Exodus 29:17

And thou shalt cut the ram in pieces, and wash the inwards of him, and his legs, and put [them] unto his pieces, and unto his head.

And thou shalt cut {H5408} the ram {H352} in pieces {H5409}, and wash {H7364} the inwards {H7130} of him, and his legs {H3767}, and put {H5414} them unto his pieces {H5409}, and unto his head {H7218}.

Quarter the ram, wash the inner organs and the lower parts of the legs, and put them with the quarters and the head.

Cut the ram into pieces, wash the entrails and legs, and place them with its head and other pieces.

And thou shalt cut the ram into its pieces, and wash its inwards, and its legs, and put them with its pieces, and with its head.

Commentary

Exodus 29:17 details a crucial step in the elaborate ordination ceremony for Aaron and his sons into the priesthood. This verse describes the precise preparation of the ram designated as the "ram of consecration," emphasizing the meticulousness required for sacred offerings in ancient Israel.

Context

This verse is part of a longer passage in Exodus (Chapter 29) that lays out God's detailed instructions for the consecration of the Levitical priesthood. Prior to this, a bull had been sacrificed as a sin offering (Exodus 29:14) to atone for the priests' own sin. The ram mentioned here is the second animal in the sequence of sacrifices, specifically for a burnt offering and later, the ram of consecration itself. The instructions highlight God's demand for order, purity, and intentionality in all aspects of worship and service.

Key Themes

  • Holiness and Purity: The command to "wash the inwards of him, and his legs" underscores the paramount importance of cleanliness and purity in offerings to God. This physical washing symbolized internal purification and the need for the offering to be wholly acceptable and unblemished before a holy God.
  • Obedience and Meticulous Detail: The specificity of God's instructions—cutting the ram into pieces, washing specific parts, and arranging them—demonstrates that God cares about the exactness of worship. It taught the priests and the people that their service was not to be done according to their own preferences but according to divine command. This foreshadows the need for obedience as a fundamental aspect of faith.
  • Symbolism of Wholeness: Though the ram is cut into pieces, the command to "put [them] unto his pieces, and unto his head" indicates that the entire prepared animal, with all its parts cleansed, was presented as a unified offering. This symbolizes the complete dedication of the offering to God.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "cut... in pieces" is nâthach (נָתַח), which means to cut up, dismember, or carve. This term emphasizes the thoroughness of the preparation. The phrase "wash the inwards" uses the Hebrew râchats (רָחַץ) for wash, and qereb (קֶרֶב) for inwards or entrails. This washing was not merely for hygiene but primarily for ceremonial purity, ensuring that even the internal organs, which might contain impurities, were cleansed before being offered on the altar.

Practical Application

While we no longer offer animal sacrifices, the principles embedded in Exodus 29:17 remain highly relevant. Believers are called to present themselves as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God. This verse reminds us:

  • Purity in Service: Our service to God should be marked by purity, both outwardly in our actions and inwardly in our motives. Just as the ram's inwards were washed, we are called to seek inner cleansing through Christ's blood (Hebrews 9:14).
  • Attention to Detail: God values our carefulness and diligence in spiritual matters. Our worship, our giving, our service, and our obedience should not be haphazard but intentional and done with excellence, reflecting our reverence for Him.
  • Wholeness of Devotion: God desires our complete surrender—our minds, hearts, and bodies. We are to offer our whole selves, not just fragmented parts, in devotion to Him.
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Cross-References

  • Leviticus 1:9

    But his inwards and his legs shall he wash in water: and the priest shall burn all on the altar, [to be] a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.

  • Jeremiah 4:14

    O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee?

  • Leviticus 9:14

    And he did wash the inwards and the legs, and burnt [them] upon the burnt offering on the altar.

  • Leviticus 1:13

    But he shall wash the inwards and the legs with water: and the priest shall bring [it] all, and burn [it] upon the altar: it [is] a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.

  • Leviticus 8:21

    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.

  • Matthew 23:26

    [Thou] blind Pharisee, cleanse first that [which is] within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
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