Leviticus 1-7 gives us an account of the types of offerings Israel could make to God. There were four main types of offering: burnt, peace, sin, and guilt offerings. In each of these offerings, animals are associated with them. Humans could offer up an animal of certain types depending on the offering as a sacrifice in their place. Some might take offense that these animals were used in offerings and not other nonliving things. As we will find out, blood had to be shed for atonement to take place and that requires a living organism. These offerings were also a gift from God to the people to make amends. Let’s explore each offering and how animals were used for them.
Burnt
Peace
Sin
Guilt
For a burnt offering, animals such as bulls, sheep or goats, and pigeons could be used. The order listed represents the wealth status of individuals that used each animal. For example, most commonly used was a bull but in cases of the poor, a pigeon could be used. In a burnt offering, the entire animal is burned up as a surrender to God. They act as a substitute as the animal stands in place of the human that deserves punishment.
For a peace offering, a male or female cow or sheep or a goat could be used. There was to be no eating of any blood. This was because the blood represented the life of the animal and all life belongs to God, the one who gives it and takes it away. Eating of the blood would represent a disdain and disassociation with God and the life he gives.
For a sin offering, many animals could be used. In Leviticus it lists bulls, goats, lambs or birds. Again these are listed in descending order of the wealth status of those who used them.
A guilt offering had to use a ram without blemish. This would later point to Jesus’ sacrifice as he was perfect without any sin. Giving up an animal with defects is not as costly to someone as a perfect animal would be. One might also note the use of male and female animals. The use of both sexes refers to the harmony and life of Genesis 1.
As a review, sacrificial animals used in offerings had to be clean animals, no unclean animals were allowed to be offered. They were all livestock as this was valuable to an ancient agricultural society.
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