Exodus 30:10

Authorized King James Version

And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonements: once in the year shall he make atonement upon it throughout your generations: it is most holy unto the LORD.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
יְכַפֵּ֤ר
shall he make atonement
to cover (specifically with bitumen)
#2
אַֽהֲרֹן֙
And Aaron
aharon, the brother of moses
#3
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#4
קַרְנֹתָ֔יו
upon the horns
a horn (as projecting); by implication, a flask, cornet; by resemblance. an elephant's tooth (i.e., ivory), a corner (of the altar), a peak (of a moun
#5
אַחַ֤ת
of it once
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#6
בַּשָּׁנָה֙
in a year
a year (as a revolution of time)
#7
מִדַּ֞ם
with the 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
#8
חַטַּ֣את
of the sin offering
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
#9
הַכִּפֻּרִ֗ים
of atonements
expiation (only in plural)
#10
אַחַ֤ת
of it once
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#11
בַּשָּׁנָה֙
in a year
a year (as a revolution of time)
#12
יְכַפֵּ֤ר
shall he make atonement
to cover (specifically with bitumen)
#13
עָלָיו֙
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#14
לְדֹרֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם
upon it throughout your generations
properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling
#15
קָֽדָשִׁ֥ים
holy
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
#16
קָֽדָשִׁ֥ים
holy
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
#17
ה֖וּא
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#18
לַֽיהוָֽה׃
unto the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

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 sovereignty 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

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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