Leviticus 8 15

Leviticus 8:15 kjv

And he slew it; and Moses took the blood, and put it upon the horns of the altar round about with his finger, and purified the altar, and poured the blood at the bottom of the altar, and sanctified it, to make reconciliation upon it.

Leviticus 8:15 nkjv

and Moses killed it. Then he took the blood, and put some on the horns of the altar all around with his finger, and purified the altar. And he poured the blood at the base of the altar, and consecrated it, to make atonement for it.

Leviticus 8:15 niv

Moses slaughtered the bull and took some of the blood, and with his finger he put it on all the horns of the altar to purify the altar. He poured out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar. So he consecrated it to make atonement for it.

Leviticus 8:15 esv

And he killed it, and Moses took the blood, and with his finger put it on the horns of the altar around it and purified the altar and poured out the blood at the base of the altar and consecrated it to make atonement for it.

Leviticus 8:15 nlt

and Moses slaughtered it. Moses took some of the blood, and with his finger he put it on the four horns of the altar to purify it. He poured out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar. Through this process, he made the altar holy by purifying it.

Leviticus 8 verses

Leviticus 8 15 Meaning

Leviticus 8:15 describes a crucial step in the ordination of Aaron and his sons as priests: the application of the blood of the sin offering bull. Moses, acting under divine instruction, slaughtered the bull for the sin offering. He then took its blood and applied it precisely to the horns of the altar of burnt offering. This ritual act served to purify the altar, consecrating it and rendering it fit for sacred service, and thereby making atonement for the altar itself. This ensured that the place where future sacrifices would be offered for the people’s sins was holy and ceremonially clean.

Leviticus 8 15 Context

Leviticus 8, specifically verses 1-36, details the elaborate ordination ceremony for Aaron and his sons (Eleazar, Ithamar, Nadab, Abihu) into the priesthood, as commanded by God to Moses. This chapter fulfills the instructions given in Exodus 29. The ritual takes place at the entrance of the tent of meeting, signifying its public and divinely appointed nature. The ceremony includes the washing of the priests, their robing with holy garments, and their anointing with oil, signifying their sanctification and consecration for divine service. Following these preparatory steps, various sacrifices are offered to consecrate both the priests and the tabernacle components for their sacred roles. Verse 15 specifically concerns the sin offering bull, which is the first of the three sacrifices offered during this ordination, preceding the burnt offering and the ordination offering. The purification and atonement of the altar were essential steps to make the central place of sacrifice holy and ready for the numerous offerings that would follow, facilitating Israel’s covenant relationship with God.

Leviticus 8 15 Word analysis

• And he slew it; (וַיִּשְׁחַט, va-yishat): The subject "he" refers to Moses. In this ordination context, Moses acts not as a priest (as he is not of the Levitical line appointed to the priesthood), but as the direct representative and agent of God. He is the mediator who executes the divine commands for the establishment of the priesthood, illustrating that priestly authority flows directly from God through His chosen instrument, Moses. The verb שחט (shachat) means "to slaughter," emphasizing the act of taking life as central to the sacrificial system.
• and Moses took the blood, (וַיִּקַּח מֹשֶׁה אֶת־הַדָּם, va-yiqqach Moshe et-ha-dam): This highlights Moses' active role in applying the blood, underscoring his mediatorial position in establishing the priestly order. דם (dam), "blood," is intrinsically linked with life (Lev 17:11) and, when shed in sacrifice, symbolizes the surrendered life, bearing the power for cleansing, purification, and atonement for sin in the Old Covenant system (Heb 9:22).
• and put it upon the horns of the altar (וַיִּתֵּן עַל־קַרְנֹת הַמִּזְבֵּחַ, va-yitten al-qarnot ha-mizbeakh):
  • קַרְנֹת (qarnot), "horns": These were projecting points at the four corners of the altar, often symbolizing strength, power, or authority. They were significant ritual sites; touching them conveyed refuge (1 Kgs 1:50), and applying blood to them signified intense purification and dedication. Their location on the altar made them the primary points for concentrating the sacredness of the sacrifice.
  • מִּזְבֵּחַ (mizbeakh), "altar": Specifically, the bronze altar of burnt offering (Exod 27:1-8), the primary place where animal sacrifices were made to God. It was the central point of encounter between a holy God and His sinful people, thus requiring significant purification itself before the priesthood could officiate at it.
• round about with his finger, (סָבִיב בְּאֶצְבָּעוֹ, saviv be-etzba'o): The use of "finger" indicates precision and direct ritual application, underscoring the sacredness and meticulousness of the action. "Round about" suggests the thoroughness of the purification, encompassing all aspects of the altar’s significant points (horns).
• and purified the altar, (וַיְחַטֵּא אֶת־הַמִּזְבֵּחַ, va-yekhatte' et-ha-mizbeakh): The verb חטא (khata) in the Piel stem (intensive stem) here means "to de-sin" or "to purify from sin," "to purge" rather than merely "to sin." This denotes the removal of impurity or defilement that would otherwise prevent the altar from being sacred. Though inanimate, the altar was conceptualized as needing cleansing from potential ritual impurities to properly serve as a holy vessel for approaching God.
• and made atonement for it. (וַיְכַפֵּר עָלָיו, va-yekapper alav): כפר (kaphar), "to atone," "to cover," "to make reconciliation." This is a core theological concept. For the altar, "atonement" implies making it ceremonially fit and accepted by God, so that it could subsequently mediate atonement for the people. This act "covered" any ritual deficiencies or unholiness inherent in a physical structure interacting with the divine presence, making it propitiated.

