Semitic magic : its origins and development

194 THE BURNT-OFFERINa AND THE ATONEMENT.
The next point to discuss is the distinction which is
made in 'offering' the sacrificial meal and the substitute,
or in other words, the burnt-offering and the 'atonement.'
The burnt-offering is the direct descendant of the sacrificial
feast to which the god, in common with all the tribe, was
invited. In later times, however, it was entirely consumed
on the altar. But the sin-offering is treated in several
ways. Sometimes the directions are for the flesh, skin, and
dung to be burnt outside the camp, while the fat, the caul,
and the kidneys, etc., are to be burnt on the altar,^ while
the blood is to be sprinkled round about. Frequently, on
the other hand, nothing is said of the consumption of the
carcase; 2 sometimes the priests may eat it,^ unless some
of the blood has been brought into the tabernacle of the
congregation, when the whole must be burnt. The best
explanation of these apparent contradictions seems to be
that there is a confusion of two systems, one of which is
the more primitive method of cleansing the sick from
their tabu. The uses of the blood and fat in these * atone-
ments
' demand some research into their origin, and we
must find some hypothesis for the reason why the beast
was slaughtered instead of having its neck broken, and
why the fat was burnt on the altar.
meddling with unclean persons. But, originally at least, such a breach
did not necessarily imply any immediate relations with a god, but were
entirely distinct, and primarily concerned the danger to fellowtribesmen.
Doubtless an ' unclean ' man came to be excluded from
the worship, but 'ritual' has nothing to do with the primitive ideas
here. Again, his hypothesis that sin is due to a man not offering his
sacrifice duly or properly needs little disproof if the Surpu-tahus be
read with intelligence. At the same time he is quite correct, I believe,
when he says, " the curing of sickness, the expulsion of evil spirits, and
the expiation of sin, are identical " (ibid., C).
^ Exod. xxix ; Lev. iv ; Lev. viii (cf. ix).
^
, Exod. XXX ; Lev. iv, xv, xxiii. ' Lev. vi, xiv.