Leviticus 4:7
And the priest shall put some of the blood on the horns of the altar of fragrant incense before the LORD that is in the tent of meeting, and all the rest of the blood of the bull he shall pour out at the base of the altar of burnt offering that is at the entrance of the tent of meeting.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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What's easily missed is that the blood of the sin offering is applied in two very different locations: to the "altar of fragrant incense" inside the Tent of Meeting, and then poured out at the base of the "altar of burnt offering" outside. This dual application highlights that atonement involves both approaching God's presence and acknowledging the outward consequences and removal of sin.
This verse details the final steps in a sin offering ritual prescribed for an anointed priest who has sinned through ignorance. Following the killing of the bull and the initial sprinkling of blood within the sanctuary, this passage describes how the remaining blood is applied both to the golden incense altar inside the Tent of Meeting and then poured out at the base of the larger burnt offering altar outside. This procedure emphasizes the thorough atonement required even for unintentional sins, especially by those in leadership.
Imagine the scene: a high-stakes ritual, the smell of incense filling the air. But then, something unexpected happens with the blood of the sacrifice. It touches the altar of incense, a place usually reserved for prayers and sweet aromas.
In Leviticus 4:7, the priest takes the blood of the bullock and applies it to the horns of the altar of fragrant incense. This altar, located inside the Holy Place, was where incense was burned daily, symbolizing the prayers of God's people ascending to Him.
Applying the blood to the horns of this altar was a critical step. It signified that even prayers and worship needed the cleansing power of atonement. Our access to God, our ability to offer acceptable prayers, is entirely dependent on the atoning sacrifice of Christ. It shows that sin doesn't just affect our actions; it impacts our very ability to approach God in worship.
After the blood touches the place of prayer, it's not finished. The remaining blood is poured out at the base of a different altar. What does this stark contrast signify?
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The verse continues, stating the priest 'shall pour all the rest of the blood of the bullock at the bottom of the altar of burnt offering'. This altar, located outside the Holy Place at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting, was where the primary sacrifices, including burnt offerings, were made. Pouring the blood at its base signifies the complete shedding of blood necessary for atonement.
This act underscores that the foundation of our forgiveness is the poured-out life of the sacrificial animal, prefiguring Christ’s ultimate sacrifice. It’s a powerful visual: the blood, which represents life and atonement, flows down to the very foundation of worship, grounding all our hope in the sacrifice made there. It means that every aspect of our relationship with God, including our prayers and worship, is made possible only because of this poured-out blood.
Understand the original words
qeren · Hebrew Noun
Protrusions at the corners of an altar used in sacrificial rites; they symbolize the power, strength, and efficacy of the atonement being made. Touching them with blood signifies the application of sanctification to the place of sacrifice.
ohel moed · Hebrew Noun phrase
A place of meeting and worship, specifically the structure where God met with Moses and the Israelites; it was the focal point of God's dwelling among His people in the wilderness.
This passage states that almost everything in the Old Testament was purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness, directly underscoring the theme of blood's necessity for atonement seen in Leviticus.
Exodus 30:10This verse describes the annual atonement made on the horns of the altar of incense, paralleling the specific action of placing blood on this altar in Leviticus 4:7.
Hebrews 13:11-12The author of Hebrews explicitly connects the burning of the sin offering outside the camp to Jesus suffering outside the city gates, drawing a clear parallel to the disposal of the bull in Leviticus 4:12.
John 1:29John the Baptist calls Jesus 'the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world,' echoing the sacrificial system for sin atonement described in Leviticus, with Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice.
Romans 8:3Paul explains that God sent His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemning sin in the flesh, which relates to the purpose of the sin offering for the atonement of sins.
calvinLeviticus 4:1-35: "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"
Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a soul shall sin through ignorance against any of the commandments of the LORD concerning things which ought not to be done, and shall do against any of them:
Loquere ad filius Israel, dicendo, Anima quum peccaverit per errorem ab omnibus praeceptis Jehovae qusa non sunt facienda, feceritque quidpiam de uno ex illis:
If the priest that is anointed do sin according to the sin of th…
jfbLeviticus 4:3-35: "If the priest that is anointed do sin according to the sin of the people; then let him bring for his sin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock without blemish unto the LORD for a sin offering."
Le 4:3-35. Sin Offering for the Priest.3. If the priest that is anointed do sin—that is, the high priest, in whom, considering his character as typical mediator, and his exalted office, the people had the deepest interest; and whose transgression of any part of the divine law, therefo…
What's easily missed is that the blood of the sin offering is applied in two very different locations: to the "altar of fragrant incense" inside the Tent of Meeting, and then poured out at the base of the "altar of burnt offering" outside. This dual application highlights that atonement involves both approaching God's presence and acknowledging the outward consequences and removal of sin.
This verse details the final steps in a sin offering ritual prescribed for an anointed priest who has sinned through ignorance. Following the killing of the bull and the initial sprinkling of blood within the sanctuary, this passage describes how the remaining blood is applied both to the golden incense altar inside the Tent of Meeting and then poured out at the base of the larger burnt offering altar outside. This procedure emphasizes the thorough atonement required even for unintentional sins, especially by those in leadership.
This verse details the final steps in a sin offering ritual prescribed for an anointed priest who has sinned through ignorance. Following the killing of the bull and the initial sprinkling of blood within the sanctuary, this passage describes how the remaining blood is applied both to the golden incense altar inside the Tent of Meeting and then poured out at the base of the larger burnt offering altar outside. This procedure emphasizes the thorough atonement required even for unintentional sins, especially by those in leadership.
"And the priest shall put some of the blood on the horns of the altar of fragrant incense before the LORD that is in the tent of meeting, and all the rest of the blood of the bull he shall pour out at the base of the altar of burnt offering…" — What's easily missed is that the blood of the sin offering is applied in two very different locations: to the "altar of fragrant incense" inside the Tent of Meeting, and then poured out at the base o…
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