Words-group analysis:

• He slew it... Moses took the blood... put it upon the horns...: This sequence of actions highlights the entire sacrificial process – from the act of slaughtering to the specific application of blood. Each step is precisely defined, showing that atonement and purification were not arbitrary but divinely ordained rituals requiring careful adherence.
• upon the horns of the altar round about with his finger: This detailed instruction emphasizes the specificity and sacred nature of the ritual. The horns of the altar represented points of power and direct interaction with the divine presence; their purification by blood underscored the severity of defilement and the meticulousness required for proper worship. This contrasts with casual pagan practices, highlighting Israel's unique and holy covenant.
• purified the altar, and made atonement for it: These twin verbs clearly state the two primary effects of the blood application. Purification (khata - to cleanse from sin/impurity) addresses the defilement, while atonement (kaphar - to cover, reconcile) establishes its ceremonial acceptability before God. Even sacred objects need to be rendered holy before they can effectively serve in mediating God's presence and grace to His people, setting a high standard for divine worship. This also foreshadows the absolute purity of the ultimate sacrifice required for the sanctification of those who would draw near to God.

Leviticus 8 15 Bonus section

The concept of the altar needing purification and atonement, even though it is an inanimate object, underscores the radical holiness of God. Any object that facilitates contact between sinful humanity and a holy God must itself be sanctified and purged of any defilement. This reflects the pervasive impact of sin, where even proximity to human sinfulness can impart impurity. Furthermore, the very first blood sacrifice in Genesis 3:21 (God making garments of skins for Adam and Eve) hinted at the covering of sin through blood, setting a precedent that ultimately culminates in the extensive blood rituals of the Law and finds its perfection in Christ's singular sacrifice.

Leviticus 8 15 Commentary

Leviticus 8:15 is a foundational verse in the narrative of the tabernacle and priesthood, laying the groundwork for the Israelite sacrificial system. It describes the critical step of purifying and consecrating the altar of burnt offering by the blood of the sin offering bull. Moses, serving as God's designated mediator and not yet as a functioning priest, performed this initial sacerdotal act, illustrating that all priestly authority and sacred ritual derive directly from divine appointment and command. The application of blood to the altar's horns signified an intense dedication and cleansing, making the altar a consecrated instrument fit for its divine purpose of mediating sacrifices for the sins of the people. This act of purification was essential for the altar to effectively serve as a conduit for atonement, as an unholy vessel cannot consecrate. The thoroughness of the ritual, emphasized by applying the blood with a finger "round about" the horns, underscores the meticulousness God required in approaching His holiness. Theologically, this prefigures the ultimate and perfect cleansing brought about by the blood of Jesus Christ, who through His perfect sacrifice, forever purifies not only altars but human consciences, establishing a new covenant that makes direct access to God possible.