Leviticus 4:34

Authorized King James Version

And the priest shall take of the blood of the sin offering with his finger, and put it upon the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and shall pour out all the blood thereof at the bottom of the altar:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְלָקַ֨ח
shall take
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#2
הַכֹּהֵ֜ן
And the priest
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
#3
דָּמָ֣הּ
all 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
#4
הַֽחַטָּאת֙
of the sin offering
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
#5
בְּאֶצְבָּע֔וֹ
with his finger
something to sieze with, i.e., a finger; by analogy, a toe
#6
וְנָתַ֕ן
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
קַרְנֹ֖ת
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
#9
הַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃
of the altar
an altar
#10
הָֽעֹלָ֑ה
of burnt offering
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
#11
וְאֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#12
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#13
דָּמָ֣הּ
all 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
#14
יִשְׁפֹּ֔ךְ
and shall pour out
to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc
#15
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#16
יְס֖וֹד
thereof at the bottom
a foundation (literally or figuratively)
#17
הַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃
of the altar
an altar

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Leviticus. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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 Leviticus 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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