Exodus 24:6
And Moses took half of the blood, and put it in basons; and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar.
Original Language Analysis
הַדָּ֔ם
of the blood
H1818
הַדָּ֔ם
of the blood
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
4 of 11
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
וַיָּ֖שֶׂם
and put
H7760
וַיָּ֖שֶׂם
and put
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
5 of 11
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
הַדָּ֔ם
of the blood
H1818
הַדָּ֔ם
of the blood
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
8 of 11
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
Cross References
1 Peter 1:19But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:Exodus 24:8And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.Hebrews 9:18Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.Leviticus 4:6And the priest shall dip his finger in the blood, and sprinkle of the blood seven times before the LORD, before the vail of the sanctuary.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern treaty ratifications sometimes involved blood rituals symbolizing the oath's binding nature ('may this happen to me if I break covenant'). Israel's blood ritual uniquely unites God and people in covenant bond.
Questions for Reflection
- What does dividing blood between altar (God) and people symbolize about covenant relationship?
- How does Hebrews 9-12 connect Sinai's blood sprinkling to Christ's blood sprinkled in heaven?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And Moses took half of the blood, and put it in basons; and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar.
Blood divides into halves—one for altar (God's side), one for people (v. 8). This symbolizes covenant binds both parties. 'Sprinkled on altar' (וַיִּזְרֹק עַל־הַמִּזְבֵּחַ, vayizroq al-hamizbeach) means blood touches God's throne. Blood is life (Leviticus 17:11); sprinkling blood dedicates life to God. The altar represents God; the people represent Israel—blood unites both. Hebrews 9:18-22 interprets this: 'even the first covenant was inaugurated with blood.' Christ's blood mediates a better covenant (Hebrews 8:6, 9:15, 12:24)—sprinkled once for all, cleansing conscience not just flesh.