And he slew it; and Moses took the blood, and put it upon the horns of the altar round about with his finger, and purified the altar, and poured the blood at the bottom of the altar, and sanctified it, to make reconciliation upon it.

LEVITICUS 8:15KJV
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Leviticus 8:15 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 8:15 mean?

Leviticus 8:15 describes Moses killing the sacrificial animal, taking some of its blood, and using his finger to put the blood on the horns of the altar, then pouring the rest at the base. This action purified and set apart the altar, making it suitable for offerings and symbolizing reconciliation between the people and God.

In this verse, Moses is carrying out instructions for the ordination of Aaron and his sons as priests. The altar is being dedicated for use in Israel’s worship, and the use of blood is central to this process. The verse highlights the careful rituals involved in making the altar holy and ready for sacrifices on behalf of the people.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 8:15

  • The word for "purified" (חָטָא, ḥāṭā’) is often understood as "to cleanse from sin" or "to make atonement," showing that the altar itself needed to be cleansed before it could be used for offerings.
  • The word for "reconciliation" (כָּפַר, kāphar) carries the sense of "covering" or "atonement," emphasizing that the ritual was meant to restore a right relationship between God and the people by dealing with sin.
  • The word for "horns" (קֶרֶן, qeren) refers to the projections at the corners of the altar, which were symbolically important as places where blood was applied to dedicate the altar.

Why Leviticus 8:15 matters

  • Leviticus 8:15 clarifies that even the altar, a sacred object, needed purification before it could be used for sacrifices, underscoring the seriousness of approaching God.
  • The verse shows that Moses, not Aaron, performed this act, highlighting Moses’ unique role in the ordination ceremony and the transition of priestly duties.
  • The detailed ritual described here connects to the wider theme in Leviticus of holiness and the steps required to maintain a right relationship with God through sacrifice.

Where else these words appear

“bottom” Hebrew H3247 · used in 20 verses

  • Exodus 29:12 And thou shalt take of the blood of the bullock, and put it upon the horns of the altar with thy finger, and pour all the blood beside the bottom of the altar.
  • Leviticus 5:9 And he shall sprinkle of the blood of the sin offering upon the side of the altar; and the rest of the blood shall be wrung out at the bottom of the altar: it is a sin offering.
  • Psalms 137:7 Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.

“finger” Hebrew H676 · used in 28 verses

  • Exodus 8:19 Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.
  • Leviticus 14:16 And the priest shall dip his right finger in the oil that is in his left hand, and shall sprinkle of the oil with his finger seven times before the LORD:
  • Psalms 144:1 A Psalm of David. Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:

“poured” Hebrew H3332 · used in 51 verses

  • Genesis 28:18 And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it.
  • Leviticus 21:10 And he that is the high priest among his brethren, upon whose head the anointing oil was poured, and that is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not uncover his head, nor rend his clothes;
  • 2 Kings 4:40 So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O thou man of God, there is death in the pot. And they could not eat thereof.

“horns” Hebrew H7161 · used in 69 verses

  • Genesis 22:13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.
  • 2 Samuel 22:3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.
  • Jeremiah 48:25 The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken, saith the LORD.