SACRIFICE and OFFERING

A Study in Genesis on the Theology of Sacrifice

This term is used 211 times throughout Bible. It is used to mean an offering 164 times, as a present 28 times, as a gift 7 times, as an oblation 6 times, as a sacrifice 5 times, and as meat, only once.
In Genesis 4:3-5, the minchah applied to both bloody and unbloody offerings, (the offerings of both Cain and Abel), but in Mosaic times this term is used to refer to cereals (whether raw or finely ground to flour, etc.), and
almost always accompanied a sacrifice of some sort of animal flesh. One of the questions that arise when examining this account is the origin of the idea for a sacrifice or offering to God. Some hold to the theory that Cain and Abel would not have made such an offering to God without a revelation from Him; otherwise it would have been mere superstition. Other scholars argue that revelation is not necessary, but faith is. Faith is what made Abel’s offering pleasing to the LORD (Heb 11:4).
The sacrifices in the Pentateuch were not late developments as some liberal scholars argue. They existed in neighboring cultures during the patriarchal era. Moses would have certainly been aware of the Egyptian system of sacrifice, which included rituals, and a priesthood. Babylonia had worship centers and temples and made sacrifices of animals and vegetables through the attention of a priest. Evidence of these practices has been established through the Tell el-Amarna Letters. Arabs and the nomadic people of Syria also made offerings of animals on an earthen altar, a stone, or in a particular spot; these included burning some or all of the offering. Human sacrifice was practiced in nearby cultures; the Arabs and Carthaginians sometimes sacrificed a human captive. Assyrian kings sacrificed captive kings. Canaanites constantly sacrificed children, especially the firstborn.
Oehler stated that this first offering by Cain and Abel is not a proper sin offering but a thank offering. It may perhaps have contained some sense of propitiation. Abel’s offering was pleasing because he chose of the best of his flock. Cain did not select, but simply brought. Therefore his offering was rejected because it was merely an external action, not an act of heart-felt worship. Other scholars interpret the passage to mean that Cain’s gift was deficient because it was not an animal offering (the revelation of animal skins was rejected). Cain’s offering was therefore rejected on this basis.


Noah (Gen 8:20)

“And Noah built an altar to Jehovah. And he took of every clean animal, and of every clean bird, and offered burnt offerings (‘olah) on the altar,” (Gen 8:20). ‘Olah means a burnt offering and is derived from ‘alah, (to go up, or ascending). This offering would be of an animal or bird entirely consumed on the altar, except for the skin, which is given the priest. Noah offered one of every clean animal; perhaps this was the purpose for the seventh animal which he was to take on the ark with him. It is the first record of a burnt offering in the Bible.
The LORD smelled a sweet savor and was pleased to accept the sacrifice (Gen 8:21). This is representative of Leviticus 1, where the burnt offering is prescribed in detail. Ross stated that the burnt offering demonstrates the worshipper’s total surrender and adoration and dedication to the LORD. The LORD’s smelling of the sweet