Exodus 29:20

Authorized King James Version

Then shalt thou kill the ram, and take of his blood, and put it upon the tip of the right ear of Aaron, and upon the tip of the right ear of his sons, and upon the thumb of their right hand, and upon the great toe of their right foot, and sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְשָֽׁחַטְתָּ֣
Then shalt thou kill
to slaughter (in sacrifice or massacre)
#2
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#3
הָאַ֗יִל
the ram
properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree
#4
וְלָֽקַחְתָּ֤
and take
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#5
הַדָּ֛ם
of his blood
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
#6
וְנָֽתַתָּ֡ה
and put
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#7
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#8
תְּנ֨וּךְ
and upon the tip
a pinnacle, i.e., extremity
#9
אֹ֤זֶן
ear
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
#10
אַֽהֲרֹ֜ן
of Aaron
aharon, the brother of moses
#11
וְעַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#12
תְּנ֨וּךְ
and upon the tip
a pinnacle, i.e., extremity
#13
אֹ֤זֶן
ear
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
#14
בָּנָיו֙
of his sons
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#15
הַיְמָנִ֑ית
of the right
right (i.e., at the right hand)
#16
וְעַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#17
בֹּ֥הֶן
and upon the great toe
the thumb of the hand or great toe of the foot
#18
יָדָם֙
hand
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#19
הַיְמָנִ֑ית
of the right
right (i.e., at the right hand)
#20
וְעַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#21
בֹּ֥הֶן
and upon the great toe
the thumb of the hand or great toe of the foot
#22
רַגְלָ֖ם
foot
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
#23
הַיְמָנִ֑ית
of the right
right (i.e., at the right hand)
#24
וְזָֽרַקְתָּ֧
and sprinkle
to sprinkle (fluid or solid particles)
#25
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#26
הַדָּ֛ם
of his blood
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
#27
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#28
הַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ
upon the altar
an altar
#29
סָבִֽיב׃
round about
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Exodus Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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