Finding Messiah in Vayikra, Leviticus 1:1-6:7

Lev 1:1-17

The Hebrew paragraphs:

1:1-9 {s} The whole burnt offering (olah) of the herd
1:10-13 {p} The whole burnt offering (olah) of the flock
1:14-17 {s} The whole burnt offering (olah) of the birds

Shall we find Messiah in Leviticus?

“For had you believed Moses, you would have believed Me; for he wrote of Me.” Yeshua, Joh 5:46

All of Torah, including Leviticus, prophesies of Messiah.

If any man of you brings an offering unto YHVH, you shall bring your offering of the livestock, even of the herd, and of the flock. Lev 1:2

“Offering” is derived from קרב  qarab, Strong’s H7126, a verbal root meaning, “to draw near.” The pictographs are quph + resh + bet.

quph ק = sun on horizon, thus condense, circle, time
resh ר = head of man, thus head, first, top, beginning, man
bet ב = house, thus house, household, family, in, within

The parable being told is that which gathers (quph, as the light is gathered back to its source when the sun is on the horizon) the man (resh) home (bet).

Where is man’s home, from God’s perspective? With Him! So the purpose of bringing a qorban, an offering, is to draw near to God. It is a form of worship. All the different types of offerings described in this first section of Leviticus share this same purpose.

If his offering is a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish; he shall offer it of his own free will at the door of the tabernacle of meeting before YHVH. Then he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering, and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him. Lev 1:3-4

“Burnt sacrifice” is in Hebrew, עלה olah, Strong’s H5930, the whole burnt offering. It literally means, a rising up as smoke in worship. The olah was a voluntary offering brought by a man in right relation with God.

That Messiah was a male without blemish:

… You were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain manner of life received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Messiah, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 1 Pet 1:18-19

That Messiah had our sins put upon Him, transferred to Him, by the laying on of hands:

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and YHVH has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Isa 53:6

That Messiah’s death was substitutionary:

For He has made Him, who knew no sin, to be sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Cor 5:21

That Messiah’s death made atonement for us:

And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Yeshua Messiah, by whom we have now received the atonement. Rom 5:11

Messiah Yeshua fulfilled all the law of the olah in His life, death, and resurrection, causing us to draw near to God with a true, or circumcised, heart, in full assurance of faith. He is the qorban which gathers us home to God.

Lev 2:1-16

2:1-3 {s} The grain offering (minchah) of flour
2:4 {s} The grain offering (minchah) of unleavened cakes
2:5-6 {s} The grain offering (minchah) of unleavened bread
2:7-13 {s} The grain offering (minchah) of unleavened porridge
2:14-16 {p} The grain offering (minchah) of firstfruits

And when any will offer a grain offering unto YHVH, his offering shall be of  fine flour; and he shall pour oil upon it, and put frankincense upon it. Lev 2:1

“Grain offering” is in Hebrew, מנחה minchah, Strong’s H4503, and is the next type of qorban we encounter. It means, “gift;” from an unnamed, unused root meaning, “to apportion, to bestow.” The Ancient Hebrew Lexicon lists the pictographs as nun + chet + hey.

nun נ ן = seed, thus continue, heir, son
chet ח = wall, thus outside, divide, half
hey ה  = man w/upraised arms, thus look, reveal, wonder, worship, breath

The parable is of the seed (nun) planted outside (chet) which provides the grain used to sustain the man’s livestock and household. A blessed grain harvest inspired a sense of wonder, even astonishment, and appreciation (hey) for it as a gift. The grain offering is a gift returned to the original gift-Giver of the grain.

Often in the Hebrew Old Testament, minchah is translated simply as “present” or “gift.”

And their father Israel said unto them, “If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds.” Gen 43:11

Do you ever bring home a gift for your spouse, not for an obligatory reason such as a birthday or anniversary, but just because, to express your love for them? That is the idea of the minchah.

Neither the olah, the whole burnt offering, nor the minchah, the grain offering, was offered to atone for sin, but they were voluntary offerings brought by a man already in right relationship with God, who desired to draw near and express his worship to God.

That Messiah was prophesied to fulfill the law of the minchah as well as the olah, we can see in Psa 40:6.

