Leviticus 8 20

Leviticus 8:20 kjv

And he cut the ram into pieces; and Moses burnt the head, and the pieces, and the fat.

Leviticus 8:20 nkjv

And he cut the ram into pieces; and Moses burned the head, the pieces, and the fat.

Leviticus 8:20 niv

He cut the ram into pieces and burned the head, the pieces and the fat.

Leviticus 8:20 esv

He cut the ram into pieces, and Moses burned the head and the pieces and the fat.

Leviticus 8:20 nlt

Then he cut the ram into pieces, and he burned the head, some of its pieces, and the fat on the altar.

Leviticus 8 verses

Leviticus 8 20 Meaning

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Leviticus 8:20 describes a critical step in the ordination of Aaron and his sons as priests, specifically the preparation and offering of the burnt ram. After the ram's inwards and legs were purified with water, Moses incinerated the entire animal on the altar. This act signified a complete offering, entirely consumed by fire, ascending to God as a pleasing aroma, an offering accepted by the LORD, performed precisely as divinely commanded.

Leviticus 8 20 Context

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Leviticus chapter 8 details the solemn consecration ceremony of Aaron and his sons as priests, as explicitly commanded by the LORD through Moses in Exodus 29. This event marks a pivotal moment, formally establishing the Levitical priesthood as intermediaries between God and His people. The chapter outlines the specific rituals: washing, robing, anointing with oil, and particularly the sacrificial rites involving a bull for a sin offering and two rams—one for a burnt offering and another for a dedication offering. Verse 20 specifically describes a stage in the offering of the first ram, designated as a "burnt sacrifice." This meticulous observance of divine instructions underscores the holiness required for those serving God and the seriousness of approaching Him. The act of cleansing, then wholly consuming the offering, emphasizes complete dedication, purification, and propitiation necessary for priestly service. It's a foundational event, illustrating the archetype of worship and service God expects from His appointed ones.

Leviticus 8 20 Word analysis

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• And he washed (וַיִּרְחַץ, vayyirchatz): The verb means "to wash" or "to cleanse." Here, it signifies a mandatory purification ritual. In ancient Near Eastern cultures and in the Torah, washing was critical for ceremonial purity, particularly before approaching the divine. This specific act cleanses impurities from the animal, reflecting a demand for meticulousness and holiness in offerings. It points to the inner purity required in worship.
• the inwards (הַקְּרָבַיִם, haqqĕrāvāyim): Refers to the internal organs. These parts, often containing waste, were considered the least clean and therefore explicitly required washing. Symbolically, the "inwards" can represent hidden motives or inner thoughts, suggesting that not only external actions but also the heart's condition must be purified before God.
• and the legs (וְהַכְּרָעָיִם, vəhakkəraʿāyim): The legs refer to the lower extremities used for movement. Like the inwards, these parts could be soiled during the animal's life. Symbolically, legs represent one's walk or conduct, implying that actions and lifestyle must also be cleansed and brought into alignment with God's standards.
• in water (בַּמָּיִם, bammayim): Water is universally a symbol of cleansing, purification, and renewal. Its use here reinforces the absolute necessity of ritual purity before presenting a sacrifice to God.
• and Moses burnt (וַיַּקְטֵר, vayyaqṭêr): The verb qaṭar means "to burn incense" or "to offer a sacrifice by fire," implying something rising to God as a pleasing aroma. Moses, acting as the mediator and high priest during this unique ordination, is explicitly performing this sacred act.
• the whole ram (אֶת־כָּל־הָאַיִל, ʾet-kāl-hāʾayil): Emphasizes that every part of the ram was consumed by fire, unlike other offerings where portions might be given to priests or eaten by the offerer. This signifies a total dedication and surrender, leaving nothing for the offerer—everything ascended to God. This "whole burnt offering" (עֹלָה, ʿōlāh) symbolizes complete consecration and propitiation for general sins or the removal of barriers between the worshiper and God.
• upon the altar (עַל־הַמִּזְבֵּחַ, ʿal-hammizbēaḥ): The altar is the central place of sacrifice and atonement, sanctified for God's presence. All offerings designated for combustion were presented here, signifying approach to God.
• it was a burnt sacrifice (עֹלָה הוּא, ʿōlāh hūʾ): ʿōlāh derives from the root ʿālâ, "to ascend." This sacrifice completely ascended in smoke, representing complete devotion and full surrender to God. It was primarily an offering of atonement for unintentional sins and a general act of worship.
• for a sweet savour (רֵיחַ נִיחוֹחַ, rêach nîḥôach): Literally "a smell of rest/soothing." This phrase frequently appears with sacrifices and signifies that the offering is acceptable, pleasing, and propitious to God. It conveys divine contentment and pleasure in the worshiper's obedience and sacrifice, turning away wrath and enabling communion.
• and an offering made by fire unto the LORD (וְאִשֶּׁה לַיהוָה, vəʾiššeh layhwh): ʾiššeh refers generally to any offering consumed by fire. This term underscores the mode of presentation, emphasizing God's claim on that which is consumed by fire on His altar. The LORD (יהוה, Yahweh), the covenant God, is the recipient.

Leviticus 8 20 Bonus section

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• The detail of "washing the inwards and legs" of the animal resonates with the broader biblical theme of inner purity (e.g., Psa 51:6-7) and righteous living (e.g., Psa 1:1-3; Psa 15). The physical cleansing of the animal points to the spiritual cleansing required of those serving God.
• The "whole ram" burnt offering is distinct from peace offerings or sin offerings where specific parts or meat were either eaten by the priests or the offerer. The "olah" signifies complete propitiation and utter devotion, often understood as making full atonement or removing general unworthiness before God.
• The "sweet savour" concept has parallels in ancient cultures where incense and sacrifices were believed to be literally pleasant odors to their deities. However, in the biblical context, it fundamentally signifies divine acceptance and favor, not mere sensory pleasure. It represents God's delight in true obedience and humble submission to His perfect will, pointing forward to Christ's obedient self-sacrifice.
• The role of Moses in personally performing the burning in this consecration ceremony underscores his unique transitional authority as mediator, preparing Aaron and his sons to assume their priestly functions. This particular moment is critical for the inauguration of the formal Israelite worship system.
• This ceremony also establishes a paradigm for understanding service in the New Covenant: believers are called to be "living sacrifices" (Rom 12:1), presenting their entire being to God, cleansed and wholly dedicated, made acceptable through the ultimate "sweet savour" sacrifice of Christ (Eph 5:2).

Leviticus 8 20 Commentary

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Leviticus 8:20 portrays a meticulous adherence to divine instruction, setting a foundational standard for the Levitical priesthood. The washing of the inwards and legs emphasizes not merely external purity but points to the internal cleansing of motives and the rectification of one's life walk. The complete burning of the ram as a burnt offering (olah) signifies absolute dedication and wholehearted surrender to God's will. Nothing of the offering is retained by the offerer; everything ascends to God. This act was seen as a "sweet savour," highlighting God's pleasure in such complete obedience and perfect devotion. The recurring phrase "as the LORD commanded Moses" reinforces the divine authority behind every detail of worship, making it clear that acceptance from God is contingent upon following His prescribed ways, not human innovation. It illustrates the depth of spiritual preparation and the totality of consecration required for sacred service, foreshadowing the complete, sinless self-sacrifice of Christ as the ultimate, truly "sweet savour" offering for humanity.