Leviticus 8:20

And he cut the ramme into pieces, and Moses burnt the head, and the pieces, and the fat. Leviticus 8:20 (KJV)

In this verse we encounter the climax of the priestly consecration ceremony recorded in Leviticus 8. The passage describes the specific action taken by Moses as part of the anointing of Aaron and his sons as priests. Earlier, in verse 18, Moses brought the ram for the burnt offering, Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon its head, and Moses sprinkled its blood on the altar, preparing the animal for sacrifice. Verse 20 then records that Moses cut the ram into pieces and burned the head, the pieces, and the fat, thereby offering the ram completely to God.

The burnt offering was a central element of Israel’s worship. By consuming virtually the entire animal in fire—often leaving only the skin—the offering symbolized total dedication and surrender to the Lord. Throughout Leviticus, a variety of sacrifices and offerings are detailed, each serving as a tangible reminder of Israel’s covenant relationship with God and their need for atonement.

The New Testament presents Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of this sacrificial system. He became the ultimate, perfect sacrifice, offering Himself on the cross for the forgiveness of sins. The rituals of the Old Testament, including the burning of the ram’s head, pieces, and fat, prefigure the complete and final atonement accomplished in Christ.

For contemporary believers, the detailed regulations of the Levitical sacrifices are no longer observed, yet the underlying principles remain instructive. The burnt offering’s illustration of wholehearted dedication invites Christians to offer themselves wholly to God in service and worship. Approaching the Old Testament with an awareness of its historical and cultural context helps us see how Jesus fulfills the law, allowing us to live under the new covenant of grace through faith in Him.