You are to slaughter the ram, take its blood, and sprinkle it on all sides of the altar. You are to slaughter the ramThis phrase initiates the sacrificial ritual, a central element in the consecration of the priests. The Hebrew word for "slaughter" is "שָׁחַט" (shachat), which implies a deliberate and sacred act of killing for a divine purpose. The ram, a symbol of strength and leadership, represents the offering of something valuable and significant to God. Historically, the ram was a common sacrificial animal, signifying the community's dedication and submission to God's will. This act foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, the Lamb of God, who was slain for the sins of humanity. take its blood
Blood, in Hebrew "דָּם" (dam), is a powerful symbol of life and atonement. In the ancient Near Eastern context, blood was considered the life force of a being, and its use in rituals signified purification and consecration. The act of taking the blood signifies the priest's role as a mediator between God and the people, emphasizing the seriousness of sin and the need for atonement. This prefigures the New Testament understanding of Christ's blood as the means of eternal redemption. and sprinkle it on all sides of the altar
The Hebrew word for "sprinkle" is "נָזָה" (nazah), which conveys the idea of scattering or dispersing. This action symbolizes the sanctification and purification of the altar, making it holy and acceptable for worship. The altar, central to the sacrificial system, represents the meeting place between God and man. By sprinkling the blood on all sides, the entire altar is consecrated, signifying the comprehensive nature of God's holiness and the need for complete dedication in worship. This act points to the comprehensive cleansing available through Christ's sacrifice, which purifies believers and makes them acceptable before God. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His people from Egypt and to mediate the covenant between God and Israel. In this context, Moses is the one performing the consecration ceremony for the priests. 2. Aaron and His SonsThe first priests of Israel, being consecrated for their service in the tabernacle. This verse is part of the instructions for their ordination. 3. The AltarA sacred place where sacrifices are offered to God. In the tabernacle, the altar is central to the worship and sacrificial system established by God. 4. The RamAn animal used in the sacrificial system. In this context, it is part of the ordination offering for the priests. 5. The TabernacleThe portable dwelling place for the divine presence among the Israelites. It is the center of worship and the place where sacrifices are made. Teaching Points The Significance of Blood in AtonementBlood is central to the sacrificial system as it represents life and atonement for sin. This points forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, whose blood was shed for the forgiveness of sins. The Role of the Altar in WorshipThe altar is a place of sacrifice and meeting with God. It symbolizes the need for atonement and the seriousness of sin. In our lives, we must recognize the importance of coming to God with a heart of repentance and worship. Consecration for ServiceThe ordination of Aaron and his sons signifies the setting apart of individuals for God's service. As believers, we are called to be a royal priesthood, consecrated for His purposes. Obedience to God's InstructionsMoses' adherence to God's detailed instructions for the ordination ceremony underscores the importance of obedience in our walk with God. We are called to follow His commands faithfully. The Foreshadowing of Christ's SacrificeThe sacrificial system in the Old Testament foreshadows the perfect and final sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Understanding this connection deepens our appreciation for the work of Christ on the cross. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the use of blood in the sacrificial system of the Old Testament point to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ in the New Testament? 2. In what ways can we, as believers, live out our calling as a "royal priesthood" in our daily lives? 3. What does the altar represent in the context of worship, and how can we apply this understanding to our personal worship practices? 4. How does the obedience of Moses in following God's instructions for the ordination ceremony challenge us in our own obedience to God's Word? 5. How can understanding the Old Testament sacrificial system enhance our appreciation for the sacrifice of Jesus and its significance for our salvation? Connections to Other Scriptures Leviticus 8:22-24This passage describes the actual ordination of Aaron and his sons, where Moses follows the instructions given in Exodus 29, including the slaughtering of the ram and the use of its blood. Hebrews 9:22This New Testament verse highlights the importance of blood in the atonement process, connecting the Old Testament sacrificial system to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:2This verse speaks of the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ, drawing a parallel to the Old Testament practice and emphasizing the sanctifying work of Christ's sacrifice. People Aaron, Ephah, Israelites, MosesPlaces Egypt, Mount SinaiTopics Altar, Blood, Dash, Death, Hast, Kill, Marked, Ram, Round, Sides, Slaughter, Slaughtered, Slay, Sprinkle, Sprinkled, ThrowDictionary of Bible Themes Exodus 29:1-34 4681 ram Exodus 29:10-21 7316 blood, OT sacrifices Library The Copies of Things in the Heavens
'And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 2. On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation. 3. And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail. 4. And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof. 5. And thou shalt set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony, and put …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureEighth Day. Holiness and Indwelling.
