Leviticus 8 16

Leviticus 8:16 kjv

And he took all the fat that was upon the inwards, and the caul above the liver, and the two kidneys, and their fat, and Moses burned it upon the altar.

Leviticus 8:16 nkjv

Then he took all the fat that was on the entrails, the fatty lobe attached to the liver, and the two kidneys with their fat, and Moses burned them on the altar.

Leviticus 8:16 niv

Moses also took all the fat around the internal organs, the long lobe of the liver, and both kidneys and their fat, and burned it on the altar.

Leviticus 8:16 esv

And he took all the fat that was on the entrails and the long lobe of the liver and the two kidneys with their fat, and Moses burned them on the altar.

Leviticus 8:16 nlt

Then Moses took all the fat around the internal organs, the long lobe of the liver, and the two kidneys and the fat around them, and he burned it all on the altar.

Leviticus 8 verses

Leviticus 8 16 Meaning

Leviticus 8:16 describes a crucial phase in the inaugural ordination ceremony of Aaron and his sons. Following the ritual sacrifice of the bull for the sin offering, the internal organs ("inwards") and the lower limbs ("legs") of the sacrificial animal were ritually washed with water. These purified parts were then completely consumed by fire upon the altar by Moses, where they ascended "upon the burnt offering." This act of burning these specific elements, purged and set apart, symbolized an essential part of the broader "consecrations," producing a "sweet savour" – an aroma pleasing and acceptable to God. It represented a fire offering presented to the Lord, precisely as commanded by God to Moses, emphasizing strict adherence to divine instructions for proper worship and the setting apart of individuals for holy service.

Leviticus 8 16 Context

Leviticus chapter 8 details the solemn and meticulous consecration ceremony for Aaron and his sons, establishing them as priests before the Lord. This ceremony, directly commanded by God in Exodus 29, marked a pivotal moment in Israel's worship, transitioning from a general assembly to a formalized, divinely appointed priesthood responsible for mediating between God and His people.

Verse 16 specifically follows the sacrifice of a "bullock for the sin offering" (Lev 8:14), which was the first animal offered in the sequence of consecration sacrifices. The sin offering typically atoned for inadvertent sins and made atonement for the altar itself during its sanctification. The precise actions in verse 16—washing and burning the entrails and legs—were part of the sacrificial protocol ensuring the purity and completeness of the offering. "Upon the burnt offering" refers to the dedicated area or state of the altar where sacrifices were wholly consumed by fire, signifying complete surrender and divine acceptance, though the major "burnt offering" animal (a ram) is introduced later in the chapter (Lev 8:18). Historically, this emphasized that the altar fire was continuously burning (Lev 6:13), making it ready for constant sacrifices. The meticulously prescribed steps ensured that the new priests began their ministry in purity and in perfect obedience to God’s holy standard, distinguishing Israel's true worship from the idolatrous practices of surrounding nations where similar but perverted rituals often involved impurity and human will.

