Exodus 29:16

KJV

And thou shalt slay the ram, and thou shalt take his blood, and sprinkle [it] round about upon the altar.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and you are to slaughter the ram, take its blood, and splash it on all sides of the altar.

Berean Standard Bible

You are to slaughter the ram, take its blood, and sprinkle it on all sides of the altar.

American Standard Version

And thou shalt slay the ram, and thou shalt take its blood, and sprinkle it round about upon the altar.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 29:16 describes a crucial step in the elaborate ordination ceremony for Aaron and his sons: the ritual slaying of the burnt offering ram and the subsequent application of its blood to the altar. This act was foundational to the consecration process, symbolizing complete dedication, purification, and the establishment of a holy, set-apart space for divine interaction, thereby preparing the altar for the continuous sacrifices to be offered by the newly consecrated priesthood.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 29 meticulously details the seven-day ordination ritual for Aaron and his sons, laying the groundwork for the Israelite priesthood. The chapter commences with divine instructions for this elaborate ceremony, encompassing specific priestly garments, anointing oil, and a series of prescribed sacrifices: a bull for a sin offering, two rams (one for a burnt offering, one for a ram of consecration), and unleavened bread. Verse 16 specifically focuses on the burnt offering ram, immediately following its presentation and the symbolic laying on of hands by Aaron and his sons (as detailed in [Exodus 29:15](/exodus/29-15 "Exodus 29:15 - Laying on of Hands on the Burnt Offering")). This act of slaying and blood application is directly succeeded by commands for burning the ram's parts on the altar (found in [Exodus 29:17-18](/exodus/29-17-18 "Exodus 29:17-18 - Burning the Burnt Offering")), signifying a "sweet savor" pleasing to the Lord. The ritual then progresses to the ram of consecration, involving further intricate blood applications and the anointing of Aaron and his sons, culminating in their full induction into their sacred office. The entire sequence underscores a profound theological movement from purification and atonement to dedication and full commissioning for divine service.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The ordination of priests in ancient Israel was far more than a mere ceremonial formality; it was a profound theological act that established a divinely appointed mediatorial class between God and His people. While rituals involving animal sacrifice and blood were common across the ancient Near East, Israel's system was distinct in its monotheistic focus, its emphasis on God's absolute holiness, and its unique understanding of atonement. The Tabernacle, soon to be constructed, was to be the earthly dwelling place of God among His people, and the altar within it served as the central point for worship, sacrifice, and reconciliation. The meticulous instructions in [Exodus 29](/exodus/29 "Exodus 29 - The Consecration of Aaron and His Sons") reflect God's absolute purity and the absolute necessity of complete purification for those who would serve in His holy presence. The shedding of blood was universally understood as the release of life, and in the Israelite context, this life was offered to God as the prescribed means of covering sin and sanctifying objects and individuals. This intricate ritual ensured that both the priests and the instruments of worship were set apart, made holy, and rendered fit for the presence of a holy God, preparing them for their lifelong duty of mediating between the Lord and the people of Israel, as further elaborated in the subsequent laws of [Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "The Book of Leviticus - Laws of Sacrifice").
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 29:16 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Exodus and the Pentateuch. Central among these is the theme of **Holiness and Separation**, emphasizing God's intrinsic purity and the requirement for His people and their instruments of worship to be set apart from common use and made holy for His presence. The meticulous details of the blood ritual underscore the theme of **Atonement and Purification**, demonstrating that sin and impurity necessitate a life offered in substitution to achieve reconciliation and cleansing. This verse also highlights the theme of **Divine Appointment and Consecration**, as God Himself institutes the priesthood and provides the means by which His chosen servants are made fit for sacred service. Finally, the entire sacrificial system, encapsulated in this act, foreshadows the theme of **Mediatorial Access to God**, illustrating that humanity's approach to a holy God is only possible through a divinely provided intermediary and a costly sacrifice. The repeated nature of these rituals, as seen throughout [Exodus](/exodus/1 "The Book of Exodus - Deliverance and Covenant") and [Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "The Book of Leviticus - Laws of Holiness"), implicitly points to their temporary nature and the future need for a perfect, once-for-all sacrifice.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Slay (Hebrew, _shâchaṭ'_):** This verb (H7819) denotes a ritualistic slaughter, specifically for sacrificial purposes. It implies a precise, deliberate act of taking life, not merely killing. In the context of sacrifice, it underscores the gravity of the offering—a life given in exchange, pointing to the costliness of sin and the necessity of a substitutionary sacrifice. The act of `shâchaṭ` transforms an ordinary animal into a sacred offering.
