Leviticus 6 12

Leviticus 6:12 kjv

And the fire upon the altar shall be burning in it; it shall not be put out: and the priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and lay the burnt offering in order upon it; and he shall burn thereon the fat of the peace offerings.

Leviticus 6:12 nkjv

And the fire on the altar shall be kept burning on it; it shall not be put out. And the priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and lay the burnt offering in order on it; and he shall burn on it the fat of the peace offerings.

Leviticus 6:12 niv

The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out. Every morning the priest is to add firewood and arrange the burnt offering on the fire and burn the fat of the fellowship offerings on it.

Leviticus 6:12 esv

The fire on the altar shall be kept burning on it; it shall not go out. The priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and he shall arrange the burnt offering on it and shall burn on it the fat of the peace offerings.

Leviticus 6:12 nlt

Meanwhile, the fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must never go out. Each morning the priest will add fresh wood to the fire and arrange the burnt offering on it. He will then burn the fat of the peace offerings on it.

Leviticus 6 verses

Leviticus 6 12 Meaning

Leviticus 6:12 prescribes the perpetual maintenance of the sacred fire upon the altar of burnt offering, emphasizing that it must never be extinguished. It details the daily priestly duties of adding wood each morning, arranging the burnt offering, and burning the fat from peace offerings upon this continuously burning flame, underscoring the unceasing nature of worship, atonement, and communion.

Leviticus 6 12 Context

Leviticus 6:12 is found within the section detailing the "Law of the Offerings" (Torah ha'Korbanot), specifically for the priests. Chapters 1-5 presented the general regulations for the various sacrifices. Chapter 6:8-13 (often starting at 6:1) elaborates on the responsibilities of the priests in handling the burnt offering (the olah), ensuring its proper execution. This verse is part of the divine instructions to Aaron and his sons concerning their daily duties in the Tabernacle's ritual practices, emphasizing the absolute necessity of maintaining the altar's perpetual fire as central to their ongoing service and God's continual acceptance of His people's worship. The historical context is that of the nascent nation of Israel, having received the Law at Sinai and established the Tabernacle, beginning their formal worship life as a covenant people.

Leviticus 6 12 Word analysis

• And the fire (וְהָאֵשׁ, vehā'êš): Esh refers to physical fire, but in this sacred context, it symbolizes the divine presence, holiness, purification, and the visible manifestation of God's acceptance of offerings. It also implies God's character as a "consuming fire."

• upon the altar (עַל־הַמִּזְבֵּחַ, 'al-hammizbêakh): Mizbeakh is the place of sacrifice, a raised structure where offerings are made to God. This specifies the location where continuous atonement and communion occur.

• shall be burning in it (תּוּקַד בּוֹ, tuqad bo): Tuqad is the Niphal imperfect of yaqad (to kindle, burn). The Niphal stem denotes a passive or reflexive action, implying that the fire is to be kept burning or will burn continuously, suggesting both a divine command and, initially, a divine origin (as it first came from the Lord). This emphasizes a perpetual, sustained state.

• it shall not be put out (לֹא תִכְבֶּה, lo' tikhbeh): Tikhbeh is the Niphal imperfect of kâbâh (to quench, extinguish), with lo' being "not." This is a direct, emphatic prohibition, underlining the absolute sacredness and unbroken continuity of the fire. Its extinguishing would signify a break in God's covenant presence or acceptance.

• and the priest (וּבִעֵר הַכֹּהֵן, uvi'er hakkohën): Hakkohën refers specifically to the consecrated descendants of Aaron, highlighting their unique and disciplined responsibility for executing God's commands in the sanctuary.

• shall burn wood on it (עָלֶיהָ עֵצִים, 'aleihâ 'etsim): Uvi'er is the Piel imperfect of ba'ar (to burn, consume). The Piel stem here denotes active, intensive action by the priest. This contrasts with the Niphal "shall be burning" and signifies the human responsibility to actively fuel the divinely instituted fire, providing necessary material for the sacrifices.

• every morning (בַּבֹּקֶר בַּבֹּקֶר, babbōqer babbōqer): The repetition of bōqer (morning) emphasizes the regularity and daily routine. This speaks to consistent obedience, the renewal of divine mercies, and a disciplined approach to worship.

