Leviticus 16:18

Authorized King James Version

And he shall go out unto the altar that is before the LORD, and make an atonement for it; and shall take of the blood of the bullock, and of the blood of the goat, and put it upon the horns of the altar round about.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְיָצָ֗א
And he shall go out
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#2
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#3
הַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ
of the altar
an altar
#4
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#5
לִפְנֵֽי
that is before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#6
יְהוָ֖ה
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#7
וְכִפֶּ֣ר
and make an atonement
to cover (specifically with bitumen)
#8
עָלָ֑יו
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#9
וְלָקַ֞ח
for it and shall take
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#10
וּמִדַּ֣ם
and of 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
#11
הַפָּר֙
of the bullock
a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof)
#12
וּמִדַּ֣ם
and of 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
#13
הַשָּׂעִ֔יר
of the goat
shaggy; as noun, a he-goat; by analogy, a faun
#14
וְנָתַ֛ן
and put
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#15
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#16
קַרְנ֥וֹת
it 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
#17
הַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ
of the altar
an altar
#18
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 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

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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