Burnt?
Some question has arisen concerning Leviticus 9:24. What offering is it which was here consumed? Was it (1) the daily evening offering, or (2) the remains of the sacrifices earlier in Lev. 9, or (3) one of the animals of verse 2? The answer may be hidden in the three Hebrew words translated “burnt.” A full study of these words in their various uses would be helpful. This article will supply only the suggested conclusions of such a study.
Strong’s #6999 seems to mean “turning to fragrance by fire.” Hence it is usually translated “burn incense.” And although in chapters dealing with the tabernacle it is not translated that way, the implication is that its use in those chapters has something to do with a sacrifice offered to create an acceptable “fragrance” before the Lord. (See Exod. 30:7; 1 Kings 9:25; 2 Chron. 26:16; Jer. 11:13; Lev. 9:10, 13, 14, 17, 20; 8:16, 20, 21, 28; 16:25 for examples.)
Strong’s #8313 seems to imply total destruction by fire or at least a thorough burning. (See Dent. 12:3; Exod. 12:10; 29:34; 2 Chron. 36:19; Lev. 8:17, 32; 9:11; 16:28 for examples.)
Strong’s #5930 seems to mean “ascending” in the sense of smoke climbing in the air. This word is usually translated burnt offering. (See Gen. 22:2; Lev. 8:18; 9:2; 16:3 for examples.) Apparently this word does not require a complete consuming, but is a term used to describe the offering. Hence, burnt offerings (offerings which have the main function of sending up smoke) are used to show that other offerings had ascended to God (i.e., they had proven acceptable).
All three of these words are usually translated into phrases rather than single words. This, and their usage, can most easily be seen in The Englishman’s Hebrew and Chaldee Concordance of the Old Testament (numerically coded to Strong’s).
Having summarized the usage of these words, their application in Leviticus 9 can better be seen. Strong’s # 8313 is used only in verse 11. This seems to imply the purpose of totally consuming these parts as being useless. Strong’s #5930 is always translated “burnt offering” (or “burnt sacrifice”) in this chapter. It is found in verses 2, 3, 7, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 22, and 24. The term seems to be used descriptively as above explained. Strong’s #6999 is a key word. It is used in verses 10, 13, 14, 17, and 20. It is important to remember its difference from #8313 as found in verse 11. #6999 does not seem to mean to destroy by fire. In each of the verses in which it is found it seems to imply burning for the purpose of a sweet savor ascending to God. The Soncino translation (a Hebrew Rabbinical translation and commentary) translates this word in each of these verses with the phrase “made it smoke.”
Conclusion: It seems, due to these words, that the various sacrifices of the day were not totally consumed when burnt (as #8313 would seem to have meant if it had been used). (This may be suggested in verse 17. Is this verse suggesting that the morning offering yet remained in part?)
If the sacrifices remained in part, the 24th verse is explained. The miraculous “consuming” (=Strong’s #398= to eat) devoured the remains of not only the burnt offering (possibly the evening sacrifice, seeing that the morning sacrifice is mentioned in verse 17), but also the fat. The mention of fat in addition to a burnt offering suggests the remains of more than one offering.
The antitype is lovely. The end of all sacrifice will be heralded by the manifestation of the sons of God (Rom. 8:19). This is when the people will shout and fall on their faces.
– David Doran