And thou shalt slay the ram, and thou shalt take his blood, and sprinkle it round about upon the altar.

EXODUS 29:16KJV
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Exodus 29:16 (KJV)

What does Exodus 29:16 mean?

Exodus 29:16 describes how Moses is to kill a ram, collect its blood, and sprinkle the blood all around the altar as part of a ritual. This is a specific instruction given for the ordination ceremony of priests in ancient Israel.

In this passage, God is speaking to Moses, giving him step-by-step directions for consecrating Aaron and his sons as priests. The act of killing the ram and sprinkling its blood on the altar is part of a larger set of sacrifices and rituals meant to dedicate the altar and those serving at it. The focus is on following God's instructions exactly as given.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 29:16

  • "slay" (שָׁחַט, shachat): This word means to slaughter or kill, specifically in the context of ritual sacrifice. It highlights that this is not just any killing, but one done as part of a sacred ceremony.
  • "sprinkle" (זָרַק, zarak): This word means to scatter or throw, often used for tossing blood in a ritual way. The action is not just pouring but deliberately scattering the blood around the altar, marking it as set apart.
  • "altar" (מִזְבֵּחַ, mizbeach): This is the structure where offerings are made to God. The altar is the central place for sacrifices, and sprinkling blood on it is a way of dedicating it for holy use.

Why Exodus 29:16 matters

  • This verse shows the careful, detailed way that sacrifices were to be performed, emphasizing obedience to God's instructions in worship.
  • The ritual use of blood in this way sets the stage for understanding how ancient Israel viewed atonement and the seriousness of approaching God.
  • Exodus 29:16 is part of a longer process of ordaining priests, connecting this act to the larger theme of holiness and the special role of the priesthood in Israel's relationship with God.

Where else these words appear

“sprinkle” Hebrew H2236 · used in 33 verses

  • Exodus 9:8 And the LORD said unto Moses and unto Aaron, Take to you handfuls of ashes of the furnace, and let Moses sprinkle it toward the heaven in the sight of Pharaoh.
  • Leviticus 7:2 In the place where they kill the burnt offering shall they kill the trespass offering: and the blood thereof shall he sprinkle round about upon the altar.
  • 2 Kings 16:15 And king Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, Upon the great altar burn the morning burnt offering, and the evening meat offering, and the king's burnt sacrifice, and his meat offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land, and their meat offering, and their drink offerings; and sprinkle upon it all the blood of the burnt offering, and all the blood of the sacrifice: and the brasen altar shall be for me to enquire by.

“slay” Hebrew H7819 · used in 70 verses

  • Genesis 22:10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.
  • Leviticus 9:12 And he slew the burnt offering; and Aaron's sons presented unto him the blood, which he sprinkled round about upon the altar.
  • 2 Kings 10:14 And he said, Take them alive. And they took them alive, and slew them at the pit of the shearing house, even two and forty men; neither left he any of them.