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What are entrails?

What are entrails?
Redemption The Bible Things in the Bible

TL;DR:

Entrails were the inner parts of Old Testament sacrifices, reminding God's people that God cares about what's happening on the inside, not just the outside. They pointed forward to Jesus, who doesn't just change behavior; He transforms us from the inside out.

what does the bible say?

Entrails were the inner organs of Old Testament sacrifices that were carefully washed and offered to God as part of Israel's worship (Leviticus 1:9, 13). Their inclusion in the sacrifice reminded God's people that God cares not only about outward actions but also about the condition of the heart (Psalm 51:6, 16–17). The washing of the entrails symbolized the need for cleansing before approaching a holy God (Leviticus 8:21). These sacrifices pointed forward to Jesus Christ, the perfect sacrifice who would fully and finally deal with sin (Hebrews 9:11–14; 10:10–14). Through His death and resurrection, Jesus accomplished what animal sacrifices could never accomplish, securing complete forgiveness and making further sacrifices unnecessary (Hebrews 10:18). He taught that our deepest problem is not external but internal, since true uncleanness comes from the human heart (Mark 7:18–23). Those who trust in Christ, however, are not merely forgiven but transformed. God cleanses them from within and gives them new life by His Spirit. As a result, believers now offer themselves as living sacrifices, surrendering every part of their lives to God in wholehearted worship and devotion (Romans 12:1).

from the old testament

  • Entrails were the internal organs of sacrificial animals, including the intestines and other inward parts (Leviticus 1:9, 13). The offering of the inward parts reminded Israel that God desired not merely outward obedience but hearts devoted to Him (Psalm 51:6, 16–17).
  • In burnt offerings, the entrails were washed with water before being placed on the altar (Leviticus 1:9, 13; 8:21). Washing the entrails signified purity and cleansing before approaching God. The entire burnt offering, including the cleaned entrails, was consumed on the altar as an act of worship, atonement, and total devotion to God (Leviticus 1:9, 13, 17).
  • In some sacrifices, specific internal organs and the fat surrounding them were considered the Lord's portion and were burned on the altar (Leviticus 3:3–5, 9–11, 14–16).
  • The careful handling of the entrails demonstrated that worship was to be conducted according to God's instructions rather than human preference (Leviticus 9:14).
  • During the ordination of priests, the entrails of sacrificial animals were washed and offered according to God's commands (Leviticus 8:21).
  • In some cases, parts considered unclean, including waste associated with the entrails, were taken outside the camp and burned, symbolizing the removal of impurity from God's presence (Exodus 29:14; Leviticus 4:11–12).

from the new testament

  • The Old Testament sacrificial system was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Animal sacrifices, including the offering of entrails and other sacrificial parts, pointed forward to Christ's perfect sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 9:11–14; 10:10–14).
  • Jesus fulfilled everything the sacrificial system anticipated, making further animal sacrifices unnecessary (Hebrews 10:18).
  • The New Testament shifts the emphasis from ceremonial cleansing of animal sacrifices to the cleansing of the human heart through Christ (Hebrews 9:13–14).
  • The physical ritual washing of sacrificial organs pointed to the inward transformation by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5; see Ezekiel 36:26–27). 
  • Jesus taught that true uncleanness comes from the sinful heart, not from external things (Mark 7:18–23).
  • Believers are called to offer themselves as "living sacrifices," giving God their entire lives rather than animal offerings (Romans 12:1).

implications for today

What's happening beneath the surface of your life? Most people spend a lot of time managing what others can see, but God has always been concerned with what others can't.

A striking thing about the Old Testament treatment of entrails is that God didn't ignore the hidden parts of the sacrifice. The inward parts were washed, examined, and offered before Him. In the same way, God is not interested only in your outward behavior, church attendance, Bible knowledge, or public image. He cares about what is happening beneath the surface in your thoughts, motives, desires, fears, and affections. It's possible to look spiritually healthy on the outside while carrying pride, bitterness, lust, selfish ambition, or unbelief within. God desires truth in the "inward being" and calls us to bring our whole selves before Him, not just the parts we want others to see.

The good news is that Jesus came to do what ceremonial washings never could. He doesn't merely clean up our outward actions; He cleanses our hearts (Hebrews 9:13–14). You don't have to hide or cover your struggles, pretend you're stronger than you are, or keep God at arm's length until you feel more put together. Instead, you can come honestly before Him and ask Him to transform the places no one else sees. True worship happens when we place every part of ourselves on the altar—public and private—and allow Him to shape us from the inside out.

understand

  • Entrails were the inner parts of Old Testament sacrifices and symbolized the importance of inward purity before God.
  • The offering and cleansing of entrails pointed forward to Jesus Christ and His perfect sacrifice for sin.
  • God's focus has always been on inward transformation, which believers can experience through Christ and the Holy Spirit.

reflect

  • What hidden thoughts, attitudes, or motives in your heart do you need to bring before God and allow Him to cleanse?
  • What practices help you stay focused on genuine inward transformation through Christ, not just on looking spiritually healthy on the outside?
  • What would it look like for you to offer every area of your life to God as a living sacrifice?

engage

  • What do you learn about God from the importance He placed on the inward parts of sacrifices?
  • How does Jesus' teaching that true uncleanness comes from the heart challenge common views of morality and spirituality?
  • What are some practical ways we can pursue inward transformation by the Holy Spirit instead of merely modifying outward behavior?

More Resources

New Testament How can I present my body as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1)?

How can I present my body as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1)?

Presenting your body as a living sacrifice means giving your whole life to God. True worship is surrendering your will to His and living as someone who belongs fully to Christ.
God's Plan What was the purpose of animal sacrifices in the Old Testament?

What was the purpose of animal sacrifices in the Old Testament?

The purpose of the animal sacrifices in the Old Testament was to provide temporary covering for sin, but they were insufficient to fully forgive the people of their sins. Christ came as our perfect and complete atonement, by whom we can stand before God with confidence, fully forgiven and free from the guilt and shame of sin.
Son How was Jesus' death a real sacrifice if He knew He would be resurrected?

How was Jesus' death a real sacrifice if He knew He would be resurrected?

Even though Jesus knew the resurrection was coming, His death was still a true sacrifice because He endured unimaginable physical agony, emotional betrayal, and spiritual separation from the Father. His choice to suffer willingly shows the depth of His love and secures our salvation through His perfect sacrifice.
Theology Does God desire sacrifices or not?

Does God desire sacrifices or not?

God doesn’t want empty sacrifices; He wants wholehearted obedience that flows from love for Him. True sacrifice is not ritual performance, but a life fully surrendered in response to His grace.