Leviticus 17:6 - The Place of Sacrifice
The priest will then splatter the blood on the altar of the LORD
In the sacrificial system, the act of splattering blood on the altar was central to atonement and purification rituals. Blood, representing life, was a key element in the covenant between God and Israel. This act symbolized the offering of life to God, acknowledging His sovereignty and the need for atonement. The altar, located in the Tabernacle, was the designated place for sacrifices, emphasizing the holiness and order of worship. This practice foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose blood was shed for the atonement of humanity's sins, as seen in Hebrews 9:22.
at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting
The Tent of Meeting, also known as the Tabernacle, was the portable earthly dwelling place of God among the Israelites. It was a sacred space where God communicated with Moses and the priests. The entrance was significant as it was the point of transition from the common to the holy. This location underscores the accessibility of God to His people, yet also the need for mediation through the priesthood. The Tent of Meeting prefigures Christ, who is the mediator between God and humanity, as described in 1 Timothy 2:5.
and burn the fat as a pleasing aroma to the LORD
Burning the fat of the sacrifice was an act of offering the best parts to God, symbolizing the dedication and surrender of the worshiper. The "pleasing aroma" signifies God's acceptance of the sacrifice, indicating that the offering was made in accordance with His commands. This concept of a pleasing aroma is echoed in Ephesians 5:2, where Christ's sacrificial love is described as a fragrant offering to God. The burning of the fat also highlights the importance of obedience and reverence in worship, as God desires offerings made with a pure heart.
Persons / Places / Events
1. The Priest
The priest acts as a mediator between the people and God, performing the sacrificial rituals as prescribed by the Law.
2. The Altar of the LORD
This is the designated place for sacrifices, symbolizing God's presence and the place where atonement is made.
3. The Tent of Meeting
Also known as the Tabernacle, it is the portable earthly dwelling place of God among the Israelites.
4. The LORD (YHWH)
The covenant name of God, emphasizing His holiness and the relationship with His people.
5. The Sacrifice
The act of offering blood and fat, which is central to the atonement and worship practices of Israel.
Teaching Points
The Role of the Priest
The priest's role as a mediator foreshadows Christ's ultimate mediation between God and humanity.
The Significance of Blood
Blood symbolizes life and atonement, pointing to the necessity of a life given for sin, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus' sacrifice.
The Aroma Pleasing to the LORD
Sacrifices are not just ritualistic acts but are meant to be expressions of genuine worship and obedience, pleasing to God.
The Tent of Meeting as God's Dwelling
The Tent of Meeting signifies God's desire to dwell among His people, a theme fulfilled in the New Testament with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Living Sacrifices Today
Believers are called to live sacrificially, offering their lives in service and worship to God, reflecting the sacrificial system's principles in daily life.
(6) And the priest shall sprinkle.--After the animals in question had been duly slaughtered by those who brought them, the officiating priest who caught the blood in a bowl is to throw it upon the walls of the altar of burnt offering. (See Leviticus 1:5.)
At the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.--Better, at the entrance of the tent of meeting.
And burn the fat.--See Leviticus 3:3; Leviticus 3:5.
Verse 6. - The priest, that is, the Levitical priest, is henceforth to sprinkle the blood upon the altar of the Lord... and burn the fat for a sweet savour, which were the two parts of the sacrifice which were essentially priestly in their character. The old priestly function of the head of the family is disallowed. Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
The priest
הַכֹּהֵ֤ן (hak·kō·hên)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3548: Priest
will then sprinkle
וְזָרַ֨ק (wə·zā·raq)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2236: Be here and there, scatter, sprinkle, strew
the blood
הַדָּם֙ (had·dām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1818: Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed
on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against
the altar
מִזְבַּ֣ח (miz·baḥ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4196: An altar
of the LORD
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel
at the entrance
פֶּ֖תַח (pe·ṯaḥ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6607: An opening, door, entrance way
to the Tent
אֹ֣הֶל (’ō·hel)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 168: A tent
of Meeting
מוֹעֵ֑ד (mō·w·‘êḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4150: Appointed time, place, or meeting
and burn
וְהִקְטִ֣יר (wə·hiq·ṭîr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6999: To smoke, turn into fragrance by fire
the fat
הַחֵ֔לֶב (ha·ḥê·leḇ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2459: Fat, richest, choice part
as a pleasing
נִיחֹ֖חַ (nî·ḥō·aḥ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5207: A quieting, soothing, tranquilizing
aroma
לְרֵ֥יחַ (lə·rê·aḥ)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7381: To smell, perceive odor
to the LORD.
לַיהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel
Links
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Leviticus 17:6 KJVLeviticus 17:6 BibleApps.com
Leviticus 17:6 Biblia Paralela
Leviticus 17:6 Chinese Bible
Leviticus 17:6 French Bible
Leviticus 17:6 Catholic BibleOT Law: Leviticus 17:6 The priest shall sprinkle the blood (Le Lv Lev.)