Sacrifice [zebach, a blood sacrifice] and offering [minchah, a bloodless sacrifice] You did not desire, but a body You have prepared; in burnt offering [olah] and sin offering [chattath], You have not required.

Psalm 40 is a psalm of David. In the prophets we read of God taking no pleasure in sacrifices because the people offered them with a corrupt heart.

Hear the word of YHVH, you rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the Law of our God, you people of Gomorrah. “To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto Me?” says YHVH. “I have had enough of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of male goats. When you come to appear before Me, who has required this at your hand, to tread My courts?” Isa 1:10-12

Israel rationalized that since the sacrifice will atone for sins, we can live our lives in the lust of the flesh, and bring sacrifices on the required days. It is no wonder God was wearied with them. But David did not have a corrupt heart, yet he prophesied by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that it was not the sacrifices themselves, as an end, that God took pleasure in, but rather they spoke of Messiah coming in the flesh to fulfill the law of the sacrifices.

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Messiah also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. Eph 5:1-2

“Offering” is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew minchah, the grain offering, a bloodless sacrifice. “Sacrifice” is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew zebach, a blood sacrifice.

Paul is teaching us, that while in Leviticus the worshiper brought the grain offering as a love gift to God, Messiah Yeshua gave Himself for us as a love gift to God, being the fulfillment of the law of the minchah, the grain offering.

Lev 3:1-17

3:1-5 {p} The peace offering (shelem) of the herd
3:6-11 {p} The peace offering (shelem) of the flock
3:12-17 {p} The peace offering (shelem) of the goats

When his offering is a sacrifice of peace offering, if he offers it of the herd; whether it is a male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before YHVH. Lev 3:1

In order to understand the biblical concept of the peace offering, we first have to understand the biblical concept of peace.

The word most often translated “peace” in our English Bibles, is the Hebrew שלום shalom, Strong’s H7965, an abstract concept meaning, “completeness, wholeness;” defined by its verbal root, שלם shalam, Strong’s H7999, “to be whole, sound, or safe.” The pictographs are shin + lamed + mem, but the Ancient Hebrew Lexicon says that the shin had been transposed from an original sin.

sin ס =  thorn, thus grab, hate, protect
lamed ל = shepherd’s staff, thus teach, yoke, to, bind
mem ם מ = water, thus chaos, mighty, blood

The parable being told is of the thorns (sin) which the shepherd (lamed) drew from the sheep, taking away from them that which was causing pain or trouble (mem), OR of the thorns with which the shepherd surrounded the sheep, adding to them that which would prevent pain or trouble, for a shepherd surrounded the sheep with thorn bushes at night, in order to prevent predators from coming in among the flock.

Shalam means, taking away from, or adding to, whatever is necessary to make complete or whole; thus, to be at peace, or to be in a covenant of peace, is to be complete, with nothing missing that should be there, and with nothing added that should not be there.

Therefore, when YHVH adds blessing to, or subtracts cursing from a man, to bring him into a state of completion or wholeness, to bring him into shalom, the man responds with a peace offering, a shelem; thus some Bibles translate shelem as a “thank offering.” The shelem was a voluntary offering brought as worship by a man in right relation with God.

YHVH added blessing to us and subtracted cursing from us through Messiah, who brought us to wholeness. He became our peace, and when we accept Him, He becomes our thanksgiving.

The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. Isa 53:5

Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luk 2:10-14

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Rom 5:1

For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation. Eph 2:14

For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. Col 1:19-20

For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. 2 Cor 4:15

Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. Heb 13:15

Lev chapters 1-3 are all part of the same speech, the laws for the burnt offering or olah, the grain offering or minchah, and the peace offering or shelem, all voluntary offerings brought by the man in right relationship with God. In Lev 4:1, YHVH begins a new speech. It is because the offerings which follow are a new class of offering.

Lev 4:1-35

4:1-12 {p} The sin offering (chattath) of the herd when the priest sins unintentionally
4:13-21 {p} The sin offering (chattath) of the herd when the congregation sins unintentionally
4:22-26 {p} The sin offering (chattath) of the goats when a ruler sins unintentionally
4:27-31 {p} The sin offering (chattath) of the goats when a common person sins unintentionally
4:32-35 {p} The sin offering (chattath) of the lambs when a common person sins unintentionally

And if any one of the common people sin through ignorance, while he does something against any of the commandments of YHVH concerning things which ought not to be done, and become guilty; or if his sin, which he has sinned, come to his knowledge, then he shall bring his offering, a kid of the goats, a female without blemish, for his sin which he has sinned. And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the sin offering, and slay the sin offering in the place of the burnt offering. Lev 4:27-29

The sin offering, or chattath, was a mandatory offering brought by a man who is not in right relationship with God, because he has violated a commandment of YHVH, that is, he has sinned.

