Leviticus 5:9

Authorized King James Version

And he shall sprinkle of the blood of the sin offering upon the side of the altar; and the rest of the blood shall be wrung out at the bottom of the altar: it is a sin offering.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהִזָּ֞ה
And he shall sprinkle
to spirt, i.e., besprinkle (especially in expiation)
#2
בַּדָּ֔ם
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
#3
חַטָּ֖את
it is a sin offering
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
#4
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#5
קִ֣יר
upon the side
a wall (as built in a trench)
#6
הַמִּזְבֵּ֑חַ
of the altar
an altar
#7
וְהַנִּשְׁאָ֣ר
and the rest
properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant
#8
בַּדָּ֔ם
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
#9
יִמָּצֵ֖ה
shall be wrung out
to suck out; by implication, to drain, to squeeze out
#10
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#11
יְס֣וֹד
at the bottom
a foundation (literally or figuratively)
#12
הַמִּזְבֵּ֑חַ
of the altar
an altar
#13
חַטָּ֖את
it is a sin offering
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
#14
הֽוּא׃
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

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

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.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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