Exodus 24:5
And he sent young men of the children of Israel, which offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen unto the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּשְׁלַ֗ח
And he sent
H7971
וַיִּשְׁלַ֗ח
And he sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
1 of 12
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
אֶֽת
H853
אֶֽת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
נַעֲרֵי֙
young men
H5288
נַעֲרֵי֙
young men
Strong's:
H5288
Word #:
3 of 12
(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit
בְּנֵ֣י
of the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
4 of 12
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
5 of 12
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וַיַּֽעֲל֖וּ
which offered
H5927
וַיַּֽעֲל֖וּ
which offered
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
6 of 12
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
עֹלֹ֑ת
burnt offerings
H5930
עֹלֹ֑ת
burnt offerings
Strong's:
H5930
Word #:
7 of 12
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
וַֽיִּזְבְּח֞וּ
and sacrificed
H2076
וַֽיִּזְבְּח֞וּ
and sacrificed
Strong's:
H2076
Word #:
8 of 12
to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)
זְבָחִ֧ים
offerings
H2077
זְבָחִ֧ים
offerings
Strong's:
H2077
Word #:
9 of 12
properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)
שְׁלָמִ֛ים
peace
H8002
שְׁלָמִ֛ים
peace
Strong's:
H8002
Word #:
10 of 12
properly, requital, i.e., a (voluntary) sacrifice in thanks
Historical Context
Pre-Aaronic sacrifices were offered by family heads or appointed representatives. The burnt and peace offerings together depicted comprehensive covenant relationship—consecration and communion with God.
Questions for Reflection
- What do burnt offerings (wholly to God) and peace offerings (shared meals) together teach about covenant relationship?
- How does the blood used in covenant ratification point forward to Christ's blood establishing the New Covenant?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And he sent young men of the children of Israel, which offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen unto the LORD.
'Young men' (הַנְּעָרִים, hane'arim) offer sacrifices—likely firstborn sons, since the Aaronic priesthood hasn't been instituted yet. 'Burnt offerings' (עֹלֹת, olot) ascend wholly to God, representing total consecration. 'Peace offerings' (זְבָחִים שְׁלָמִים, zevachim shelamim) are shared meals, representing fellowship. The dual offerings depict covenant's two aspects: consecration to God and communion with Him. The oxen blood (v. 6) will seal the covenant—foreshadowing Christ's blood establishing the New Covenant. Without blood-shedding there's no covenant (Hebrews 9:22). Animal blood pointed to Christ, 'the Lamb of God who takes away the world's sin' (John 1:29).