Sacrifice in Smiths Bible Dictionary

The peculiar features of each kind of sacrifice are referred to under their respective heads. I. (A) ORIGIN OF SACRIFICE. --The universal prevalence of sacrifice shows it to have been primeval, and deeply rooted in the instincts of humanity. Whether it was first enjoined by an external command, or whether it was based on that sense of sin and lost communion with God which is stamped by his hand on the heart of man, is a historical question which cannot be determined. (B) ANTE-MOSAIC HISTORY OF SACRIFICE. --In examining the various sacrifices recorded in Scripture before the establishment of the law, we find that the words specially denoting expiatory sacrifice are not applied to them. This fact does not at all show that they were not actually expiatory, but it justified the inference that this idea was not then the prominent one in the doctrine of sacrifice. The sacrifices of Cain and Abel are called minehah, tend appear to have been eucharistic. Noah's, Ge 8:20 and Jacob's at Mizpah, were at the institution of a covenant; and may be called federative. In the burnt offerings of Job for his children Job 1:5 and for his three friends ch. Job 42:8 we for the first time find the expression of the desire of expiation for sin. The same is the case in the words of Moses to Pharaoh. Ex 10:26 Here the main idea is at least deprecatory. (C) THE SACRIFICES OF THE MOSAIC PERIOD. --These are inaugurated by the offering of the Passover and the sacrifice of Ex 24:1 ... The Passover indeed is unique in its character but it is clear that the idea of salvation from death by means of sacrifice is brought out in it with a distinctness before unknown. The law of Leviticus now unfolds distinctly the various forms of sacrifice: (a) The burnt offering: Self-dedicatory. (b) The meat offering: (unbloody): Eucharistic. (c) The sin offering; the trespass offering: Expiatory. To these may be added, (d) The incense offered after sacrifice in the holy place and (on the Day of Atonement) in the holy of holies, the symbol of the intercession of the priest (as a type of the great High Priest) accompanying and making efficacious the prayer of the people. In the consecration of Aaron and his sons, Le 8:1 ... we find these offered in what became ever afterward their appointed order. First came the sin offering, to prepare access to God; next the burnt offering, to mark their dedication to his service; and third the meat offering of thanksgiving. Henceforth the sacrificial system was fixed in all its parts until he should come whom it typified. (D) POST-MOSAIC SACRIFICES. --It will not be necessary to pursue, in detail the history of the Poet Mosaic sacrifice, for its main principles were now fixed forever. The regular sacrifices in the temple service were-- (a) Burnt offerings. 1, the daily burnt offerings, Ex 29:38-42 2, the double burnt offerings on the Sabbath, Nu 28:9,10 3, the burnt offerings at the great festivals; Nu 26:11 ... 29:39 (b) Meat offerings. 1, the daily meat offerings accompanying the daily burnt offerings, Ex 29:40,41 2, the shewbread, renewed every Sabbath, Le 24:6,9 3, the special meat offerings at the Sabbath and the great festivals, Nu 28:1 ..., 29:1 ... 4, the first-fruits, at the Passover, Le 23:10-14 at Pentecost, Le 23:17-20 the firstfruits of the dough and threshing-floor at the harvest time. Nu 15:20,21; De 26:1-11 (c) Sin offerings. 1, sin offering each new moon Nu 28:15 2, sin offerings at the passover, Pentecost, Feast of Trumpets...