And he shall put off his garments, and put on other garments, and carry forth the ashes without the camp unto a clean place.

LEVITICUS 6:11KJV
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Leviticus 6:11 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 6:11 mean?

Leviticus 6:11 instructs the priest to change out of his regular garments, put on different clothes, and then carry the ashes from the altar outside the camp to a clean place. This verse describes a specific step in the process of maintaining the altar and handling what remains after sacrifices.

In this part of Leviticus, God is giving Moses detailed instructions for the priests about their duties in the tabernacle. The focus here is on the careful handling of the ashes from burnt offerings, showing respect for the holy things and keeping the camp ritually clean. The priest’s change of garments marks a shift from sacred service at the altar to a more ordinary task outside the camp.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 6:11

  • "off" (פָּשַׁט, pāshaṭ) means to take off or strip away, used here for the priest removing his special garments. This shows a clear separation between sacred and less sacred duties.
  • "garments" (בֶּגֶד, beged) refers to clothing, and its repetition emphasizes the importance of what the priest wears for different tasks.
  • "other" (אַחֵר, acher) means different or another, highlighting that the priest must not wear his holy garments for the task of carrying ashes outside.
  • "clean" (טָהוֹר, tahor) describes the place where the ashes are taken, stressing that even what is left over from sacrifices must be treated with respect and not just discarded anywhere.

Why Leviticus 6:11 matters

  • Leviticus 6:11 clarifies that even the ashes from sacrifices are not treated as ordinary waste but are handled with care and taken to a ritually clean place.
  • The verse highlights the distinction between holy and common tasks, shown by the priest changing his garments before leaving the camp.
  • This instruction fits into the broader context of Leviticus, where maintaining ritual purity and respect for God’s instructions is a central theme.

Where else these words appear

“ashes” Hebrew H1880 · used in 14 verses

  • Leviticus 1:16 And he shall pluck away his crop with his feathers, and cast it beside the altar on the east part, by the place of the ashes:
  • 1 Kings 13:3 And he gave a sign the same day, saying, This is the sign which the LORD hath spoken; Behold, the altar shall be rent, and the ashes that are upon it shall be poured out.
  • Psalms 63:5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:

“off” Hebrew H6584 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 37:23 And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him;
  • 1 Samuel 30:1 And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire;
  • Job 1:17 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

“clean” Hebrew H2889 · used in 87 verses

  • Genesis 7:2 Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female.
  • Exodus 39:25 And they made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates upon the hem of the robe, round about between the pomegranates;
  • Deuteronomy 12:15 Notwithstanding thou mayest kill and eat flesh in all thy gates, whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee: the unclean and the clean may eat thereof, as of the roebuck, and as of the hart.

“on” Hebrew H3847 · used in 103 verses

  • Genesis 3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
  • 2 Chronicles 5:12 Also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets:)
  • Isaiah 49:18 Lift up thine eyes round about, and behold: all these gather themselves together, and come to thee. As I live, saith the LORD, thou shalt surely clothe thee with them all, as with an ornament, and bind them on thee, as a bride doeth.