Leviticus 8 21

Leviticus 8:21 kjv

And he washed the inwards and the legs in water; and Moses burnt the whole ram upon the altar: it was a burnt sacrifice for a sweet savor, and an offering made by fire unto the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses.

Leviticus 8:21 nkjv

Then he washed the entrails and the legs in water. And Moses burned the whole ram on the altar. It was a burnt sacrifice for a sweet aroma, an offering made by fire to the LORD, as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Leviticus 8:21 niv

He washed the internal organs and the legs with water and burned the whole ram on the altar. It was a burnt offering, a pleasing aroma, a food offering presented to the LORD, as the LORD commanded Moses.

Leviticus 8:21 esv

He washed the entrails and the legs with water, and Moses burned the whole ram on the altar. It was a burnt offering with a pleasing aroma, a food offering for the LORD, as the LORD commanded Moses.

Leviticus 8:21 nlt

After washing the internal organs and the legs with water, Moses burned the entire ram on the altar as a burnt offering. It was a pleasing aroma, a special gift presented to the LORD, just as the LORD had commanded him.

Leviticus 8 verses

Leviticus 8 21 Meaning

Leviticus 8:21 describes a specific action during the consecration of Aaron and his sons to the priesthood: Moses meticulously washes the inner organs and legs of the ram designated for the burnt offering, then burns the entire ram on the altar. This ritual act symbolizes total dedication and is pleasing to the LORD, an offering consumed by fire precisely as the LORD had commanded. It highlights divine instruction, complete surrender, and acceptable worship.

Leviticus 8 21 Context

Leviticus chapter 8 details the ordination of Aaron and his sons as priests, as commanded by the LORD in Exodus 29. Moses, acting as the appointed mediator, consecrates them by washing, anointing, and clothing them in sacred garments. This verse specifically describes the ritual treatment and offering of the second sacrifice in this seven-day ceremony—the ram for the burnt offering. Following the sin offering (v. 14-17), this burnt offering symbolizes the newly ordained priests' total dedication and submission to the LORD. Historically, this event establishes the official, divinely instituted priesthood of Israel, setting a crucial precedent for all future worship and covenant relationship with God. The meticulous adherence to every command, including the washing and burning of specific parts, underscored the sanctity of the ritual and distinguished Israel's worship from pagan practices, which often involved self-devised rituals or unclean acts. The precision ensured holiness and demonstrated that only offerings prepared exactly "as the LORD commanded Moses" were acceptable.

Leviticus 8 21 Word analysis

• And he washed: Referring to Moses, who meticulously performed the ritual acts according to divine command. The washing signifies purification, a necessary step before something dedicated to God. It highlights the principle that all elements brought before the Holy God must be clean.
• the inwards (Heb. קֶרֶב, qerev): The internal organs, like stomach, liver, etc. These parts, often considered less "clean" and intimately connected to life processes, needed thorough cleansing. This detail underscores comprehensive purification and complete removal of anything deemed impure, reflecting God's demand for thoroughness and holiness in worship.
• and the legs (Heb. וְהַכְּרָעַיִם, ve'hakkera'yim): The lower limbs, which would touch the ground and potentially become defiled. Their washing further emphasizes the total purity required for offerings dedicated to the LORD. It signifies purifying the 'walk' or 'actions' before God.
• with water: The standard agent for ritual purification in the Old Testament, representing external cleansing and preparing for holiness.
• and Moses burnt: Moses's action signifies his role as the mediator and officiant for this foundational ordination, meticulously carrying out God's specific instructions. This action turns the animal into smoke, symbolically ascending to God.
• the whole ram: Unlike sin or peace offerings, where parts might be eaten, the olah (burnt offering) was entirely consumed by fire. This signifies total, unreserved dedication and surrender to God, holding nothing back.
• upon the altar: The altar was the divinely consecrated place where sacrifices were made, mediating between the human realm and the divine, sanctifying the offering and making it acceptable.
• it was a burnt sacrifice (Heb. עֹלָה, ʿolah): Literally, "that which goes up" or "ascends." This type of offering was wholly consumed by fire, signifying complete devotion, propitiation, and often, general atonement. It embodies worship, submission, and purification.
• for a sweet savour (Heb. רֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ, reiach nichoach): Literally "a pleasing odor" or "soothing aroma." This anthropomorphism indicates God's acceptance and pleasure in the offering, signifying His approval and that the sacrifice has effectively met its intended purpose in His sight. It is not about a literal smell, but divine favor.
• and an offering made by fire (Heb. אִשֶּׁה, ishsheh): A general term for any offering consumed by fire on the altar. It reinforces that the offering is dedicated to God by means of fire, signifying His consumption and acceptance.
• unto the LORD: The sole and ultimate recipient of all worship and sacrifice, emphasizing that the entire ritual is directed to and for God's glory and purposes.
• as the LORD commanded Moses: This recurring phrase (appearing ten times in Leviticus 8) is crucial. It stresses the divine origin of the ritual, its authoritative nature, and the absolute necessity of precise obedience. The validity and efficacy of the sacrifice depended entirely on its strict adherence to God's revealed will, contrasting with self-devised human worship or pagan practices.