• and lay the burnt offering in order upon it (וְעָרַךְ עָלֶיהָ הָעֹלָה, ve'ârakh 'aleihâ hâ'ôlâh): Ve'ârakh (from ârakh) means "to arrange, set in order." This indicates a precise and orderly preparation and placement of the offering. Hâ'ôlâh is the burnt offering, derived from 'alâh (to ascend), because it ascended completely in smoke to God, symbolizing total surrender and propitiation for general sin.

• and he shall burn thereon (וְהִקְטִיר עָלֶיהָ, vehivṭîr 'aleihâ): Vehivṭîr is from qatar (to send up smoke, burn incense). This particular verb emphasizes creating a fragrant smoke pleasing to God, used often for offerings meant for the altar.

• the fat of the peace offerings (חֶלְבֵי הַשְּׁלָמִים, ḥelvēy hashshlâmim): Ḥelev refers to the finest or richest part, often associated with vitality and considered exclusively for God. Shelamim (peace offerings) were for communion, thanksgiving, and vows. The fat, being the best part, consecrated the fellowship aspect of this offering to God alone.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "the fire upon the altar shall be burning in it; it shall not be put out": This phrase establishes the central theological command of divine initiative meeting human obedience. The perpetual, unextinguishable nature of the fire symbolized God's unwavering acceptance of His people, the enduring covenant, and the unceasing requirement for atonement. It speaks of divine steadfastness and continuity.
  • "and the priest shall burn wood on it every morning": This highlights the practical, daily diligence required of the priests. It signifies active participation in maintaining the means of communion with God, implying sustained effort and unwavering devotion from those in sacred service. The emphasis on "every morning" establishes ritual rhythm and a consistent daily focus on God.
  • "and lay the burnt offering in order upon it; and he shall burn thereon the fat of the peace offerings": This specifies the twofold purpose and objects of the perpetually burning fire. It's for the olah (total devotion, atonement for sin) and for the helev of the shelamim (fellowship, gratitude, shared communion), demonstrating that the same sacred fire facilitates both propitiation and intimate relationship with God.

Leviticus 6 12 Bonus section

The concept of the altar fire originating directly from the Lord (Lev 9:24) elevated its sanctity. This wasn't merely a fire started by man, but a divinely ignited flame, symbolic of God's approval and dwelling among His people. The extreme severity with which "strange fire" was met (Leviticus 10:1-2) further highlights the importance of obedience regarding this specific instruction, underscoring that worship must be offered according to God's exact prescribed way, not human invention or preference. The continuous light from the fire also indirectly ties to the concept of God as light and truth, guiding His people daily.

Leviticus 6 12 Commentary

Leviticus 6:12 is a foundational verse that underpins the continuous nature of Tabernacle worship and by extension, our relationship with God. The "fire upon the altar" was uniquely sacred, having been initially kindled by the Lord Himself (Lev 9:24). This divine origin made its perpetual burning not merely a ritual duty but a sustained sign of God's presence, acceptance, and active engagement with His people. The explicit command "it shall not be put out" underscored the absolute necessity of an unbroken line of communion and atonement.

The dual responsibility of divine preservation and human diligence is key. God ensures the fire, but priests are commanded to continually fuel it with wood "every morning." This illustrates the principle that while salvation and access to God are by divine initiative, human faithfulness and obedience are required to sustain the means of grace. The daily repetition ("every morning") speaks to disciplined obedience, reminding Israel of their constant need for God and His consistent provision of atonement.

The objects placed on this continuous fire – the whole burnt offering (olah) for propitiation and the fat of the peace offering (shelamim) for fellowship – demonstrate the altar's comprehensive role in all aspects of covenant relationship: cleansing from sin and fostering communion with God. In the New Covenant, this perpetual fire is powerfully fulfilled in Christ. His once-for-all sacrifice eliminated the need for daily animal offerings (Hebrews 7:27, 10:10-14), providing perfect and eternal atonement. He is our perpetual High Priest, interceding continuously. For believers today, the concept translates to the "living sacrifice" of Romans 12:1 – a constant, active dedication of our lives to God – and the call to maintain spiritual fervor and passion, "fervent in spirit, serving the Lord" (Rom 12:11), and "praying without ceasing" (1 Thess 5:17), effectively keeping the "fire" of our faith and devotion burning brightly before God.