Exodus 29:13 kjv

And thou shalt take all the fat that covereth the inwards, and the caul that is above the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, and burn them upon the altar.

Exodus 29:13 nkjv

And you shall take all the fat that covers the entrails, the fatty lobe attached to the liver, and the two kidneys and the fat that is on them, and burn them on the altar.

Exodus 29:13 niv

Then take all the fat on the internal organs, the long lobe of the liver, and both kidneys with the fat on them, and burn them on the altar.

Exodus 29:13 esv

And you shall take all the fat that covers the entrails, and the long lobe of the liver, and the two kidneys with the fat that is on them, and burn them on the altar.

Exodus 29:13 nlt

Take all the fat around the internal organs, the long lobe of the liver, and the two kidneys and the fat around them, and burn it all on the altar.

Exodus 29 verses

Exodus 29 13 Meaning

Exodus 29:13 describes a specific portion of the sacrificial animal—namely, all the fat covering the internal organs, the appendage over the liver, the two kidneys, and the fat surrounding them—that must be removed and ceremonially burned on the bronze altar. This act is a crucial part of the consecration ceremony for Aaron and his sons, signifying the offering of the choicest and innermost parts of the sacrifice exclusively to the Lord, essential for purification and setting apart for priestly service.

Exodus 29 13 Context

Exodus chapter 29 details the elaborate seven-day ceremony for the consecration of Aaron and his sons to the priesthood. This verse is specifically part of the instructions for the very first offering in this consecration ritual—the bull for a sin offering (Exo 29:10-14), followed by a ram for a burnt offering, and a ram of consecration. The meticulous instructions regarding the preparation of the animal, including the removal and burning of specific fat and inner organs, highlight the divine standard of purity and the necessity of total dedication for those who would serve God in His Tabernacle. Historically and culturally, this process served to differentiate the worship of Yahweh from surrounding pagan practices, which often involved less precise, more chaotic, or even self-serving forms of sacrifice. This strict ritual emphasized God's holiness, His detailed commands for acceptable worship, and the complete submission and sanctification required of His priests.

Exodus 29 13 Word analysis

• And thou shalt take (וְלָקַחְתָּ wə-lā·qaḥ·tā): A direct imperative from God to Moses, instructing him in the specific actions required. It underscores the divine authority behind the ritual and Moses' role as the mediator of God's commands.
• all the fat (אֶת־כָּל־הַחֵלֶב ’eṯ-kāl-ha-ḥê·leḇ): The Hebrew word "ḥê·leḇ" (חֵלֶב) denotes the richest, choicest, and most abundant part of the animal. In biblical thought, fat was regarded as the "best" or "prime" portion and was strictly reserved for the Lord in sacrifices (Lev 3:16). It symbolizes prosperity, vitality, and health, thus offering the best to God.
• that covereth the inwards (הַֽמְכַסֶּה֙ אֶת־הַקֶּ֣רֶב ha-mə·ḵas·seh ’eṯ-haq·qe·reḇ): "Qe·reḇ" (קֶרֶב) refers to the internal organs or the innermost parts. The fat covering these deep parts implies the hidden, most intimate, and often vulnerable aspects of the being. Offering it signifies a surrender of the deep inner self.
• and the caul that is above the liver (וְאֵת֙ הַיֹּתֶרֶת֙ עַל־הַכָּבֵ֔ד wə-’êṯ hay·yō·ṯe·reṯ ‘al-hak·kā·ḇêḏ): "Yō·ṯe·reṯ" (יֹּתֶרֶת) refers to the appendage or fibrous lobe of the liver. The liver ("kā·ḇêḏ," כָּבֵד) was considered a vital organ in ancient understanding, sometimes linked with honor or the soul. Its specific inclusion emphasizes the meticulousness of God's instructions for worship, leaving nothing to human discretion.
• and the two kidneys (וְאֶת֙ שְׁתֵּ֣י הַכְּלָיֹ֔ת wə-’êṯ šə·tê hak·kə·lā·yōṯ): "Kə·lā·yōṯ" (כְּלָיֹת), the kidneys, in Hebrew wisdom literature and poetic passages (e.g., Psalms, Jeremiah), are consistently associated with the innermost being, the seat of emotions, conscience, thoughts, and deepest intentions (the "reins" in KJV). Offering the kidneys signifies surrendering one's deepest motives, desires, and true self to God.
• and the fat that is upon them (וְאֶת־הַחֵ֜לֶב אֲשֶׁר֙ עֲלֵיהֶ֗ן wə-’eṯ-ha·ḥê·leḇ ’ă·šer ‘ă·lê·hen): This reiterates the command to take all fat connected to these vital organs, reinforcing the principle that the choicest parts, specifically those hidden within the body, belong to God.
• and burn them (וְהִקְטַרְתָּ֣ wə-hiq·ṭar·tā): The Hebrew verb "hiqṭar" (הִקְטִיר) is specifically used for causing offerings to ascend as smoke on the altar. It's a technical term for ceremonial burning that creates a "pleasing aroma" (ניחח ריח) to the Lord, transforming the material into a spiritual essence reaching God.
• upon the altar (הַֽמִּזְבֵּחָֽה׃ ham·miz·bê·ḥāh): The "Miz·bê·aḥ" (מִזְבֵּחַ), the altar, is the consecrated place of sacrifice. It represents the focal point of worship and atonement, the authorized point of contact between a holy God and His people, where offerings are consecrated and transformed.

• Words-Group analysis:
• "All the fat that covereth the inwards, and the caul that is above the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them": This detailed enumeration of specific internal parts—the fatty portions, the liver lobe, and the kidneys—is highly significant. It ensures that the "choicest" (fat) and the "deepest" (inner organs associated with the mind/emotions) elements of the animal are specifically isolated and dedicated. This represents offering the hidden, valuable, and most intimate aspects of life and being to God, a call to wholehearted devotion beyond outward appearance.
• "and burn them upon the altar": This phrase dictates the method and location of the offering. The burning symbolizes a complete consumption and dedication to God, transforming the earthly substance into an ascent towards the divine. The altar is the sole, sanctified means by which such an offering is presented and accepted by God. This underscores the need for obedience to God's prescribed way of approach and worship.

Exodus 29 13 Bonus section

The act of "burning" (hiqṭir) these specific parts on the altar results in a "pleasing aroma" to the Lord (as explicitly stated later in Exo 29:18 for the burnt offering), signifying divine acceptance and delight in the offering when it is presented according to His holy command. This ritual also served as a clear demarcation from surrounding pagan practices where sacrificial parts might be offered to various deities without such specific instructions, or consumed by worshipers in ways that did not reflect the same level of holiness and exclusive dedication. The explicit prohibition of consuming fat for Israel later (Lev 3:17) further reinforces its sacred reservation for God alone, teaching reverence and distinguishing them as a holy nation with unique dietary and worship laws. The meticulous nature of these instructions emphasizes that every aspect of approaching a holy God must be divinely ordained and perfectly executed, underscoring God's absolute sovereignty and holiness.

Exodus 29 13 Commentary

Exodus 29:13 encapsulates a foundational principle of Old Testament sacrifice: the offering of the choicest, deepest, and most intrinsic parts of the animal exclusively to the Lord. The fat, universally understood as the most desirable and rich part, along with the liver and kidneys, anciently associated with the core of life and inner being, are meticulously selected. This selection signifies that what is most valuable, most vital, and most intimately concealed within the creature is rendered unto God. For the consecration of Aaron and his sons, this specific command underscored the total dedication required of those set apart for God's holy service. They were to understand that their deepest thoughts, motivations, and the very "best" of their lives must be fully yielded and consumed for the Lord's glory. This act foreshadows the complete and perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who offered His perfect "all" for humanity, and also calls believers to present their "bodies as a living sacrifice" (Rom 12:1), yielding their deepest desires, minds, and lives wholeheartedly to God.