81 Bible Verses about Sacrifice

Do not bring Jehovah an animal that is blind, has broken bones, cuts, warts, scabs, or ringworm. Never give Jehovah any of these in a sacrifice by fire on the altar.

If it has any defect, such as lameness or blindness, or any serious defect, you shall not sacrifice it to Jehovah your God.

You bring blind, sick and lame animals to sacrifice to me. Do you think there is nothing wrong with that? Try giving an animal like that to the governor! Would he be pleased with you or grant you any favors?

Moses brought the young bull for the sin offering. Aaron and his sons put their hands on its head. Moses killed it and took some of the blood. Using his finger he put it on the projections at the corners of the altar, in order to dedicate it. He then poured out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar. In this way he dedicated it and purified it. Moses took all the fat on the internal organs. He took the best part of the liver, and the kidneys with the fat on them, and burned it all on the altar. read more.
Finally, he took the skin and the flesh of the bull, together with the food still in its stomach, and burned them outside the camp, just as Jehovah commanded. Moses led out the ram for the sacrifice to please Jehovah. After Aaron and his sons laid their hands on its head, Moses slaughtered the ram and splattered its blood against the four sides of the altar. The ram was cut into pieces. Moses burned the head with the other pieces and the fat. He washed the internal organs and the legs. Then Moses burned the whole ram on the altar as Jehovah commanded him. It was a burnt offering, a pleasant aroma, an offering by fire to Jehovah. He brought the second ram for the ordination offering. Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the ram's head. Moses slaughtered it. He took some of the blood, and put it on Aaron's right ear lobe, on his right thumb, and on the big toe of his right foot. Moses also brought Aaron's sons forward. He put some of the blood on their right ear lobes, on their right thumbs, and on the big toes of their right feet. Moses threw the rest of the blood against all the sides of the altar. He took the fat from the tail, all the fat on the internal organs, the lobe of the liver, the two kidneys with their fat, and the right thigh. He took a loaf of unleavened bread, a ring of bread made with olive oil. He took a wafer from the basket of unleavened bread in Jehovah's presence. He put them on the fat and the right thigh. He placed all these things in the hands of Aaron and his sons. Moses presented all these things to Jehovah as an offering. Then he took them from their hands and burned them on top of the burnt offering on the altar. These were ordination offerings, offerings by fire, a soothing aroma to Jehovah. Moses also took the breast from the ram of the ordination offering and presented it to Jehovah. It was Moses' share, as Jehovah commanded. Moses took some of the anointing oil and some of the blood that was on the altar. He sprinkled it on Aaron and his clothes and on his sons and their clothes. In this way he dedicated Aaron, his clothes, his sons, and their clothes. Moses told Aaron and his sons: Cook the meat at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. Take the meat and the bread in the basket of the ordination offering. Eat them there as I commanded when I said: 'Aaron and his sons will eat it.' You must burn all meat or bread that is left over. You will not leave the entrance to the Tent of Meeting for seven days. Do not leave until the last day of your ordination is over. It will take seven days to ordain you. I did today what Jehovah commanded me to pay compensation for wrongdoing and make peace with Jehovah for you. You will stay at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting day and night for seven days and keep the watch as Jehovah directs you. Then you will not die. This is what I was commanded. So Aaron and his sons did everything Jehovah commanded through Moses.

Aaron came to the altar and slaughtered the calf as his own offering for sin. Aaron's sons brought him the blood. He dipped his finger in the blood and put it on the horns of the altar. After that he poured out the blood at the bottom of the altar. On the altar he burned the fat, kidneys, and lobe of the liver from the offering for sin as Jehovah commanded Moses. read more.
He burned the meat and the skin outside the camp. He slaughtered the animal for the burnt offering. Aaron's sons gave him the blood. He threw it against the altar on all sides. They also gave him the burnt offering. It was cut in pieces and included the head. He burned it on the altar. He washed the internal organs and the legs and laid them on top of the burnt offering on the altar. He brought the people's offerings. He took the male goat for the people's offering for sin and slaughtered it. Then he sacrificed it to take away sins as he had done before. He followed the proper procedures and brought forward the burnt offering and sacrificed it. He also brought the grain offering. He took a handful of grain and burned it on the altar in addition to the morning burnt offering. He slaughtered the bull and the ram for the people's fellowship offering. Aaron's sons gave him the blood. He threw it against the altar on all sides. The fat from the bull and the ram, the fat from the tail, the layer of fat, the kidneys, and the lobe of the liver they placed on the breasts. Aaron burned them all on the altar. First he took the breasts and the right thighs and presented them to Jehovah just as Moses commanded. Aaron raised his hands toward the people and blessed them. He sacrificed the offering for sin, the burnt offering, and the fellowship offering. Then he came down from the altar. Moses and Aaron went into the Tent of Meeting. As soon as they came out, they blessed the people. Then Jehovah's glory appeared to all the people. Fire came out from Jehovah's presence and consumed the burnt offering and the pieces of fat on the altar. As soon as all the people saw this, they shouted and bowed with their faces touching the ground.

