Exodus 24:8
And 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.
Original Language Analysis
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
דַֽם
Behold the blood
H1818
דַֽם
Behold the blood
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
4 of 19
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
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
6 of 19
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הָעָ֑ם
it on the people
H5971
הָעָ֑ם
it on the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
7 of 19
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
דַֽם
Behold the blood
H1818
דַֽם
Behold the blood
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
10 of 19
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
הַבְּרִית֙
of the covenant
H1285
הַבְּרִית֙
of the covenant
Strong's:
H1285
Word #:
11 of 19
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
כָּרַ֤ת
hath made
H3772
כָּרַ֤ת
hath made
Strong's:
H3772
Word #:
13 of 19
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
יְהוָה֙
which the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
which the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
14 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עִמָּכֶ֔ם
H5973
עִמָּכֶ֔ם
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
15 of 19
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
עַ֥ל
H5921
עַ֥ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
16 of 19
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
17 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Exodus 24:6And Moses took half of the blood, and put it in basons; and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar.Ezekiel 36:25Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.Matthew 26:28For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.Hebrews 13:20Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,Mark 14:24And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.1 Corinthians 11:25After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.1 Peter 1:2Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.Zechariah 9:11As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water.Luke 22:20Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.Isaiah 52:15So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.
Historical Context
Blood sprinkling on the people physically marked them as covenant participants. Hebrews 9:19-20 directly references this event, contrasting Moses' sprinkling with Christ's superior blood. Jesus' Last Supper words deliberately echo Exodus 24:8.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus' Last Supper language ('blood of the covenant') deliberately recall Exodus 24:8?
- What's the difference between blood sprinkled at Sinai (animal, temporary) and Christ's blood (human-divine, eternal)?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And 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.
Moses sprinkles the second half of blood 'on the people' (עַל־הָעָם, al-ha'am)—same blood touching altar and people unites both in covenant. 'Behold the blood of the covenant' (הִנֵּה דַם־הַבְּרִית, hinneh dam-haberit) mirrors Jesus' Last Supper words: 'This is my blood of the covenant' (Matthew 26:28, using identical phrasing). Both covenants require blood; both bind God and people. But Sinai's covenant was temporary, repeatedly violated, requiring continual sacrifices. Christ's covenant is eternal, perfectly kept (by Him), requiring no further sacrifice. Hebrews 9:12 says Christ entered the heavenly sanctuary 'by His own blood...obtaining eternal redemption.'