Leviticus 9 12

Leviticus 9:12 kjv

And he slew the burnt offering; and Aaron's sons presented unto him the blood, which he sprinkled round about upon the altar.

Leviticus 9:12 nkjv

And he killed the burnt offering; and Aaron's sons presented to him the blood, which he sprinkled all around on the altar.

Leviticus 9:12 niv

Then he slaughtered the burnt offering. His sons handed him the blood, and he splashed it against the sides of the altar.

Leviticus 9:12 esv

Then he killed the burnt offering, and Aaron's sons handed him the blood, and he threw it against the sides of the altar.

Leviticus 9:12 nlt

Next Aaron slaughtered the animal for the burnt offering. His sons brought him the blood, and he splattered it against all sides of the altar.

Leviticus 9 verses

Leviticus 9 12 Meaning

Leviticus 9:12 describes a pivotal moment in the inaugural priestly ministry of Aaron: the High Priest slaughtered his personal burnt offering, and his sons presented the collected blood to him, which he then forcefully applied by splattering it upon all sides of the bronze altar. This act signified complete dedication and consecration, as the burnt offering (olah) symbolized an individual's whole self given to God, made acceptable through the shedding and application of blood on the altar. It was a precise, divinely mandated ritual essential for establishing pure worship.

Leviticus 9 12 Context

Leviticus chapter 9 details the climactic event of Aaron and his sons beginning their official priestly service after their week-long ordination described in chapter 8. This is their first act as priests, performing the specific sacrifices commanded by the Lord. The preceding verses (Lev 9:1-7) outline the required sacrifices: a sin offering and a burnt offering for Aaron himself, and a sin offering, burnt offering, grain offering, and peace offering for the congregation. Leviticus 9:8-14 focuses on Aaron's personal sacrifices, ensuring he is clean and consecrated to approach God before he intercedes for the people. Verse 12, specifically concerning his personal burnt offering, illustrates the precise execution of the ritual, emphasizing the High Priest's responsibility in leading worship and handling the sacred blood to enable reconciliation with a holy God. This foundational event establishes the covenantal worship system that will operate throughout Israel's history.

Leviticus 9 12 Word analysis

• Then he slaughtered (וַיִּשְׁחַט֮ - vayyishcháṭ): From the root שָׁחַט (shachat), meaning "to slaughter, kill ritually." This term signifies a precise, ritualistic killing, not merely taking life. It denotes an act performed according to divine prescription, essential for transforming the animal into an offering acceptable to God. The act of slaughtering begins the sacrificial process, releasing the life (blood) that is central to atonement and consecration.

• the burnt offering (אֶת־הָעֹלָה֒ - et-hāʿōlāh): Refers to a "burnt offering" (עֹלָה - ʿōlāh), which literally means "that which goes up" or "ascends." It implies complete consumption by fire on the altar, symbolizing total dedication and surrender to God, with the smoke rising as a "pleasing aroma." Unlike other offerings, except for the hide, none of the animal was eaten by priests or offerers, signifying total surrender to God. This specific instance is Aaron's personal burnt offering.

• and Aaron’s sons (וַיַּמְצִיא֤וּ אֵלָיו֙ בְּנֵ֣י אַֽהֲרֹ֔ן - bᵊnê ʾahăron): Refers to the immediate priestly descendants of Aaron. This highlights the delegated nature of priestly duties, with the sons assisting their father in the prescribed manner, demonstrating cooperation and hierarchical structure within the Tabernacle service.

• presented the blood to him (וַיַּמְצִיא֤וּ אֵלָיו֙... אֶת־הַדָּ֖ם - vayyamtzīʾū ʾēlāyw... ʾet-haddām): The verb וַיַּמְצִיא֙וּ (vayyamtzīʾū) comes from מָצָא (matza), in the Hiphil form, meaning "to cause to be found" or "to present/bring forth." It's not a passive handing over but an active, official presentation of the blood.

• the blood (הַדָּ֖ם - haddām): Central to the entire sacrificial system. According to Lev 17:11, "the life of a creature is in the blood," making it uniquely sacred and reserved for making atonement upon the altar. Its removal and ritual application signified the offering of life to God.

• and he splattered it (וַיִּזְרְקֵ֙הוּ֙ - vayyizᵊrᵊqêhū): From the verb זָרַק (zaraq), meaning "to sprinkle, dash, throw, splatter." This describes a vigorous, deliberate application, distinct from a gentle sprinkling. It emphasizes a complete and forceful dedication of the blood to the altar, covering it entirely as a public act of consecration.

• against all sides of the altar (עַל־הַמִּזְבֵּב֙ סָבִ֔יב - ʿal-hammizbēaḥ sāḇîḇ): The "altar" (מִזְבֵּחַ - hammizbēaḥ) was the central locus of sacrifice and divine encounter. The phrase "all around" or "on every side" (סָבִיב - sāḇîḇ) indicates a thorough, encompassing application, ensuring the entire sacred space was covered by the blood and dedicated. This made the altar completely sanctified for divine service and represented the totality of the offering.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "Then he slaughtered the burnt offering": This phrase highlights Aaron's personal role as the High Priest initiating the sacrifice for himself. It underlines the importance of his own atonement and dedication before he could represent the people. The burnt offering's slaughter is the essential first step, leading to the collection of the blood.
  • "and Aaron’s sons presented the blood to him": This depicts the collaborative yet hierarchical nature of the Tabernacle service. The sons collect the sacred blood, an act requiring care and reverence, and then dutifully present it to Aaron, who as High Priest, performs the climactic application. This also underscores the extreme value placed on the blood.
  • "and he splattered it against all sides of the altar": This action signifies the official completion and efficacy of the sacrifice in God's sight. The "splattering" (zaraq) is a vigorous and pervasive act, ensuring that the life of the animal, embodied in its blood, wholly consecrates and propitiates on the altar, symbolizing the comprehensive dedication of the offerer and making the altar itself consecrated for ongoing sacred service.

Leviticus 9 12 Bonus section

The type of burnt offering for Aaron in Lev 9:12 (a ram, as specified in Lev 9:2-3) was distinct from his preceding sin offering (a calf). While the sin offering dealt with his guilt, the burnt offering represented his complete dedication to the Lord in his new role as High Priest. This sequence is significant: atonement for sin first, then total consecration. The command to splash or splatter the blood on all sides of the altar of burnt offering, rather than merely dabbling it on the horns (as was often done with sin offerings, e.g., Lev 4), signifies a complete consecration and full appropriation of the sacrificial act, imbuing the altar with the life of the offering for God's purposes. This comprehensive application indicated the offering's acceptance and efficacy.

Leviticus 9 12 Commentary

Leviticus 9:12 is a snapshot of divine worship, emphasizing precision, collaboration, and the sacredness of life in blood. The high priest's personal engagement in slaughtering his own burnt offering underscored his commitment and cleansing before he ministered on behalf of Israel. The sons' role in presenting the blood illustrates the systematic nature of the divine liturgy, where specific duties are delegated, yet overseen by the High Priest. The act of "splattering" the blood around the altar was not haphazard but a deliberate ritual that consecrated the very place of atonement, setting it apart as holy. This action imparted the life-force of the offering to the altar, making the offering effective. The detailed, specific nature of these commands established boundaries for worship, contrasting with the chaotic rituals of surrounding nations and ensuring Israel's unique relationship with their holy God. Each step in this sacrificial process was a profound visual lesson on sin, holiness, and the necessity of shed blood for divine acceptance, powerfully foreshadowing the once-for-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose own blood perfectly accomplished what the repetitive sacrifices of the old covenant could only typify.