Exodus 29:11 kjv

And thou shalt kill the bullock before the LORD, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Exodus 29:11 nkjv

Then you shall kill the bull before the LORD, by the door of the tabernacle of meeting.

Exodus 29:11 niv

Slaughter it in the LORD's presence at the entrance to the tent of meeting.

Exodus 29:11 esv

Then you shall kill the bull before the LORD at the entrance of the tent of meeting,

Exodus 29:11 nlt

Then slaughter the bull in the LORD's presence at the entrance of the Tabernacle.

Exodus 29 verses

Exodus 29 11 Meaning

Exodus 29:11 initiates the precise ritual for the consecration of Aaron and his sons, mandating the ritual slaughter of a bull, designated as a sin offering, directly before the Lord at the entrance of the tabernacle of meeting. This act highlights the fundamental requirement of atonement and purification through sacrificial blood-shedding before entering into sacred priestly service and accessing the holy presence of God. It signifies that even those called to minister must first be cleansed from sin to be deemed fit to serve in God's holy dwelling.

Exodus 29 11 Context

Exodus chapter 29 outlines the divine instructions for the meticulous and solemn consecration ceremony of Aaron and his sons, detailing their purification, vesting, anointing, and the specific sacrifices required to qualify them to serve as priests. This elaborate seven-day ritual established the foundational protocols for Israel's priestly mediation. Verse 11, specifically addressing the first sacrifice in this process—a bull for a sin offering—underscores that before any holy work could commence, before any individual could approach or minister for God's people, a profound act of atonement for sin was absolutely necessary. This order highlighted the unapproachable holiness of Yahweh and humanity's inherent defilement, requiring ritual cleansing through blood to enable a consecrated relationship. The specified location "by the door of the tabernacle of meeting" was precisely where God's presence was accessible and where the Altar of Burnt Offering stood, marking it as the essential threshold between the common and the sacred, reinforcing the gravity and specificity of these divine mandates for worship.

Exodus 29 11 Word analysis

• And you shall slaughter (וְשָׁחַטְתָּ - vĕshaḥaṭtā): This verb shaḥaṭ specifically refers to a ritual, liturgical killing, distinct from general slaughter. It implies the severing of the vital arteries, a method for rapid exsanguination crucial for offerings. In the context of the Law, this shedding of blood was central to atonement and purification, underscoring the severity of sin and the cost required for reconciliation with a holy God.
• the bull (אֶת־הַפַּר - ’et-hapar): The definite article "the" indicates a specific animal already designated, referencing verse 1, "one young bull for a sin offering." A "bull" (par) represents a significant and valuable animal, denoting a substantial offering appropriate for such a high-stakes ceremony of consecration for the priesthood, and especially fitting for a major sin offering.
• before the Lord (לִפְנֵי יְהוָה - lifnē YHVH): Literally "to the face of Yahweh." This phrase indicates that the act is performed in the direct, conscious presence of God Himself, acknowledging His divine authority, oversight, and acceptance of the sacrifice. It signifies the sacred, divinely commanded nature of the act, distinguishing it from any common killing, making it an act of worship directed squarely at God.
• by the door (פֶּתַח - petaḥ): This refers to the entrance, specifically the eastern gate into the Tabernacle court, which provided the only access to the Holy Place. It was here, immediately inside the gate, that the great Altar of Burnt Offering was located. This location was the designated, divinely appointed threshold for approaching God in worship and offering sacrifices.
• of the tabernacle of meeting (אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד - ’ōhel mô‘ēd): The Tent of Meeting, the portable sanctuary where God would literally "meet" or rendezvous (mo‘ed) with Moses and, through him, with the people (Exo 25:22). This designation highlights the Tabernacle's primary purpose as the divinely appointed place for divine-human communion and the reception of God's Word, emphasizing that the sacrifices performed here were intrinsically linked to God's presence and covenant relationship with Israel.

• "slaughter the bull before the Lord": This phrase emphasizes the ritual nature and divine focus of the act. It is not just an animal being killed, but a specific sacrifice being offered with sacred intent directly to Yahweh, under His divine gaze and command, for a specific purpose of purification and atonement in the context of priestly ordination.
• "by the door of the tabernacle of meeting": This precisely located space indicates the threshold of God's manifest presence. The act of slaughter is intrinsically tied to accessing God's holy dwelling place. It reinforces that purification is required at the very point of entry into sacred service, where God communes with His people, signifying that only through atonement could the priests bridge the gap between sinful humanity and a holy God.

Exodus 29 11 Bonus section

• The precise method of slaughter (shaḥaṭ) ensures that the animal's blood is properly drained, emphasizing the scriptural principle that "the life of the flesh is in the blood" (Lev 17:11). The subsequent handling of this blood—sprinkling it on the altar horns and then on Aaron and his sons—was integral to the purification and sanctification process.
• This bull, as a sin offering (Exo 29:14), carried the unique instruction that its flesh, skin, and offal were to be burned outside the camp. This act powerfully symbolized the complete removal of sin and its defilement, showing that sin's presence was an abomination too unclean to remain within the sacred space, echoing later with Christ's suffering "outside the gate" (Heb 13:11-12).
• The initial sacrifice for Aaron's consecration specifically addressed the high priest's own sinfulness. Even the one designated to mediate between God and man required cleansing for his own defilement, highlighting the profound need for a perfect, sinless mediator, fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Exodus 29 11 Commentary

Exodus 29:11 is the inaugural moment in the detailed, seven-day priestly consecration ceremony, underscoring the indispensable role of the sin offering. The "slaughter of the bull" serves as the foundational act, immediately preceding any priestly duty, emphasizing that holiness for divine service can only be achieved through atoning blood. The specific location, "before the Lord, by the door of the tabernacle of meeting," highlights the immediacy of God's presence and the sacred boundary that requires purification for approach. This prefigured the profound New Covenant truth that our High Priest, Jesus Christ, offered Himself "once for all" as the ultimate "sin offering," His singular sacrifice perfectly purifying and consecrating us to serve as a royal priesthood (1 Pet 2:9), granting direct access to God without repeated animal sacrifices. The meticulous detail in this verse reflects the gravity of sin and the infinite holiness of God under the Old Covenant, contrasting with the glorious freedom of access purchased by Christ in the New. For practical application, it reminds us that all service to God must flow from a position of cleansed humility, resting on the finished work of Christ for our purification, allowing us to draw near with confidence (Heb 10:19-22).