Leviticus 8 16 Word analysis

• And he washed: Hebrew: וַיִּרְחַץ (vayyirḥatz), from the verb רָחַץ (rachatz), meaning "to wash, bathe." This denotes ritual purification, removing defilement. It underscores the absolute necessity of ceremonial cleanness before anything could be presented to God, symbolizing inner purity required for holy service and acceptable sacrifice.
• the inwards: Hebrew: הַקְּרָבַיִם (haq'ravayim), from קֶרֶב (qerev), referring to the internal organs or viscera (entrails). In sacrifices, these parts were often associated with life and vital functions. Washing them symbolized the internal cleansing of the one for whom the offering was made, ensuring that even the most hidden aspects were pure before God.
• and the legs: Hebrew: וְהַשּׁוֹקַיִם (v'hashshokayim), from שׁוֹק (shoq), meaning "leg, thigh." The legs represent one's walk, conduct, or movements. Washing them signified purification of the daily life and actions of the person, especially relevant for priests whose every movement was to be set apart for holy service.
• with water: Hebrew: בַּמָּיִם (bammayim), "in/with water," from מַיִם (mayim). Water is a consistent biblical symbol for cleansing, purification, and life-giving. Its use here reinforces the absolute necessity of thorough, ritual cleansing from all defilement to prepare parts of the offering for God's holy presence.
• and Moses burnt them: Hebrew: וַיַּקְטֵר מֹשֶׁה אֹתָם (vayyaqṭēr Moshe otam), "and Moses caused them to smoke," from קָטַר (qatar), meaning "to burn, cause to smoke" as a sacred offering. Moses' active role signifies divine authority and the orderly execution of God's commands. Burning symbolizes complete dedication and the offering's transformation into a spiritual aroma ascending to God.
• on the altar: Hebrew: עַל־הַמִּזְבֵּחַ (ʿal-habbizzēaḥ), "upon the altar," from מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbeach), meaning "slaughter-place, altar." The altar was the divinely appointed location for communion with God through sacrifice, where the holy fire consumed offerings. It was the central point of Israel's worship, symbolizing God's provision for atonement and acceptance.
• upon the burnt offering: Hebrew: עַל הָעֹלָה (ʿal hāʿōlāh), "upon the ascent offering/holocaust," from עֹלָה (ʿōlāh), the offering entirely consumed by fire, ascending to God. This phrase indicates that these specific parts, though from a sin offering, were consumed in the manner of a burnt offering—completely, as an act of full devotion and surrender. It refers to the manner of consumption on the continually burning fire of the altar, not necessarily a separate animal burnt offering at that exact moment.
• they were consecrations: While many translations have "for a sin offering," the given text "they were consecrations" ties these specific ritual acts of washing and burning into the overarching theme of consecration (מִלּוּאִים, millu'im - "fillings" of the hands for ordination offerings in this chapter) for Aaron and his sons. It suggests that these very actions served as integral steps in the sacred process of setting apart or dedicating the priests and their service wholly to God. The purity and burning made these parts a fitting element in the entire ceremony of priestly consecration.
• for a sweet savour: Hebrew: לְרֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ (le-rêaḥ nîḥōaḥ), meaning "as a soothing/pleasing aroma." This denotes God's acceptance and satisfaction with the offering and the obedient heart behind it. It speaks to the relational aspect, where the offering became palatable to God, signaling His favor.
• and sacrifices made by fire unto the Lord: Hebrew: אִשֶּׁה לַיהוָה (ishsheh l'YHWH), meaning "a fire offering to Yahweh." This general term refers to any offering consumed by fire for God. It signifies an offering presented to God through fire, fully consumed, implying the complete giving of the offering and its acceptance by God, emphasizing the divine purpose and ownership.
• as the Lord commanded Moses: Hebrew: כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוָּה יְהוָה אֶת־מֹשֶׁה (kaʾăsher tzivvah Yahweh ʾet-Moshe). This repeated phrase throughout Leviticus highlights divine authority, human obedience, and the perfection of God's instructions. It assures the reader that every step was ordained by God, establishing the rituals' validity and holiness.

Leviticus 8 16 Bonus section

The specific inclusion of "inwards" and "legs" for washing and burning across various sacrifices (sin offerings, burnt offerings) points to a symbolic unity in priestly consecration. The inwards signify our inner thoughts, motivations, and the core of our being, all needing purification before God. The legs represent our walk, our conduct, and our journey through life, emphasizing that our outward actions must align with internal purity. The detailed nature of the ritual highlights God's expectation for holiness and completeness in priestly service, contrasting with superficial religious observances. The "sweet savour" principle, repeatedly used for various offerings, speaks to the crucial aspect of God's approval and delight, which is tied not merely to the act of sacrifice but to its proper performance and the underlying disposition of the worshiper (1 Sam 15:22). These Old Testament rituals, while now superseded by Christ's perfect sacrifice, lay down foundational spiritual truths about atonement, consecration, and the holiness required to approach God.

Leviticus 8 16 Commentary

Leviticus 8:16 presents a meticulously executed step in the consecration of the Aaronic priesthood, profound in its theological implications. The washing of the "inwards" and "legs" of the sin offering emphasizes comprehensive purity, both hidden (inwards) and outward (legs). This signifies that a life of service to God demands internal integrity and blameless conduct. Water cleanses, preparing what is defiled to be made holy.

The subsequent burning by Moses "upon the burnt offering" signifies total devotion. Though originating from a sin offering (focused on atonement), the full consumption by fire on the altar implies that these purified elements are fully consecrated to God, becoming a "sweet savour." This pleasing aroma speaks not just of divine acceptance but also of divine delight in obedience. The consecrations were incomplete without these acts of purification and dedication, establishing the priestly role on foundations of holiness. This points forward to Christ, whose sacrifice on the cross was a "fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" (Eph 5:2), a complete and perfect act of atonement and dedication that surpassed all Old Testament sacrifices, purifying both heart and life for all who believe (Heb 9:14).

Furthermore, the repeated phrase "as the Lord commanded Moses" reinforces the foundational principle of divine authority and strict obedience in worship. True worship is not inventive but responsive, faithfully carrying out what God has revealed. For believers today, this underscores that our service and lives, as "living sacrifices" (Rom 12:1), must be offered in purity and in accordance with God's Word, seeking His will above all, resulting in a spiritual "sweet savour" of praise and obedience acceptable to Him through Jesus Christ (1 Pet 2:5; Heb 13:15-16).