They brought seventy bulls, one hundred sheep, and two hundred lambs as burnt offerings for Jehovah.

The following day they killed animals as sacrifices, dedicating them to Jehovah. Then they gave them to the people to eat. In addition, they sacrificed a thousand bulls, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs, which they burned whole on the altar. They also brought the offerings of wine.

Take your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah. Offer him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.

Make an altar of earth for me. Sacrifice your sheep and your cattle as offerings to be completely burned and as peace offerings. In every place that I set-aside for you to worship me, I will come to you and bless you.

Araunah said: Take what you want and offer your sacrifice. Here are some cattle for the sacrifice. You can use the threshing-boards and the wooden yokes for the fire.

I desire loving-kindness (mercy), not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

Listen to the word of Jehovah (YHWH), you rulers of Sodom! Pay attention to the Law of our God, you people of Gomorrah! Jehovah says: What do your many animal sacrifices mean to me? I have had enough of your burnt offerings of rams and enough fat from your fattened calves. I am not pleased with the blood of bulls, lambs, or male goats. Who requires you to trample on my courtyards when you appear in my presence? read more.
Do not bring any more worthless grain offerings. Your incense is disgusting to me! So are your New Moon Festivals, your days of worship, and the assemblies you call. I cannot endure your evil assemblies! I hate your New Moon Festivals and your appointed festivals. They are a burden to me. I am tired of putting up with them.

When he heard it, he said: People who are well do not have need of a physician. The sick do. You should learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice'; for I came, not to call the righteous, but sinners.

O Jehovah my God, Many are the wonders that you have done and your thoughts toward us. None can compare with you. If I would declare and teach about them, they would be too numerous to report. You have not desired sacrifice and meal offering. You have opened my ears. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required.

The Law is a shadow of the good things to come. It is not the actual things. The continual yearly sacrifices can never make those who worship perfect. If it could, it would cease to be offered. Once the worshipers were cleansed they would have no awareness of sin anymore. These sacrifices are an annual reminder of sin. read more.
It is not possible for the blood of bulls and of goats to take away sins. When Christ came into the world he said: 'Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but you have prepared a body for me. You have no pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin.' Then I said: 'I have come in the scroll of the book. It is written about me, to do your will, O God.' Then he said: You did not want nor did you approve of sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin; which are offered by the Law. He also said: I come to do your will, O God. He takes away the first in order to establish the second.

Tell the Israelites: 'If Israelites or foreigners living among you give one of their children as a sacrifice to the god Molech, they must be put to death. The common people must stone them to death.

Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king. He ruled sixteen years in Jerusalem. He did not do what was right in the eyes of Jehovah his God, as David his father did. He walked in ways of the kings of Israel. He even offered his son to walk through the fire. He copied the disgusting ways of the nations. Jehovah sent the people of the nations out of the land before the children of Israel.

Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to rule. He ruled for sixteen years in Jerusalem. He did not do what Jehovah considered right, as his ancestor David had done. He followed the example of the kings of Israel. He even made metal idols for worshiping other gods such as the Baals. He burned sacrifices in the valley of Ben Hinnom. He sacrificed his son by burning him alive. This was one of the disgusting things done by the nations that Jehovah had driven out from the land Israel possessed.

