Topical Bible: Blood: Sacrificial: Poured at the Bottom of the Altar

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In the sacrificial system of ancient Israel, the pouring of blood at the base of the altar was a significant ritual act, symbolizing atonement and the sanctification of the people. This practice is rooted in the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, where blood serves as a powerful symbol of life and purification.

Biblical Foundation

The practice of pouring sacrificial blood at the base of the altar is detailed in the Mosaic Law, particularly in the book of Leviticus. Leviticus 4:7 states, "The priest must apply some of the blood to the horns of the altar of fragrant incense that is before the LORD in the Tent of Meeting. The rest of the bull’s blood he must pour out at the base of the altar of burnt offering at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting." This instruction highlights the dual role of blood in the sacrificial system: as a means of atonement and as a sanctifying agent.

Symbolism and Significance

The pouring of blood at the altar's base signifies the complete offering of life to God. Blood, representing life (Leviticus 17:11), is given back to God as an acknowledgment of His sovereignty and as a plea for forgiveness. The altar, as the meeting point between the divine and the human, becomes the focal point of this sacred transaction.

In the context of sin offerings, the blood poured at the altar's base serves to cleanse and consecrate the altar itself, making it a suitable place for the offering and ensuring that the people's sins are atoned for. This act underscores the seriousness of sin and the necessity of a life given in exchange for atonement.

Ritual Practice

The ritual of pouring blood at the altar's base was meticulously observed by the priests, who acted as mediators between God and the people. This practice was part of a broader sacrificial system that included burnt offerings, peace offerings, and sin offerings, each with specific instructions regarding the handling of blood.

In Leviticus 9:9 , during the consecration of Aaron and his sons, it is recorded, "The sons of Aaron brought the blood to him, and he dipped his finger in the blood and applied it to the horns of the altar. He poured out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar." This passage illustrates the careful observance of the ritual, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God's commands in the sacrificial process.

Theological Implications

The pouring of blood at the altar's base prefigures the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose blood was shed for the atonement of humanity's sins. Hebrews 9:22 states, "According to the law, in fact, nearly everything must be purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." This New Testament understanding reflects the continuity and fulfillment of the sacrificial system in Christ's atoning work.

In summary, the pouring of sacrificial blood at the base of the altar is a profound act of worship and atonement, deeply embedded in the covenantal relationship between God and His people. It serves as a reminder of the cost of sin and the provision of divine grace through the shedding of blood.

Nave's Topical Index

Exodus 29:12
And you shall take of the blood of the bullock, and put it on the horns of the altar with your finger, and pour all the blood beside the bottom of the altar.
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Leviticus 8:15
And he slew it; and Moses took the blood, and put it on the horns of the altar round about with his finger, and purified the altar, and poured the blood at the bottom of the altar, and sanctified it, to make reconciliation on it.
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Library

A Last Look-Out
... and so he describes himself as waiting for the sacrificial knife to ... only to that
little wine and oil poured out as a ... and he is willing that his blood should be ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/a last look-out.htm

The Purification of the virgin and the Presentation in the Temple
... altar, and that the rest should be poured out at ... which the priest was to perform
the sacrificial act ... offering was a four-footed animal, the blood was sprinkled ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vii the purification of.htm

Scriptural Types.
... was required by the law that all the sacrificial victims should ... this work, he went
"by his own blood" into the ... ashes of all the bloody offerings were poured out ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvii scriptural types.htm

Whether There Can be any Suitable Cause for the Sacraments of the ...
... that the power of consecration was poured forth by ... tinged with the blood of the
sacrificial animal, to ... Holy Ghost, and with the sprinkling of Christ's blood. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether there can be any 2.htm

The Annunciation of St. John the Baptist
... of the altar, from a golden bowl sprinkled with sacrificial blood two sides ... sound
of music, as the drink-offering was poured out. ... 21 b, line 3 from bottom; Sanh ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iii the annunciation of.htm

The Death of Christ
... future glorious with golden words,"that blood-stained page ... do the deed, and thrust
the sacrificial knife into ... Christ into eternal fire, but he poured upon him ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the death of christ.htm

The Death of the Blessed virgin Mary at Ephesus
... and had the duty of supervising the sacrificial animals in ... rested the Chalice with
the Precious blood and some ... these clouds a path of light poured down upon ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xviii the death of the.htm

Some Hymns and Hymn-Books
... Who, in bitter pains,. Poured for me His Life-blood. ... Sweet emblems of His flesh and
blood. ... It is the highest of high sacrificial doctrine. Yes, but it is there. ...
/.../manning/the hymns of wesley and watts five papers/some hymns and hymn-books.htm

The Rise of the Assyrian Empire
... of his advances, objects of inconsiderable value such as a lord might distribute
to his vassals,'or when he was refused a princess of solar blood, or even an ...
/.../chapter iithe rise of the.htm

Augustin's Part in the Controversy.
... upon Him; but the love of God is poured out into ... or the New, were saved by the
sacrificial death of ... the human Saviour, commending to us our ransom, His blood. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/iii augustins part in the.htm