and you shall kill the ram and shall take its blood and throw it against the sides of the altar.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The text doesn't just say "sprinkle" the blood, but implies a more vigorous action, like "tossing" or "casting" it onto the altar. This wasn't a gentle misting, but a forceful application meant to splash and cover the sides of the altar, showing the serious and complete atonement required.
and you shall kill the ram and shall take its blood and throw it against the sides of the altar.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage is part of a lengthy, detailed instruction from God on how to consecrate Aaron and his sons as priests. It's a sacred, ceremonial process involving specific sacrifices and actions, outlining how these individuals would serve as mediators between God and Israel. The preceding verses describe preparing the sacrifices, and the following verses detail how blood and oil are applied to the priests themselves and their garments to signify their sanctification.
Why did God specify how the blood was applied to the altar? It wasn't a gentle sprinkle, but a forceful act.
The blood of the ram wasn't delicately applied, but 'tossed' or 'thrown' against the sides of the altar. This violent action wasn't for show; it carried deep meaning.
A Visible Cleansing
This wasn't about simply decorating the altar. The forceful application of blood signified a thorough cleansing and atonement. It covered the altar, making it holy and set apart for God's purposes. The blood declared that the service performed there was made acceptable to God through this sacrifice.
Completing the Sacrifice
While the bullock's blood was placed on the altar's horns and poured at its base, the ram's blood was tossed 'round about.' This completed the ritual, ensuring the entire altar was symbolically covered by the atoning blood, making it a fit place for God's presence and service.
The ram's blood wasn't just for the altar; it was also intimately connected to the priests themselves. What does this teach us about serving God?
The blood of this second ram, often called the 'ram of consecration,' had a dual purpose: to sanctify the altar and to signify the consecration of the priests.
Dedicated Hands and Feet
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While not explicitly detailed in this single verse, the broader context of Exodus 29 shows this blood being applied to the priests' right ears, thumbs, and toes. This symbolized that their hearing, actions, and walk were to be wholly dedicated to God's service.
A Hallowed Service
Ultimately, the blood applied to the priests and their garments was about making them holy for their sacred duties. It wasn't just an external ritual but a symbol of an internal transformation, setting them apart to minister before God. This highlights that any service offered to God must be approached with purity and a complete dedication of oneself.
Understand the original words
dam · Hebrew Noun
The life principle of a creature, which in the sacrificial system represents the substitute offered to God to make atonement for sin. Blood signifies that a life has been given up to satisfy the requirements of divine justice.
mizbeah · Hebrew Noun
A structure, usually of earth or stone, where sacrifices were presented to God. It represents the place of meeting between a holy God and sinful humanity, mediated through the blood of a sacrifice.
This passage describes the same action of 'sprinkling' (though the Hebrew word is different) blood around the altar during the burnt offering, emphasizing the blood's application to the altar.
Leviticus 4:6Here, the blood of the sin offering is explicitly 'sprinkled' seven times before the veil of the sanctuary, illustrating the application of blood to make atonement and purify the most holy place.
Hebrews 9:19This New Testament passage directly references the Old Testament ritual, explaining that Moses sprinkled both the people and the tabernacle with blood, showing the widespread need for atonement and consecration through blood.
Hebrews 12:24This verse highlights the superior covenant established through Jesus, whose blood 'speaks a better word than Abel's,' signifying a continuous and effective atonement that contrasts with the sacrificial system described in Exodus.
calvinExodus 29:1-35: "And this is the thing that thou shalt do unto them to hallow them, to minister unto me in the priest's office: Take one young bullock, and two rams without blemish,"
And thou shalt gird them with girdles, Aaron and his sons, and put the bonnets on them: and the priest's office shall be theirs for a perpetual statute: and thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons.
Cingesque illos baltheo: Aharon et flios ejus, et aptabis eis pileos, et erit eis sacerdotium in statutum perp…
ellicottExodus 29:16: "And thou shalt slay the ram, and thou shalt take his blood, and sprinkle it round about upon the altar."
(16) Thou shalt take his blood, and sprinkle it. —Rather, scatter it. The act of throwing the blood from a basin against the lower part of the altar is intended. The verb is a different one from that rightly translated “sprinkle” in Exodus 29:21 . The LXX. render it by προσχεῖν , and the Vulg. by fundere . Round about upon the altar.—Practically, this was done by casting it on…
The text doesn't just say "sprinkle" the blood, but implies a more vigorous action, like "tossing" or "casting" it onto the altar. This wasn't a gentle misting, but a forceful application meant to splash and cover the sides of the altar, showing the serious and complete atonement required.
This passage is part of a lengthy, detailed instruction from God on how to consecrate Aaron and his sons as priests. It's a sacred, ceremonial process involving specific sacrifices and actions, outlining how these individuals would serve as mediators between God and Israel. The preceding verses describe preparing the sacrifices, and the following verses detail how blood and oil are applied to the priests themselves and their garments to signify their sanctification.
This passage is part of a lengthy, detailed instruction from God on how to consecrate Aaron and his sons as priests. It's a sacred, ceremonial process involving specific sacrifices and actions, outlining how these individuals would serve as mediators between God and Israel. The preceding verses describe preparing the sacrifices, and the following verses detail how blood and oil are applied to the priests themselves and their garments to signify their sanctification.
"and you shall kill the ram and shall take its blood and throw it against the sides of the altar." — The text doesn't just say "sprinkle" the blood, but implies a more vigorous action, like "tossing" or "casting" it onto the altar. This wasn't a gentle misting, but a forceful application meant to sp…
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Last reviewed October 2026