Leviticus 6:10
And the priest shall put on his linen robe and linen undergarments, and he shall remove from the altar the ashes of the burnt offering that the fire has consumed and place them beside it.
And the priest shall put on his linen robe and linen undergarments,

The prescribed linen garments set the priest apart for service before the holy God. Clean, simple linen was fitting for ministry at the altar and reflected the purity required of those who drew near to the Lord. Exodus 28:39–43 required these garments for Aaron and his sons, guarding the sanctity of their office. The priest’s clothing anticipated Jesus Christ, the sinless High Priest who entered God’s presence on behalf of His people (Hebrews 4:15; 9:24).

Lev 16:4 He must tie a linen sash around him and put on the linen turban.…
Exo 28:39-43 You are to weave the tunic with fine linen,…

and he shall remove from the altar the ashes of the burnt offering that the fire has consumed

The ashes testified that an offering had been wholly given to God. Each morning the priest attended to the altar, preserving order in the place where atonement was made and where the fire was never permitted to go out (Leviticus 6:12–13). The continual burnt offering reminded Israel that fellowship with God required sacrifice. Jesus fulfilled what the repeated offerings could only anticipate, offering Himself once for sins and obtaining eternal redemption for His people (Hebrews 10:10–14).

Num 4:13 Then they shall remove the ashes from the bronze altar,…
Exo 27:3 Make all its utensils of bronze—its pots for removing ashes…

and place them beside it.

The ashes were not treated as common refuse, because they remained connected with what had been offered to the Lord. They were placed beside the altar until the priest, after changing garments, carried them to a ceremonially clean place outside the camp (Leviticus 6:11). The careful handling of the ashes upheld reverence for God’s holiness and maintained the altar for the next sacrifice. Under the new covenant, Christ’s completed sacrifice needs no repetition, yet believers continually approach God through Him with reverence, thanksgiving, and consecrated lives.

Lev 1:16 And he is to remove the crop with its contents…
Lev 4:12 all the rest of the bull—he must take outside the camp…

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Priest
The individual responsible for performing the duties described in this verse. In the context of Leviticus, the priest is a mediator between God and the people, performing sacred rituals.

2. Linen Robe and Undergarments
Specific garments worn by the priest, symbolizing purity and holiness. Linen was chosen for its purity and suitability for sacred service.

3. Burnt Offering
A type of sacrifice in the Old Testament, symbolizing atonement and dedication to God. The offering was completely consumed by fire, representing total surrender to God.

4. The Altar
The place where sacrifices were made, representing the presence of God and the place of atonement.

5. Ashes
The remains of the burnt offering, which the priest was instructed to remove, signifying the completion of the sacrifice and the need for continual cleansing.
Teaching Points
Holiness in Service
The priest's garments symbolize the need for purity and holiness in serving God. As believers, we are called to live lives set apart for God's purposes.

The Role of the Priest
The priest's duties highlight the importance of mediating between God and humanity. In Christ, we have the ultimate High Priest who intercedes for us.

Symbolism of the Burnt Offering
The burnt offering represents total dedication to God. We are called to offer our lives as living sacrifices, fully surrendered to His will.

Continual Cleansing
The removal of ashes signifies the need for ongoing cleansing and renewal in our spiritual lives. We must regularly seek God's forgiveness and purification.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the requirement for the priest to wear specific garments teach us about approaching God in our daily lives?

2. How does the role of the priest in Leviticus 6:10 foreshadow the work of Jesus Christ as our High Priest?

3. In what ways can we apply the concept of the burnt offering to our personal walk with God today?

4. How does the removal of ashes relate to the idea of spiritual renewal and cleansing in the New Testament?

5. Considering 1 Peter 2:9, how can we, as a "royal priesthood," fulfill our role in the world today?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 28
Describes the priestly garments in detail, emphasizing the importance of holiness and purity in approaching God.

Hebrews 10
Discusses the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, connecting the Old Testament sacrifices to the New Covenant.