A man in this state cannot bring an olah, minchah, or shelem, for a sin or trespass is standing between him and God, unatoned for. He must first bring a chattath to restore his relationship with God, then he may bring voluntary offerings again.

Yeshua became our offering for sin.

Yet it pleased YHVH to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of YHVH shall prosper in His hand. He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, for He shall bear their iniquities. Isa 53:10-11

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Cor 5:21

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness. 1 Pet 2:21-24

And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. 1 Joh 2:2

Also note that three times in Lev 4, the chapter of the law of the sin offering, the priest who offers the sacrifice is called the anointed priest (Lev 4:3, 5, 16). The priest who offers the burnt offering or olah is not called the anointed priest in Lev 1. The priest who offers the grain offering or minchah is not called the anointed priest in Lev 2. The priest who offers the peace offering or shelem is not called the anointed priest in Lev 3.

This break in pattern draws our attention. Moreover it occurs three times, a sign of Messiah in Torah. The Hebrew word “Messiah” means “Anointed One.” Torah is proclaiming that when the one who is anointed—Messiah—makes atonement for sin, the sin shall be forgiven.

Lev 5:1-6:7

5:1-10 {s} Trespass offering (asham) of blood
5:11-13 {s} Trespass offering (asham) of grain
5:14-16 {p} Ram of the trespass offering (asham) re: the holy things
5:17-19 {p} Ram of the trespass offering (asham) when in ignorance of the Law
6:1-7 {p} The ram of the trespass offering (asham) when restitution is due

And it shall be, when he shall be guilty in any one of these things, that he shall confess that he has sinned in that thing; and he shall bring his trespass offering unto YHVH for his sin which he has sinned, a female from the flock, a lamb or a kid of the goats, for a sin offering; and the priest shall make an atonement for him concerning his sin. Lev 5:5-6

The last kind of qorban Leviticus describes is the trespass offering, asham. Scripture makes a distinction between a sin and a trespass. Sin is,

… either a positive act in which a known divine law is violated, or it is the voluntary neglect to obey a positive divine command, or a rule of duty clearly implied in such command. Sin comprehends not action only, but neglect of known duty, all evil thoughts, purposes, words and desires, whatever is contrary to God’s commands or law. – Webster’s 1828 Dictionary

Sin is the whole kit and kaboodle of unrighteousness in any form.

A trespass is a specific type of sin, when any injury or offense is done to another, according to Webster’s 1828. A trespass is an encroachment upon the rights, person, or property of another. Trespass offerings are often accompanied by a payment of damages suffered.

As well, a trespass produces a certain spiritual state in the heart of the trespasser, that of guilt. Guilt, according to Webster’s, is not only the fact of having committed a breach upon another, but also the self-reproach arising from such a breach.

We have to recognize that the encroachment the human race has done upon the rights, person, and property of YHVH God, Creator of heaven and earth, to Whom is due worship, honor, and obedience as Creator and Lord, is immeasurable. We have all trespassed against Him, never mind our neighbor; in an amount that can never be repaid.

Yeshua explained it this way.

“There was a certain creditor who had two debtors: the one owed five hundred denarii [about $50,000], and the other fifty [about $5000]. And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both.” Luk 7:41-42a

But now Messiah Yeshua is our trespass offering, who has atoned for all our trespasses against YHVH, and our neighbor, which none of us could repay. And just as He has set us free from sin, He has also set us free from guilt.

Yet it pleased YHVH to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin [asham, trespass, or guilt offering], He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of YHVH shall prosper in His hand. Isa 53:10

“Truly, truly, I say unto you, He who hears My word, and believes on Him who sent Me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” Yeshua, Joh 5:24

God was in Messiah reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them, and has committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 2 Cor 5:19

For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world works death. 2 Cor 7:10

And you He has made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins. Eph 2:1

And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses … Col 2:13

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