Exodus 29:36
and every day you shall offer a bull as a sin offering for atonement. Also you shall purify the altar, when you make atonement for it, and shall anoint it to consecrate it.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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It's easy to overlook that the altar itself, a physical object, required atonement and purification, just like the priests. This highlights a profound concept: even the tools and places dedicated to God are seen as susceptible to sin's taint, needing cleansing before they can be used for sacred purposes.
This passage describes the daily ritual for consecrating the altar, which was to be done for seven days. It follows the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests, emphasizing that both the priests and the altar needed to be purified and set apart for God's service. The bull offered as a sin offering and the subsequent cleansing and anointing of the altar prepare it to sanctify the offerings placed upon it.
We often think of sin as something only people do. But the Bible shows us that even the sacred things God uses need cleansing from sin's effects.
This verse reveals that the altar, the central place for offering sacrifices to God, wasn't inherently pure. It was made of human hands and was in a sinful world, so it needed its own atonement.
After the blood made the altar clean, a special oil was used. What does this act of anointing signify for dedicating something to God?
The purification of the altar was followed by anointing with holy oil. This wasn't just a symbolic gesture; it was a vital step in consecrating the altar for its sacred purpose.
Understand the original words
chattâ'âh · Hebrew Noun
A sacrifice offered to God to make reparation for sin or ritual impurity, serving as a means to restore a proper relationship between God and humanity.
kippurim · Hebrew Noun
The act of making reconciliation between God and humanity, covering or removing the barrier of sin and impurity. In the Old Testament, this was achieved through the shedding of blood.
chata' · Hebrew Verb
To cleanse or purge from ritual impurity, making something ritually fit or acceptable for holy use in the presence of God.
mashach · Hebrew Verb
To smear with oil, symbolizing the setting apart of a person, place, or object for exclusive use by God, signifying that it is under His authority and ownership.
This passage directly describes Moses taking the blood and purifying the altar, fulfilling the instruction given in Exodus 29:36.
Ezekiel 43:20This verse in Ezekiel shows the continuity of the practice, with the altar being purified and consecrated by blood in a similar manner during the later Temple period.
Hebrews 13:10This New Testament passage contrasts the Old Testament altar, which cannot consecrate those who serve it, with Christ, highlighting the ultimate purpose of these Old Testament rituals.
Matthew 23:19Jesus uses the altar as an example to teach about consecration and holiness, referencing the concept that the altar sanctifies the gift offered upon it.
clarkeExodus 29:36: "And thou shalt offer every day a bullock for a sin offering for atonement: and thou shalt cleanse the altar, when thou hast made an atonement for it, and thou shalt anoint it, to sanctify it."
Thou shalt cleanse the altar - The altar was to be sanctified for seven days; and it is likely that on each day, previously to the consecration service, the altar was wiped clean, and the former day's ashes, etc., removed.
ellicottExodus 29:36: "And thou shalt offer every day a bullock for a sin offering for atonement: and thou shalt cleanse the altar, when thou hast made an atonement for it, and thou shalt anoint it, to sanctify it."
(36) Thou shalt cleanse the altar, when thou hast made an atonement for it. —Rather, by making an atonement for it. The atonement was made by smearing the blood of the bullock upon the horns of the altar ( Exodus 29:12 , compared with Leviticus 8:15 ). And thou shalt anoint it.—Comp. Leviti…
It's easy to overlook that the altar itself, a physical object, required atonement and purification, just like the priests. This highlights a profound concept: even the tools and places dedicated to God are seen as susceptible to sin's taint, needing cleansing before they can be used for sacred purposes.
This passage describes the daily ritual for consecrating the altar, which was to be done for seven days. It follows the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests, emphasizing that both the priests and the altar needed to be purified and set apart for God's service. The bull offered as a sin offering and the subsequent cleansing and anointing of the altar prepare it to sanctify the offerings placed upon it.
This passage describes the daily ritual for consecrating the altar, which was to be done for seven days. It follows the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests, emphasizing that both the priests and the altar needed to be purified and set apart for God's service. The bull offered as a sin offering and the subsequent cleansing and anointing of the altar prepare it to sanctify the offerings placed upon it.
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qadash · Hebrew Verb
To dedicate or set apart for a sacred purpose, removing an object from common or profane use and making it exclusively holy for God.
"and every day you shall offer a bull as a sin offering for atonement. Also you shall purify the altar, when you make atonement for it, and shall anoint it to consecrate it." — It's easy to overlook that the altar itself, a physical object, required atonement and purification, just like the priests. This highlights a profound concept: even the tools and places dedicated to…
