And he shall lay his hand upon the head of it, and kill it before the tabernacle of the congregation: and the sons of Aaron shall sprinkle the blood thereof upon the altar round about.

LEVITICUS 3:13KJV
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Leviticus 3:13 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 3:13 mean?

Leviticus 3:13 describes the process for offering a peace sacrifice in ancient Israel: the person bringing the animal lays a hand on its head, kills it at the entrance to the tabernacle, and then Aaron’s sons (the priests) sprinkle its blood around the altar. This verse outlines the specific steps required for this kind of offering.

In context, God is giving Moses instructions for the Israelites about how to make a peace offering, which was a way to express fellowship with God. The actions described—laying a hand on the animal, killing it, and the priests handling the blood—show both the worshiper’s involvement and the priest’s role in the ritual, highlighting the seriousness and order of worship at the tabernacle.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 3:13

  • "Lay" (סָמַךְ, samakh) means to press or lean one’s hand firmly, not just a light touch. This gesture often signified identification with the animal being offered.
  • "Tabernacle" (אֹהֶל, ohel) refers to the tent where God’s presence dwelled among the people. The offering happens “before” (לִפְנֵי, lifnei) this tent, meaning right at its entrance, emphasizing the nearness to God’s dwelling.
  • "Sprinkle" (זָרַק, zaraq) means to scatter or throw, describing how the priests would apply the blood to all sides of the altar (מִזְבֵּחַ, mizbeach), not just one spot. This detail shows the thoroughness of the ritual.

Why Leviticus 3:13 matters

  • Leviticus 3:13 clarifies that both the worshiper and the priests had active roles in the sacrifice, showing a partnership in worship.
  • The verse highlights the importance of following God’s instructions exactly, as each step had meaning and purpose in the Israelites’ relationship with God.
  • This verse fits into a larger section about peace offerings, helping to show how ancient Israel approached God with respect, order, and a sense of shared responsibility.

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.

“lay” Hebrew H5564 · used in 47 verses

  • Genesis 27:37 And Isaac answered and said unto Esau, Behold, I have made him thy lord, and all his brethren have I given to him for servants; and with corn and wine have I sustained him: and what shall I do now unto thee, my son?
  • Leviticus 16:21 And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness:
  • Psalms 54:4 Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul.

“kill” 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.