Leviticus 6 9

Leviticus 6:9 kjv

Command Aaron and his sons, saying, This is the law of the burnt offering: It is the burnt offering, because of the burning upon the altar all night unto the morning, and the fire of the altar shall be burning in it.

Leviticus 6:9 nkjv

"Command Aaron and his sons, saying, 'This is the law of the burnt offering: The burnt offering shall be on the hearth upon the altar all night until morning, and the fire of the altar shall be kept burning on it.

Leviticus 6:9 niv

"Give Aaron and his sons this command: 'These are the regulations for the burnt offering: The burnt offering is to remain on the altar hearth throughout the night, till morning, and the fire must be kept burning on the altar.

Leviticus 6:9 esv

"Command Aaron and his sons, saying, This is the law of the burnt offering. The burnt offering shall be on the hearth on the altar all night until the morning, and the fire of the altar shall be kept burning on it.

Leviticus 6:9 nlt

"Give Aaron and his sons the following instructions regarding the burnt offering. The burnt offering must be left on top of the altar until the next morning, and the fire on the altar must be kept burning all night.

Leviticus 6 verses

Leviticus 6 9 Meaning

Leviticus 6:9 outlines specific instructions for the priests regarding the burnt offering. It mandates that the ashes and unconsumed parts of the evening burnt offering remain on the altar's hearth throughout the night until morning. Crucially, the verse commands that the altar fire itself must be continuously maintained and kept burning. This emphasizes the perpetual nature of both the worship of God through sacrifice and the divine fire representing God's abiding presence and acceptance of the offerings.

Leviticus 6 9 Context

Leviticus 6 begins a section of priestly law, detailing the specific responsibilities of Aaron and his sons in performing the various offerings previously introduced in chapters 1-5. While chapters 1-5 explain what the worshiper brings, chapter 6-7 focus on how the priests handle these offerings and their entitlements. Verse 9 is specifically directed to the priests, underscoring their active role in maintaining the ritual system. It refers to the tamid, the continual daily burnt offering (Exod 29:38-42; Num 28:1-8), which involved one lamb sacrificed in the morning and another in the evening. Historically and culturally, this sustained fire and sacrifice symbolized the unwavering relationship between God and Israel, ensuring continuous atonement and communion. Unlike pagan fire rituals, which could extinguish, this divine fire signified God's constant presence and demand for an ongoing, diligent worship.

Leviticus 6 9 Word analysis

• Command (Tsaw, צַו): This verb carries a strong sense of divine authority and instruction, not a mere suggestion. It denotes a direct, non-negotiable mandate from God to Aaron and his sons.
• Aaron and his sons (Aharon u'banaw, אַהֲרֹן וּבָנָיו): Specifies the recipients of this instruction—the consecrated high priest and his lineage. This highlights the exclusive and sacred duty entrusted solely to the priesthood for administering the holy services.
• saying (Lemor, לֵאמֹר): Introduces the direct speech of God, emphasizing that these are divine precepts, to be accurately communicated and strictly followed.
• This is the law (Zot torat, זֹאת תּוֹרַת): Designates this particular instruction as an integral part of God's revealed law (torah). It signifies its foundational importance and binding nature within the ritual framework.
• of the burnt offering (Ha'olah, הָעֹלָה): Refers to the whole burnt offering, completely consumed by fire and ascending as a "pleasing aroma." Olah (from alah, to go up, ascend) points to complete devotion and atonement, rising to God.
• The burnt offering itself shall remain (Ha'olah hi tiheyah, הָעֹלָה הִוא תִּהְיֶה): This phrase stresses that the physical remnants (ash, embers) of the previous burnt offering—specifically the evening sacrifice—are not to be immediately removed. Tiheyah signifies continuance or existence in that state.
• on the hearth (al hamokad, עַל הַמּוֹקֵד): Moqëd refers to the burning place, embers, or glowing coals on the altar. It's the central point where the fire burns and where remnants of the sacrifice gather.
• upon the altar (al hamizbeakh, עַל הַמִּזְבֵּחַ): Identifies the sacred bronze altar in the courtyard as the specific location for this perpetual fire and the overnight remains of the burnt offering. It highlights the sanctity of the physical space for divine worship.
• all night until the morning (Kol halaylah ad haboker, כָּל הַלַּיְלָה עַד הַבֹּקֶר): Defines the duration. This specific time frame connects to the two daily burnt offerings—one in the morning and one in the evening—creating a cycle of perpetual sacrifice and maintaining the fire throughout the night for the morning offering.
• and the fire on the altar (veha'esh al hamizbeakh, וְהָאֵשׁ עַל הַמִּזְבֵּחַ): Shifts focus from the remnants of the offering to the vital fire itself. The fire originated divinely and served as a symbol of God's presence.
• shall be kept burning on it (tuqad bo, תּוּקַד בּוֹ): Tuqad is from the verb yaqad (to kindle, to burn) in the Niphal (passive) stem, emphasizing that the fire must be diligently tended, implying constant replenishment of fuel, to prevent it from going out. It denotes an ongoing, mandatory action by the priests.

Leviticus 6 9 Bonus section

• The perpetual fire on the altar serves as a tangible reminder of the invisible, constant presence of the Holy One of Israel within their midst. It mirrors the unchanging nature of God Himself.
• The meticulous instructions concerning the fire highlight God's demand for order, purity, and reverence in worship. It contrasts sharply with casual or sporadic religious practices.
• This specific command prevented any "strange fire" from being used, emphasizing the sanctity of the divinely authorized fire. Nadab and Abihu's subsequent judgment (Lev 10) underscored the grave consequences of disrespecting these commands.
• The continuous burning fire represents an unceasing need for propitiation for sin. Although Christ's sacrifice is once for all, the underlying principle of God's holy character and humanity's need for atonement remains.
• Spiritually, this can be seen as an admonition for believers to keep the "fire" of their faith, devotion, and witness burning perpetually, consistently nourishing it through prayer, Word study, and fellowship (e.g., "pray without ceasing" - 1 Thes 5:17).

Leviticus 6 9 Commentary

Leviticus 6:9 marks a shift in emphasis within the book of Leviticus. While previous chapters focused on the worshiper and the purpose of offerings, this verse inaugurates specific instructions for the priests regarding their meticulous duties. The central command revolves around the perpetual maintenance of the altar fire. This wasn't merely practical for starting the next day's sacrifices; it held profound theological significance. The fire, initially kindled by divine consumption (Lev 9:24), symbolized God's holy presence, acceptance of the offering, and a continuous covenant relationship with Israel.

The instruction that the remnants of the burnt offering remain on the hearth all night and the fire kept burning links directly to the tamid (continual burnt offering) that began each morning and concluded each evening. This ensured an unbroken chain of communion and atonement. It speaks to the constant need for human reconciliation with a holy God and the ever-present reality of divine grace. For the priests, it meant an unceasing vigil, highlighting their solemn responsibility as mediators. The priests were God's representatives to the people, tasked with ensuring unbroken worship and access to atonement, emphasizing discipline, diligence, and devotion in their service to God. The maintenance of this sacred fire anticipates Christ, the "one sacrifice" who forever perfected those who are being made holy (Heb 10:14), making possible a continual "sacrifice of praise" from believers (Heb 13:15).