But come here, you sons of the witch, you offspring of the adulterer and the prostitute! With whom are you effeminate (self-indulgent)? With whom do you open wide your mouth and offer your tongue? Are you not children of transgression, offspring of falsehood and deceit? Are you inflaming yourselves with gods under every green tree, slaying the children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks? read more.
Is your portion among the smooth stones of the stream? They indeed are your lot! Even to them you have poured a drink offering. You have offered a grain offering. Should this give me comfort? You placed your bed on a lofty and high mountain. Even there you went up to offer sacrifice. You ordained your memorial behind the doors and their posts. You revealed (uncovered) yourself to those other than me. You went to them. You enlarged your bed and made a covenant with them. You have loved their bed, where you saw their naked manhood. You went to the king with ointment and much perfume. You sent your messengers far off, and descended even to the grave. You are wearied because of the length of your trip. Yet you did not say: I give up. There is no hope. You have found the renewal of your strength. Therefore you were not grieved. Who frightened you? Who made you afraid, that you have lied and not remembered me? You did not take it to your heart. Is it not because I have held my peace from of old that you do not reverence (respect) me? I will declare your righteousness and your works, yet they will not profit you. When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you. But the wind will carry them all away. A breath will take them. But he who puts his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain.

I have been impaled with Christ. It is no longer I that live, but Christ lives in me. The life that I now live in the flesh (physical body) I live by faith. This is the faith that is in the Son of God. He loved me and gave himself up for me.

I request (urge) (implore) you brothers, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. Do not be conformed to this world (religious, social, political, and economic arrangement). But be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Prove what is the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God.

For the love of Christ compels us to judge, that one died for all and therefore all died. He died for all that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for him who died for their sakes and rose again.

I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean in itself. If someone thinks something is unclean it is unclean to him. If because of your food your brother is grieved, you do not walk in love. Do not allow what you eat to destroy the one for whom Christ died. Do not let the good you do be spoken of as evil. read more.
For the kingdom of God is not food and drink; but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he that serves Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of by men. Let us follow after the things that make for peace, and things that are encouraging to one another. Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eats with offense. It is good neither to eat food, nor to drink wine, nor any thing that causes your brother to stumble or be offended and weakened. Do you have faith? Have it for yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in that thing that he allows. He that doubts is damned if he eats, because he eats not by faith. Whatever is not by faith is sin!

Concerning things offered to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. If any man thinks he knows any thing, he really knows nothing, according to what he ought to know. But if any man loves God, God knows him. read more.
Concerning the eating of food offered in sacrifice to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. There are those called gods in heaven or on earth. There are many gods and many lords. But to us there is but one God, the Father. All things come from him and we live for him. And there is one Lord Jesus Christ. All things were made through him and we were made through him. Not all people know this. Some eat food offered to idols and their conscience being weak is defiled. But food will not recommend us to God. If we do not eat we are not worse. If we eat we are not better. Be careful that this freedom does not become a stumbling block to those who are weak. If any man with knowledge sees you having a meal from an idol's temple, will the conscience of the weak one be emboldened (encouraged) to eat food offered to idols? And because of your knowledge the weak brother will perish. Christ died for him! When you sin against your brothers and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. If food makes my brother stumble I will eat no food at all so I do not make my brother stumble.

My dearly beloved, flee (run away) from idolatry. I speak as to wise men. You judge what I say. The cup of blessing we bless, is it not the sharing of the blood of Christ? The bread we break, is it not the sharing of the body of Christ? read more.
For we being many are one-bread and one-body. We are all partakers of that one bread. Is physical Israel the ones who eat the sacrifices, the partakers of the altar? What do I mean? That the idol is anything, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is anything? But I say, that the things that the nations sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God. I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. You cannot drink the cup of Jehovah and the cup of demons. You cannot be partakers of the Jehovah's Table and of the table of demons. (Malachi 1:12) Do we provoke Jehovah to rivalry (indignation) (anger)? Are we stronger than he? All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient (profitable). All things are lawful for me, but all things do not build up (confirm) (strengthen). Let no one seek his own advantage, but that of the other [person]. Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without asking questions for the sake of conscience. For the earth and that which fills it is Jehovah's. (Psalm 24:1) If a nonbeliever invites you to a feast and you feel you must go eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience sake. But if any man says to you: This is offered in sacrifice to idols, do not eat for the sake of the one who said it and for conscience sake. Conscience, I say, not your own, but of the other: Yet why is my freedom judged by another man's conscience? For if I by grace am a partaker, why is evil spoken about me concerning that for which I give thanks? Whether you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do everything to the glory of God. Do not stumble or offend (do not lead into sin), neither to the Jews, nor to the nations, nor to the congregation of God. Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking my own good, but the good of many, that they may be saved.

Foreigners have become allied with Jehovah, to serve Jehovah, to love the name of Jehovah, and to worship him. They keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and hold fast to my covenant. I will bring them to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar. My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.