* **Blood (Hebrew, _dâm'_):** The term (H1818) refers to the life-force of the animal. In the Old Testament sacrificial system, blood was uniquely consecrated for atonement, as explicitly stated in [Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - The Life is in the Blood"). Its application was the central act of purification and reconciliation, signifying the covering or expiation of sin and the sanctification of persons and objects for sacred use. The presence of `dâm` on the altar signifies the transfer of life for the purpose of cleansing.
* **Sprinkle (Hebrew, _zâraq'_):** The Hebrew word (H2236) used here suggests a forceful casting or throwing of the blood, rather than a gentle dripping or daubing. This implies a thorough and comprehensive application, ensuring the altar was fully covered and sanctified by the blood, leaving no part untouched by its purifying power. The act of `zâraq` speaks to the totality and efficacy of the consecration.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And thou shalt slay the ram":** This command initiates the core sacrificial act for the burnt offering. The ram, designated as a male animal without blemish, symbolizes complete dedication and a substitutionary offering. Its slaying signifies the forfeiture of life, a profound act where the life of the animal is given over to God as an act of worship and atonement. This physical act is foundational to the spiritual reality of consecration, demonstrating the immense cost and seriousness of approaching a holy God.
* **"and thou shalt take his blood":** Following the slaying, the blood, representing the very life of the animal, is carefully collected. This emphasizes the sanctity and unique role of blood in the Old Testament economy, not merely as a byproduct of death but as the divinely appointed medium of atonement and purification. Its collection is a deliberate and reverent step, preparing it for its sacred and indispensable application.
* **"and sprinkle [it] round about upon the altar":** The collected blood is then forcefully and thoroughly applied to the altar. The phrase "round about" (Hebrew: `çâbîyb`, H5439) ensures that the entire altar is consecrated, signifying its complete dedication and purification. The altar, as the primary place where God's presence would meet His people through sacrifice, had to be made absolutely holy and acceptable for divine interaction. The blood purifies the altar from any defilement, setting it apart exclusively for the Lord's use and making it a fit place for the offerings of the newly ordained priests.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 29:16 employs several significant literary devices to convey its profound theological meaning. **Symbolism** is paramount, with the ram symbolizing complete dedication and substitution, its blood representing life, purification, and atonement, and the altar symbolizing God's presence and the sacred place of reconciliation between God and humanity. The very act of "sprinkling" itself is symbolic of a thorough and comprehensive cleansing, leaving no part untouched by the sanctifying power of the blood. Furthermore, this verse functions as part of a larger **Typology**, where the Old Testament sacrificial system, including these intricate consecration rituals, serves as a foreshadowing of the ultimate and perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The repeated need for animal blood, as depicted here, points to the inherent insufficiency of these temporary coverings and the future necessity for a definitive, once-for-all atonement. The detailed instructions also demonstrate **Precision** and **Emphasis**, highlighting the meticulousness and reverence required in approaching a holy God and underscoring the vital, life-giving role of blood in establishing holiness and facilitating divine communion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 29:16 profoundly illustrates the Old Testament principles of purification, consecration, and atonement through sacrifice. The shedding and application of blood were indispensable for making anything or anyone holy and acceptable for God's presence. This ritual underscores the absolute holiness of God, the pervasive reality of sin and impurity that separates humanity from Him, and the divine provision for reconciliation through a substitutionary offering. The ram's life, given and applied, served to set apart the altar for sacred service, mirroring the setting apart of Aaron and his sons for their priestly duties. This entire system, with its repeated sacrifices and meticulous rituals, continually pointed forward to a greater, final sacrifice that would truly cleanse and consecrate, providing a permanent solution to the problem of sin and access to God.

