Definition: And he shall cleave it with the wings thereof, [but] shall not divide [it] asunder: and the priest shall burn it upon the altar, upon the wood that [is] upon the fire: it [is] a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Leviticus 1:17. It's a really important and fascinating passage about how offerings are prepared in the Old Testament. Here’s a simplified explanation: Basically, it means: “This offering – this sacrifice – is to be burned on the altar of fire, and it will be a special kind of offering that tastes sweet to God.” Let's unpack that a little further: “And he shall cleave it with the wings thereof” : This is poetic language. The "wings" represent something being separated . It’s not about physically splitting something, but rather making it distinct and unique. Think of it like a delicate piece of cloth – it's separate from the whole. “[but] shall not divide [it] asunder” : This is key. The verse emphasizes that this offering isn't meant to be broken into pieces. It's a complete, unified act. “and the priest shall burn it upon the altar, upon the wood that [is] upon the fire” : The priest is responsible for carrying out this burning ritual. He’ll place the offering on an altar and light a fire (the "wood on the fire"). The burning itself is the main action. “it [is] a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD” : This is where it gets really important. It’s not just any kind of sacrifice. It's a special kind of offering – a “burnt sacrifice.” The word "burnt" means it’s intentionally created to be consumed and transformed. The ‘sweet savour’ refers to a pleasing, delicious taste that God desires for his people. In short, this verse describes a ritual where a carefully prepared offering is burned on the altar of fire in a temple setting, with the intention of pleasing God through a delicious and symbolic act. Why was this important? This practice was crucial for establishing a relationship between God and the Israelites. By offering sacrifices regularly, they were demonstrating their obedience to God and seeking his favor. It’s seen as a way to earn God's blessing. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these concepts in more detail? Provide an analogy to help understand the concept better? Talk about what this verse might have been used for historically?