John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 3. If his offering [be] a burnt sacrifice of the herd , etc.] So called, because consumed by fire, (see Leviticus 6:9) even all of it except the skin, and therefore its name with the Greeks is “a whole burnt offering”, as in ( Mark 12:33) its name in Hebrew is hlw[ , which comes from a word which signifies to “ascend” or “go up”, because not only it was carried up to the altar by the priest, which was common to other sacrifices, but being burnt upon it, it ascended upwards in smoke and vapour; it was typical of Christ’s dolorous sufferings and death, who therein sustained the fire of divine wrath, and his strength was dried up like a potsherd with it.
Jarchi on ( Leviticus 1:1) says, there were in the burnt offerings mysteries of future things: let him offer a male ; and not a female, pointing at the Messiah’s sex, and his strength and excellency, the child that was to be born, and the Son to be given, whose name should be Immanuel: without blemish ; or [perfect], having no part wanting, nor any part superfluous, nor any spot upon it, (see Leviticus 22:19-24) denoting the perfection of Christ as man, being in all things made like unto his brethren, and his having not the least stain or blemish of sin upon him, either original or actual, and so could, as he did, offer up himself without spot to God, ( Hebrews 2:17 9:14 1 Peter 1:19): and he shall offer it of his own voluntary will ; not forced or compelled to it, or with any reluctancy, but as a pure freewill offering; so our Lord Jesus Christ laid down his life of himself, and freely gave himself an offering and a sacrifice, and became cheerfully and readily obedient unto death: at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, before the Lord ; it was to be done openly and publicly, and in the presence of the Lord, to whom it was offered up; showing, that Christ’s sacrifice would be offered up to God, against whom we have sinned, by which his law would be fulfilled, his justice satisfied, and wrath appeased, and that his death would be public and notorious; (see Luke 24:18-20).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 3-9 - In the due performance of the Levitical ordinances, the mysteries of the spiritual world are represented by corresponding natural objects and future events are exhibited in these rites. Without this, the whol will seem unmeaning ceremonies. There is in these things a type of the sufferings of the Son of God, who was to be a sacrifice for the sins of the whole world? The burning body of an animal was but a fain representation of that everlasting misery, which we all have deserved and which our blessed Lord bore in his body and in his soul, when he died under the load of our iniquities. Observe, 1. The beast to be offered must be without blemish. This signified the strength and purit that were in Christ, and the holy life that should be in his people. 2 The owner must offer it of his own free will. What is done in religion so as to please God, must be done by love. Christ willingly offere himself for us. 3. It must be offered at the door of the tabernacle where the brazen altar of burnt-offerings stood, which sanctified the gift: he must offer it at the door, as one unworthy to enter, an acknowledging that a sinner can have no communion with God, but by sacrifice. 4. The offerer must put his hand upon the head of his offering, signifying thereby, his desire and hope that it might be accepted from him, to make atonement for him. 5. The sacrifice was to be killed before the Lord, in an orderly manner, and to honour God. I signified also, that in Christians the flesh must be crucified with it corrupt affections and lust. 6. The priests were to sprinkle the bloo upon the altar; for the blood being the life, that was it which mad atonement. This signified the pacifying and purifying of ou consciences, by the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ upon the by faith. 7. The beast was to be divided into several pieces, and the to be burned upon the altar. The burning of the sacrifice signified the sharp sufferings of Christ, and the devout affections with which, as holy fire, Christians must offer up themselves, their whole spirit soul, and body, unto God. 8. This is said to be an offering of a swee savour. As an act of obedience to a Divine command, and a type of Christ, this was well-pleasing to God; and the spiritual sacrifices of Christians are acceptable to God, through Christ, 1Pe 2:5.
Original Hebrew אם518 עלה5930 קרבנו7133 מן4480 הבקר1241 זכר2145 תמים8549 יקריבנו7126 אל413 פתח6607 אהל168 מועד4150 יקריב7126 אתו853 לרצנו7522 לפני6440 יהוה׃3068
