Leviticus 8 19

Leviticus 8:19 kjv

And he killed it; and Moses sprinkled the blood upon the altar round about.

Leviticus 8:19 nkjv

and Moses killed it. Then he sprinkled the blood all around on the altar.

Leviticus 8:19 niv

Then Moses slaughtered the ram and splashed the blood against the sides of the altar.

Leviticus 8:19 esv

And he killed it, and Moses threw the blood against the sides of the altar.

Leviticus 8:19 nlt

and Moses slaughtered it. Then Moses took the ram's blood and splattered it against all sides of the altar.

Leviticus 8 verses

Leviticus 8 19 Meaning

Leviticus 8:19 describes Moses, acting under divine instruction, performing a crucial ritual during the ordination ceremony of Aaron and his sons. After the bull for the sin offering was killed, Moses vigorously applied its blood "all around" the altar of burnt offering. This action symbolized the thorough purification and consecration of the altar itself, making it a sanctified place where the future priests could offer acceptable sacrifices to God, and also symbolically cleansing and setting apart Aaron and his sons for their holy service through their association with the cleansed altar. It emphasizes the absolute necessity of blood for atonement and the seriousness of approaching a holy God.

Leviticus 8 19 Context

Leviticus chapter 8 details the seven-day ordination ceremony of Aaron and his sons as priests, fulfilling the specific commands given by God in Exodus 29. Moses, as God's designated mediator, executes every step precisely. The sequence in this chapter involves washing, robing, anointing (of Tabernacle, furnishings, and priests), and then a series of sacrifices: a bull for a sin offering (Lev 8:14-17), followed by a ram for a burnt offering (Lev 8:18-21), and finally, the ram of ordination (Lev 8:22-29).

Verse 19 is part of the sin offering ritual. Immediately preceding it, the bull was presented, Aaron and his sons laid their hands on its head, and it was killed (Lev 8:14-15). This specific act of "throwing the blood against the altar all around" followed the collection of the blood and preceded the burning of certain fat portions on the altar (Lev 8:16) and the burning of the remaining carcass outside the camp (Lev 8:17). The context underscores that divine service can only commence after a rigorous process of cleansing, consecration, and atonement, making both the personnel (priests) and the place (altar) holy for interaction with a holy God. This meticulous procedure also subtly contrasts with chaotic or impious pagan sacrificial rites, emphasizing God's demand for order and sanctity.

Leviticus 8 19 Word analysis

• And he killed it (וַיִּשְׁחַט, vayyishchaṭ):

  • וַיִּשְׁחַט (Vayyishchat) comes from the root shachat, meaning "to slaughter" or "to kill" for sacrificial purposes. It denotes a ritual killing, specifically for the purpose of sacrifice, rather than ordinary butchery.
  • The "he" refers to Moses, highlighting his unique role as God's representative and mediator during this foundational consecration event. He performs the physical act as instructed by God.

• and Moses (וּמֹשֶׁה, uMoshe):

  • וּמֹשֶׁה (uMoshe) is literally "and Moses." The specific mention of Moses after "he killed it" clarifies who performs the next critical step. This emphasizes Moses' central, indispensable role in the entire ordination ceremony. He is not just overseeing; he is actively executing the divinely prescribed rites, acting as the divine agent.

• threw (וַיִּזְרֹק, vayyizroq):

  • וַיִּזְרֹק (Vayyizroq) comes from the root zaraq, which means "to sprinkle," "to splash," "to scatter," or "to throw." It implies a forceful and intentional application of the blood, not a delicate anointing or drip. This action covers the altar thoroughly, indicating comprehensive cleansing and dedication.
  • The term zaraq emphasizes the pervasive and potent effect of the blood in the ritual, symbolizing its power to cleanse and set apart.

• the blood (אֶת־הַדָּם, et-haddām):

  • אֶת־הַדָּם (et-haddam) means "the blood." In ancient Israelite theology, blood held profound significance as the essence of life itself (Lev 17:11).
  • It was the divinely appointed means of making atonement and cleansing from impurity, representing the life surrendered to cover sin and sanctify. Its application signified life being given to reconcile and purify.

