Bible Strands
Leviticus 1:11
He shall slaughter it on the north side of the altar before the LORD, and Aaron’s sons the priests are to splatter its blood against the altar on all sides.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The text addresses the worshipper presenting a flock burnt offering, instructing him on the precise location and ritual action required for the sacrifice. This directive occurs within the procedural framework of Leviticus 1, immediately following the command to select an unblemished male sheep or goat.
The words — The Hebrew verb שָׁחַט (sha·chat) literally means to cut the throat, specifying the exact method of slaughter. The phrase עַל יֶרֶךְ הַמִּזְבֵּחַ צָפֹנָה (al yerekh ha·miz·be·ach tza·fo·nah) translates to "on the side of the altar northward," designating the precise spatial orientation for the rite.
The thread — The slaughter before Yahweh and the priests' role in handling the blood appear in parallel ritual instructions for bull offerings (Leviticus 1:5). Spatial orientation near sacred furniture also appears when the table is positioned on the north side of the tabernacle (Exodus 40:22).
Why it lands — The verse requires the worshipper to execute the killing at a fixed location and demands the priests to apply the blood to every edge of the altar, establishing exact boundaries for the ritual. It instructs the reader to recognize that the offering's acceptance depends on strict adherence to the prescribed physical actions rather than personal preference.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And he shall kill it on the side of the altar northward before the Lord: and the priests, Aaron’s sons, shall sprinkle his blood round about upon the altar.
Cross-references
- Leviticus 1:5 And he shall slaughter the young bull before the LORD, and Aaron’s sons the priests are to present the blood and splatter it on all sides of the altar at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
- Exodus 40:22 Moses placed the table in the Tent of Meeting on the north side of the tabernacle, outside the veil.
- Leviticus 1:7 The sons of Aaron the priest shall put a fire on the altar and arrange wood on the fire.
- Leviticus 6:25 “Tell Aaron and his sons that this is the law of the sin offering: In the place where the burnt offering is slaughtered, the sin offering shall be slaughtered before the LORD; it is most holy.
- Leviticus 7:2 The guilt offering must be slaughtered in the place where the burnt offering is slaughtered, and the priest shall splatter its blood on all sides of the altar.
- Leviticus 9:12 Then Aaron slaughtered the burnt offering. His sons brought him the blood, and he splattered it on all sides of the altar.
- Ezekiel 8:5 “Son of man,” He said to me, “now lift up your eyes to the north.” So I lifted up my eyes to the north, and in the entrance north of the Altar Gate I saw this idol of jealousy.