(The Lord speaking is red text)
And thou shalt slay the ram, and thou shalt take his blood, and sprinkle [it] round about upon the altar.
and you are to slaughter the ram, take its blood, and splash it on all sides of the altar.
You are to slaughter the ram, take its blood, and sprinkle it on all sides of the altar.
And thou shalt slay the ram, and thou shalt take its blood, and sprinkle it round about upon the altar.
And thou shalt slay{H7819} the ram{H352}, and thou shalt take{H3947} his blood{H1818}, and sprinkle{H2236} it round about{H5439} upon the altar{H4196}.
**Exodus 29:16 Summary:**
**Themes:**
- **Consecration and Ritual:** The verse is part of the instructions given to Moses for the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests. The act of sprinkling the ram's blood on the altar is a ritual that symbolizes the dedication and setting apart of individuals for sacred service to God.
- **Atonement and Purification:** Blood is a central element in the rituals, signifying atonement for sin and the purification of the priests and the sanctuary. The sprinkling of blood acknowledges the need for cleansing from moral impurity before approaching a holy God.
- **Covenant Relationship:** The ritual underscores the covenant relationship between God and His people, with the priests serving as mediators. The blood on the altar represents the life given to seal the covenant, reflecting the importance of sacrifice in maintaining this divine-human relationship.
**Historical Context:**
- **The Exodus Era:** This verse is set during the time of the Exodus, when the Israelites were led out of slavery in Egypt by Moses. After receiving the Ten Commandments and other laws at Mount Sinai, God provides detailed instructions for worship, including the ordination of priests.
- **Establishment of the Priesthood:** The instructions in Exodus 29 are part of the broader establishment of the Aaronic priesthood. Aaron, Moses' brother, is appointed as the first high priest, with his descendants to serve as priests in the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary that would become the center of Israelite worship.
- **Pre-Temple Worship:** The Tabernacle and its associated rituals predate the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem. The detailed sacrificial system outlined in Exodus would later be adapted and centralized in the Temple worship under King Solomon and subsequent rulers.
In summary, Exodus 29:16 reflects the themes of consecration, atonement, and covenant within the historical context of the establishment of the Israelite priesthood and worship practices during the time of Moses.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)