Topical Bible: Blood: Sacrificial: Sprinkled About the Altar

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In the sacrificial system of ancient Israel, the sprinkling of blood around the altar was a significant ritual act, symbolizing atonement, purification, and consecration. This practice is rooted in the covenantal relationship between God and His people, as outlined in the Mosaic Law. The sprinkling of blood was a central element in the sacrificial offerings, underscoring the seriousness of sin and the necessity of atonement through the shedding of blood.

Biblical Foundation

The practice of sprinkling blood around the altar is first detailed in the book of Exodus, where God provides Moses with specific instructions for the consecration of the altar and the priests. In Exodus 29:16, God commands, "You are to slaughter the ram, take its blood, and sprinkle it on all sides of the altar." This act was part of the ordination ceremony for Aaron and his sons, signifying their sanctification for priestly service.

Leviticus, the book that extensively outlines the sacrificial system, further elaborates on the use of blood in various offerings. In Leviticus 1:5, concerning the burnt offering, it is written, "Then he shall slaughter the bull before the LORD, and Aaron’s sons the priests shall present the blood and sprinkle it on all sides of the altar at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting." This sprinkling of blood was a ritual act that symbolized the offering being accepted by God and the atonement of the offerer's sins.

Theological Significance

The sprinkling of blood around the altar served multiple theological purposes. Primarily, it was an act of atonement. Leviticus 17:11 states, "For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life." This verse highlights the belief that life is in the blood, and thus, the shedding and sprinkling of blood were necessary for the atonement of sin.

Additionally, the act of sprinkling blood was a means of purification. In the sin offering, the priest would sprinkle blood before the veil of the sanctuary and on the horns of the altar to cleanse and purify the sacred space from the defilement of sin (Leviticus 4:6-7). This purification was essential for maintaining the holiness of the tabernacle and the presence of God among His people.

Symbolism and Typology

The sprinkling of blood around the altar also served as a typological foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The New Testament book of Hebrews draws a direct connection between the Old Testament sacrificial system and the sacrifice of Christ. Hebrews 9:13-14 states, "For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that their flesh is clean, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God!"

In this way, the sprinkling of blood around the altar in the Old Testament is seen as a precursor to the redemptive work of Christ, whose blood was shed for the atonement and purification of humanity. The sacrificial system, with its emphasis on the necessity of blood for atonement, points to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, who fulfills and transcends the Old Covenant rituals.

Conclusion

The practice of sprinkling blood around the altar in the Old Testament sacrificial system is a profound expression of the need for atonement and purification. It underscores the gravity of sin and the holiness of God, while also pointing forward to the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose blood brings eternal redemption and reconciliation with God.

Nave's Topical Index

Leviticus 3:2,8,13
And he shall lay his hand on the head of his offering, and kill it at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron's sons the priests shall sprinkle the blood on the altar round about.
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Leviticus 9:18
He slew also the bullock and the ram for a sacrifice of peace offerings, which was for the people: and Aaron's sons presented to him the blood, which he sprinkled on the altar round about,
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Library

'The Love of Thine Espousals'
... one for each tribe, whose employment in sacrificial functions shows ... They must have
yielded much blood. ... One half is 'sprinkled' on the altar, or, as the word ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the love of thine espousals.htm

'This Cup'
... me impossible to deny that His conception of it was distinctly sacrificial. ... I am
the true offering and sacrifice, by the blood of which, sprinkled on altar ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/this cup.htm

The Sacrifice
... to and accepted by God; it was sprinkled upon the ... The sacrificial principle has been
laid down by the ... to the Hebrews, "without shedding of blood, there is no ...
//christianbookshelf.org/beibitz/gloria crucis/viii the sacrifice.htm

The Passover: an Expiation and a Feast, a Memorial and a Prophecy
... parts"the sprinkling of the sacrificial blood on the ... were slain there, and the blood
sprinkled, as in other expiatory sacrifices, on the altar, while the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the passover an expiation and.htm

Scriptural Types.
... The sacrificial nature of the passover appears in the direction given at its ... at the
sanctuary (Deut.16:1-8), and its blood sprinkled upon the altar.2 Chron ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvii scriptural types.htm

The Blood of Sprinkling
... you not that they all extol the Lord Jesus in his sacrificial character as ... Sirs,
if you would be saved you must have the blood of Jesus sprinkled upon you. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/the blood of sprinkling.htm

Manner of Covenanting.
... covenant, consists of two terms, each of which conducts us to the sacrificial rite ...
the blood, and put it in basons; and half of the blood he sprinkled on the ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter ii manner of covenanting.htm

The Burnt Offering a Picture and a Prophecy
... carried into the holiest place, and sprinkled on the ... is death,' that 'without shedding
of blood there is ... are ingrained in the Mosaic sacrificial system, which ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the burnt offering a picture.htm

The Day of Atonement
... in the outer court, are in like manner sprinkled seven times with the blood, to
'hallow ... The insufficiency of sacrificial cleansing is set forth by this ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the day of atonement.htm

The Purification of the virgin and the Presentation in the Temple
... as if for them specially the sacrifices were laid on the Altar of Burnt ... The mistake
about the mother being sprinkled with sacrificial blood orginated with ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vii the purification of.htm