* [Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - The Life is in the Blood for Atonement")
* [Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Without Shedding of Blood There is No Remission of Sins")
* [Hebrews 10:4](/hebrews/10-4 "Hebrews 10:4 - The Inability of Animal Blood to Take Away Sins")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The ancient ritual described in Exodus 29:16, though seemingly distant from our modern context, carries profound spiritual resonance for believers today. It vividly portrays the immense cost of sin, the absolute necessity of purification, and the divine initiative in providing a way for fallen humanity to approach a holy God. The thoroughness of the blood application on the altar reminds us that true consecration and cleansing are comprehensive, touching and transforming every aspect of our lives. We are called to remember that our access to God is not earned through our own merits or efforts but is a gracious provision secured by a perfect, substitutionary sacrifice. This understanding should cultivate a deep sense of gratitude, humility, and profound reverence in our worship and daily walk. The old covenant system, with its repeated rituals and temporary coverings, serves as a powerful and poignant reminder of the ultimate, once-for-all sacrifice that makes our consecration permanent and our access to the divine presence direct and unhindered.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulousness of the ritual in Exodus 29:16 deepen your appreciation for God's holiness and the seriousness of sin?**
* **In what ways does the concept of "sprinkling blood round about upon the altar" illustrate the comprehensive nature of God's cleansing and consecration in your life through Christ?**
* **How does understanding the Old Testament sacrificial system, including this verse, enhance your understanding of the New Testament's message of atonement and direct access to God?**

### FAQ
**Why was blood so central to the consecration of the altar and priests?**

Answer: Blood was central because, in the ancient Israelite worldview, it represented life itself. [Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - The Life is in the Blood for Atonement") explicitly states, "For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls." Therefore, the shedding of blood symbolized the giving of a life as a substitute for another, or as a means to purify and set apart something for God. For the altar and priests, applying blood cleansed them from impurity, consecrated them, and made them holy and acceptable for the presence of a holy God and for performing sacred duties. Without this life-giving sacrifice, there could be no reconciliation or proper worship, and no holy space or person could stand before the Lord.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 29:16, with its profound emphasis on the slain ram and the comprehensive application of its blood for consecration, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament ram, offered repeatedly and serving as a temporary covering, was merely a shadow pointing to the true [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Unlike the blood of animals, which could only temporarily cover sins and could never truly remove them (as powerfully articulated in [Hebrews 10:4](/hebrews/10-4 "Hebrews 10:4 - Animal Sacrifices Cannot Take Away Sins")), the precious blood of Jesus, shed once for all on the cross, truly cleanses, purifies, and provides eternal redemption. His perfect sacrifice not only consecrates a physical altar but spiritually consecrates believers, making them a "holy priesthood" and a "royal priesthood" (as described in [1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - A Holy Priesthood") and [1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")), enabling them to draw near to God with confidence and without fear. Through His perfect offering, we are not just purified but fully dedicated and set apart for God's service, having direct access to the Father through the [new and living way](/hebrews/10-20 "Hebrews 10:20 - The New and Living Way Through Christ's Flesh") that His blood inaugurated. He is our ultimate sacrifice, priest, and the very means of our consecration.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 29:11

And thou shalt kill the bullock before the LORD, [by] the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Exodus 29:12

And thou shalt take of the blood of the bullock, and put [it] upon the horns of the altar with thy finger, and pour all the blood beside the bottom of the altar.