ὁλοκαύτωμα

a whole burnt offering

Definition

ὁλοκαύτωμα refers to a 'whole burnt offering,' a type of sacrifice in which the entire animal is consumed by fire on the altar, symbolizing complete consecration to God. In the New Testament, it is used exclusively in quotations from the Old Testament (specifically the Septuagint) to describe the sacrificial system that Christ's work fulfills. In Mark 12:33, a scribe acknowledges that loving God and neighbor is 'more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices,' highlighting a priority of heart over ritual. In Hebrews 10:6, 8, the term appears in a quotation from Psalm 40:6-8, where God declares He did not desire 'whole burnt offerings and sin offerings,' setting the stage for the argument that Christ's single sacrifice renders the old system obsolete.

Biblical Usage

This word is used three times in the New Testament, always in contexts discussing the Old Testament sacrificial system. In Mark 12:33, it is part of a theological discussion about the greatest commandment. In Hebrews 10:6 and 10:8, it is quoted from the Septuagint (Psalm 40:6) within the epistle's extended argument that Christ's sacrifice supersedes the repeated animal sacrifices of the old covenant. The usage is entirely retrospective, pointing back to and evaluating the Levitical system.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek adjective ὅλος (holos, G3650) meaning 'whole, complete' and the verb καίω (kaiō, G2545) meaning 'to burn.' Thus, it literally means 'a thing wholly burnt.' It is a direct borrowing from the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament), where it translates the Hebrew עֹלָה (ʿolah, H5930), the standard term for the whole burnt offering.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it represents the pinnacle of the Old Testament sacrificial system—an offering of total surrender and atonement. Its citation in Hebrews 10 is crucial for understanding the New Testament's theology of atonement: Christ's once-for-all sacrifice is presented as the ultimate and final 'whole burnt offering' that effectively deals with sin, rendering the repeated Levitical sacrifices unnecessary. Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by clarifying the direct contrast the author of Hebrews makes between the incomplete old system and the complete work of Christ.

In its original Jewish cultural and religious setting, the ὁλοκαύτωμα (or ʿolah) was a central daily sacrifice in the temple (Exodus 29:38-42). Unlike other offerings where parts were eaten by priests or worshippers, the entire animal was burned, signifying the worshipper's total dedication and God's complete acceptance. For a first-century Jewish audience, this term evoked the entire complex system of temple worship, which stood in stark contrast to the new covenant reality presented in the New Testament.

θυσία (thysia, G2378) — a broader term for 'sacrifice' or 'offering,' which can include but is not limited to whole burnt offerings. ἱλαστήριον (hilastērion, G2435) — specifically refers to a 'propitiation' or 'mercy seat,' emphasizing the atoning aspect of sacrifice.

Word Details

Scripture References