And thou shalt offer every day a bullock for a sin offering for atonement: and thou shalt cleanse the altar, when thou hast made an atonement for it, and thou shalt anoint it, to sanctify it.

EXODUS 29:36KJV
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Exodus 29:36 (KJV)

What does Exodus 29:36 mean?

Exodus 29:36 commands that a bull be offered every day as a sin offering to make atonement, and that the altar itself be cleansed and anointed to set it apart as holy. This verse describes part of the instructions God gives Moses for dedicating the altar and preparing it for use in Israel’s worship.

God is speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, giving detailed instructions for the consecration of the priests and the altar. The daily offering of a bull as a sin offering is meant to deal with sin and impurity, while cleansing and anointing the altar shows that even the objects used for worship need to be made holy for God’s service.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 29:36

  • "Sin offering" is חַטָּאָה (ḥaṭṭā’āh, H2403), which refers specifically to a sacrifice meant to address sin and restore a right relationship with God. This highlights that the altar itself, not just the people, needed purification.
  • "Atonement" is כִּפֶּר (kippēr, H3722), meaning to cover or make reconciliation. The use of this word shows that the ritual was about more than just a symbolic act; it was understood as actually dealing with the problem of sin.
  • "Cleanse" is חָטָא (ḥāṭā’, H2398), which can mean to purify or remove sin. This word emphasizes that the altar required a special process to be made fit for holy use.
  • "Sanctify" is קָדַשׁ (qāḏaš, H6942), meaning to set apart as holy. The altar was not just cleaned but was dedicated for a special, sacred purpose.

Why Exodus 29:36 matters

  • Exodus 29:36 clarifies that even the altar, a central object in worship, needed atonement and cleansing before it could be used, showing the seriousness of approaching God.
  • The verse connects the daily sacrifice with the ongoing need for atonement, not just a one-time event, which sets the pattern for Israel’s worship practices.
  • This instruction is part of a larger section about priestly consecration, helping the reader see how every part of Israel’s worship—people and objects alike—was to be made holy and distinct for God.

Where else these words appear

“atonement” Hebrew H3725 · used in 8 verses

  • Exodus 30:10 And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonements: once in the year shall he make atonement upon it throughout your generations: it is most holy unto the LORD.
  • Leviticus 23:27 Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
  • Leviticus 25:9 Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubile to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land.

“anoint” Hebrew H4886 · used in 66 verses

  • Genesis 31:13 I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred.
  • Numbers 7:1 And it came to pass on the day that Moses had fully set up the tabernacle, and had anointed it, and sanctified it, and all the instruments thereof, both the altar and all the vessels thereof, and had anointed them, and sanctified them;
  • 1 Kings 1:39 And Zadok the priest took an horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon.

“atonement” Hebrew H3722 · used in 94 verses

  • Genesis 6:14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.
  • Leviticus 14:29 And the rest of the oil that is in the priest's hand he shall put upon the head of him that is to be cleansed, to make an atonement for him before the LORD.
  • Numbers 28:22 And one goat for a sin offering, to make an atonement for you.

“bullock” Hebrew H6499 · used in 119 verses

  • Genesis 32:15 Thirty milch camels with their colts, forty kine, and ten bulls, twenty she asses, and ten foals.
  • Numbers 7:63 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:
  • Numbers 29:33 And their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner: