Numbers 19:4
And Eleazar the priest shall take of her blood with his finger, and sprinkle of her blood directly before the tabernacle of the congregation seven times:
Original Language Analysis
הַכֹּהֵ֛ן
the priest
H3548
הַכֹּהֵ֛ן
the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
3 of 14
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
מִדָּמָ֖הּ
of her blood
H1818
מִדָּמָ֖הּ
of her blood
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
4 of 14
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
בְּאֶצְבָּע֑וֹ
with his finger
H676
בְּאֶצְבָּע֑וֹ
with his finger
Strong's:
H676
Word #:
5 of 14
something to sieze with, i.e., a finger; by analogy, a toe
וְהִזָּ֞ה
and sprinkle
H5137
וְהִזָּ֞ה
and sprinkle
Strong's:
H5137
Word #:
6 of 14
to spirt, i.e., besprinkle (especially in expiation)
נֹ֨כַח
directly
H5227
נֹ֨כַח
directly
Strong's:
H5227
Word #:
8 of 14
properly, the front part; used adverbially (especially with preposition), opposite, in front of, forward, in behalf of
פְּנֵ֧י
before
H6440
פְּנֵ֧י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
9 of 14
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
אֹֽהֶל
the tabernacle
H168
אֹֽהֶל
the tabernacle
Strong's:
H168
Word #:
10 of 14
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
מוֹעֵ֛ד
of the congregation
H4150
מוֹעֵ֛ד
of the congregation
Strong's:
H4150
Word #:
11 of 14
properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for
מִדָּמָ֖הּ
of her blood
H1818
מִדָּמָ֖הּ
of her blood
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
12 of 14
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
Cross References
Leviticus 4:17And the priest shall dip his finger in some of the blood, and sprinkle it seven times before the LORD, even before the vail.Leviticus 16:14And he shall take of the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it with his finger upon the mercy seat eastward; and before the mercy seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times.Leviticus 4:6And the priest shall dip his finger in the blood, and sprinkle of the blood seven times before the LORD, before the vail of the sanctuary.Leviticus 16:19And he shall sprinkle of the blood upon it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it, and hallow it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel.
Historical Context
Eleazar (Aaron's son) performed this instead of Aaron himself, perhaps because the ritual's unique combination of holiness and uncleanness made it especially suitable for the one who would succeed Aaron. This secondary priest conducting the ceremony may foreshadow Christ as priest of a better order (Hebrews 7).
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ's blood 'sprinkled' in heaven's sanctuary secure your eternal cleansing?
- What does the completeness (seven) of Christ's work mean for your daily confidence before God?
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Analysis & Commentary
Eleazar the priest took blood and sprinkled it 'directly before the tabernacle' seven times. Though slaughtered outside the camp, the blood was presented toward God's dwelling—connecting purification to divine presence. Seven sprinklin gs symbolized completeness. This ritual taught that cleansing from death required blood applied in God's sight, anticipating Christ's blood presented in heaven's true sanctuary.