And he shall lay his hand upon the head of his offering, and kill it at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron's sons the priests shall sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about.

LEVITICUS 3:2KJV
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Leviticus 3:2 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 3:2 mean?

Leviticus 3:2 describes how a person bringing an offering must place their hand on the animal’s head and then kill it at the entrance of the meeting tent, while the priests, who are Aaron’s sons, sprinkle the animal’s blood around the altar. This verse outlines the specific steps for presenting a fellowship or peace offering in ancient Israel’s worship.

In this passage, God is giving Moses instructions for the Israelites about how to offer sacrifices at the tabernacle. The person making the offering is actively involved by laying a hand on the animal, showing a personal connection to the sacrifice. The priests then handle the ritual actions with the blood, which was a key part of the offering process.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 3:2

  • "lay" (סָמַךְ, samakh): This word means to press or lean one’s hand firmly, not just a gentle touch. It shows the offerer’s personal involvement and identification with the animal being sacrificed.
  • "offering" (קָרְבָּן, qorban): This term refers to something brought near, highlighting that the sacrifice is meant to draw the worshiper closer to God.
  • "sprinkle" (זָרַק, zaraq): This word means to scatter or throw, describing how the priests would splash the blood around the altar, a significant ritual act in the sacrificial system.

Why Leviticus 3:2 matters

  • Leviticus 3:2 clarifies that the person bringing the offering is not passive; they must personally lay their hand on the animal, showing a direct connection to the act of sacrifice.
  • The verse highlights the role of the priests as mediators, responsible for handling the blood, which was considered sacred and central to the ritual.
  • Understanding these steps helps explain the seriousness and structure of worship in ancient Israel, where both personal involvement and priestly service were required for offerings.

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.

“offering” Hebrew H7133 · used in 78 verses

  • Leviticus 1:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the LORD, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock.
  • Leviticus 7:29 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, He that offereth the sacrifice of his peace offerings unto the LORD shall bring his oblation unto the LORD of the sacrifice of his peace offerings.
  • Numbers 7:41 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.