• against the altar (עַל־הַמִּזְבֵּחַ, ʿal-hammizbēaḥ):

  • עַל־הַמִּזְבֵּחַ (ʿal-hammizbe'ach) means "upon the altar" or "against the altar." This refers specifically to the altar of burnt offering, the large outer altar in the Tabernacle courtyard.
  • The altar was the primary place of atonement, where animal sacrifices were offered to God. By applying the blood to it, the altar itself was being ritually purified and consecrated, made holy to host divine-human interaction and acceptable sacrifices. It emphasizes the sanctity required even for the instruments of worship.

• all around (סָבִיב, saviv):

  • סָבִיב (saviv) means "around," "all around," "on every side." This adverb denotes thoroughness and completeness.
  • The application of blood to every part of the altar’s base signifies a full and complete purification and dedication of the altar. Nothing is left out; the consecration is comprehensive.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "And he killed it, and Moses threw the blood": This sequence highlights Moses' agency and God's ordained process. First, the sacrificial death (the essential prerequisite), then the meticulous application of the atoning substance (the blood). Moses' specific involvement underscores the divine authority and carefulness with which the ritual was to be performed.
  • "threw the blood against the altar all around": This phrase emphasizes the vital connection between the sacrificial victim's life-blood and the altar of atonement. The forceful, pervasive application signifies a powerful act of cleansing and consecration, making the altar fully pure and fit for the priests' sacred duties. It is the ritual act that makes the primary point of encounter with God ready for service.

Leviticus 8 19 Bonus section

The thorough application of blood in Lev 8:19 resonates with other "all around" or "seven times" blood applications found elsewhere in Leviticus (e.g., Lev 4, Lev 16), especially on the Day of Atonement. These repeated actions emphasize the intensity and comprehensiveness required for cleansing and sanctification in the Old Covenant system. They highlight a fundamental theological principle: unholiness or impurity cannot stand in God's presence, and a complete covering or cleansing by blood is prerequisite for acceptable communion. The blood itself, symbolizing the surrendered life, carried the capacity to absorb defilement and transfer purity according to God’s design. This underscores that true spiritual cleansing is not superficial but deep and pervasive, pointing to the profound and complete work of Christ's cross in removing all sin and its stain from those who believe.

Leviticus 8 19 Commentary

Leviticus 8:19 captures a foundational moment in the establishment of the Aaronic priesthood and the Tabernacle worship system. The action described – Moses applying the sin offering's blood "all around" the altar – is more than a simple act of purification. It is a vital step in making holy the place where God's people would approach Him through sacrifice.

The "sin offering" (Lev 8:14) was critical for atonement and cleansing from impurities that might defile the holy space and those serving within it. While the specific parts of the bull's carcass (fat) were burned on the altar for pleasing aroma (Lev 8:16), the blood's application was distinct. Its purpose was not merely a ceremonial wash but a potent act of consecration and symbolic purging of any latent impurities on the altar itself, which could inadvertently make it unacceptable for worship. The altar, though constructed, had to be divinely hallowed through blood before it could serve its ultimate function. The thoroughness implied by "all around" reinforces that absolute purity was demanded.

This action foreshadows the ultimate cleansing and consecration found in Jesus Christ. The Old Covenant blood rituals, though effective for their time, were repetitive and temporary (Heb 10:4). Christ's singular sacrifice on the cross (Heb 9:12), where His own precious blood was shed, provides an eternal and perfect atonement, making both the believer and the "altar" of worship (God's presence) perpetually clean and accessible. Just as the altar in the Tabernacle was consecrated by blood for the priests to approach, so too, through Christ's blood, believers are granted direct access to God (Heb 10:19-22), serving as a "royal priesthood" (1 Pet 2:9). The act in Leviticus 8:19 thus profoundly underscores the cost of approaching a holy God and the divinely appointed way of cleansing that prepares both place and person for sacred service.