Exodus 24:8
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Exodus 24:8
8 And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.
Chapter Context
Exodus 24 is a narrative with legal sections chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of judgment, obedience, holiness. Written during the Egyptian bondage and wilderness wandering (c. 1446-1406 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Egypt was the dominant superpower with a complex polytheistic religion and a god-king pharaoh.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-18: Central message and teachings
This chapter is significant because it illustrates divine judgment and mercy in response to human actions. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Exodus and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Exodus 24:8
8 And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.
Analysis
And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.
Moses sprinkles the second half of blood 'on the people' (עַל־הָעָם, al-ha'am)—same blood touching altar and people unites both in covenant. 'Behold the blood of the covenant' (הִנֵּה דַם־הַבְּרִית, hinneh dam-haberit) mirrors Jesus' Last Supper words: 'This is my blood of the covenant' (Matthew 26:28, using identical phrasing). Both covenants require blood; both bind God and people. But Sinai's covenant was temporary, repeatedly violated, requiring continual sacrifices. Christ's covenant is eternal, perfectly kept (by Him), requiring no further sacrifice. Hebrews 9:12 says Christ entered the heavenly sanctuary 'by His own blood...obtaining eternal redemption.'
Historical Context
Blood sprinkling on the people physically marked them as covenant participants. Hebrews 9:19-20 directly references this event, contrasting Moses' sprinkling with Christ's superior blood. Jesus' Last Supper words deliberately echo Exodus 24:8.
Reflection
- How does Jesus' Last Supper language ('blood of the covenant') deliberately recall Exodus 24:8?
- What's the difference between blood sprinkled at Sinai (animal, temporary) and Christ's blood (human-divine, eternal)?
Word Studies
- Blood: דָּם (Dam) H1818 - Blood
Cross-References
- Covenant: Zechariah 9:11, Matthew 26:28, Mark 14:24, Luke 22:20, 1 Corinthians 11:25, Hebrews 13:20
- Blood: Exodus 24:6, 1 Peter 1:2
- Parallel theme: Isaiah 52:15, Ezekiel 36:25