Leviticus 1:16 - and he shall take away its crop with its filth, and cast it beside the altar on the east part, in the place of the ashes.

Generated Verse: Leviticus 1:16

What does "Leviticus 1:16" mean?


Leviticus 1:16 describes a specific step in the ritual sacrifice of a burnt offering, particularly a bird. Let's break down the verse and its meaning:

"and he shall take away its crop with its filth": The "crop" is a pouch-like enlargement of the esophagus in birds where food is stored and moistened before digestion. It often contains undigested food, grit, and other substances. The "filth" refers to the contents of the crop, which are considered unclean. This part of the verse instructs the priest to remove the crop and its contents.

"and cast it beside the altar on the east part, in the place of the ashes.": The crop and its filth were not to be burned on the altar. Instead, they were to be disposed of in a designated area. This area was located to the east of the altar and was known as the "place of the ashes." This was the area where the ashes from the burnt offerings were collected, considered a place of defilement and disposal.

Meaning and Significance:

Purity and Separation: This verse emphasizes the importance of purity in the sacrificial process. The crop's contents were deemed unclean and unfit for offering to God. Removing it ensured that only the clean portions of the bird were offered.
Symbolic Cleansing: The removal of the crop and its contents may have symbolized the removal of impurity or sin. It represented a cleansing process before the offering was presented to God.
Designated Disposal: Disposing of the unclean parts in the designated area (the place of ashes) maintained the sanctity of the altar and the surrounding area. It prevented the defilement of the sacred space.
Specific Ritual: This verse highlights the detailed and specific nature of the sacrificial rituals in the Old Testament. Every step had a purpose and significance.

In essence, Leviticus 1:16 describes a necessary step in the bird sacrifice that emphasized cleanliness, purity, and the separation of the sacred from the profane.

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