Bible Strands

Leviticus 1:12

He is to cut the animal into pieces, and the priest shall arrange them, including the head and fat, atop the burning wood that is on the altar.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — God directs Moses and the priests on the procedural steps for the burnt offering. The instruction occurs immediately after the animal is slaughtered on the north side of the altar and its blood is splattered.

The words — The verb עָרַךְ ('a.Rakh) means "he will arrange," denoting the priest's placement of the sacrifice. The noun פִּדְרֹ (pid.R/o) translates to "its suet," identifying the specific fatty portions to be included.

The thread — This cutting and arranging sequence establishes the structural pattern for later altar regulations in Leviticus 6:12 and Ezekiel 46:24. The ritual order of dismemberment, placement, and combustion remains consistent across the sacrificial code.

Why it lands — The text requires the priest to physically organize the dismembered animal and its designated parts over the fire. It demands strict adherence to the prescribed order of preparation before the offering is presented as burnt.

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 cut it into his pieces, with his head and his fat: and the priest shall lay them in order on the wood that is on the fire which is upon the altar: