What is the meaning of Leviticus 4:7? The priest must then put some of the blood • Leviticus 4 details the sin offering, prescribed for unintentional sin (Leviticus 4:2). • Blood represents life given in place of the sinner (Leviticus 17:11; Hebrews 9:22). • Only “some” of the bull’s blood is used here, underscoring precision in God-given ritual—nothing arbitrary, everything purposeful (Exodus 25:40). • The priest acts as mediator, foreshadowing the perfect Mediator, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 8:6; 1 Timothy 2:5). on the horns of the altar of fragrant incense that is before the LORD in the Tent of Meeting • The altar of incense stood inside the Holy Place, just outside the veil (Exodus 30:1-6). Its “horns” symbolized power, refuge, and appeal for mercy (cf. 1 Kings 1:50; Psalm 18:2). • Applying blood here links forgiveness with prayer and worship—the very area where intercession rises “like incense” to God (Psalm 141:2; Revelation 8:3-4). • The act testifies that sin contaminates even our worship; cleansing is required before fellowship (Isaiah 6:5-7). • Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice now purifies the believer’s approach to the Father (Hebrews 10:19-22). And he is to pour out the rest of the bull’s blood at the base of the altar of burnt offering at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting • The larger, bronze altar in the courtyard (Exodus 27:1-8) is where daily burnt offerings burned continually (Leviticus 6:12-13). • Pouring “the rest” of the blood there emphasizes complete atonement—every drop accounted for (Leviticus 8:15; 9:9). • The public location—“entrance to the Tent of Meeting”—illustrates that sin and its remedy are not hidden matters (Numbers 15:25-26). • This outward shedding anticipates the public, visible cross where Jesus’ blood was poured out “outside the city gate” (Hebrews 13:11-12; John 19:17-18). • Believers now present themselves as “living sacrifices” on this side of Calvary (Romans 12:1), their worship accepted because the true Sin Offering has been made (Ephesians 5:2). summary Leviticus 4:7 shows that God requires life-blood to cleanse sin, that purification reaches even the place of prayer, and that atonement must be complete and publicly affirmed. The priest’s careful application of blood on the incense altar’s horns and its full outpouring at the bronze altar prefigure Christ’s perfect, visible sacrifice, which grants believers confident, cleansed access to God and calls them to ongoing worship and consecrated living. |
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