In the Old Testament, the ritual of sprinkling blood seven times before the curtain, or veil, of the sanctuary is a significant aspect of the sacrificial system instituted by God for the Israelites. This practice is primarily detailed in the book of Leviticus, which outlines the laws and procedures for offerings and sacrifices.

Biblical Context and Significance

The act of sprinkling blood seven times before the curtain is part of the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) rituals, as described in Leviticus 16. This day was the most solemn of the Jewish calendar, dedicated to atoning for the sins of the nation. The high priest would enter the Holy of Holies, the innermost part of the tabernacle, only on this day, to make atonement for himself, his household, and the entire congregation of Israel.

Leviticus 16:14-15 states: "He is to take some of the bull’s blood and sprinkle it with his finger against the front of the mercy seat on the east side; he shall sprinkle some of it with his finger seven times before the mercy seat. Then he shall slaughter the goat for the sin offering for the people and take its blood behind the veil. He is to do with this blood as he did with the blood of the bull: He is to sprinkle it against the mercy seat and in front of it."

The number seven in the Bible often symbolizes completeness or perfection, reflecting the thoroughness of the atonement process. The sprinkling of blood seven times signifies the complete purification and sanctification required to approach a holy God. The blood, representing life, serves as a powerful symbol of atonement, covering the sins of the people and restoring their relationship with God.

Theological Implications

The sprinkling of blood before the curtain underscores the gravity of sin and the necessity of a mediator between God and humanity. The high priest, acting as this mediator, foreshadows the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ, who would offer Himself as the perfect and final sacrifice. Hebrews 9:11-12 draws a parallel between the Old Testament rituals and Christ's redemptive work: "But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands, that is, not of this creation. He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption."

Ritual Practice and Symbolism

The ritual of blood sprinkling was a vivid reminder of the cost of sin and the holiness of God. The curtain, or veil, separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies, symbolizing the barrier between God and humanity due to sin. The blood sprinkled before the veil was a necessary step in the process of reconciliation, emphasizing that access to God required a blood sacrifice.

In the broader context of the sacrificial system, the sprinkling of blood was not limited to the Day of Atonement. Various offerings, such as sin offerings and guilt offerings, also involved the sprinkling of blood on the altar and other sacred objects, signifying purification and consecration.

Conclusion

The practice of sprinkling blood seven times before the curtain in the Old Testament sacrificial system highlights the seriousness of sin, the necessity of atonement, and the foreshadowing of Christ's ultimate sacrifice. Through these rituals, God provided a means for His people to maintain a covenant relationship with Him, pointing forward to the complete and perfect atonement accomplished through Jesus Christ.Leviticus 4:5,6,17
And the priest that is anointed shall take of the bullock's blood, and bring it to the tabernacle of the congregation:
Nave's Topical Index

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

Scriptural Types.
... was required by the law that all the sacrificial victims should ... of the sin-offering,
he carried its blood into the most holy place, and sprinkled it also ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvii scriptural types.htm

Ancestors of the Blessed virgin
... Then I sprinkled myself and them with holy water ... They then took the sacrificial
offerings up the steps ... are pear-shaped, and their flesh has blood-colored streaks ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/i ancestors of the blessed.htm

The Presentation of the Blessed virgin in the Temple
... the morning Joachim and some other men drove the sacrificial animals to ... He had to
catch the blood in a vessel, and had also ... Everything was sprinkled with salt. ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/iii the presentation of the.htm

Acts VIII
... This Philip was one of the seven, and his ... countenance fornication, incest, and the
sacrificial banquets of ... Here is an allusion to the sprinkled blood of Christ ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts viii.htm

The Flight into Egypt and St. John the Baptist in the Desert
... adjured God by the blood of His first blood-witnesses ... They sprinkled their hands,
feet, and faces with water ... the middle of the room stood a sacrificial table or ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xvi the flight into egypt.htm

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