed duties (Leviticus 6:8–21). The act of offering was to be voluntary on the part of the worshipper, but the mode of doing it was in every point defined by the Law. The presenting of the victim at the entrance of the tabernacle was in fact a symbol of free will submitting itself to the Law of the Lord.

Such acts of sacrifice are to be distinguished from the public offerings and those ordained for individuals on special occasions (see Leviticus 4:2 note), which belonged to the religious education of the nation.

Offering - Hebrew: קרבן qorbân - the general name for what was formally given up to the service of God , and exactly corresponding to the words “offering” and “oblation.”

burnt - literally, that (offering) which ascends (as a flame).

A male without blemish - Males were required in most offerings, being the stronger sex which takes precedence over the other. But females were allowed in peace-offerings (Leviticus 3:1; Leviticus 3:6), and were expressly prescribed in the sin-offerings of the common people (Leviticus 4:28; Leviticus 4:32; Leviticus 5:6).

At the door of the tabernacle of the congregation - Wherever these words occur, they should be rendered: “at the entrance of the tent of meeting.” The place denoted is that part of the court in front of the tabernacle, where the brass altar and the laver stood, and where alone sacrifices could be offered. See the illustration for Exodus 26 (Exodus 26).

And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering—the usual ceremony. By it the sacrificer identified himself with his victim (Leviticus 3:2, 8; Leviticus 4:15; Leviticus 8:14; Romans 12:1).

To make atonement for him—this phrase belongs especially to the sin-offerings and the trespass-offerings (compare Leviticus 4:20, 26, 31, 35; Leviticus 5:16, 18; Leviticus 6:7, and so on). It is not used in reference to the peace-offerings, and only rarely in reference to the burnt-offerings. It should be noted that it is here introduced in close connection with the imposition of hands by the worshipper, and not—as it is when it refers to the sin-offering—with the special functions of the priest (Leviticus 4:26, 35; 2 Chronicles 29:23).

And he shall kill the bullock — Tradition states that before the laying on of the hand, the victim was bound by a cord to a ring on the north side of the altar; as the words of the prayer were ended, the throat was cut and the blood received into a bowl held by an assistant.

Sprinkle the blood — Rather, throw the blood, so as to make the liquid cover a considerable surface. (The Christian significance of this typical action is referred to in Hebrews 12:24; 1 Peter 1:2.)

By the door of the tabernacle — At the entrance of the tent.