And let them make me a holy place, that I may dwell among them.'--Ex. xxv. 8. 'And the tent shall be sanctified by my glory, and I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God.'--Ex. xxix. 43, 45. The Presence of God makes holy, even when it descends but for a little while, as at Horeb, in the burning bush. How much more must that Presence make holy the place where it dwells, where it fixes its permanent abode! So much is this the case, that the place where God dwells …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ Thirtieth Day. The Unction from the Holy One.
And ye have an anointing from the Holy One, and ye know all things. And as for you, the anointing which ye received of Him abideth in you, and ye need not that any one teach you; but as His anointing teacheth you concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, ye abide in Him.'--1 John ii. 20, 27. In the revelation by Moses of God's Holiness and His way of making holy, the priests, and specially the high priests, were the chief expression of God's Holiness in man. …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ Sixth Day. Holiness and Glory.
Who is like unto Thee, O Lord! among the gods? Who is like unto Thee, glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders? Thou in Thy mercy hast led Thy people which Thou hast redeemed: Thou hast guided them in Thy strength to the habitation of Thy holiness ... The holy place, O Lord, which Thy hands have established.' --Ex. xv. 11-17. In these words we have another step in advance in the revelation of Holiness. We have here for the first time Holiness predicated of God Himself. He …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ That the Ruler Should be Always Chief in Action.
The ruler should always be chief in action, that by his living he may point out the way of life to those that are put under him, and that the flock, which follows the voice and manners of the shepherd, may learn how to walk better through example than through words. For he who is required by the necessity of his position to speak the highest things is compelled by the same necessity to exhibit the highest things. For that voice more readily penetrates the hearer's heart, which the speaker's life …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Twenty-Fourth Day. Holiness and Cleansing.
Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.'--2 Cor. vii. 1. That holiness is more than cleansing, and must be preceded by it, is taught us in more than one passage of the New Testament. 'Christ loved the Church, and gave Himself up for it, that He might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word.' 'If a man cleanse himself from these, he shall be a vessel …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ Thirtieth Lesson. An Holy Priesthood;'
An holy priesthood;' Or, The Ministry of Intercession. An holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.'--I Peter ii. 5. Ye shall be named the Priests of the Lord.'--Isaiah lxi. 6. THE Spirit of the Lord God is upon me: because the Lord hath anointed me.' These are the words of Jesus in Isaiah. As the fruit of His work all redeemed ones are priests, fellow-partakers with Him of His anointing with the Spirit as High Priest. Like the precious ointment upon …
Andrew Murray—With Christ in the School of Prayer Man's Inability to Keep the Moral Law
Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God? No mere man, since the fall, is able in this life perfectly to keep the commandments of God, but does daily break them, in thought, word, and deed. In many things we offend all.' James 3: 2. Man in his primitive state of innocence, was endowed with ability to keep the whole moral law. He had rectitude of mind, sanctity of will, and perfection of power. He had the copy of God's law written on his heart; no sooner did God command but he obeyed. …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments John's First Testimony to Jesus.
(Bethany Beyond Jordan, February, a.d. 27.) ^D John I. 19-34. ^d 19 And this is the witness of John [John had been sent to testify, "and" this is the matter of his testimony], when the Jews [The term "Jews" is used seventy times by John to describe the ruling classes of Judæa] sent unto him [In thus sending an embassy they honored John more than they ever honored Christ. They looked upon John as a priest and Judæan, but upon Jesus as a carpenter and Galilæan. It is probable that …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Covenant of Works
Q-12: I proceed to the next question, WHAT SPECIAL ACT OF PROVIDENCE DID GOD EXERCISE TOWARDS MAN IN THE ESTATE WHEREIN HE WAS CREATED? A: When God had created man, he entered into a covenant of life with him upon condition of perfect obedience, forbidding him to eat of the tree of knowledge upon pain of death. For this, consult with Gen 2:16, 17: And the Lord commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Exodus 29:16 NIVExodus 29:16 NLTExodus 29:16 ESVExodus 29:16 NASBExodus 29:16 KJV
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