Topical Bible: Symbols and Similitudes: The Sprinkled Blood, of the Covenant

Bible > Topical > Symbols and Similitudes

◄ Symbols and Similitudes: The Sprinkled Blood, of the Covenant ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of the "sprinkled blood of the covenant" is a profound symbol within the biblical narrative, representing the establishment and ratification of covenants between God and His people. This imagery is deeply rooted in the Old Testament and finds its ultimate fulfillment in the New Testament through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Old Testament Foundations

The practice of sprinkling blood as a covenantal act is first prominently seen in the Mosaic Covenant. In Exodus 24:6-8 , Moses takes half of the blood from the sacrifices and sprinkles it on the altar, while the other half is sprinkled on the people. This act signifies the binding agreement between God and Israel, as Moses declares, "This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words."

The sprinkled blood serves as a powerful symbol of purification and consecration. Leviticus 16:14-15 describes the Day of Atonement, where the high priest sprinkles the blood of the sin offering on the mercy seat and before it, to atone for the sins of the people. This ritual underscores the necessity of blood for atonement, as stated in Leviticus 17:11 : "For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life."

New Testament Fulfillment

The New Testament reveals the ultimate significance of the sprinkled blood through the person and work of Jesus Christ. Hebrews 9:13-14 contrasts the blood of goats and bulls with the blood of Christ, stating that while the former sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, the latter cleanses the conscience from dead works to serve the living God. This passage highlights the superior efficacy of Christ's blood in establishing a new covenant.

Jesus Himself, during the Last Supper, refers to His impending sacrifice as the blood of the covenant. In Matthew 26:28 , He declares, "This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." Here, the symbolism of the sprinkled blood reaches its zenith, as Christ's sacrificial death inaugurates the New Covenant, offering redemption and reconciliation with God.

Theological Implications

The sprinkled blood of the covenant carries profound theological implications. It signifies the seriousness of sin and the necessity of a sacrificial substitute to restore fellowship with God. The Old Testament rituals foreshadow the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, whose blood not only fulfills the requirements of the law but also inaugurates a new era of grace.

Furthermore, the sprinkled blood emphasizes the communal aspect of the covenant. Just as the Israelites were collectively sprinkled with blood to signify their inclusion in the covenant, believers in Christ are united by His blood, forming a new covenant community. Hebrews 12:24 speaks of Jesus as the mediator of a new covenant, with His sprinkled blood speaking "a better word than the blood of Abel."

In summary, the symbol of the sprinkled blood of the covenant weaves through the biblical narrative, illustrating the gravity of sin, the necessity of atonement, and the establishment of a covenantal relationship between God and His people. Through the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, this symbol finds its fulfillment, offering believers the promise of forgiveness and eternal life.

Nave's Topical Index

Exodus 24:8
And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD has made with you concerning all these words.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Of the Sacraments.
... by a ring, so we wear our symbols to distinguish ... These similitudes are applicable
to the secondary reason ... vessel is not open, though it may be sprinkled all over ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 14 of the sacraments.htm

Of the Five Sacraments, Falsely So Called. Their Spuriousness ...
... the patena with the host, as symbols of the ... in being sprinkled, why are they sprinkled
with oil ... But any man who would class such similitudes with sacraments ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 19 of the five.htm