Leviticus 8:21

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And he washed the inwards and the legs in water; and Moses burnt the whole ram upon the altar: it [was] a burnt sacrifice for a sweet savour, [and] an offering made by fire unto the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses.

Complete Jewish Bible:

When the inner organs and the lower parts of the legs had been washed with water, Moshe made the entire ram go up in smoke on the altar; it was a burnt offering giving a fragrant aroma, an offering made by fire to ADONAI - as ADONAI had ordered Moshe.

Berean Standard Bible:

He washed the entrails and legs with water and burned the entire ram on the altar as a burnt offering, a pleasing aroma, an offering made by fire to the LORD, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

American Standard Version:

And he washed the inwards and the legs with water; and Moses burnt the whole ram upon the altar: it was a burnt-offering for a sweet savor: it was an offering made by fire unto Jehovah; as Jehovah commanded Moses.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And he washed^{H7364} the inwards^{H7130} and the legs^{H3767} in water^{H4325}; and Moses^{H4872} burnt^{H6999} the whole ram^{H352} upon the altar^{H4196}: it was a burnt sacrifice^{H5930} for a sweet^{H5207} savour^{H7381}, and an offering made by fire^{H801} unto the LORD^{H3068}; as the LORD^{H3068} commanded^{H6680} Moses^{H4872}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Leviticus 8:21

1. **Themes:**
- **Purity and Cleansing:** The washing of the inwards and legs of the ram symbolizes the need for purity in the presence of the holy. Water is often associated with cleansing and the removal of impurities, both ritual and moral.
- **Sacrifice and Atonement:** The burnt offering represents the idea of giving something of value to God, acknowledging human sinfulness and the need for atonement. The complete burning of the ram signifies a total dedication and surrender to God.
- **Divine Pleasure:** The notion of a "sweet savour" suggests that the sacrifice is pleasing to God, indicating that obedience to His commands is received with favor.
- **Obedience to God's Commands:** The adherence to the detailed instructions given by God to Moses emphasizes the importance of obeying divine directives in every detail.

2. **Historical Context:**
- **Time Period:** Leviticus is set in the time of Moses, immediately after the exodus from Egypt, during the wilderness wanderings of the Israelites (c. 1446-1406 BCE).
- **Covenantal Context:** The book of Leviticus is part of the Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, which outlines the covenantal relationship between God and Israel. It provides instructions for worship and holiness, essential for maintaining this relationship.
- **Priestly Ordination:** Leviticus 8 describes the ordination of Aaron and his sons as priests. The detailed account of the rituals performed by Moses serves to consecrate them for their priestly duties. The washing and burning of the ram are part of these consecration rituals.
- **Cultic Practice:** The verse reflects the sacrificial system established by God for ancient Israel. This system was central to Israelite worship, with specific procedures for different types of offerings, including burnt offerings (Hebrew: 'olah), as described in this verse.

In summary, Leviticus 8:21 encapsulates the themes of purification, sacrifice as an act of worship and atonement, the importance of adhering to God's instructions, and the establishment of the priesthood in Israel. It is set within the broader context of the Israelites' journey in the wilderness and the establishment of their religious practices and identity as a covenant people.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H7364
   There are 71 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רָחַץ
   Transliteration: râchats
   Pronunciation: raw-khats'
   Description: a primitive root; to lave (the whole or a part of a thing); bathe (self), wash (self).
   
2. Strong's Number: H7130
   There are 220 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קֶרֶב
   Transliteration: qereb
   Pronunciation: keh'-reb
   Description: from קָרַב; properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition); [idiom] among, [idiom] before, bowels, [idiom] unto charge, [phrase] eat (up), [idiom] heart, [idiom] him, [idiom] in, inward ([idiom] -ly, part, -s, thought), midst, [phrase] out of, purtenance, [idiom] therein, [idiom] through, [idiom] within self.
   
3. Strong's Number: H3767
   There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כָּרָע
   Transliteration: kârâʻ
   Pronunciation: kaw-raw'
   Description: from כָּרַע; the leg (from the knee to the ankle) of men or locusts (only in the dual); leg.
   
4. Strong's Number: H4325
   There are 525 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מַיִם
   Transliteration: mayim
   Pronunciation: mah'-yim
   Description: dual of a primitive noun (but used in a singular sense); water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen; [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)).
   
5. Strong's Number: H4872
   There are 704 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מֹשֶׁה
   Transliteration: Môsheh
   Pronunciation: mo-sheh'
   Description: from מָשָׁה; drawing out (of the water), i.e. rescued; Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver; Moses.
   
6. Strong's Number: H6999
   There are 112 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קָטַר
   Transliteration: qâṭar
   Pronunciation: kaw-tar'
   Description: a primitive root (identical with through the idea of fumigation in a close place and perhaps thus driving out the occupants); to smoke, i.e. turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship); burn (incense, sacrifice) (upon), (altar for) incense, kindle, offer (incense, a sacrifice).
   
7. Strong's Number: H352
   There are 256 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אַיִל
   Transliteration: ʼayil
   Pronunciation: ah'-yil
   Description: from the same as אוּל; properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically a chief (politically); also a ram (from his strength); a pilaster (as a strong support); an oak or other strong tree; mighty (man), lintel, oak, post, ram, tree.
   
8. Strong's Number: H4196
   There are 338 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מִזְבֵּחַ
   Transliteration: mizbêach
   Pronunciation: miz-bay'-akh
   Description: from זָבַח; an altar; altar.
   
9. Strong's Number: H5930
   There are 262 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֹלָה
   Transliteration: ʻôlâh
   Pronunciation: o-law'
   Description: or עוֹלָה; feminine active participle of עָלָה; a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke); ascent, burnt offering (sacrifice), go up to. See also עֶוֶל.
   
10. Strong's Number: H5207
    There are 43 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: נִיחוֹחַ
    Transliteration: nîychôwach
    Pronunciation: nee-kho'-akh
    Description: or נִיחֹחַ; from נוּחַ; properly, restful, i.e. pleasant; abstractly, delight; sweet (odour).
    
11. Strong's Number: H7381
    There are 55 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: רֵיחַ
    Transliteration: rêyach
    Pronunciation: ray'-akh
    Description: from רוּחַ; odor (as if blown); savour, scent, smell.
    
12. Strong's Number: H801
    There are 357 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אִשָּׁה
    Transliteration: ʼishshâh
    Pronunciation: ish-shaw'
    Description: the same as אֶשָּׁה, but used in a liturgical sense; properly, a burnt-offering; but occasionally of any sacrifice; (offering, sacrifice), (made) by fire.
    
13. Strong's Number: H3068
    There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יְהֹוָה
    Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
    Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
    Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
    
14. Strong's Number: H6680
    There are 475 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: צָוָה
    Transliteration: tsâvâh
    Pronunciation: tsaw-vaw'
    Description: a primitive root; (intensively) to constitute, enjoin; appoint, (for-) bid, (give a) charge, (give a, give in, send with) command(-er, -ment), send a messenger, put, (set) in order.