Jesus suffered outside the gate that he might sanctify the people through his own blood. Let us therefore go forth to him outside the camp, bearing his reproach. We do not have a city that continues. We seek after the city that is to come. read more.
Let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God through him [Jesus], that is, the fruit of lips that make confession (give thanks and offer praise) to his name. Do not forget (neglect) to do good and to communicate (fellowship) (share), for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

As time went by, Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to Jehovah. But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn (firstlings) of his flock. Jehovah looked with favor on Abel and his offering. He did not look with favor on Cain and his offering. So Cain became very angry, and his face was downcast (he had a bad attitude). read more.
Jehovah said to Cain: Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will not your attitude improve? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door. It desires to have you, but you must master it.

They sacrificed their sons and daughters to demons. They shed innocent blood, the blood of their own sons and daughters whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan. The land became polluted with blood. They became filthy because of what they did. They behaved like prostitutes. read more.
Jehovah burned with anger against his own people. He was disgusted with those who belonged to him. He handed them over to other nations, and those who hated them ruled them. Their enemies oppressed them and made them subject to their power. He rescued them many times, but they continued to plot rebellion against him and to sink deeper because of their sin.

Say: Hear the word of Jehovah, O kings of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: thus says Jehovah of Hosts, the God of Israel, 'Behold I am about to bring adversity upon this place. The ears of everyone who hears of it will quiver with fear. This is because they have forsaken me. They have made this an alien place and have burned sacrifices in it to other gods. These are gods that neither they nor their forefathers nor the kings of Judah had ever known. They have filled this place with the blood of the blameless (innocent).' They have built the high places of Baal to burn their sons in the fire as burnt offerings to Baal. This is not something I commanded or spoke of, nor did it ever enter my mind (heart) (conscience).' read more.
Therefore days are coming, declares Jehovah, when this place will no longer be called Topheth or the valley of Ben-hinnom, but rather the valley of Slaughter. I will make void the counsel of Judah and Jerusalem in this place. I will cause them to fall by the sword before their enemies and by the hand of those who seek their life. I will give their carcasses as food for the birds of the sky and the animals of the earth. I will also make this city a desolation and an object of hissing. Everyone who passes by it will be astonished and hiss because of all its disasters. I will make them eat the flesh of their sons and the flesh of their daughters, and they will eat one another's flesh in the siege and in the distress with which their enemies and those who seek their life will cause them.' Then you are to break the jar in the sight of the men who accompany you. Say to them: 'Jehovah of Hosts says: Like this I will break this people and this city. It is just like one breaks a potter's vessel that cannot again be repaired. They will bury in Topheth because there is no other place for burial.' This is how I will treat this place and its inhabitants,'declares Jehovah, 'I will make this city like Topheth. The houses of Jerusalem and the houses of the kings of Judah will be defiled like Topheth. They burned sacrifices to the heavenly hosts and poured out drink offerings to other gods on the rooftops of all of their houses.' Then Jeremiah came from Topheth, where Jehovah had sent him to prophesy. He stood in the court of Jehovah's house and said to all the people: Jehovah of Hosts, the God of Israel says: 'I am about to bring on this city and all its towns the entire disaster that I have declared against it. This is because they have stiffened their necks (vigorously resisted) so as not to heed my words.'

In the valley of Ben Hinnom they built worship sites for Baal to sacrifice their sons and daughters to Molech. I did not ask them to do this. It never entered my heart (mind). I did not make Judah sin.' You have said this about the city: Because of wars, famines, and plagues it will be handed over to the king of Babylon. Jehovah the God of Israel says:

Samuel said: What is more pleasing to Jehovah, burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Obeying is better than sacrifice. To pay attention is better than the fat of rams.

To practice righteousness and justice is more acceptable to Jehovah than sacrifice.

One of the other scribes came to him with a question: What commandment is the first of all? Jesus answered: The first is, Hear, O Israel; Jehovah our God is one God (Jehovah). You should love Jehovah your God with all your heart, and with all your being (with every breath you take) (your life), with your entire mind and with all your strength. (Deuteronomy 6:4) read more.
The second is you should love your neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these. (Leviticus 19:18) The scribe said to him: It is true teacher you've said it well that he is one and there is no one else besides him. To love him with all the heart, and with all understanding, and with total strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is much more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.