1 Peter 2:9
Refers to believers as a "royal priesthood," drawing a parallel between the Old Testament priesthood and the role of Christians today.
The Law of the Burnt OfferingJ.A. Macdonald Leviticus 6:8-13
Three Principles of PietyW. Clarkson Leviticus 6:8-13
Instructions on the Offerings for the PriestsR.A. Redford Leviticus 6:8-30
Quench not the SpiritR.M. Edgar Leviticus 6:8-30
He Shall Take Up the Ashes Which the Fire has ConsumedA. A. Bonar.Leviticus 6:10-12
Sacred AttireW. H. Jellie.Leviticus 6:10-12
The Daily SacrificeJames Fleming, D. D.Leviticus 6:10-12
The Priest's GarmentsA. A. Bonar.Leviticus 6:10-12
People
Aaron, Ephah, Moses
Places
Teman
Topics
Altar, Ashes, Beside, Body, Breeches, Burned, Burnt, Burnt-offering, Clothes, Consumed, Consumeth, Fine, Fire, Flesh, Garment, Lifted, Linen, Offering, Priest, Raiment, Reduces, Remove, Robe, Robes, Trousers, Undergarments, Whereto
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Leviticus 6:10

     5190   thigh
     5392   linen

Leviticus 6:8-13

     7322   burnt offering

Library
Meditations against Despair, or Doubting of God's Mercy.
It is found by continual experience, that near the time of death, when the children of God are weakest, then Satan makes the greatest nourish of his strength, and assails them with his strongest temptations. For he knows that either he must now or never prevail; for if their souls once go to heaven, he shall never vex nor trouble them any more. And therefore he will now bestir himself as much as he can, and labour to set before their eyes all the gross sins which ever they committed, and the judgments
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Cleansing of the Temple - the Sign,' which is not a Sign.
It has been said that Mary understood, and yet did not understand Jesus. And of this there seems fresh evidence in the circumstance that, immediately after the marriage of Cana, she and the brethren of Jesus' went with Him, or followed Him, to Capernaum, which henceforth became His own city,' [1774] during His stay by the Lake of Galilee. The question, whether He had first returned to Nazareth, seems almost trifling. It may have been so, and it may be that His brothers had joined Him there, while
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Influences that Gave Rise to the Priestly Laws and Histories
[Sidenote: Influences in the exile that produced written ceremonial laws] The Babylonian exile gave a great opportunity and incentive to the further development of written law. While the temple stood, the ceremonial rites and customs received constant illustration, and were transmitted directly from father to son in the priestly families. Hence, there was little need of writing them down. But when most of the priests were carried captive to Babylonia, as in 597 B.C., and ten years later the temple
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
or, Gospel Light Fetched out of the Temple at Jerusalem, to Let us More Easily into the Glory of New Testament Truths. 'Thou son of man, shew the house to the house of Isreal;--shew them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out hereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof.'--Ezekiel 43:10, 11 London: Printed for, and sold by George Larkin, at the Two Swans without Bishopgate,
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Destruction of Jerusalem Foretold.
^A Matt. XXIV. 1-28; ^B Mark XIII. 1-23; ^C Luke XXI. 5-24. ^a 1 And Jesus went out from the temple [leaving it to return no more], and was going on his way; and his disciples came to him ^b as he went forth ^a to show him the buildings of the temple. ^b one of his disciples saith unto him, Teacher, behold, what manner of stones and what manner of buildings! ^c 5 And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and offerings, he said [The strength and wealth of the temple roused
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Obedience
Take heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become the people of the Lord thy God. Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the Lord thy God, and do his commandments.' Deut 27: 9, 10. What is the duty which God requireth of man? Obedience to his revealed will. It is not enough to hear God's voice, but we must obey. Obedience is a part of the honour we owe to God. If then I be a Father, where is my honour?' Mal 1: 6. Obedience carries in it the life-blood of religion. Obey the voice of the Lord
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Peaceable Principles and True: Or, a Brief Answer to Mr. D'Anver's and Mr. Paul's Books against My Confession of Faith, and Differences in Judgment About Baptism no Bar to Communion.
WHEREIN THEIR SCRIPTURELESS NOTIONS ARE OVERTHROWN, AND MY PEACEABLE PRINCIPLES STILL MAINTAINED. 'Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?'--Psalm 58:1 SIR, I have received and considered your short reply to my differences in judgment about water baptism no bar to communion; and observe, that you touch not the argument at all: but rather labour what you can, and beyond what you ought, to throw odiums upon your brother for reproving you for your error,
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Leviticus
The emphasis which modern criticism has very properly laid on the prophetic books and the prophetic element generally in the Old Testament, has had the effect of somewhat diverting popular attention from the priestly contributions to the literature and religion of Israel. From this neglect Leviticus has suffered most. Yet for many reasons it is worthy of close attention; it is the deliberate expression of the priestly mind of Israel at its best, and it thus forms a welcome foil to the unattractive
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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