Words-group analysis

• "And he washed the inwards and the legs with water": This phrase highlights the critical aspect of ritual purification and meticulous preparation required before anything could be offered to God. It underscores the sanctity of the act and the holiness of God who receives the offering, emphasizing thoroughness and cleanliness even in the less visible parts.
• "and Moses burnt the whole ram upon the altar": This portrays the act of total dedication. Moses's role signifies proper mediation, while the complete burning of the ram symbolizes unreserved giving and consecration, offering everything to God without reservation.
• "it was a burnt sacrifice for a sweet savour, and an offering made by fire unto the LORD": This section articulates the nature and purpose of the sacrifice. It signifies complete devotion and is a "sweet savour," indicating God's acceptance and pleasure. The terms emphasize the offering's role as a complete self-gift, acceptable to the LORD.
• "as the LORD commanded Moses": This phrase functions as an authoritative seal on the entire process. It emphasizes divine authorization, underscoring that the efficacy and legitimacy of the ritual rested entirely on absolute obedience to God's specific instructions. This was not a human invention, but a divine ordinance.

Leviticus 8 21 Bonus section

• Typology: The burnt offering, completely consumed by fire, points forward to the absolute completeness and finality of Christ's sacrifice on the cross, leaving nothing incomplete or deficient. He offered Himself wholly, once for all, as a pure and perfect "sweet savour" to God (Hebrews 10:1-10).
• Ritual Precision: The extreme detail of the Levitical commands, down to the washing of specific internal parts, taught Israel the importance of reverence, carefulness, and God's sovereign authority in matters of worship. This stood in stark contrast to the often chaotic or impure rituals of surrounding pagan cultures.
• Divine Acceptance: The concept of "sweet savour" transforms a physical act into a theological statement of God's pleasure and the offering's acceptance. This principle extends to New Testament believers whose "spiritual sacrifices"—like praise, good deeds, and financial giving—can also be "pleasing to God" (Hebrews 13:15-16; Philippians 4:18).

Leviticus 8 21 Commentary

Leviticus 8:21 is a pivotal verse in the narrative of priestly ordination, exemplifying the foundational principles of acceptable worship. The meticulous washing of the ram's inwards and legs signifies the profound necessity of purity and holiness, reflecting God's demand for internal cleanliness as much as external adherence. The "whole ram" consumed by fire as a "burnt offering" underscores the concept of complete dedication—total surrender of the consecrated individual (here, symbolized by the sacrifice during priestly ordination) to God, holding nothing back. This act creates a "sweet savour," which is God's anthropomorphic expression of acceptance and pleasure, affirming that the offering aligns with His perfect will. The repeated emphasis "as the LORD commanded Moses" highlights the non-negotiable principle of obedience in worship. It is not enough to sacrifice; the sacrifice must be done according to divine instruction, setting a standard for all future priestly service and for how Israel was to approach God. This prefigures the ultimate "sweet savour" of Christ's perfect and complete self-sacrifice, and challenges believers today to offer their "whole lives" in obedience, as living sacrifices, spiritually pure and wholly devoted to God.