This is what Jehovah says: Heaven is my throne. Earth is my footstool. Where can you people build a house or resting place for me? I have made all these things. That is why all these things have come into being, declares Jehovah. I will pay attention to those who are humble and sorry for their sins and who tremble at my word. Whoever kills a bull is like someone who kills a person. Whoever sacrifices a lamb is like someone who breaks a dog's neck. Whoever offers a grain sacrifice is like someone who offers pig's blood. Whoever burns incense is like someone who worships an idol. People have certainly chosen their own ways, and they delight in detestable things. read more.
Therefore I will choose harsh treatment for them and bring on them what they fear. I called, but no one answered. I spoke, but they did not listen. They did what I consider evil. They chose what I do not like.

As time went by, Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to Jehovah. But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn (firstlings) of his flock. Jehovah looked with favor on Abel and his offering. He did not look with favor on Cain and his offering. So Cain became very angry, and his face was downcast (he had a bad attitude). read more.
Jehovah said to Cain: Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will not your attitude improve? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door. It desires to have you, but you must master it.

O Israel, do not rejoice. Do not celebrate as pagan nations do. You have been unfaithful to your God. You have sold sex on every threshing floor. There will not be enough grain to feed people. There will not be enough wine to go around. The people of Ephraim will not stay in Jehovah's land. They will return to Egypt and they will eat unclean food in Assyria. read more.
They will not pour wine offerings to Jehovah. Their food will only satisfy their hunger. All who eat it will be defiled. It will not be brought as an offering to Jehovah's Temple.

The next day he saw Jesus coming to him. He boldly declared: Behold! The Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world!

I saw a Lamb that looked as though it had been slain, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders. The lamb had seven horns and seven eyes. These are the seven Spirits of God sent into all the earth. He came to the one who sat on the throne and received the book from his right hand. When he took the book the four living creatures and twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Every one of them had harps, and golden bowls full of incense. These are the prayers of the holy ones. read more.
They sing a new song, saying: You are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals, for you were slaughtered and by your blood you bought persons for God out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation. You made them kings and priests to our God. They will reign as kings over the earth. I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders. The number of them was ten thousand (myriads) times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands. They said with a loud voice: The Lamb that was slaughtered is worthy to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. I heard every creature in heaven and on earth. I also heard those under the earth, in the sea, and all that are in them. They said: Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be to him who sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb forever and ever.

The person who sacrifices to any god except Jehovah must be condemned and destroyed.

But come here, you sons of the witch, you offspring of the adulterer and the prostitute! With whom are you effeminate (self-indulgent)? With whom do you open wide your mouth and offer your tongue? Are you not children of transgression, offspring of falsehood and deceit? Are you inflaming yourselves with gods under every green tree, slaying the children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks? read more.
Is your portion among the smooth stones of the stream? They indeed are your lot! Even to them you have poured a drink offering. You have offered a grain offering. Should this give me comfort? You placed your bed on a lofty and high mountain. Even there you went up to offer sacrifice. You ordained your memorial behind the doors and their posts. You revealed (uncovered) yourself to those other than me. You went to them. You enlarged your bed and made a covenant with them. You have loved their bed, where you saw their naked manhood. You went to the king with ointment and much perfume. You sent your messengers far off, and descended even to the grave. You are wearied because of the length of your trip. Yet you did not say: I give up. There is no hope. You have found the renewal of your strength. Therefore you were not grieved. Who frightened you? Who made you afraid, that you have lied and not remembered me? You did not take it to your heart. Is it not because I have held my peace from of old that you do not reverence (respect) me? I will declare your righteousness and your works, yet they will not profit you. When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you. But the wind will carry them all away. A breath will take them. But he who puts his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain.

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah! The prayer of the upright is his delight.

The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination! How much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind?

Do not behave this way toward Jehovah your God, for every abominable act Jehovah hates they have done for their gods. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods.

Never give your children as sacrifices to the god Molech by burning them alive. If you do, you are dishonoring the name of your God. I am Jehovah!

By this we know love, because he (Jesus) gave his life for us. We ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

Offer the sacrifices of righteousness and trust in Jehovah.

Moses answered: Then you would have to provide us with animals for sacrifices and burnt offerings to offer to Jehovah our God.

Tell the Israelites: 'When you bring an offering to Jehovah, bring your offering of animals from the herd or the flock.

The Law is a shadow of the good things to come. It is not the actual things. The continual yearly sacrifices can never make those who worship perfect.