Sacrifice in the Bible

Written by John T. Beckwith and Martin J. Selman (eds) Reviewed By Richard S. Hess

This is a useful book describing the biblical theology of sacrifice from an evangelical perspective, and considering some of its implications for worship. The nine authors take the reader through both the OT and the NT. Alexander begins in the Pentateuch, challenging the prevailing assumption that the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were originally separate and unrelated. He demonstrates their connection in OT texts. Jenson compares various sacrifices described in Leviticus. He argues that the specific features reflect values and hierarchies found throughout Israelite society. Courtman finds sacrifice in the Psalms to be primarily a gift of gratitude and worship. Sacrifice is not normally petitionary or atoning. Lucas examines texts in the prophets that appear to reject sacrifice. In fact, they uniformly warn of sacrifice as a system of symbols in which the sacrificial animal represents the one bringing the sacrifice. Selman compares sacrifices from Mesopotamia and Ugarit. While finding similarities, he suggests that only in the Bible are atonement rituals and the Passover found. Beckwith brings the reader to the NT sacrifice of Jesus by showing how it continued Greco-Roman and Jewish categories of thought and then went beyond them. Head finds the emphasis in the Gospels upon Jesus’ death as the inauguration of the new covenant. Beckwith emphasizes how the Epistle to the Hebrews describes the completed nature of Christ’s sacrifice. Walton contends that Christ’s death is not ‘re-presented’ in the Eucharist, nor does the NT envision a special class of priests among Christians. Selman concludes with remarks about the relevance of a biblical understanding of sacrifice for worship in the life of the Christian, worship that is expressed in the wholeness of life.


Richard S. Hess

Denver Seminary, Denver