What is a…
burnt offering

Hebrew olah; i.e., “ascending”

A burnt offering is one that is consumed by fire, and regarded as ascending to God while being consumed.

Part of every offering was burnt in the sacred fire, but this was wholly burnt, a “whole burnt offering.” It was the most frequent form of sacrifice, and apparently the only one mentioned in the book of Genesis.

Such were the sacrifices offered by Abel (Genesis 4:3-4, here called minhah; i.e., “a gift”), Noah (Genesis 8:20), Abraham (Genesis 22:2, 7-8, 13), and by the Hebrews in Egypt (Exodus 10:25).

The law of Moses afterwards prescribed the occasions and the manner in which burnt sacrifices were to be offered. There were…

On other occasions special sacrifices were offered, as at the consecration of Aaron (Exodus 29) and the dedication of the temple (1 Kings 8:5, 62-64).

Free-will burnt offerings were also permitted (Leviticus 1:13), and were offered at the accession of Solomon to the throne (1 Chronicles 29:21), and at the reformation brought about by Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 29:31-35).

These offerings signified the complete dedication of the offerers unto God. In the New Testament, such worshipful dedication to God is referred to by the Apostle Paul in the book of Romans.

Therefore I exhort you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a sacrifice—living, holy, and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. in Romans 12:1.

Burnt offerings for sin are no longer required of God’s people under His new covenant begun at when Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose again.

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Article Version: April 5, 2026