He slew also the bullock and the ram for a sacrifice of peace offerings, which was for the people: and Aaron's sons presented unto him the blood, which he sprinkled upon the altar round about,

LEVITICUS 9:18KJV
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Leviticus 9:18 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 9:18 mean?

Leviticus 9:18 describes how Aaron killed a bull and a ram as peace offerings for the people, and his sons brought him the blood, which he then sprinkled around the altar. This verse shows a key part of the sacrificial ceremony, where the priests act on behalf of the people to offer sacrifices and handle the blood as instructed.

In this scene, Moses is overseeing Aaron and his sons as they perform their first official sacrifices as priests for the Israelites. The peace offerings, different from other sacrifices, were meant to express fellowship and gratitude to God. The act of sprinkling the blood around the altar was a central ritual, symbolizing the offering of life and the people's relationship with God.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 9:18

  • "sacrifice" (זֶבַח, zevach): This word refers to an animal offering, especially one given as an act of worship or thanksgiving. Here, it highlights that the bull and ram were not just killed but offered in a specific, meaningful way.
  • "peace offerings" (שֶׁלֶם, shelem): This term means offerings that symbolize peace, well-being, or fellowship. These were shared between God, the priests, and the people, showing a communal aspect to the sacrifice.
  • "sprinkled" (זָרַק, zarak): This word means to scatter or throw, often used for the ritual act of splashing blood on the altar. It emphasizes that the blood was not just poured out but applied in a way that marked the altar as set apart.

Why Leviticus 9:18 matters

  • Leviticus 9:18 clarifies that the peace offerings were for the people, not just for the priests, showing the inclusive nature of this sacrifice.
  • The verse highlights the role of Aaron’s sons in assisting with the ritual, showing the shared responsibility and training within the priesthood.
  • This verse connects to the wider passage by showing the careful obedience to God’s instructions, which was essential for the priests to serve properly and for the people to maintain their relationship with God.

Where else these words appear

“sprinkled” 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 3:13 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.
  • 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.

“bullock” Hebrew H7794 · used in 69 verses

  • Genesis 32:5 And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and menservants, and womenservants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find grace in thy sight.
  • Leviticus 22:23 Either a bullock or a lamb that hath any thing superfluous or lacking in his parts, that mayest thou offer for a freewill offering; but for a vow it shall not be accepted.
  • Judges 6:25 And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Take thy father's young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove that is by it:

“slew” Hebrew H7819 · used in 70 verses

  • Genesis 22:10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.
  • Leviticus 9:8 Aaron therefore went unto the altar, and slew the calf of the sin offering, which was for himself.
  • 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.

“offerings” Hebrew H8002 · used in 84 verses

  • Exodus 20:24 An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.
  • Leviticus 10:14 And the wave breast and heave shoulder shall ye eat in a clean place; thou, and thy sons, and thy daughters with thee: for they be thy due, and thy sons' due, which are given out of the sacrifices of peace offerings of the children of Israel.
  • Judges 20:26 Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came unto the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the LORD, and fasted that day until even, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.