Leviticus 6 13

Leviticus 6:13 kjv

The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out.

Leviticus 6:13 nkjv

A fire shall always be burning on the altar; it shall never go out.

Leviticus 6:13 niv

The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out.

Leviticus 6:13 esv

Fire shall be kept burning on the altar continually; it shall not go out.

Leviticus 6:13 nlt

Remember, the fire must be kept burning on the altar at all times. It must never go out.

Leviticus 6 verses

Leviticus 6 13 Meaning

Leviticus 6:13 dictates that the sacred fire on the altar of burnt offering must perpetually burn without extinguishing. This command underscored the unending nature of divine acceptance and atonement, ensuring the constant readiness of the tabernacle for the continuous worship and sacrifices essential to the covenant relationship between God and Israel. It symbolizes an unbroken divine presence and the ceaseless provision for reconciliation.

Leviticus 6 13 Context

Leviticus chapter 6, specifically verses 8-13, details the "Law of the Burnt Offering" for the priests. While chapter 1 described what an ordinary Israelite brought for a burnt offering, chapter 6 outlines how the priests were to handle it, focusing on their daily responsibilities. This command to maintain the fire continuously follows instructions for removing ashes and adding wood. It ensured that the altar was always ready for the morning and evening continual burnt offerings (Exod 29:38-42) and any other voluntary offerings brought throughout the day. The perpetuation of this flame underscored the ongoing need for atonement, the constant availability of divine presence in their midst, and the unbroken access to God provided through the divinely appointed sacrificial system.

Leviticus 6 13 Word analysis

• "The fire" (אֵשׁ, esh): A sacred flame that was originally supernaturally kindled by the Lord Himself (Lev 9:24), signifying divine authorization and acceptance. It was distinct from any ordinary fire and represented God's purifying presence and holy judgment, essential for effective atonement.

• "shall ever be burning" (תָּמִיד תּוּקַד, tamid tuqad):

  • Tamid means "continually, perpetually, always." This highlights the unending nature of the commandment and the constant need for divine interaction through sacrifice.
  • Tuqad (Hophal imperfect of יָקַד, yaqad, to burn) means "it shall be caused to burn" or "it shall be kept burning." This indicates an active priestly responsibility to ensure the fire is fueled and maintained, rather than it burning spontaneously, symbolizing diligence in worship.

• "on the altar" (מִזְבֵּחַ, mizbeakh): Refers specifically to the bronze altar of burnt offering in the tabernacle courtyard. This was the consecrated place where sacrifices for sin and dedication were made, symbolizing the divinely ordained means for man to approach a holy God. Its role was central to Israel's covenant worship.

• "it shall never go out" (לֹא יִכְבֶּה, lo yikbeh):

  • The emphatic negative particle lo ("never, not") coupled with yikbeh (Qal imperfect of כָּבָה, kavah, to be quenched or extinguished). This phrase conveys a strong and absolute prohibition, emphasizing the critical importance of the fire's continuous burning. Its extinguishing would have been a dire symbol of broken covenant, disrupted atonement, or divine abandonment.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "The fire shall ever be burning on the altar": This phrase encapsulates the perpetual nature of God's prescribed worship. It signifies that divine acceptance and provision for sin were continuously available, and the priests' role was to diligently maintain the sacred means through which this divine readiness was manifested to Israel. This continuous flame visually represented the unwavering presence and ongoing grace of God.
  • "it shall never go out": This absolute prohibition underscores the non-negotiable sanctity and critical necessity of the perpetually burning fire. It implies that any failure to maintain this flame would constitute a severe breach of covenant, disrupting the vital spiritual connection between God and His people established through the sacrificial system.

Leviticus 6 13 Bonus section

• The fact that the fire originated directly from the Lord (Lev 9:24) teaches that all true worship, devotion, and effective ministry are ultimately empowered and initiated by God, not by human invention or strength. The priests were caretakers of a divine work, not originators.
• The command contrasts sharply with the practices of pagan religions, where sacred fires might be manually kindled by devotees or allowed to extinguish. This distinct instruction reinforced the uniqueness of Yahweh's character and the divine, living nature of the true worship of Israel's God.
• The rising smoke from the continually burning altar, visible from afar, would have served as a constant visual reminder to all Israelites, wherever they were, of God's covenant presence within their community and the active continuation of atonement for their sins.
• Spiritually, this principle echoes the New Testament call to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thes 5:17) and not to "grow weary in doing good" (Gal 6:9), emphasizing the need for ongoing spiritual diligence and communion with God.

Leviticus 6 13 Commentary

Leviticus 6:13 mandates the continuous burning of the altar fire, a core principle in Tabernacle worship. This fire, originally ignited by God (Lev 9:24), served multiple theological purposes. Primarily, it symbolized the perpetual availability of atonement, assuring Israel that God's grace and forgiveness were constant. The priestly duty to sustain the fire underscored the human responsibility to diligently maintain their relationship with a holy God through His ordained means. This unwavering flame prefigured the eternal efficacy of Christ's perfect sacrifice on the cross (Heb 9:14; Heb 10:10), which fulfilled the need for daily animal offerings and established a perpetual, living way to God. For believers today, this passage inspires a sustained spiritual fervor: just as the physical fire was not to go out, our "spiritual fire"—our zeal for God, love, prayer, and worship—should remain unquenched (1 Thess 5:19; Rom 12:11). It signifies continuous living as a spiritual sacrifice (Rom 12:1), dedicated wholeheartedly to God's service and glory.