Old Testament Sacrifices’ Fulfillment in Christ

Mobile-friendly (desktop computer users, scroll down to see the information in chart form):

 

Burnt Offering

(Leviticus 1:3-17; 6:8-13)

Description: Wholly burned up on the altar. Sweet aroma to God. Unblemished animal.

Considerations for Us: We must be completely dedicated to God (Matthew 22:36-40; Ephesians 5:2).

Fulfillment in Christ: Christ was spiritually perfect and willingly gave His life for us.

 

Grain Offering

(Leviticus 2:1-16; 6:14-23)

Description: Accompanied all burnt offerings. Sweet aroma to God. Flour, oil, frankincense and salt.

Considerations for Us: We must live by every Word of God, be led by His Holy Spirit, pray always and endure (Matthew 4:4).

Fulfillment in Christ: Christ is the bread of life.

 

Peace Offering

(Leviticus 3:1-17; 7:11-34)

Description: Sweet aroma to God. Provided a communal meal with meat for the priests and those giving the offering. Three types: thanksgiving, vow offering and voluntary (free will) offering.

Considerations for Us: We are to thank God for our many blessings.

Fulfillment in Christ: Christ is our peace offering. We can be reconciled to God only through Him.

 

Sin Offering

(Leviticus 4:1-35; 6:24-30)

Description: Generally not a sweet aroma to God. Only the fat and blood offered on the altar; when the sin offering is for the whole congregation, the rest was burned outside the camp.

Considerations for Us: All have sinned, the penalty of sin is death and sin requires the shedding of blood (Hebrews 1:3-4; Galatians 2:20; Romans 5:8-9).

Fulfillment in Christ: Christ is our sin offering. We are sinful, and He was willing to pay our death penalty for us. He was crucified outside the city.

 

Trespass Offering

(Leviticus 5:14–6:7; 7:1-7)

Description: Like the sin offering, but dealing with specific sins, especially where restitution was possible.

Considerations for Us: We must repent each time we sin. The rules of restitution teach us to do our best to repair the damage caused by our sins.

Fulfillment in Christ: Christ died so that every sin can be forgiven and covered.

 

Chart form (not mobile-friendly):

 

Type	Description	Considerations for Us	Fulfillment in Christ
Burnt Offering (Leviticus 1:3-17; 6:8-13)	Wholly burned up on the altar. Sweet aroma to God. Unblemished animal.	We must be completely dedicated to God (Matthew 22:36-40; Ephesians 5:2).	Christ was spiritually perfect and willingly gave His life for us.
Grain Offering (Leviticus 2:1-16; 6:14-23)	Accompanied all burnt offerings. Sweet aroma to God. Flour, oil, frankincense and salt.	We must live by every Word of God, be led by His Holy Spirit, pray always and endure (Matthew 4:4).	Christ is the bread of life.
Peace Offering (Leviticus 3:1-17; 7:11-34)	Sweet aroma to God. Provided a communal meal with meat for the priests and those giving the offering. Three types: thanksgiving, vow offering and voluntary (free will) offering.	We are to thank God for our many blessings.	Christ is our peace offering. We can be reconciled to God only through Him.
Sin Offering (Leviticus 4:1-35; 6:24-30)	Generally not a sweet aroma to God. Only the fat and blood offered on the altar; when the sin offering is for the whole congregation, the rest was burned outside the camp.	All have sinned, the penalty of sin is death and sin requires the shedding of blood (Hebrews 1:3-4; Galatians 2:20; Romans 5:8-9).	Christ is our sin offering. We are sinful, and He was willing to pay our death penalty for us. He was crucified outside the city.
Trespass Offering (Leviticus 5:14–6:7; 7:1-7)	Like the sin offering, but dealing with specific sins, especially where restitution was possible.	We must repent each time we sin. The rules of restitution teach us to do our best to repair the damage caused by our sins.	Christ died so that every sin can be forgiven and covered.

 

This chart accompanies the article “Types of Sacrifice in the Bible and What They Mean.”